The best walkie talkies make it easier for you to connect with your group, including places where your cell phones cannot receive a signal. Walkie talkies come in a small size so you can take them everywhere with you. In addition to connectivity, these two-way radios can have a wide variety of functions, including weather warnings and SOS signals.
The Motorola MOTOTRBO SL300 is one of the newest updates the Motorola. This communication device is compact and lightweight, making it super portable and a perfect shirt pocket radio.
It has quite a number of channels to suit your preference. Also, it features a battery saver mode.
If you spend some time in the countryside, maybe hiking, biking, or just enjoying the great outdoors? You also need a way to connect. Mobile phones are not a safe option: particularly in today’s wired world, it is difficult to find coverage in remote areas. How do you interact successfully with the rest of your community and the outside world when something is wrong?
One choice is the slim Motorola SL300 two way radio. It can operate anywhere and everywhere. This communication gear can be used by novice consumers and professionals alike. This is primarily due to how flexible and lightweight this two-way radio is designed.
There are a variety of things to remember when buying a new range of two-way radios. Perhaps the most significant of them is the overall length of the walkie talkie. If you’re going to use your radios on a family camping trip or in your companies, you need one with a good contact range. Or are shopping for children’s walkie talkies, a shorter range will usually suffice to meet your needs. For example, the SL300 comes with an IP material that makes it dust-proof and waterproof.
The SL300 is a reliable, rugged, and lightweight walkie talkie. It’s built from the ground up to make sure you’re not going for a second to contact family or workers. It uses a unique technique that significantly expands its coverage without changing the real profile of the radio. If you’re looking for something that’s slim with a decent amount of coverage – this portable walkie talkie could be your best choice.
Motorola is by far the biggest and most reliable brand on the market when it comes to License Free Two-Way Radios. Therefore, the SL300 review gives a better and full knowledge of its functionalities.
Table of Contents
Considerations for choosing the Motorola SL300 Radio
Note that walkie talkies cannot just be bought without having the necessary information and putting a lot of stuff into consideration. There are top thongs you need to consider and look into before ordering or going walkie talkie shopping.
Size
This communication gear is solely for emergency cases; it has a capacity of 4.95H x 2.17W x 0.87D′, making it very easy and convenient to carry. It weighs about 5.96 oz. The lightweight of this product does not stop it from having the necessary and vital features. This walkie talkie’s dimension and weight ensure that the radio is robust and can withstand all sorts of positioning. This feature makes it easy for everyone, even kids. The Motorola SL300 blends seamlessly into your hand and pocket without causing any form of discomfort. Also, the easy-to-use belt clip ensures that you can fix the two-way radio on your hip. This enables easy movements and also free your hands to do other things or hold other items.
Performance
This walkie talkie offers a consistent transmission when communicating with your boss, co-workers, employees, or family. This is as a result of the loud yet sleeky speakers. Importantly, to prevent unforeseen circumstances and keep you safe, it even has an emergency alert to keep you safe. However, the Emergency button is linked with the Emergency On/Off feature.
Additionally, the high and low power functionality that comes with the system helps accommodate the user’s environment. The SL300 comes with an earpiece, a charger, a belt clip, a battery, and an antenna.
The radios come fitted with a built-in microphone that fits with the earpiece. This way, you’re sure to stay linked even in busy and noisy conditions. The computer also has a reliable battery that guarantees long-lasting communication.
Range
The SL300 features 99 channels, which makes it easy to make contact with users miles away. This two- way radio function both on analog or digital for long-distance connectivity. Regardless of this, the range smoothness depends entirely on the conditions and the obstructions in the landscape.
The features and range of the SL300 are effective, which is why this walkie talkie is made suitable for indoor and outdoor activities. The manufacturer has offered a close to 10-mile range. Also, the range connectivity is seamless and cannot be interrupted by objects such as vehicles, homes, trees, etc. Therefore, it can be used in open areas, busy workplaces, and fields because it is solely meant for indoor and outdoor usage.
The new PTT button on the SL300 is outstanding. The PTT can be worked in all sorts of conditions, and even if your palms are slippery or you are wearing gloves, there’s no problem. Likewise, earphone inclusion ensures that you can keep your conversation confidential while engaged in various things using both hands.
The SL300 has all rugged features, making it a good suit for more outdoor activities.
Emergency Alarm button
This two-way radio also features an emergency warning button to ensure that easy contact can be made when you find yourself in areas with issues. The Emergency button provides you with safety protection at risk.
Reliability
This communication device’s potential is to survive for a long time without any noticeable degradation of quality. This value is why many customers are so enthusiastic about buying this excellent handheld radio. If you love technical products with high reliability, you cannot miss out on this Motorola product. This durable walkie-talkie configuration helps it last longer. It is also securely sealed with IP54 material to keep it from being exposed to dust or water.
