Our entire management and staff at Cricket Ventures would like to thank all of our customers and vendors for a wonderful 2017! We wish you and yours Happy Holidays and a safe and wonderful new year!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Since early 2012, our Cricket Ventures studio has produced numerous podcasts and videos to educate, inform and hopefully entertain our customers regarding the products we sell.

In November 2013 we introduced a new Internet video series about radio communications called Radio 101. Hosted by Cricket Ventures Sales Manager and radio product and programming expert Anthony Roque, the primary goal of this weekly series was to educate users on the basics of two way radio products and technology.

Episodic videos are available to view on our Buy Two Way Radios YouTube channel and directly from our Radio 101 video blog New episodes were released each Monday morning.

Each episode covered one topic or question related to the use of radios and radio technology and provides an answer or resolution in less than three minutes. The show ran for 33 episodes, and proved to be quite popular.

Now it's back with a new host and an all new look, just in time for the holidays! Directed and hosted by Buy Two Way Radios Product Manager Rick Savoia and produced by Cricket Ventures, LLC, Radio 101 takes basic radio Q and A to the next level. The new Radio 101 videos begin Wednesday, November 29, 2017. New episodes are released each Wednesday morning.

For more information about Radio 101 call 1-800-584-1445 or visit Buy Two Way Radios.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

In 2002, Cricket Ventures launched Banoggle. This month we are excited to introduce an all new design for our retail site for fall 2017!

This new and improved site makes shopping on Banoggle easier and more efficient than before, combining simplicity with first class customer service and support for a more pleasant virtual shopping experience.

Customers can now search for all our products by brand, category, type or price. The Feature Guides are still there and as well as our repository of product manuals. Of course, as always our customers can also call, e-mail or chat with us live on the new web site during normal business hours for even more personalized service.

In addition to a cleaner, more modern design, the site is optimized for online shopping with mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones. Our new and improved web site is now online at www.banoggle.com.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Last week we partnered with Vertex Standard to offer our customers a special trade-in promotion and the promo was extended for a second week. From now through Friday September 8th, 2017, you can trade in your old business radios for credit towards a new EVX Series digital Vertex Standard radio sold at Buy Two Way Radios!

The credit applies to select models in the EVX Series, and the credit amount varies per model. Save $25 per radio on the Vertex Standard EVX-261, or $35 each on the EVX-S24. The trade-in can be any make or model of radio except Motorola, and they do not have to be in working condition. This offer is valid on our Buy Two Way Radios site.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

In March 2016, TYT announced a new mobile digital DMR radio, the MD-9600. It was expected to arrive during the summer, however this didn't happen due to multiple production relatated issues and delays. We now have good news! We recently received a MD-9600 for review!

We produced an unboxing video of the unit complete with an audio sample. The TYT MD-9600 Dual Band DMR Digital Mobile Radio unboxing video is now available to view on our Buy Two Way Radios video blog and YouTube channel.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Cricket Ventures is an authorized Midland radio dealer, and sells may popular models of its FRS/GMRS and CB radios. We even carry their compact, economical business radio, the BR200. Now there are even more Midland models in our warehouse. We have Midland X-Talker Series radios!

We carry the complete line of X-Talker models. From the simple, budget friendly T10 to the full-featured, top-of-the-line, T77VP5 Extreme Dual Pack, we have them all, and Midland X-Talker accessories to boot!

The Midland X-Talker Series is available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle sites.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

At Cricket Ventures, we sell many radio related products for multiple applications. From radar detectors to walkie talkies, we cover the airwaves. Now that it's hurricane season, we want you to know we have it covered as well. We carry emergency weather radios!

We have a full line of emergency and weather radios in stock at Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle, ready to ship when you order.

Whether you need an emergency hand crank muiti-function model from Midland or a table top weather radio with SAME technology from Motorola, we can help you find the one you need. Give us a call or enter our live chat weekdays to fit the right emergency and weather radio for you.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

In 2010, the FCC proposed changes to the Part 95 rules. If approved, the new rules could potentially impact the consumer two way radio market in many ways. Since the initial announcement, Cricket Ventures closely monitored the proposal, providing periodic updates on the Buy Two Way Radios Blog and on the Two Way Radio Show Podcast.

Finally, after seven years, the FCC decided to rule on the proposal during its monthly open meeting May 18, 2017. Considering the significance of the ruling, we will provide live documented coverage of the meeting on the Buy Two Way Radios Blog, @2WayRadios on Twitter and our Buy Two Way Radios Facebook page beginning at 10 AM EDT on May 18, 2017.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Recently, we announced a new DMR digital radio coming from TYT, the MD-2017. This isn't just another digital walkie talkie. The TYT MD-2017 is a dual band digital portable handheld two way radio. So, In a recent episode of our podcast, we came up with a idea to make the arrival of this new radio really memorable. We decided to give one away!

Listen to Episode 111 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast for details.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

In 2015, Cricket Ventures created a preview video of the first GMRS MicroMobile two way radio from Midland, the MXT100. Although initially well received, this first radio also had many critical reviews from GMRS users, most notably for lacking certain features and functionality for the price point.

As we passed this feedback on to Midland, the manufacturer listened and took notes. In late 2016 Midland announced three new models in the MXT line, and we received demos of each product to review. In January 2017 we released a new Midland MXT Series unboxing video featuring all three new models, The MXT105, MXT115, and MXT400.

We've received feedback from this one as well, and based on the comments so far, it seems Midland is on the right track with these radios. Early sales are strong, and seem to indicate these radios are destined to be quite popular for a long time to come.

Our Midland MXT preview videos return valuable viewer feedback, and your comments do make a difference!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

After a short annual winter break, The Two Way Radio Show Podcast has resumed production for 2017. Our podcast is now in its sixth year!

