Looking for a dual channel radio : what do I need to look out for?

Silverthorn · August 23rd, 2009, 21:22

I heard that some radios could be used to listen to 2 channels at the same time and talk on 2 channels too. Since I end up being the squad leader most of them time this would be handy for inner squad comms and comms with the CO.

What kind of radios do that? How does it work exactly? Is it called a dual channel radio or something else (so that I can search for one)?

Thanks everyone!

Kit · August 24th, 2009, 00:41

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15365

Something like that? the only thing I would hate is the really long antenna.. Maybe Motorola makes a better one.. You'll have to search ebay or something..

Kit.

Amos · August 24th, 2009, 02:50

Get two radios

EagleDriver · August 25th, 2009, 11:48

I have the same problem, and some times, I have to do UHF and VHF. One option is a dual comm headset with two radios. I have a custom dual-comm setup but it is for a Comtac replica, which is hot and bulky. I am trying to see if someone could wire up a dual PTT switch for a Bowman headset.

There are off the shelf dual comm headsets, and dual comm PTT switches, but those start at $300 USD and up. Mine was custom wired by a friend who works at a radio shop that specializes in Kenwood radios.

Silverthorn · August 25th, 2009, 12:03

Eagledriver : so what you are saying is that you have a single earpiece that is linked to 2 radios on different channels. Depending on who you wish to reply to you can hit 2 different buttons and thus communicate to either channel?

I personally have 2 Cobra radios (yep, sue me!) with an earpiece each with a microphone hanging on the wire (forgot what is the actual english name for this type of microphone). With just some re-wiring I could have a single earpiece usable for both radios and have those two microphones to use depending on whom I wish to talk to?

ThunderCactus · August 25th, 2009, 14:25

I use a throat mic for inter-squad and a radio with no headset for command

seekah · August 25th, 2009, 14:45

I use the Liberator 3. I have it set up to go with my Icom as my primary and then I have a Rhino with a quick disconnect as my secondary. I like having the quick disconnect for when I dont need the second radio.

I also like that the primary radio is heard in the left ear, while the secondary is in the right. That way I always know who is talking.

Lerch · August 25th, 2009, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by seekah

I also like that the primary radio is heard in the left ear, while the secondary is in the right. That way I always know who is talking.

Funny that, the military works the same way. We program our vehicle radios for different ears, usually troop channel in one ear, battery channel in the other, and vehicle intercom in both.

Silverthorn · August 25th, 2009, 15:08

Man, the wire and the mic is already a pain with just one earpiece (it get stuck on branches, on the gun, ...), I can't imagine having to handle two of them!

Lerch · August 25th, 2009, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverthorn

Man, the wire and the mic is already a pain with just one earpiece (it get stuck on branches, on the gun, ...), I can't imagine having to handle two of them!

Get yourself a PRC then

Silverthorn · August 25th, 2009, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lerch

Get yourself a PRC then

What is that?

seekah · August 25th, 2009, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lerch

Funny that, the military works the same way. We program our vehicle radios for different ears, usually troop channel in one ear, battery channel in the other, and vehicle intercom in both.

Thats because Tactical Command Industries (the guys who make the Liberator 3) make the headsets for the military.

Personally, I would have rathered main coms in the right ear, but thats just because im a lefty, and would prefer the right side if I ever use a single sided ear piece.

EagleDriver · August 25th, 2009, 18:04

Yes, I get two radios in one ear. I then have two PTT switches that each plug into a different radio. I am a former pilot and so I am used to sorting through different conversations on the radio at one time. What I would like to have is a "both-radio1-radio2" isolation switch. This is the way it works in my airplane's comm unit and it would be nice with the radios.

Cleric · August 25th, 2009, 20:55

Use a Linton 6288 radio, then lock out all the channels except the two (or 3, or 4...) you want to monitor. Set the radio to scan (it will only scan unlocked channels) and you're set!