Also, many users have made it known that this communication equipment can be used for more than five years. This is because the radio was made from maximum secured components. Regardless of this, it is made affordably. The way you handle this radio also decides how long it will last. Try it right, and you will be able to do it for enough years.
Battery Life
Walkie talkies must have prolonged battery life for emergencies. This is because, in the case of a power outage, co-workers or bosses ought to be in close touch with each other.
For this purpose, this handheld radio is built with 3.7 volts 1800 mAh, Lithium-ion. It extremely durable and last long, especially in cases where power supply is not in sight. This two-way radio can get battery replacement if needed. It can function with various types of high-capacity batteries and even ultra-high-capacity batteries. It should be remembered, however, that it is important to use only licensed Motorola batteries.
When you purchase this radio or a new battery, it is important to turn it off and charge it for at least 15 hours to ensure optimal efficiency. The battery that comes with this SL300 two-way radio from the manufacturer is uncharged and must be charged using only a Motorola-approved charger to ensure conformity with the brand’s guidelines.
Accessories
It is no news that the accessory of the radio is as vital as the radio. Motorola accessories go through a thorough check and test for maximum performance. They help aid and allow direct contact regardless of how the speaker talks or how loud the environment’s noise is. Thus, receivers would not have to strain their ears or raise frequencies to significantly high levels to hear what is said.
However, with the SL300, you can boast of reliable control of your radio’s operation. Also, the radio pack consists of a charger and a battery pack. The adapter will inform you of your battery’s amount and signals that the battery has expired; thus, you are not caught unaware, especially when the battery is low.
Wireless Bluetooth accessories allow quick and stable pairing of compatible approved Bluetooth devices. Wireless listening accessories such as earphones can be securely and discreetly attached to the radio for private calls or increased connectivity in loud environments. Wireless accessories can offer, to a very high degree, convenience and ease of use.
Features
Compact and lightweight in dimension
The SL300 is designed with a compact, lightweight material. It is also built-in an ergonomic design, making the two-way radio comfortable for every hand and fits perfectly into the pocket of the shirt or jeans. The SL300 is super-portable yet made rugged and thick. The stubby antenna, angled corners, and robust frame make the SL300 the ideal working companion, especially in places where movement is frequent. Also, it is not only made comfortable in pockets. It can also fit into your side-bag or purse without giving an uncomfortable feeling. Likewise, this two-way radio has an IP54 rating, which means that it is safe from dust and splashes. This makes it safer and secure to use during outdoor games like hiking, mountaineering, fishing, etc. Importantly, it can also be used to work in more fuzzy environments.
Display
The Motorola SL300 radio is well equipped with an advanced monitor that displays battery status, audio volume, and the current channel. Since the screen is thin, it doesn’t have many features. Therefore, it just shows the involved interacting group. Additionally, when you need to switch channels, the radio indicates the channel number and then reveals the channel name. This makes it tedious to work through the networks to reach the channel you’re searching for.
Also, it comes with LED illumination; this LED sign displays various colors with multiple meanings. It is worth mentioning that the bright green light indicates a received signal and a wireless transmitter while orange reveals that the wireless is searching for channels around or trying to making contact. Additionally, the tuner features a voice warning that shows, among other alerts, the battery level while charging and after charging.
Digital/Analog communication
It is no longer news that Ham radios are known to have been in use for quite a while, perhaps for decades. However, the changes, growth takes place every day. Thus, moving from analog to digital is not a one-time occurrence. Also, it takes maximum time, effort, and 100 percent patience. For any company planning to set up with an analog contact environment, it can take time to turn to digital.
The Motorola Radio SL 300 is basically flawless. The device fits seamlessly with the system that is in operation, and there’s no need to try modifying the system.
However, Motorola has been topping their game for a while and, therefore, evolving with time. Thus, the SL300 two-way radio operates well in both analog and digital technologies. It is also quick to combine it with analog systems and adjust without stress.
Accessories
Motorola is known to equip its walkie talkie with the necessary accessories to make communication easy and effective for its users. Therefore, the radio comes with a USB amplifier, a 1800MAH LI-ION battery, a belt clip, and a stubby antenna. The USB port on this two-way radio is made easy for charging or configuration links for user’s satisfaction. Also, the regular USB cable can be used for programming purposes. If you want a fast-charging service, you can use a laptop charger. However, the battery lasts for a maximum of 14 to 15 hours for digital usage but takes less time for analog transmission.
PTT Button
For a lot of conventional walkie talkies, they are equipped with knobs. However, the Motorola SL300 stands out. It includes a power button, a volume control button, a PTT (Push to Talk), and a programmable button on the side. This communication gear is ruggedly made and hence has a strong grip. It is compactly made and can be used comfortably by construction workers or in hospitals where there is frequent use of the glove. A little backside to this for users always on the evening shift is that the buttons are not backlit. Hence, they can be hard to use in the dark. The lack of a DTMF pad makes it impossible for those who choose to use repeaters.
