Handheld 2 Way Radio Preference

[Mountainbellls]

Cross Posted in Dressage and H/J

Anyone involved in show management have any input or opinions on brands/makes of handheld 2 way radios for use in smaller shows (i.e., area covered not the size of Tyron etc!!). I am interested in something more handy to hold and carry all day (per TD input) than the larger Motorola type, but I want something that is reliable and good quality. Preference for disposable battery vs rechargable ones? We figure we will need at least 6. This is for use by show staff…ring stewards, Show Sec etc. Thank you!

[clanter]

My company for years back in the old days of late last century used the Motorola hand held (we had some from South America that had a 21 mile range)

Today… cell phone is all we use period.

[trubandloki]

@clanter

Today… cell phone is all we use period.

Do cell phones have some radio type application that allows you to use them like a radio?

Or are we talking about conversations that only have to be between a couple of people that more people might not need to hear?
For example, the radios are a good way to announce a delay is happening, so that all people involved know about it. I would hate to be the person who has to make sure they have the cell numbers of all the volunteers programmed into their cell phone.

[clanter]

@trubandloki

Do cell phones have some radio type application that allows you to use them like a radio?

no we just call whom ever we need

As for the walkie talkie type things we had one mare who listened to the ringmaster talking to the announcer over the thing, she would change gaits as they told the announcer … one judge caught on to her ability and changed the order of gait changes to see if she was actually following the voice command or the sequence of order. She followed her changes.

You might want to see if any pawn shops have the older equipment

[wsmoak]

@trubandloki

Do cell phones have some radio type application that allows you to use them like a radio?

Yes. Take a look at the Zello app for example. https://zello.com/