Stay in touch: Using two-way radios in the field
by Chris Nicholson

Affordable, quality two-way radios have been on the market for some time, yet I'm surprised at how few people — especially photographers — use them. They're an excellent means of staying in touch with accompanying photographers, assistants and models.

Oregon sea stacks. Nikon F5, Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8. More Seascape Photos.

Two types of two-way radios dominate the market: FRS (Family Radio Service) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service). FRS models have a maximum range of about two miles on land (you can get more range on water), and GMRS radios have a range of up to six miles. GMRS models are slightly more expensive (depending on the brand), but they also require an FCC license that costs $80 per five years; FRS radios do not require a license.

Both types of radio provide access to over 520 sub-channels, so you can always find a free frequency to use. GMRS radios can access FRS channels, but not vice versa.

Radios in the Motorola TalkAbout series (such as the T5500AA, left) are a staple in the market.

 

Applications for photographers

The main task for my radio has been to keep in touch with my friend and fellow photographer Jean Paul Vellotti when we travel together. We've often teamed to photograph locations in North America, but when we get to destinations, we usually split up and do our work individually. The radios let us stay in touch for various reasons:

To keep each other updated about our progress and plans in terms of shooting a location.

To tip each other about scenes and angles that the other may want to investigate.

Sometimes one of us will scout a location while the other stays with the gear in the car. Instead of having to hike back to the car, whichever of us is scouting can radio back to say what gear to bring. This prevents us from hauling gear we may not need.

To simply let each other know where we are, or sometimes just to chat.

Radios also come in handy when you're working with models. If you're positioning someone far away in a scene, you can clip a radio to his or her belt and easily give directions about where to move.

Features

Jean Paul and I bought our radios — Motorola TalkAbout 250's — when the technology was still relatively new to the market. Several years later we're still content with the 250's features, but the ensuing years have seen some innovations in the products you can buy.

Range. First of all, FRS radios are aptly suited for the needs of most photographers. The odds are slim that you'll ever be more than two miles from a model, assistant or fellow photographer, if you're working together.

Other Radio Functions. Some radios have an FM radio receiver. I wouldn't use this feature, but some photographers may like to listen to music while they're working. However, a great feature to look for is access to radio weather channels. This is a definite boon, especially in areas where the weather can change quickly. You might love shooting with those storm clouds in the background, but it'd be nice to know if that storm includes a tornado watch.

The Cobra PR 2000 is a GMRS radio that has increased range, but requires an FCC license in the U.S.

Batteries. Some radios take lithium batteries, which operate better in cold conditions and generally last longer. However, the built-in rechargeable batteries in some units are not a good idea if you're working in remote areas. The biggest drawback to these two-way radios is that if you're using them frequently, they speed through batteries. If you're not near a power supply to recharge, then you'll be out of luck.

Keypad lock. This is a good feature. It allows you to lock your settings so that accidentally hitting a button (which I do all the time) won't shut off your unit or change your channel.

Time. I like anything that cuts down on the load in the bag, so I like the idea that some radios include an alarm clock. However, some radios also have a stopwatch, which has no application for photographers that I can think of (at least not one that you couldn't just use your wristwatch for).

Sound. Headphone jacks are good. I don't use conventional headphones; rather, I use a single-ear piece. This feature is important if you're working in crowded areas (the earpiece will allow you to hear better over environmental noise) or in places that need quiet (for instance, you might not want to scare wildlife). Another feature you'll see is call alerts, which seem redundant — you can already tell that someone's calling you on the radio because you can hear their voice.

Models being released now, such as the Motorola T7450R (left), include features such as weather alerts, a 12-mile range, and access to both FRS and GMRS frequencies.

Navigation: Radios are being released now with features such as digital compasses, altimeters and GPS access.

VOX. I've never like voice-activated radios, because they tend to cut off the first word you say.

Appearance. Many radios are available in a full spectrum of colors, and Cobra radios have colored snap-on fronts so you can use a different color every day. I've heard some people say that bright colors help find them the radio in the bag quicker. But I've never had trouble finding my black one, because it's always on my belt or vest. Plus, black attracts less attention than neon green.

Clipping it on

Almost every two-way radio on the market comes with a belt clip, but I've always found that having the radio at my waist inhibited my being able to hear or easily make a transmission when my hands are full of camera gear. To solve the problem, I bought a 1-inch D-ring and slid it onto my radio's belt clip. Then I got a carabiner and attached it to the D-ring. This setup allows me to easily clip the radio to the D-ring on the chest area of my photo vest (see Figure 1, below). I can easily grab the radio to push the talk button, then drop it again, minimizing the fumbling I otherwise often went through when the radio was attached to my belt. Also, I can easily detach the radio and clip it to the strap on camera bag, to the car's rearview mirror, etc.

Purchase info

The two brands of two-way radio that dominate the market are Motorola and Cobra, but models are also available from RadioShack, Uniden and BellSouth. They range in price from about $50 to about $200, depending on the features and durability.

Jean Paul and I paid $100 each for ours in the mid-1990s, for models that aren't even available anymore. But we've never regretted the purchase. To this day, two-way radios are almost integral to the way we work together.

Read More Photography Articles