The podcast kicked off this new year with its 109th episode on January 31, 2017. In this episode, show hosts Danny, Anthony and Rick compare popular small, compact and lightweight business radios commonly used in retail and service industries. This episode also includes a review of the new Kenwood ProTalk™ TK-3230DX business radio.

Originally launched February 21, 2011, The Two Way Radio Show continues to educate and entertain loyal listeners throughout the US and around the world with news, information and reviews on two way radios and radio related technology. The podcast is available on iTunes, Blubrry, Stitcher and other podcast venues. Listeners can also subscribe to The Two Way Radio Show via e-mail.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

In 2002, Cricket Ventures launched its flagship website, Buy Radar Detectors. Today we are excited to introduce an all new design for our radar detector site for 2017!

This new and improved site is easier than ever to navigate and to find the products and resources we offer. We combine it all with our top notch customer service and support for a complete virtual shopping experience.

Customers can now search for a radar detector by brand, category, type of mount or price. The Buyer's Guide is still there and updated with the latest recommendations. Of course, as always our customers can also call, e-mail or chat with us live on the new web site during normal business hours for even more personal service.

Cricket Ventures President Danny Feemster explained the makeover was needed to stay on top in the retail marketplace. He stated, "Our web site has been running on a platform that we developed in-house, starting back in 2002. While it has evolved over the years, it simply wasn't cut out for the web of today. Moving to this new platform has been a long process, but now that we've launched we're able to take advantage of exciting new functionality. Most noticeable is our new design, which is more modern and user friendly, particularly for mobile devices. I'm most excited that this new platform will allow us to stay ahead of the curve, and enable our staff to more easily deliver the service and support that you've come to expect."

Our new and improved web site is now online at www.buyradardetectors.com.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

We want to take a moment to thank all of our customers and vendors for another great and successful year at Cricket Ventures. We wish everyone Happy Holidays and a safe and propsperous new year in 2017!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

We have a lot to be thankful for at Cricket Ventures. We're thankful for our families, our friends and the opportunities for our continued success in this great country. We are also thankful for you, our wonderful customers, many of whom have been with us almost since our humble beginnings in 2002!

The staff and management at Cricket Ventures wish you a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Autumn is the perfect time of year for many popular outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and hunting. Whether in the woods, out in a field or on the trail, access to instant and reliable communications is a must.

At Cricket Ventures, we realize how important radios are outdoor enthusiasts. We recently updated our lineup of FRS/GMRS two way radios, just in time for fall! Choose from a complete selection of the latest Motorola and Uniden models. If they make it, we have it !

We also carry Cobra, Midland and Olympia FRS/GMRS radios.
Whatever your favorite outdoor activity, there is a radio made for it at Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Our podcast, The Two Way Radio Show, is still going strong! Hosted by Cricket Ventures President Danny Feemster, Sales Manager Anthony Roque and Product Manager Rick Savoia, the show continues to grow in popularity, attracting fans across the globe.

Nearly six years of non-stop production and 106 episodes later, we are taking a short fall break to prepare for the holidays. If you are a regular listener of the podcast, no worries. New episodes will resume beginning November 2016. If you are new to the show, it's a great opportunity to catch up and binge listen to all our past episodes! You can download and listen to all episodes of The Two Way Radio Show on demand www.twowayradioshow.com.

The Two Way Radio Show is produced by Cricket Ventures, LLC for Buy Two Way Radios.

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Last December we broke the news from Wouxun about their plans to enter the digital radio market with the launch of their first portable DMR two way radio, the KG-D901. We first announced it in Episode 99 of the Two Way Radio Show Podcast and told our listeners of a possible a launch date in 2016. We also wrote an article on the KG-D901 in our Two Way Radio Blog with an overview of its key features. In June, we received our demo models of this new radio, and unboxed one of them in our Wouxun KG-D901 preview video.

Now, we are excited to announce that we are once again first to market in the US with a new Wouxun radio. The Wouxun KG-D901 is in stock and now available at Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle!

Cricket Ventures is a Wouxun Authorized Dealer.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Our Buy Two Way Radios Blog isn't just about news and product announcements from one of our Cricket Ventures retail web sites. We focus on quality content to help our customers learn how to make most of their radios. Recently we published a series of "how to" articles about our products. It's not merely a collection of tutorials. It's a set of procedures to find solutions and get results. We call it our What To Do series.

Initially created to support the products we sell, this series of articles helps customers troubleshoot and resolve issues with their radio equipment using easy to follow, step-by-step directions presented in a logical order. From non-connecting programming cables to non-responsive radios, Our What To Do series tells you, well, what to do to find out what's really wrong with your radio (or what isn't), so you can set it right and get back on the air.

For more about What To Do, listen to episode #105 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast.

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Midland and Buy Two Way Radios have teamed up to bring our customers a series of special rebates on select consumer FRS/GMRS and weather radios for 2016!

The latest offer is a $5 rebate on a set of Midland LXT535VP3 Two Way Radios With Charger and a $5 rebate on the purchase of a Midland WR-120 Weather Radio. This is a mail-in offer direct from Midland and available exclusively at Buy Two Way Radios until June 18, 2016.

Cricket Ventures is an Authorized Midland Dealer.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Tytera made a huge splash last year with its Tytera MD-380 DMR Digital Two Way Radio, and as an Authorized Tytera Dealer, Cricket Ventures was one of the first in the US to offer it to our customers. Last month, Tytera, now known as TYT, introduced the latest model in its DMR line. It's the MD-390, and could make even bigger waves, because this digital radio is waterproof!

