Features:
- Up to 2-mile range and access to all 14 FRS channels
- 500 milliwatts of output power, maximum allowed by law
- Audible incoming-call alert
- External slide switch lets you change between 2 FRS channels
- Backlit LCD display for nighttime use
Description:
Affordably priced and easy to use, Family Radio Service (FRS) two-way radios like the Cobra FRS 220 microTALK will give you peace of mind on your next hiking adventure, amusement park excursion, or trip to the mall. With an FRS radio, you can give each family member a radio and not have to worry about cell phone coverage or expensive roaming charges. Reach anyone instantly without dialing or make announcements to everyone in your group at the same time.What is Family Radio Service (FRS)? In 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set aside one part of the FM radio frequency spectrum for use by small groups at short ranges. Use of this UHF range--from 462.5625 to 467.7125 MHz--is free and doesn't require an FCC license. (GMRS, or General Mobile Radio Service, does require an FCC license.) When using an FRS radio, expect reception to be affected by the terrain--thick woods, buildings, and electrical sources will cut your range. However if you're transmitting to another radio from a mountaintop or other high point, you could reach someone up to two miles away. Cobra's microTALK radios come with features that make using FRS simple and enjoyable. The Cobra FRS 220 microTALK features an automatic squelch that prevents the radio from activating until a voice signal is received. With squelch, you won't hear random popping and hissing from other electronic devices or atmospheric signals. The keypad lock prevents accidental pressing of buttons, and the call key allows you to signal anyone in your party with a distinctive tone. This radio comes with all 14 available FRS channels plus 38 CTCSS subchannels, or "privacy codes," per channel. CTCSS codes are actually tones that "code" and "decode" a signal, allowing the people in your group to transmit on the same channel without having to listen to other radio traffic on the same channel. Note that these privacy codes won't keep others from listening to you--FRS users without a CTCSS code-enabled radio will still hear your transmissions. (For more about privacy codes, see our Two-Way Radio Buying Guide.) Families looking for affordable and dependable communication should consider the power and versatility of the Cobra FRS 220 microTALK.
| 
