The Talkabout Motorola MR350R two-way radio is a great offer of two-pack radio with full and advanced features that provides up to 35 miles coverage in an ideal environment with quality communication. In real environment conditions with obstructions and weather challenges, this radio covers over 2 miles delivering a solid audio experience.
The pack on purchase comes with two high-powered two-way radios, two AA NiMH rechargeable battery packs, two belt clips for attachment to the waist, one dual drop-in charger, a charging adaptor, an emergency preparedness checklist, and lastly, a user manual.
Table of Contents
Motorola MR350R Specifications
Dimension of the radio: 1.4 x 2.3 x 7.6 Inches
Weight: 5.1 ounces
ASIN: B001UE6MJ8
Channels: 22
Flashlight: Yes
IP-51 Rating: Rated
Range: 35 Miles (in an ideal environment)
Total channels: 22
GMRS Channels: 8
Interference Eliminator Codes: 121
NOAA Weather Alerts: Enabled
Considerations for Choosing the Motorola MR350R Radio
Coverage
In choosing this radio, you may want to consider how far you can reach in communication while outdoors. This is a two-way radio that can cover up to 35 miles in the distance for wireless communication. MR350R gives an incredible audio quality within this maximum range.
The maximum range is achievable in optimum weather conditions and with no physical obstruction. In real life situation, the frequency range could be lesser due to limiting factors.
Putting obstructions into consideration, you still get impressive coverage with very strong reception and transmission signals. Factors that might limit coverage include; topography and terrain, electromagnetic interference, harsh weather conditions, and physical obstructions like high like buildings or structures.
Durability
The radio has an IP-51 rating, which implies that it was built and designed with protection against dust and vertically dripping water that will readily damage a device. With the solid outer build, this radio can withstand the harshest conditions, making it suitable for outdoor use.
Battery Life
It is necessary and wise to consider how long you can run your battery at maximum use on the standard battery. The NiMH battery pack supplied with the two-way radio can last up to 9 hours of uninterrupted use.
To extend battery life, you can enable battery saver mode.
Size
The size and weight of any handheld radio should always be considered while deciding on choosing the radio or not. This portable size ensures ease of mobility and handling, especially while working and using the radio.
The Motorola MR350R walkie talkie poses no challenge to mobility as a result of its size. The carry-accessories that comes with the pack also helps to ease out transportation for the users.
Features of the Motorola MR350R Radio
VibraCall Vibration Alert
This particular feature requires AA batteries, preferably Polaroid AA batteries, and it is most useful in a noisy environment where you may find it difficult to hear call alert tones. The Vibracall feature enables your radio to vibrate as a means of alerting you when it is receiving a message. The radio vibrates when you are receiving a message once every 30 seconds.
To set the vibration alert on your radio, press the menu button until a vibration icon is displayed. Use the + or – button to select either On or Off options. Save your selection with the PTT button and exit to set up with the menu button.
Weather Channels
This radio possesses eleven weather channels that keep you updated on real-time weather changes around you. You get alerts on weather conditions in advance when you initiate weather alerts, and this is useful as you may need the information to plan your movements and schedule.
It connects to the seven NOAA channels for weather alert service in areas where they are available and can lock into local weather frequencies when the NOAA channels are not. You may visit your local weather channels for frequencies so that you get updated on weather irrespective of your location.
Press the + button and hold for three seconds to turn weather channel reception on. You can turn off reception by either pressing the + button or turning off your radio and powering it on again.
You have to set your weather channel after turning on weather reception to use this feature. When you press the menu button, the current weather channel flashes (so long as you have your weather reception on), and you can now use the + or – button to select what channel has the best reception in your locality. Use the PTT button to confirm your selection.
To get weather alerts in advance, you have to initiate the weather alert feature that connects you to the NOAA weather channel so your radio can respond to emergency messages from their radio. You get an alarm tone to notify you of every emergency weather message from the NOAA weather radio.
To set this weather alert, press the menu button twice after putting on weather reception. On/Off displays, and you can use the + or – buttons to select either of the options. Press the PTT button to save the selection.
Note that weather alerts will not function when you are receiving or transmitting actively. You may also experience static, or background noise since transmission on weather channels is without codes.
Channels
This radio has 22 channels that each has privacy codes for security against unwelcome interference. The radio’s 22 channels and 121 privacy codes give about 2662 combinations for channel selection, providing flexibility in communication. With this device, finding an available channel is very easy.
Hands-Free Communication
The MR350R utilizes both the hands-free without accessories (iVOX) and hands-free with accessories (VOX) technology to provide seamlessly, hands-free communication when you need it.
The iVOX tech allows you to transmit without the need for accessories like headsets, earpieces, or earbuds. You can communicate hands-free by turning your iVOX on, which enables your radio to detect and transmit your voice as you speak into the internal microphone.
To turn on the iVOX feature, press the menu button until you see iVOX on your display. You can either select the On or OFF options by using the + and – buttons. Confirm your choice with the PTT button and return to setup (if you wish) using the menu button.