The MD-390 is rated IP67 waterproof, which means it is not merely resistant to moisture, it's submersible in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. This rugged radio is ready for any kind of weather, and it's now available at our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order at a special introductory price.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

We are always on the lookout for manufacturer rebates, deals and specials to help our customers save money. This spring, the specials are in the air on business two way radios purchased from Banoggle and Buy Two Way Radios!

Motorola is offering a free multi-charger for every six select business radios purchased until June 30, 2016, for a maximum savings of $4,100. Kenwood is offering a cash rebate from $20-$35 per radio on select models plus a free multi-charger for every six radios purchased until April 29, 2016!

If you are purchasing business two way radios for your company or organization this spring, now is the perfect time to buy and save.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Active participation in the local ham radio community is important to us, and 2016 is no exception. During the last few years we've attended many local hamfests. This year, we continue the tradition. This month, we're going to the 2016 Charlotte Hamfest in Concord, NC!

The 2016 Charlotte Hamfest will be held Friday, March 11 from 3 PM to 7 PM and Saturday, March 12 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Cabarras Arena and Events Center, 4751 Highway 49 North, Concord, NC. This year, Cricket Ventures be at booth #32 to promote Buy Two Way Radios, give out some freebies, and greet our customers and friends in the community. If you happen to be in the area for the hamfest, stop by our booth, meet with us and say hi!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Leixen manufactures a micro mobile two way radio that is somewhat unique to the industry, the VV-898 UHF/VHF Dual Band Mobile Two-Way Radio. Now the company has launched two new backpack radios you won't find in just any store. As an Authorized Leixen Dealer, Cricket Ventures has them!

The Leixen UHF/VHF Dual Band Mobile Backpack Two Way Radio embeds the VV-898 in a special chassis with a rechargeable Li-Ion battery for hours of power in the field. It The unit can also operate as a base station and includes an AC adapter so you can recharge the battery or power it from the wall as needed! The chassis has a built-in radiator with an on/off switch to keep the radio cool. The chassis can also be disassembled and the radio removed for installation in a vehicle.

The Leixen backpack radio is available in two versions. The VV-898P is 10 Watts and the VV-898SP is 25 Watts. Both models, along with other amateur radios and amateur radio accessories are available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

It's 2016, and we have big plans for the year ahead at Cricket Ventures!

Throughout the year we'll be introducing new and exciting products from our vendors and embarking on big and bold initiatives to deliver the best online shopping experience possible to our customers. Of course, we are still easy to reach when you need us. Simply send us an e-mail, join in on a live chat on one of our sites, or give us a call at (800) 584-1445 between 8 AM and 6 PM EST weekdays.

We wish everyone a happy, prosperous and safe 2016!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Today we reached a new milestone with our podcast, The Two Way Radio Show. We just released our 100th episode!

The show, first released on February 21, 2011, received positive reviews from listeners from the beginning, and now, 100 episodes later, it's more popular than ever, with thousands of listeners around the world.

To celebrate our 100th episode, we conducted a giveaway drawing. First prize was a MWR839 AM/FM Weather Alert Radio, valued at $90. Entrants submitted comments listing their favorite episode of the show, and a winner was announced during the podcast.

The first episode of the Two Way Radio Show Podcast was called An Introduction to Consumer Radios, which covered some of the basics of two way radio communications for general consumers. Through the years, the podcast introduced listeners to the different types of two way radios available on the market, and covers topics related to many radio services and types of radios, including FRS/GMRS, business, CB, amateur, air band, and marine.

Nearly five years and 100 episodes later, the TWRS podcast continues to increase its popularity, with subscribers and dedicated listeners from the US, Canada, Australia, the UK and many other countries around the world. The show can be heard from many podcast directories across the web, and is available to hear on demand 24/7 on iTunes, Blubrry.com, and Stitcher Radio. The show can also be heard and downloaded directly from the Two Way Radio Show blog.

The Two Way Radio Show is hosted by Danny Feemster, President of Cricket Ventures, LLC and an expert in two way radio technology, Anthony Roque, Sales Manager and radio programming expert for Cricket Ventures, and Rick Savoia, Product Manager for Cricket Ventures and veteran technology blogger and podcaster.

"One hundred episodes is a milestone for any podcast ", said Feemster. "and to reach it with The Two Way Radio Show is a cause for celebration to share with all of our listeners, because without them, we couldn't have done it".

The Two Way Radio Show is produced by Cricket Ventures, LLC for Buy Two Way Radios.

Posted by Rick at 4:00 PM | Permalink

On this Veteran's Day 2015, we want to take the opportunity to thank our veterans for their service to our country and their sacrifice to protect us, our nation and our freedoms.

On behalf of all of us at Cricket Ventures, Happy Veteran's Day!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

As an authorized Olympia dealer, we showcase their products when ever we can. Olympia is owned by Giant International, the manufacturer behind many popular Motorola Talkabout two way radios. Recently we had the opportunity to sit down with Francisco Galan, International Sales Manager for Olympia at Giant International, and interview him for an episode of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast. He told us about his company, talked about some of their current products available under the Olympia brand and gave us his take on the future of FRS/GMRS radios.

The interview is featured in episode of TWRS-96 - Talking With Olympia and is now available on demand.

The Two Way Radio Show is produced by Cricket Ventures for our Buy Two Way Radios web site.

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Choice is good, and the more we have to choose from, the better. We want to offer our customers the widest selection of quality products available and empower them to choose exactly what they need or want. That's why Cricket Ventures is proud to announce that we are now an Authorized Hytera Dealer!