MicroUSB Functionality
The Motorola SL 300 radio is adequately equipped with a MicroUSB port for charging and programming. It is also an upgrade to the original charging point such that both the programming connection and the battery can be inserted concurrently. If you need to add more features to your radio, you will need a regular cable and the SL300 programming software.
Audio quality
Just like every other product of Motorola, the SL300 is not left out. This hams radio comes with high quality, top-notch audio quality. The quality beats those of many other conventional two-way radios. With a 500-MW speaker, the radio is audible even in crowded areas where most radios are not functioning properly. The efficiency of the speaker is one of the key aspects that make the radio perfect. The audio level of the microphone can be modified in CPS to suit the setting. It is not compatible with Bluetooth applications, however, as the SL300 radio has no Bluetooth capabilities. It fits well, too, even at low frequencies. The mic is durable, while the CPS helps to change the sound to accommodate the surroundings.
Emergency Operations
The emergency alert is used to indicate a critical situation. You can trigger an emergency at any moment, except though there is action on the current platform.
Your dealer will set the length of a button press on the programmed Emergency button, except for a long press, which is identical to all other buttons:
Short press
Duration from 0.05 seconds to 0.75 seconds.
Long Press
Duration from 1.00 second to 3.75 seconds.
The Emergency button is assigned to the Emergency On/Off role. Check the designated activity of the Emergency button with your distributor.
However, if a short press to the Emergency button starts Emergency mode, a long press to the same button will allow the radio to exit Emergency mode. If you press the Emergency button for a long time to start Emergency mode, a short press to the same button will cause the radio to leave Emergency mode. This feature helps you transmit an emergency Warning, a non-voice signal that activates an alert on a radios network. Your radio does not show any audio or visual signs in emergency mode when it is set to silence.
Squelch levels
You should change the squelch frequency to take out unwanted calls with poor signal intensity or channels with a higher noise than normal surroundings. Thus, to aid this, the regular level is the default mode for this communication device. Simultaneously, the high level is configured and helps filter unwelcome calls and noise in the background. Depending on the user’s preference, calls from distant areas can also be filtered out.
IP54 Rating
It is known that walkie talkies, majorly, are designed for outdoor usage use. This enables them to cope with various types of weather. Hence, the Motorola SL300 has been tested and is safe to use all year round. It is suitable for usage in all atmospheric conditions and will work effectively, whether it’s windy, snowy, or rainy.
Switch Voice Announcement
This function allows the radio to audibly signal the current zone or channel that the user has just allocated or the programmable button that the user has just pressed.
This audio indication can be tailored to suit consumer specifications. Follow the process to switch Voice Announcement on or off your radio.
Press the program Voice Announcement button. Thus, successful Indicator Tone sounds, if effective.
Also, all sounds and warnings are switched on. However, if it is unsuccessful, the Pitch of the Negative Signal sounds.
Warranty
Motorola ass one of the best would not design a product without making proper arrangements for inactivity cases. Therefore, the Motorola SL300 comes with a 3-year warranty to satisfy users.
FAQs
How to program Motorola SL300
To help starters who have little or no knowledge about walkie talkies programming. You can configure the radio with the MOTOTRBO CPS to expand its capability. Also, various settings are available to suit user needs. Likewise, you will use the user menus in the MOTOTRBO CPS to consider the various choices available while programming. You also need the entitlement key to unlock the functionality if you want to schedule 25 kHz channels. The DMR-MARC website provides you with detailed programming knowledge.
Conclusion
As the Motorola SL300 review, this walkie talkie’s performance is outstanding. It is equipped with enough functionalities to address the numerous contact challenges that professionals face at work. The attention paid to detail in the construction of this radio is absolutely superb.
This communication gear makes teamwork and security easy without stressing. Through this Motorola emergency alert, you can easily know when your team member is in danger and in dire need of help. To aid communication, necessary accessories are added. As predicted due to the benefit and features, this two-way radio is quite expensive, but it is worth every penny spent. Also, looking at the features supported by Motorola SL300, its reliability, top-notch effect, including the three-year warranty offered by Motorola Solutions. Therefore, I can boldly assure you that this is an investment worth making for your business’s growth and success, and you would not be disappointed. Perhaps as a boss or worker, you enjoy getting the work done effectively. In that case, you know what radio you need, the Motorola SL300 two-way radio.
In summary, the Motorola SL300 is a strong buy. It provides you the ability not only to distinguish between frequencies – but also to distinguish when you want a digital/analog signal. Little QOL enhancements around the interface are sure to encourage some trust in any customer. There are several features, such that give power to the boss, that allow the assigned supervisor to disrupt all communications to transmit vital information. The portable radio stands out from the other hams radio present on the market. Its ultra-sleeky and durable material stand out, although its micro USB doubles for charging and programming functions.
