WPG Handie Talkies

[davep]

WPG is in the final stages of coming out with a pretty good repro of BC 611 Handy Talkie. It has 22 channels so you can set the freq to something different. They will be price for $175 to $200. It runs on AA batteries. The question becomes running the radio all day long, will certainly draw down the batteries. It's not like these are going to be used like walkie talkie were you shut them down for hour here and there. These handy talkie have to be left on for 5 to 6 hours straight.

But it's a step in the right direction for units which don't have any alternative.

ww2reenactors.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=vendannounce&action=display&thread=29500

Comparison of a real version versus WPG's reproduction

[mayo]

I think it will be fine with AA batteries. I bet it take 4 of them. The rechargable battery pack in our radios is nothing more than 4 rechargable AA's. If they look better than ours, and are reasonable in cost, we should eventually get 4 to 6 of them. Our radios are on the same Freq as the Camp Roberts Chow Hall people and we can hear skip traffic while in the barracks. 8)

[davep]

WPG is now selling theses for $135.00 which is a lot better than the $175.00 to $200.00 that was estimated earlier during development

onlinemilitaria.net/shopexd.asp?id=4624&bc=no

[victorc]

I'm a little concern that it's powered by AA batteries. A Radio needs power to transmit, a good healthy signal. I'm not sure AA's will cut it for a day of reenacting. It will be interesting to get feedback from other units around the country who buy and have used them.

There are quite a few good rechargeable batteries out there for sale mostly the ones you buy at radio shack but they are kindy pricey for what they sell for. If you have the time you can find reasonably priced good quality rechargeable batteries online.

Below are a few examples of High quality AA and AAA Size rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery, top of the line for field use or travel. Provides ultra long use time per charge with this ultra high 2600mAh and 1000mah capacity. Designed for enhanced performance for high drain applications such as digital cameras, CD players, portable audio devices, hand held games, 2-way radios, PDAs, and other portable high drain digital electronics.

I use this kind of batteries myself at work during field work for my electronic equiptments and they last me between 8 - 10 hours per day. Enough to suffice the need.


www.all-battery.com/t6778universalinputac110-220vultrafastsmartchargerwithlcddisplayusbcableandcarplugwith4nimhaabatteries.aspx

www.all-battery.com/t-1000ultrafastdualusechargerforindoorandtravelwith8aa2600mahand4aaa1000mahnimhrechargeablebatteries.aspx