Hytera is no newcomer to the world of radio communications, and they are launching a new series of products this year to further establish themselves in the marketplace. One of their latest new products is the HYT TC-310 Two Way Radio. This ultra compact, pocket-size business radio with professional grade audio and long battery life is now available from our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

We produce a number of videos each year, from product unboxings and promos to tutorials, and in the last few months our projects have become more ambitious. This month we are working on videos to promote the new Motorola DLR series digital business radios. The DLR1020 and DLR1060 are license free radios for hotels, restaurants and retail stores and both models will be promoted in the productions. Two videos will be produced for this series, the first an unboxing of the DLR1060 and the second will be a brief overview of some advanced features included in both models.

Hosted by Cricket Ventures President Danny Feemster and directed by Product Manager Rick Savoia, the videos will be released on our Buy Two Way Radios YouTube channel this month for our Buy Two Way Radios web site.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Recently we began production on a new series of videos for our Buy Radar Detectors site. Unofficially known as The Veil Guy videos, the series will consist of fourteen videos ranging from 5 to 18 minutes in length. These videos feature reviews of some of the popular radar detectors and other traffic countermeasure products currently on the market.

Hosted by Cricket Ventures President and Two Way Radio Show co-host Danny Feemster, the series format consists of on-camera interviews with Bob Rosania, CEO of Veil Corporation. His company produces Veil G5 Stealth Coating, a translucent liquid that can be painted onto vehicle plates, headlights and other reflective surfaces to minimize the effectiveness of police lidar used for speed and traffic enforcement. Bob is known in the radar detector industry as The Veil Guy, and in this series of interviews he provides reviews of specific radar/laser detectors and other products as well as some educational information and insights on the radar and laser detection industry as a whole.

This was a particularly ambitious project for Cricket Ventures. A set was specially constructed for the series and a multi-camera setup was used to shoot the videos. Production began in early April 2015, with a full day of shooting on April 10. The series is now in post production. Videos will be released during the next few months with the last scheduled for the 2015 holidays.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

The rise of the digital radio has begun, and new models are introduced with increasing frequency and decreasing cost. Always striving to stay on top of the marketplace, we continue to search for exciting new products in the digital arena to offer our customers. That's why we're excited to announce that Cricket Ventures is now an Authorized Tytera Dealer!

Tytera is already known for its analog radios, and it is quickly developing a solid reputation for its new digital models, the Tytera MD-280 and the amazingly high value, low priced Tytera MD-380 DMR Digital Two Way Radio. To offer these new digital radios with the highest value of service and lowest possible price, we've teamed with Tytera to bring them right to your door!

Tytera amateur radios and amateur radio accessories are available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order.

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We're proud of our relationship with Wouxun and our status as an authorized Wouxun dealer. We were the first to announce the launch of the now popular Wouxun KG-UV8D Dual Band Two Way Radio last year, and have been introducing Wouxun products to the US market ever since.

Last month, we announced another new and exciting product from Wouxun, the KG-UV9D Multi-Band Two Way Radio. we discussed it in detail on The Two Way Radio Show Podcast in episode TWRS-89 - The New Wouxun KG-UV9D Multi-Band Radio. In April, Cricket Ventures also received an early demo unit and was first to release an unboxing video. We are happy to announce that we are once again first to market. The Wouxun KG-UV9D is now in stock!

Wouxun amateur radios and amateur radio accessories are available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order for delivery.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

When it comes to callboxes and intercom systems, individual needs can vary. We want to offer our customers the widest selection of radio products possible, with all of the options that fit your specific needs. That is why Cricket Ventures is now an authorized AlertTech dealer!

AlertTech manufactures wireless callboxes with both simplicity of operation and the versatility to be placed virtually anywhere onsite! From the EA-200 Easy Assist 200 Indoor Paging Call Box for interior operation to the AlertTech EA-200-HD-PTT Weatherproof Call Box w/Two-Way PTT for rugged outdoor use, AlertTech has your callbox communications covered.

AlertTech and other callbox/intercom systems are available for delivery from our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order.

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A couple of years ago we experienced our first hamfest in Concord, NC. Since then we've made the Charlotte Hamfest a regular event, and we'll be there again for 2015!

We've found local hamfests to be an excellent way to meet and get to know our customers in the world of amateur radio and help us communicate with them in a positive way. This year, Cricket Ventures will be at The 2015 Charlotte Hamfest to promote Buy Two Way Radios and interact with our ham radio customers.

The 2015 Charlotte Hamfest will be held Friday, March 13 from 3 PM to 7 PM and Saturday, March 14 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Cabarras Arena and Events Center, 4751 Highway 49 North, Concord, NC. If you are planning to be in the area that weekend, stop by our booths and say hello!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Are you In the Charlotte area? Attend our ham radio presentation! Buy Two Way Radios is invited to give a presentation on the installation of Baofeng and Wouxun handheld radio programming cable drivers and software at the Cabarras Amateur Radio Club. The presentation will be held at 7 PM ET the evening of February 16, 2015 at Concord Fire Station #7, 250 International Drive NW, Concord, NC.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

It's a brand new year, and at Cricket Ventures , we're resolved to make it our best year yet! To start the year off right, we wish everyone a happy, prosperous and safe 2015!

To celebrate, our offices will be closed for the day on Thursday, January 1, 2015. If you need to reach us, you can send us an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EST Friday, January 2, 2015 at (800) 584-1445. Happy New Year!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

All of us at Cricket Ventures would like to thank all of our customers and vendors for another fantastic year! We wish you and yours Happy Holidays and a safe and wonderful new year!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

The staff and managemet at Cricket Ventures want to wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday weekend! We will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday November 28, 2014 for Thanksgiving. If you need to contact us please send an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EST Monday, December 1, 2014.

