Radio Shack Mobile FRS

Hi All,

Last chance to get the RS Mobile FRS (#21-1850)...

Current discontinue deep discount price is now $10.00 if you can find it!!!

Thought to pass this to all of you!!!

What's the range on that radio?

Better than a handheld FRS for sure.
Just get one, trust me! I love mine. No worry about battery life, no worry about dropping it, it has the CTSS codes, and it is so convenient. I have half a dozen handhelds that I've accumulated over the last 3 years, but I only keep them as loaners to those that don't have 'em yet, and for use when I'm out of the X spotting or scouting a trail on foot etc.

Brent

I went to the RS web site and didn't find this 21-1850. Does anyone have a link to it?

I'm not familiar with these radios, are they only so that you can talk to other FRS radios via certain channels?

Can you pick up CB channels and communicate?

I never need a CB except when I travel annually and then it would be great. I don't want a permanent hookup, maybe something that can plug into my outlets.

it uses the outlets and a magnetic Mount antena... they kick ass.
it is a normal FRS... it uses FRS channels

I just bought the last one in the area, I think. It was $10.47. Took ten minutes to situate everthing right were I wanted.

They took it off. Although they still have all supporting stuff...

Ya won't be sorry!

I got one for each of my trucks and bought the last one from another RS in my area for some 'chopping' experiment... I'm planning to open it up for some possible antenna improvement for my educational purpose...

Here's a pic.

Google is your friend...
http://www.popularwireless.com/gmrsradioshack211850.html

Brent

I've personally had communications of over 60 miles with mine. I was on top of big bear mountain talking to somebody down by the border near San Diego. Pick one up if you can find it. It's definately a good investment.

Axle

So worth it that I bought two!

I bet you bought off their stock!

Hehehe... Found some more and bought them all for some Christmas giving for my family!

I bought 3 when they were $15. I gave one to my father-inlaw and one to my father. I have tried mine out with a two mile range handheld. I was able to talk to 3 miles away and I was happy.
Dan

I like the FRS better than the CB. That's all we used today on our newbie run.

These mobile FRS radios are much better than the handheld units.. That said, they still don't get enough volume to hear them clearly over the noise in my Pathfinder. I use my mobile FRS, but not as much as my CB. I find that this FRS really needs line of sight to work well... as any deviation from that really cuts the reception/transmission capability. With my Uniden CB, I can transmit and receive a crystal clear signal a good distance over rugged terrain that the FRS can't handle.

I would highly recommend both an FRS and CB in any offroad vehicle.. Most other wheelers I run into don't use FRS, so if you need to call for help out on the trail or want to chat with other wheelers in general, a CB is a good addition.

I've got a CB too, we just used the FRS.

You can always get an earbud speaker for the Radio Shack unit if you find it isn't loud enough. Never been a problem for me, and hey, you can just hold it up to your ear too...

I'll take one if you still have them. email me at spider8261@cox.net

There are four on Evil Ebay right now!

Just type Radio Shack FRS.

I picked up one yesterday. Do most of y'all just hook it up when you're going to be using it, or do you have it mounted all of the time? For those who have it mounted, how did you run the wire from the antenna into the cabin. I had the antenna mounted behind the gear basket and wanted to run the wire down the A-pillar into the cabin but it was too short. I couldn't figure out a way to hide the wire.

I have mine mounted behind the basket and ran the wires along the inside paneling of the seat belt, under the seat and into the arm rest junk holder(don't know what it's called). When its not in use I store inside. The great thing is the cigarette lighter is their.

If you get a chance get the 21-1873 at Radio Shack. It's a GMRS with the same features as the 21-1850. Used it on a road trip and got great distance and clarity between three vehicles. Its was on clearance for $12.97 4 months ago.

I usually remove mine when I'm not using it, but for a while I had it up there for several weeks. I removed the 2 screws holding the air dam on the driver's side, put the base/antenna under it just inside the rack rail, and determined where the antenna would hit the deflector. I then drilled a 1/4" hole through the deflector, lowered it over the antenna, and put the screws back holding the deflector.
I just run the cable a short run over the roof and then close it in the LR door. Works for me.

Axle, any idea what unit he was running? I presume it was another of the same, I can't imagine a handheld being able to throw that far back to you.