The VOX options allow you to transmit hands-free but only with audio accessories like the headset. It is way more reliable and efficient than the iVOX feature (not to say you won’t get good transmission with the iVOX feature). When the VOX feature is on, you can speak, and the radio will detect your voice to transmit.
First, activate VOX on your radio by turning off your radio, and plug in the optional audio accessory you are using. Now turn on the radio and notice that VOX comes on display. You can adjust the volume to suit your hearing needs.
While in VOX mode, you can adjust the radio’s sensitivity to eliminate static or unwanted background noise. There are three levels of sensitivity:
- High sensitivity: This is level three, and it is suitable for very quiet environments.
- Medium sensitivity: Level two, and it is suitable for most fairly quiet environments.
- Low sensitivity: Level one setting for noisy environments.
Quiet Talk Noise Filter
This feature ensures that this radio’s communications are uninterrupted by unwanted transmission from other radios (Other Motorola radios that have this feature). The feature comes in handy when you have to use your radio in public places with radio traffic that will normally interfere with signal reception and communication.
You cannot use the quiet talk noise filter when your radio is in scanning mode. Use the menu button to navigate to Qt mode to activate. This display shows Qt, and you can use the + or – button to choose either of the On/Off options. Press the PTT button to confirm your selection and return to set up with the menu button.
Emergency Alert
This feature enables you to notify your group members in cases of emergency when you require urgent help. This emergency alert is a special feature for the MR radios that enables you to communicate urgently in hands-free mode after you have activated the emergency alert feature on your radio.
The automatic emergency hands-free communication will last for a total period of 30 seconds. For the first 8 seconds, there is a loud warning tone on all MR radios in your group. The radio automatically adjusts the volume to the maximum to ensure all receivers hear the alert sound irrespective of how noisy their environment is.
The alarm stops after the eighth second, and the radio starts the transmission of whatever sound from your end to every other member of the group at the receiving end. This window lasts for 22 seconds before the communication is cut off.
While in emergency mode, the radio prioritizes the emergency message, and all keypad functions will be locked to ensure the maximum reception of the message.
To activate an emergency alert, long-press the emergency alert button for about 3 seconds. Upon releasing (when the LED flashes red), the alarm tone begins to blare. Start speaking once the alarm goes off as all sounds from the transmitting end will be broadcast to every group member.
Channel scanning
You can search for any of the available 22 channels on your radio with the scan feature. Through scanning, you can have access to transmissions from unknown parties or members of your group who have changed the channel. You can also access free channels for your personal use.
Scanning is in two modes; basic scanning and advanced scanning. You can also prioritize your home channel with the priority scan feature. These forms of scanning help to make the channel search effective.
The radio uses the code combination for all the 22 channels as you have set them while running a basic scan. It can also take the default code value if you have not set codes for your channels.
With the advanced scan, the radio scans all the channels for every available code and detects the one used to pick the channel being scanned temporarily.
The home channel is the channel you have your radio set to at the point of initiating a scan. The radio prioritizes this channel and scans it more often than the remaining 21 channels. It also responds faster to activities and signals on the priority channel than the other channels.
To activate scanning mode on your radio, press the scan key, and the scan icon will be displayed once the radio starts searching through channels and code combinations. You hear a transmission once the radio detects channel activity that matches the channel and code combination; it stops searching at this point. If you desire to communicate on that channel, press the PTT button within the first five minutes after searching ends to allow conversation with the person transmitting. When you do not initiate conversation, the radio resumes scanning after five seconds.
Briefly pressing the scan button will end scanning.
Power Boost
With MR350R, you can boost the power output of the radio. To do this, press the top part of the PTT button while you are talking. This boost helps to increase signal range and audio quality.
Power boost might consume energy more and drain the battery faster; it is advisable to use when you want to communicate with parties far off. When communications are to be made in close range, you can put off the power boost feature by pushing the lower portion of the Push to Talk butt6on, allowing you to use less power.
Battery Saver
Saving energy is important, especially when working long hours, or you will not have access to an external power source to recharge batteries.
The battery saver feature helps you achieve this by putting the radio in a low power mode, otherwise called sleep mode, running a cycle of about 3 seconds (as determined by your settings). After each sleep cycle, the radio will check for activity and returns to sleep mode in the absence of any. Pressing the keypad or receiving calls will bring the radio off sleep mode.
If you expect urgent signals and immediate responses, do not use the battery saver mode because you will not receive alerts for the signal received while the radio is in the sleep mode cycle until the cycle is completed.
With an Extended battery saver on, you lose access to certain features like the iVOX, VOX, SCAN, and Quiet talk noise filter features. You can acquire maximum batter savings when the radio is in standby mode, and only minimal transmission and receiving of signals occur.
Keypad Tones
The downside to having your radio beep whenever you press a key on the keypad is battery consumption. You may, however, enable or disable this feature through the menu options.