Posted by Rick at 8:00 PM | Permalink

We sell more than just two way radios. We also sell repeaters to help them transmit and receive across even greater distances than they could on their own. For full duplex communications, our repeaters typically include a duplexer. Historically, we sold Fiplex duplexers as components of existing repeater packages. We are excited to announce that Cricket Ventures is now an authorized Fiplex dealer!

Fiplex is a big name in duplexers, and you will find them in many makes and models of repeaters, including models we sell on our sites. Fiplex duplexers are also used in other applications, such as mobile full duplex radios and digital and analog wireless radio.

Fiplex duplexers are available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Amateur radio is growing, and so are we. As we learn more about this exciting hobby, we continue to expand our line of amateur radios and accessories to the ham community. Now we've added one more manufacturer to our list of ham radio products. Cricket Ventures is now an Authorized Leixen Dealer!

Leixen manufactures one of the smallest low power mobile radios around, the VV-898 UHF/VHF Dual Band Mobile Two-Way Radio. This is an ultra compact and amazingly affordable transceiver that packs a lot of features in its small size and low cost. Its small footprint makes it easy to install in a vehicle. The VV-898 is great for smaller vehicles and cabs with limited space. We really like this radio, and no doubt our customers will, too.

The Lexien VV-898 and our other amateur radios and amateur radio accessories are available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

We have been an authorized dealer of Cobra brand products for well over a decade. From radar detectors to CB radios to Marine radios to FRS/GMRS walkie talkies, we have carried the Cobra line. Recently, however, we have taken our relationship with Cobra to a whole new level. We are proud to announce that Cricket Ventures is now an authorized Cobra Select Dealer!

As a Cobra Select dealer, we now offer their top-of-the-line products, such as the Cobra SPX 7800BT Radar Detector with Bluetooth™ , the Cobra CXT1035R FLT Floating Waterproof Two Way Radio and the extremely versatile Cobra MR-HH450 DUAL Combination Marine and GMRS Radio, which raises the GMRS from consumer to professional status with a removable antenna, multiple power options and a JIS7/IPX7 rating for water resistance and submersibility create an all terrain radio for use on land or water!

Cobra brand products are available for delivery from our warehouse through Buy Two Way Radios, Buy Radar Detectors and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

We are expanding the product lines we offer to customers who are motorcycle enthusiasts, and recently we added one more. Cricket Ventures is now an authorized Eklipse dealer!

Eklipse provides innovative solutions for charging and powering mobile devices 12V powered equipment for those on the move. From the Universal Battery Jumping Kit to the Ultimate USB Charging System for motorcycles, Eklipse connects you to the power you need when you need it on the go.

Eklipse and other vehicle power accessories are available for delivery from our Buy Two Way Radios, Buy Radar Detectors and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

A year ago last March we attended our first hamfest in Concord, NC. In October 2013 we attended a second hamfest in our home town of Rock Hill, SC. This year we are expanding our local presence with booths at several more area hamfests!

Hamfests are a great way to meet and interact with our customers in the amateur radio community and are proven venues for soliciting valuable customer feedback. During 2014, Cricket Ventures plans to attend five local area hamfests to promote Buy Two Way Radios and learn more about how we can best serve the amateur radio market. We've attended two of these events already and we've learned a lot from each one. The 2014 Charlotte Hamfest, held March 7 and 8, was a huge event for us and we had a great interactive experience with customers. The BRARS Hamfest was held May 3 in Spartanburg, SC and it was an enjoyable and educational experience.

We plan to attend a few more in 2014. If you are in the area and would like to meet up with us at one of these events, subscribe to our Buy Two Way Radios blog or join our Two Way Radio Forum and stay tuned for the dates and times of our next scheduled hamfest!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

During the last year we've expanded into the amateur radio market, and our presence in the ham community continues to grow. To further encourage interest in this exciting hobby and promote the continuing education in ham radio, Cricket Ventures recently became a Master Publishing dealer!

Master Publishing is the company that publishes the popular and easy-to-assimilate radio and technology books by Gordon West WB6NOA, a well-known and respected author of amateur license training manuals. The Gordon West Technician Class Manual, Gordon West General Class Manual and Gordon West Extra Class Manual are widely used by both old and new hams to help prepare them for Amateur license exams.

These training manuals and other technical books by Master Publishing are now available from our warehouse and can be ordered today from our Buy Two Way Radios web site.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

To be sure we provide only genuine products to our customers, we've added another antenna manufacturer to our retail sites. Cricket Ventures is now an authorized Diamond Antenna dealer!

Diamond antennas are well known and respected among amateur radio operators who need a quality antenna at a great price. The Diamond Antenna RH77CA Dual Band HT Antenna and Diamond Antenna HV7A Quad Band Mobile Antenna are popular among hams. To provide genuine products at the best possible prices, we bring these antennas to you direct from Diamond!

Diamond antennas and other amateur radio accessories are available for delivery from our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

Since becoming an authorized Wouxun dealer, we've done our best to nurture that relationship. This is why we are excited to announce the launch of the new Wouxun KG-UV8D Dual Band Two Way Radio! We not only broke the news, we discussed it in detail for The Two Way Radio Show Podcast in TWRS-72 - Introducing the Wouxun KG-UV8D. In April, Cricket Ventures will receive demo units and release an unboxing video of this amazing new radio!

Wouxun is a big name in the amateur radio community. The Wouxun KG-UVD1P Dual Band UHF/VHF HT Radio, the popular KG-UV920P-A Dual Band Mobile/Base Two Way Radio and the new KG-UV950P Quad Band Mobile/Base Two Way Radio are all popular among hams. With the launch of the brand new KG-UV8D, Wouxun is sure to have another winner!