The only trick is when you transmit, you will have to double check which channel you're currently on, and change it if necessary.

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August 23rd, 2009, 21:22	#1
Silverthorn Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sainte-Julie, Quebec	Looking for a dual channel radio : what do I need to look out for? I heard that some radios could be used to listen to 2 channels at the same time and talk on 2 channels too. Since I end up being the squad leader most of them time this would be handy for inner squad comms and comms with the CO. What kind of radios do that? How does it work exactly? Is it called a dual channel radio or something else (so that I can search for one)? Thanks everyone! __________________ Team N.A.P.K.I.N.S (Ninjas And Pirates Kommando Infiltration Night-ops Specialists)

August 24th, 2009, 00:41	#2
Kit Ride Sleds! Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Kitchener+Cambridge, Ontario	http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15365 Something like that? the only thing I would hate is the really long antenna.. Maybe Motorola makes a better one.. You'll have to search ebay or something.. Kit. __________________ Retired.

August 24th, 2009, 02:50	#3
Amos Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan	Get two radios __________________ Custom Builds: FA3674U Krinkov G3SD6

August 25th, 2009, 11:48	#4
EagleDriver Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD USA	I have the same problem, and some times, I have to do UHF and VHF. One option is a dual comm headset with two radios. I have a custom dual-comm setup but it is for a Comtac replica, which is hot and bulky. I am trying to see if someone could wire up a dual PTT switch for a Bowman headset. There are off the shelf dual comm headsets, and dual comm PTT switches, but those start at $300 USD and up. Mine was custom wired by a friend who works at a radio shop that specializes in Kenwood radios.

August 25th, 2009, 12:03	#5
Silverthorn Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sainte-Julie, Quebec	Eagledriver : so what you are saying is that you have a single earpiece that is linked to 2 radios on different channels. Depending on who you wish to reply to you can hit 2 different buttons and thus communicate to either channel? I personally have 2 Cobra radios (yep, sue me!) with an earpiece each with a microphone hanging on the wire (forgot what is the actual english name for this type of microphone). With just some re-wiring I could have a single earpiece usable for both radios and have those two microphones to use depending on whom I wish to talk to? __________________ Team N.A.P.K.I.N.S (Ninjas And Pirates Kommando Infiltration Night-ops Specialists)

August 25th, 2009, 14:25	#6
ThunderCactus Not Eye Safe, Pretty Boy Maximus on the field take his picture! Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2007	I use a throat mic for inter-squad and a radio with no headset for command

August 25th, 2009, 14:45	#7
seekah Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: abbotsford	I use the Liberator 3. I have it set up to go with my Icom as my primary and then I have a Rhino with a quick disconnect as my secondary. I like having the quick disconnect for when I dont need the second radio. I also like that the primary radio is heard in the left ear, while the secondary is in the right. That way I always know who is talking. __________________ BCAC

August 25th, 2009, 15:08	#9
Silverthorn Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sainte-Julie, Quebec	Man, the wire and the mic is already a pain with just one earpiece (it get stuck on branches, on the gun, ...), I can't imagine having to handle two of them! __________________ Team N.A.P.K.I.N.S (Ninjas And Pirates Kommando Infiltration Night-ops Specialists)

August 25th, 2009, 18:04	#13
EagleDriver Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD USA	Yes, I get two radios in one ear. I then have two PTT switches that each plug into a different radio. I am a former pilot and so I am used to sorting through different conversations on the radio at one time. What I would like to have is a "both-radio1-radio2" isolation switch. This is the way it works in my airplane's comm unit and it would be nice with the radios.

August 25th, 2009, 20:55	#14
Cleric Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Really near Calgary	Use a Linton 6288 radio, then lock out all the channels except the two (or 3, or 4...) you want to monitor. Set the radio to scan (it will only scan unlocked channels) and you're set! The only trick is when you transmit, you will have to double check which channel you're currently on, and change it if necessary.

Looking for a dual channel radio : what do I need to look out for?

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