Press the menu until a music icon is displayed, and the current setting will flash at about the same time either on or off. Employ the + or – keys to change the setting to either enable or disable the feature. Save your setting by pressing the Push to Talk button.
You should know that disabling the keypad alert tone does not automatically disable call tone, low battery alert tone, transmit timeout alert tone, and the transmitted talk confirmation tone.
Keypad Lock
This feature helps to prevent accidental or unintended input of commands or functions on the radio. You could unknowingly change your radio settings if you do not have its keypad locked.
To lock your radio’s keypad, long-press the menu button until a keypad lock icon is displayed. Repeat the process to unlock the keypad.
Some features are not locked even when the keypad is locked. You can still access your volume, receive, power on/off, transmit, send call tone, and monitor channel features. Every other function is locked when the radio is in lock keypad mode.
Call Alert Tones
The radio has twenty call alert tones, of which five are standard, and the remaining five are animal tones. These tones allow you to inform radio users in your group that you want to transmit. You can set the call tones by using the menu option. Press the menu button thrice, and a music icon appears. You can now use the + or – button to select through the call tone you want and use the Push to talk button to confirm the selection. If you wish to continue with the setup, use the menu button.
USB Charging Port
The radio has a mini USB charging port that serves as an alternate means of recharging the battery. Only recommended USB charging cords can be used with this port.
LED Flashlight
LED flashlight is built on this radio to help light your way when you are out in the dark. Your MR350R comes in handy in cases of an unexpected power outage with the LED flashlight feature. You can embark on your evening adventures with the assurance of reliable communication and a source of illumination in one device.
To activate the built-in flashlight, long-press the flashlight button and release after the light comes on.
Motorola MR350R Accessories
There are various compatible accessories for this Talkabout two-way radio. Accessories available from the manufacturer includes batteries and chargers, audio accessories, cases, and carry devices. Note that it is in your best interest to use only recommended accessories with your device.
Batteries
The standard battery for this consumer radio is the NiMH battery pack. There is a high capacity 1300mAh AA battery, which you can also back-up with the easy-to-move and easy-to-recharge 800mAh NiMH AA battery.
Chargers
You can either use the drop-in or plug-in chargers with this radio. There are different drop-in chargers available depending on the plugs they use; some use the Euro plug while there are those with the UK plugs.
You can also get a Micro USB charger since the radio has a USB port for charging. This USB charger uses a UK plug.
Portable car chargers are also available accessories that enable you to charge your radio even in your vehicles while on the move.
Audio accessories
The available audio accessories for this radio include headphones, earpieces, and microphones. They come in different types and designs that fit each user’s demand.
You have remote speaker microphones with Push to Talk that allows you to on hands-free, without holding the radio.
There are surveillance earpieces that can be used for discreet conversations. They are light weighted and easy to move around.
Carry Accessories
With these accessories, you can move your radio around with ease. Some of these accessories allow you to attach your radio to your waist, like the Whistle belt clip and the black belt clip. There is a Lanyard that you can attach your radio to carry it around your neck.
You can get the Handlebar Mount to attach your Motorola MR350R walkie talkie for easy mounting and access. Motorola also designs a carry pouch that you can get not just to carry your radio but also to protect it.
There are various available cases for the radio that protects and provides means of carriage. Cases in the market include the Twin Carry Case, Quad Carry Case, and Carry Case.
FAQs
How to connect walkie talkies
Ideally, the connection of walkie talkies is possible irrespective of the model provided they are all on the same frequency. The above means that you can use different walkie talkies together.
In reality, however, since each radio has distinguishing features that may not be common to other radios of different models or manufacturers, there may be limitations in connection, some mild while others great enough to impair connection.
To be on the safe side, to connect walkie talkies, particularly in a group, it would be best if all group members had the same type of radios to allow optimum communication and harnessing all available features.
To connect walkie talkies, make sure the connected devices are compatible in that they have compatible DCS codes. In a situation where the DCS codes are not compatible, switch off the DCS feature.
Being within range or line of sight is important for connection. The definition of a range is a factor of the kind of radio you use. Some radios can reach farther than others. Once you are within the connection range, you can lock into the same channel to either transmit or receive.
You press the PTT button to transmit messages, and you may notice initial static, which is normal before those at the receiving end can get your message and transmit back to you.
Conclusion
The Motorola MR350R is the ideal radio for outdoor and group use with its portable size, ease of use, and purchase cost efficiency. With an impressive range and communication quality, this radio gives more than it is priced.
If your safety is your priority and you need a device that you can rely on in emergencies for survival or help, you already have your walkie talkie. The amazing features of the MR350R radio make it one of the best walkie talkies for safety. Features like the built-in flashlight, emergency alert, power boost, and range extender make it all more ideal for any user who needs a radio for safety.
The compatibility of accessories and ease of handling and maintenance contribute to the radio’s endearing features. Built that it would last and hold out harsh weather conditions, this radio is just the ideal pick for every consumer.