Wouxun amateur radios and amateur radio accessories are available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order for delivery.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

As the premiere dealer for XLT, Cricket Ventures has the entire product line. Now we are excited to announce the launch of a new line of XLT two way radio accessories for 2014!

New XLT accessories include the XLT DR110 D-Ring Earpiece with Lapel PTT Microphone, XLT EB310 C-Ring Swivel Earpiece with Lapel PTT Microphone, XLT SM400 Heavy Duty Speaker Microphone, XLT HS400 Heavy Duty Single Muff Headset with PTT and Mic, and the XLT HS500 Heavy Duty Dual Muff Headset with PTT and Mic.

XLT radio accessories are available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

We are constantly adding more products to our retail sites, and now we're on a roll. We are happy to announce that Cricket Ventures now offers Wilson antennas!

Wilson is known for its line of quality, high performance CB antennas, such as the Wilson W1000 Series Magnet Mount CB Antenna Kit and the Wilson T2000 Series Mobile CB Trucker Antenna. These antennas use a low loss coil design to maximize the performance of your CB radio.

Wilson products are available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

The management and staff at Cricket Ventures would like to wish everyone a happy, prosperous and safe 2014! Our offices will be closed for the day on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 and January 1, 2014. If you need to reach us, you can send us an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EST Thursday, January 2, 2014 at (800) 584-1445. May this be your best and most prosperous year yet!

Posted by Rick at 6:00 PM | Permalink

We want to take a moment to thank all of our customers and vendors for a fantastic year. From all of us at Cricket Ventures, Happy Holidays and have a safe and wonderful new year!

Posted by Rick at 6:00 PM | Permalink

The management and staff at Cricket Ventures wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday! We will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday November 29, 2013 for Thanksgiving. If you need to contact us please send an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EST Monday, December 2, 2013.

Posted by Rick at 6:00 PM | Permalink

During the past few months we've immersed ourselves into the world of amateur radio. We've met a lot of interesting people and stocked our warehouse with a lot of new and exciting ham radio products. Now we've added another manufacturer to our list. Cricket Ventures is now a Wouxun Authorized Dealer!

Wouxun is famous among hams for its line of powerfully versatile, yet inexpensive amateur radios, such as the Wouxun KG-UVD1P Dual Band UHF/VHF HT Radio and the amazing, feature packed, high value KG-UV920P-A Dual Band Mobile/Base Two Way Radio. To offer these products with the highest value of service at the lowest possible price, we've teamed with Wouxun to ship their radios and accessories directly to your door!

Wouxun amateur radios and amateur radio accessories are available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

We entered the amateur radio market earlier this year to offer our customers some of the most popular and economical products available. We've partnered with manufacturers to bring more amateur radios and accessories to hams. Recently we added one more. We are excited to announce that Cricket Ventures is now a Nagoya Authorized Dealer!

Nagoya antennas are popular among amateur radio operators who want performance at a budget price. The Nagoya NA-701 and NA-666 are standard upgrades for the stock rubber duck antennas included with amateur handheld transceivers such as the wildly popular Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band UHF/VHF Radio. To ensure you can get accessories with the maximum performance and value available for your radios, we've teamed with Nagoya to bring these antennas directly to you!

Nagoya antennas and other amateur radio accessories are now available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

On behalf of all of us at Cricket Ventures, we wish you a fun, happy and safe Labor Day! Our offices will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2013 for the Labor Day holiday. If you need assistance, please send us an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EDT Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at (800) 584-1445. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Posted by Rick at 6:00 PM | Permalink

On behalf of the management and staff at Cricket Ventures, we wish you all a happy 4th of July 2013! To celebrate, our offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2013 for Independence Day. If you need assistance, please send us an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EDT Friday, July 5, 2013 at (800) 584-1445. Have a safe and happy 4th of July holiday!

Posted by Rick at 6:00 PM | Permalink

We are alway striving for ways to make it easy for our customers to buy two way radios. But what if you only need them for a while? No problem. Simply rent them instead! That's right, we now offer Two Way Radio Rentals!

If your business is seasonal or you just need radios for a temporary job or event, we now have a fleet of high quality radios available for rent at excellent prices. Our rental system is easy to use and there are no complicated contracts to read. Simply reserve your radios and we'll take care of the rest. Our new Radio Rental System is now online at Buy Two Way Radios!

Posted by Rick at 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Always on the hunt for the latest in innovation, we recently found some new products that fill a definite need for our two way radio customers. A common issue with mobile handheld radios is the question of how to fasten them securely while allowing for easy access while on the go That's why we are excited to announce that we are now a T-Reign Authorized Dealer! T-Reign offers unique solutions for carrying handheld two way radios while minimizing the risk of dropping them, such as their Retractable Gear Tether and ProHolster Case with their Retractable Gear Tether built right in! Now you can keep your two way radio secure, knowing you can reach for it when you need it without the fear of it slipping from your grasp!

T-Reign products are currently available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Recently, we entered the realm of amateur radio and searched around for some popular and exciting products for our customers who are amateur radio or "ham" enthusiasts. We are excited to announce that Cricket Ventures is now a Baofeng Authorized Dealer!

Baofeng is well known in the ham community for its economical, yet versatile line of amateur products, such as the Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band UHF/VHF Radio. This radio is becoming a popular choice of hams everywhere for its low cost and plethora of features. To make these radios readily available, we've teamed with Baofeng to bring their radios and accessories directly to you!

Baofeng products are currently available on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 4:51 PM | Permalink

This month we took our podcast on the road! The Two Way Radio Show was recorded almost live from the floor of the 2013 Charlotte Hamfest!