Brent

Yep, he was on another one too.
Axle

Most of us in SCCX use these radios and routinely get reception of 20 miles or more. One idea of mounting them is to run the wires along the center console, along the rear floor through the middle of the rear seats and mount the antenna on the rear cargo cover (its metal) this way its always in use, safer from theft, doesn't scratch your roof and you get the same reception.

Buffalo, the whole reson for the external antenna is because of the bad reception inside the vehicle. What ranges are you getting? Can you ride in a convoy okay?

gotten at least 10 to 12 miles with it mounted inside, with no reception problems.

Okay, I'll give it a try. Thanks.

No scratches on my roof from mine, it really stays put.

Max, if you can't find one, I just nabbed 4 of 'em at the Cockeysville store.

Brent

Brent, I've got one, that's what I used this weekend. I was condsidering moving the antenna. I thought it worked great though.

Swammy say 13th and 14th.

Great idea Buffalo!! I would like to mount it like Buffalo says, but a little worried about being mounted that close to my kids heads. I'm sure there is a Electo Guru that could explain if it is OK?
Dan

Easy, just get rid of the kids. lol

I tried that they just keep following me!

I also have a question on these radios. Since the design of the Radio Shack FRS is able to transmit and receive further than all other FRS. Maybe why Radio shack is blowing them out is the FCC is saying more radios of this design to be built?
Dan

My family use this setup. works well...

I don't think it'll do anything... output wattage is so minimal... 1/2 (500mw) a watt ( http://support.radioshack.com/support_electronics/doc63/63158.htm )

... I could be wrong...

Same output as the handhelds, harmless. They just radiate better due to a longer 1/4-wave antenna.

Brent

Thanks Deepsix and OffroadX for the replys! I might have time today to wire it up today.
Thanks again, Dan

You are welcome...

Dont know much about CBs/FRS. I got 2 of these this weekend. I also got a 40 chan CB and installed it. Could i give these to friends and be able to pick them up on one of the FRS channels with my CB ? I would test it but dont have a way to atm just wanted to know if anyone had a quick answer. thanks

FRS is FM, CB is AM.

Different Frequencies too. CB is 28Mhz, FRS 460Mhz.

Thanks for the info guys.

A little update to this thread. I've been using the mobile FRS for about 1.5 years and absolutly love it. I picked up a second unit tonite as I couldn't argue with the price. In the same section they had a 2-way radio headset adapter on clearance for $2.97 (PN211890). It consists of a dual-jack adapter unit with PTT button, PTT/VOX setting and sensitivity control that plugs into the FRS handpiece and includes a 2.5mm adjustable boom in-ear mic. They still offer the earpiece alone as a phone acc. for $21.99. I've had it plugged into my cordless all nite

I got that adapter a while back for the same price. The VOX isn't all that, but the remote PTT button is handy.

Brent

Aight... I've been to several Radio Shack stores here in SoCal (mainly around the Pasadena & Los Angeles area) with no luck finding this FRS... They're either outta stock or no longer carrying them... But it looks like the rest of the country has an abundance of them... Would any of ya'll hookup a brotha' for a couple of these things?! I can pay via Paypal, personal check, or money order if anyone's willing... Let me know fellas... Thanks...

- Air B

Air B,

Try the one in 'allen & washington'... they said they have two...

Thanks Mike... I'll check it out...

- Air B

I use to work for Radio Shack (Thank goodness I quit, but I miss playing with all the toys and gadgets). Anyway, they can check the inventories of other local stores by computer or if you are pretty good with an employee, they can call Fort Worth Texas headquarters and check nationwide.

They probably won't have the Frs tranfered to their store because they lose profits on discontinued items, but make the purchase by phone to the other store and have it shipped to wherever.

Hope it helps.

I just bought nine(found six in Beverly Hills). With the three I already have(still new in the box)... new and existing SCCX members should be in good shape.

I will not ship but will have at each club event that I attend.

LAXterra,

Great find! Guess Bev Hill area would have a lot due to no one use it! Cellphone is king I guess in that area...

$0.02

WOO HOO!!! Picked up the last 2 at the Radio Shack DeepSIX told me about... Thanks broddah... The price tag on the shelf said $14.99, but rung up at $9.99 apiece!!! Sssscccchhhhweeeetttttt!!!!

Damn LA, 6 of them... NICE!!! Hahhaaah... I've got 3 now!!! One for my brother-in-law (Xmas gift) and the other 2 for myself!!! BTW, I didn't know these had sub-codes on them.... Or should I say "silent codes" according to the box...

