Two-way radios for calling

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ISU

New member
Hey Everyone,

I am heading out west in a few weeks to do some calling with a buddy of mine and am trying to get everything ready for the trip. To maximize our success we usually set up a hundred or more yards apart from eachother so that someone is always watching the downwind side. We found from our passed trips this leads to the best success rate when you're out in the rough hills where coyotes always seem to circle a long ways down wind. Anyway, my question is, does anyone use radios to communicate on the stand when they hunt with a partner? I was at sportsman's warehouse today and saw they had walky-talky's that came with a small headsed and thought it might be handy to use when setting up a long ways from my hunting partner. It seemed that the last couple years the downwind guy would always be surprised with a coyote that ended up in his lap. A whisper in the radio would alert the downwind guy to be ready and may lead to a little more success. Anyways, sorry this got so long, just got bored at work and starting thinking about coyote hunting. Does anyone think this makes any sense for this type of hunting situation? Thanks.

ISU
 
My wife and I have used both FRS & commercial motorola radios while hunting for years. The FRS radios are small & light with clear sound with very good range. Sometimes outperforming expensive radios. We prefer earbuds with the good rubber loop behind the ear and the PTT mic clipped on the collar. These have good sound quality even though they look wimpy. The voice activated one seem to pick unwanted sound(wind) and wear batteries. Simpler is better for us in radio funtions, less confusion, mistakes, noises. It seems that radios using AA batteries are cheapest to run. Generally get more hours out of good alkaline batteries than rechargeables. Maybe newer ones now or even lithium camera batteries but the cost is high. They have made it possible for me to accomplish things I normally couldn't. It would be hard for us to hunt without them now.
 
Thanks for the quick reply tripod..... It sounds like the radios are handy for you when hunting so I think I might give them a try. I do most of the calling and it seems like I always spot the coyotes first, so if I can alert my buddy about one coming his way it should help us bag a few more coyotes. Thanks again for the help.

ISU
 
I never leave home without them. I can't count the times they have helped make a successful hunt, without them you just sit and hope your partner see's the coyote.
 
I agree with the PTT function. If you leave it on VOX, all one guy is going to hear is a screaming rabbit and hard breathing.
 
Thanks for your replies guys... THA, I'm glad you said something about the state laws and using radios because I forgot to check on that. I know in Iowa the law used to be that you couldn't use CB's in your vehicle when hunting, and I'm sure that is still the case. That's a good law for Iowa though because it seems like the majority of the coyote hunters here chase them down in the trucks with a large group of guys instead of calling. Thanks for the help guys.

ISU
 
ISU
The Coyotedoctors have used radios for many, many years now. We use Motorola sp-21 models with earpieces and ptt mics. They are handy for getting more coyotes, but even better for letting each other know when to call it quits on a stand or when each hunter is ready and the calling can commence. If you have questions, let me know, we are working on a deal here in SD to have a "package" set-up just like we use.
Good Luck
Doc
 
The Motorola SP21 is a UHF/VHF radio and unless I am wrong it requires either an FCC site liscense for the operating freqs or a HAMM liscense. For those going out and buying radios such as these be careful. Generally speaking you should look at radios such as Motorolas "Talkabout" series or any GMRS/FRS radios. These utualize free to air bands.
 
Also, GMRS radios require a permit as well. It's more expensive than the no-code technician Ham license. FRS is the only free one.
 
"Alpha One this is Alpha Two. I've got an inbound coyote at 300 meters my 1 o'clock. Request permission to engage, Over."

Edited to add what was heard on Rotaxpower's stand:
Quote:

"This is Alpha Two I've got a polecat coming in fast at 12 o'clock! Danger Close! Fallback Echo Echo!"



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Quote:
Also, GMRS radios require a permit as well. It's more expensive than the no-code technician Ham license. FRS is the only free one.



What do you think the actual percentage of people is that send in those permit application cards that come with the FRS/GMRS radios? Considering that it's typically tucked inside the manual I sure very few even see it.
 
I agree with what everybody said about the earbuds and PTT mikes!! I've used the FRS radios for years and they really do help in the right conditions, but I used to turn off my radio because my deer hunting buddies couldn't shut up! Even with the volume turned all the way down, it was still too loud.. Finally I bought the earbud/PTT so I could at least hear what I needed hear and if I wanted to tell 'em to shut up I could just use the PTT! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The PTT mics are pretty sensitive too-I can whisper into mine and my buddies can understand it, with the regular mike they couldn't.
 
Pyledriver, that reminds me of a friend. I got him radios and he said the batteries don't last all day. The next time I went with him he talked constantly. Well Duh now I know why they don't last for him. Another reminder is that it helps to talk a little slower and not to run your words together with the PTT. Makes it easier to understand and you won't have to repeat.
 
Check your local game regs .... some states have regulations agains their use to aid in the taking of game. Babe Winkelman got fined for using them to take game a few years back after he broadcast the hunt on his show.
 


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