The hamfest, held each year in Concord, NC, typically draws amateur or ham enthusiasts from around the region. This year, the hamfest was held at the Cabarrus Event and Convention Center and drew an estimated crowd of 3500 hams and their families.

Episode 53, recorded Friday March 8, 2013, featured an interview with Andy Hawkins, President of the Mecklenburg Amateur Radio Society (MARS), the sponsor of the hamfest. Podcast show hosts Danny Feemster, Anthony Roque and Rick Savoia provided an overview of scheduled hamfest activities.

TWRS 53 - The 2013 Charlotte Hamfest, is available on demand on The Two Way Radio Show blog at Buy Two Way Radios.

The Two Way Radio Show is produced twice monthly by Cricket Ventures, LLC.

Posted by Rick at 12:42 PM | Permalink

Our Cricket Ventures studio has been busy producing podcasts and videos to help our customers stay informed about the products we sell and to help them learn how to get the most out of them. Our latest project is the recent launch of a new Internet video series about radio communications called Radio 101! This weekly series is now available on our Buy Two Way Radios YouTube channel and directly from our Radio 101 video blog New episodes are released each Monday morning.

The new show, hosted by Cricket Ventures Sales Manager and radio product and programming expert Anthony Roque, answers common questions about radio technology and resolves basic issues frequently encountered by users and our customers. Each episode covers one topic or question related to the use of radios and radio technology and provides an answer or resolution in less than three minutes.

"We want our customers to be as informed as possible about the radios they purchase from us", Danny Feemster, President of Cricket Ventures, LLC and Executive Producer of the series said in a press release. "Radio 101 will enable us to help the public get the most out of the technology and show them how easy it is to understand and use these products with a minimum of hassle and frustration".

The new series is directed by Buy Two Way Radios Product Manager Rick Savoia and produced by Cricket Ventures, LLC.

For more information about Radio 101 call 1-800-584-1445 or visit Buy Two Way Radios.

Posted by Rick at 12:00 PM | Permalink

As you know, we are always searching for new and exciting products to deliver to our customers. Now we are happy to announce that we have found another quality manufacturer whose products support and enhance our existing product line. Cricket Ventures is now a Tram Browning Authorized Dealer!

Tram Browning manufactures a complete line of quality radio antennas and hardware. The choice of antenna is critically important to the performance of a radio, and not every antenna fits every radio or application. To ensure we provide the best range of choices available, we've partnered with Tram Browning to bring the best antennas, mounts and other hardware directly to you!

Tram Browning antenna products are currently available on our Buy Two Way Radios, Buy Radar Detectors and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 12:00 PM | Permalink

The management and staff at Cricket Ventures would like to wish everyone a happy, prosperous and safe 2013! Our offices will be closed for the day on Monday, December 31, 2012 and January 1, 2013. If you need to reach us, you can send us an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EST Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at (800) 584-1445. May the new year be your best ever!

Posted by Rick at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We would like to thank all of our customers and vendors for another great year. From all of us at Cricket Ventures, Happy Holidays and have an amazing new year!

Posted by Rick at 6:00 PM | Permalink

The management and staff at Cricket Ventures would like to wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday! We will be closed Thursday, November 22 and Friday November 23, 2012 for Thanksgiving. If you need to contact us please send an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EST Monday, November 26, 2012.

Posted by Rick at 6:00 PM | Permalink

Production continues in our video studio at Cricket Ventures! We recently released a new product video on our Buy Radar Detectors site for the Escort Solo S3. The video, titled A look at the Escort Solo S3 Cordless Radar Detector, provides a brief, up-close overview of one cordless model in a quality line of detectors manufactured by Escort Radar. Cricket Ventures is an authorized Escort Dealer.

The video is hosted and narrated by Cricket Ventures President Danny Feemster and was directed by Cricket Ventures Product Manager and content producer Rick Savoia.

Posted by Rick at 3:35 PM | Permalink

As an e-tailer, we are always looking up, searching for new ways to expand our product lines and take our ebusiness even higher. Recently we looked to the sky - literally - and added a new category of radios at Buy Two Way Radios: air band radios!

An air band or avionics radio is used in the aviation industry as a vital tool for pilots and aircraft, both for communication and navigation. Without these radios, pilots and ground crews could not relay information critical to the navigation of aircraft and the safety of everyone in and around it.

Icom manufactures a quality line of air band radios, such as the Icom IC-A6 and Icom IC-A14. Since we are an authorized Icom reseller, we are proud to offer these products to our customers!

For more information about air band radios, read The basics of air band radios. For an in-depth discussion, listen to The Two Way Radio Show #42 - Flying With Radios.

Posted by Rick at 3:45 PM | Permalink

On behalf of all of us at Cricket Ventures, we wish you a happy Labor Day! Our offices will be closed on Monday, September 3, 2012 for the Labor Day holiday. If you need assistance, please send us an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EDT Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at (800) 584-1445. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Posted by Rick at 10:00 AM | Permalink

We like innovation and are constantly testing new ideas to stay on the cutting edge in e-tailing and provide the best shopping experience possible for our customers. Our podcast is one of the ways we use new media to provide important information to help our customers make informed buying decisions and help us better support them before and after the sale.

The Two Way Radio Show is now well into its second year of production and our audience continues to grow. Simply put, they love the show!