Anyways, thanks fellas for helpin' out a member!!! Happy Holidays!!!

- Air B

One undocumented feature: Hold down a channel-change button a few seconds and it goes into a scan mode...

Brent, Check the manual again, it's in there. Atleast it was in my manual.

I tried the roof location and drove from home and was able to talk to my daughter on a handheld up to two miles away I mounted per Buffalo instructions and it worked about the same as having it on the roof.
Thanks again Buffalo, Dan

Can someone show me a pic of the "interior" mounting? I just picked up THREE today! $9.97, can't beat it!

AirB,

You're welcome! Those were reserved for me for 24hrs, but didn't have time to pick'em up!!!

Glad to help a fellow member....

Ugghh!

I can't find them in the Shacks up here!

Anyone of you be kind enough to sell me one for a small mark-up plus shipping?

I can sale you both of mine i dont think i will use them. Just put in a CB and i think i will use that more then these. I got em for 9.99 or something like that so $20.00 bucks and they are yours. Not sure on shipping im in Houston Texas so guesstamate. Shoot me a email zachsprague@hotmail.com Oh one is still in the wrapper the other isnt i tried it out hehe.

[/QB][/QUOTE]
I tried the roof location and drove from home and was able to talk to my daughter on a handheld up to two miles away I mounted per Buffalo instructions and it worked about the same as having it on the roof.
Thanks again Buffalo, Dan[/QB][/QUOTE]

I just purchased 3 of them but wasnt able to recieve transmission from my motorola 5710 handhelds. Which handhelds do you have cause i'd like to purchase the same so that they are all compatible?

Thanks!

I tried the roof location and drove from home and was able to talk to my daughter on a handheld up to two miles away I mounted per Buffalo instructions and it worked about the same as having it on the roof.
Thanks again Buffalo, Dan[/QUOTE]

I just purchased 3 of them but wasnt able to recieve transmission from my motorola 5710 handhelds. Which handhelds do you have cause i'd like to purchase the same so that they are all compatible?

Thanks![/QB][/QUOTE]

My daughter used a FRS handheld radio to talk to me. Your 5710 is probably a GSMR/FSR radio. Some Motorolas have a conversion chart with them. Key up on the the Radio Shack radio and scan with your 5710 and fine the channel. Hopefully it will work.
Dan

I just purchased 3 of them but wasnt able to recieve transmission from my motorola 5710 handhelds. Which handhelds do you have cause i'd like to purchase the same so that they are all compatible?

Thanks![/QB][/QUOTE]

My daughter used a FRS handheld radio to talk to me. Your 5710 is probably a GSMR/FSR radio. Some Motorolas have a conversion chart with them. Key up on the the Radio Shack radio and scan with your 5710 and fine the channel. Hopefully it will work.
Dan[/QB][/QUOTE]

Thanks Ill give that a shot!!!!

My wife and I were browsing Kahala Mall today, here in Hawaii, and spotted 5 of these units at Radio Shack. I purchased all 5. The sales clerk checked the computer and reported that these were the last of the stock on the island of Oahu. $9.97 each! What a difference from the $75.00+ I paid for one of these radios when they first came out.

Sadly, the $2.97 headset adapter, (PN211890) was not available, however, except on Maui.

Wow, don't forget your fellow yellow X owner.

When testing the radio shack radios, keep in mind you can also scan all the FRS channels with them.. Hold down the Channel Up or Down button and it'll beep and start scanning. It stops when it picks up a signal, then continues scanning. Kindof a neat feature when offroading. I usually let mine scan while i'm wheeling in case someone needs help on another channel.

Yes datz510, the scanning feature is way cool. These are exceptional radios and I'm surprised they are being discontinued by Radio Shack. I have found that the range of the RS 21-1850 rivals that of GMRS 2 watt units* with fresh batteries. One advantage of this Mobile/Marine unit is that it is always transmitting with a maximum power source

Xtonka, I have one with your name on it. After all, what good is the extra range of my radio when the folks I'm trying to communicate with have weaker radios?

*It has come to my attention that the GMRS radio used for comparison, (Motorola T5720), is a 1 watt unit. Please forgive me, this is probably the only mistake I've made all year.

Maybe Radio Shack is coming out with a Mobile GMRS soon that's why they discontinued the mobile FRS. I'm sure to buy that too...after it's been hugely discounted