Here are a few comments from customers and listeners of The Two Way Radio Show:

"Great show as usual. Its good that a clear discussion of the business usage on GMRS , including the consumer/commercial differences." - Conrad

"I am pleased to say that your show is very informative and easy to digest in a non-radio geek kind of way. I appreciate how you gentlemen stay on point with the topic. The reviews that you give on the show seem to be honest and unbiased." - Eddie

"very informative, well explained discussion. (Episode 22- Radios For Restaurants)" - Rex

"Great show." - Bob

"This is a great podcast keep up the good work!" - William

"Great two way radio show! I really look forward to listening every week. Do you think you guys will ever venture off and do a video telecast? Keep up the good work and take care." - Ben

"Excellent" - Anonymous

"Hey! I love this.... The weekly shows are great... I've listened to several and will listen to the new one. What a great concept :) I love it!" - John

As the show matures, we continue to improve it and try new things. In each episode we discuss how two way radios are used by both consumers and businesses in various activities and in different industries. This week, we took the show one step further. TWRS-39 - Hotel Radios features an exclusive interview with James Brooks, General Manager of Staybridge Suites in Durham, North Carolina. In this episode, he told us how the hospitality industry uses two way radios by explaining how important radio communications are to the daily operations performed by his staff.

His comments illustrate a real world example of how the hospitality industry works and provides customers and listeners with a better understanding of how important the products and services we offer are to business and industry as a whole.

The Two Way Radio Show is hosted by Danny Feemster, Anthony Roque and Rick Savoia, and is released on the first and third Mondays each month for Buy Two Way Radios.

Episode 39 is now available online and can be heard on most major Internet radio and podcast outlets, including Apple® iTunes®, Microsoft® Zune® Marketplace, BluBrry.com and Stitcher Radio. The show can also be heard directly on demand on the Two Way Radio Show blog 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Posted by Rick at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

On behalf of all of us at Cricket Ventures, we wish you a happy 4th of July! Our offices will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 for Independence Day celebration. If you need assistance, please send us an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EDT Thursday, July 5, 2012 at (800) 584-1445. Have a safe holiday!

Posted by Rick at 12:00 AM | Permalink

We strive to offer our customers quality products at great prices. In our effort to maintain the highest quality of products and services, we are particular about what we sell and who we partner with. That's why we are excited to announce that we are now a BlendMount Authorized Reseller! BlendMount is a unique radar detector mount that attaches directly, securely and discreetly to the existing rear-view mirror of your vehicle. Now you can keep your radar / laser detector right where you need it without an unsightly mess of wires on your dashboard. Installed with the innovative MirrorTap hardwire solution, the BlendMount helps to keep your dash and windshield clean and clear. It practically blends right in!

BlendMount and MirrorTap are currently available on our Buy Radar Detectors and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 11:18 AM | Permalink

Companies love to partner with us. And now we have another! We are happy to announce that we are now a Techmount Authorized Dealer! Techmount manufactures stylish, quality motorcycle mounts for cell phones, radar detectors and other devices.

Techmount motorycle mounts and mounting accessories are currently available on our Buy Radar Detectors, Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites to order.

Posted by Rick at 3:10 PM | Permalink

We are excited to announce that we are now an Adaptiv Authorized Dealer! Adaptiv is known for manufacturing its quality TPX Radar/Laser Detection System and accessories designed specifically for use on motorcycles.

The Adaptiv TPX Motorcycle Laser / Radar Detection System and all of its accessories are currently available on our Buy Radar Detectors and Banoggle web sites and are in stock in our warehouse for immediate delivery.

Posted by Rick at 9:51 AM | Permalink

During the last couple of months we have been working on a new video production studio in our new headquarters located in Rock Hill, SC. We are pleased to announce that our studio is now complete and operational! We recently released the first video produced in our new studio, Whistler XTR-540 Special Promotion, and are currently working on several video projects for Buy Radar Detectors and Buy Two Way Radios to be released in the coming weeks!

Posted by Rick at 9:13 AM | Permalink

Midland recently announced that it will be revamping its line of consumer FRS/GMRS two way radios this year and Cricket Ventures is excited to announce that we are preparing to carry them all!

The new lineup includes the LXT118, LXT118VP, LXT500VP3, LXT535VP3, LXT600VP3, GXT860VP4, GXT895VP4, GXT1000VP4, GXT1050VP4 and the new GXT2000 Series, which includes the GXT2000VP4 and GXT2050VP4. You can preview Midland's new 2012 two way radio lineup here.

As an Authorized Midland Dealer, we are proud to offer their full line of two way radios directly to you and we will make these new models available for immediate delivery as soon as they are released. Stay tuned for further announcements here, at Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle as each of these new radios are launched.

Posted by Rick at 8:45 PM | Permalink

The management and staff at Cricket Ventures would like to wish all of our customers and vendors a safe, happy and prosperous 2012! Our offices will be closed for the day on Monday, January 2, 2012. If you need to reach us, you can send us an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EST Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at (800) 584-1445. Stay safe!

Posted by Rick at 8:19 PM | Permalink

We are happy to announce that we are an Emergency Zone authorized dealer! Emergency Zone makes a full line of emergency preparedness and survival kits for consumers.

We now offer a full line of these emergency kits on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites, from the very basic Necessities Kit to the complete Survival Kit designed for a typical family of four. These kits have the essential items you need to help you get through an emergency situation.

Whether you're caught in a hurricane or stuck on the road, there's an emergency or survival kit for you. Add a set of two way radios and/or an emergency weather radio and you will have a ready-made disaster preparedness solution to help you and your loved ones survive an emergency.

Posted by Rick at 7:57 PM | Permalink

Our management and staff would like to thank you for your patronage and wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving! We will be closed Thursday, November 24 and Friday November 25, 2011 for the Thanksgiving holiday. If you need to contact us please send an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EST Monday, November 28, 2011.

Posted by Rick at 7:49 PM | Permalink

We are proud to announce that we are now Ritron authorized dealer! Ritron specializes in VHF and UHF radio callboxes, base stations, wireless PA systems, OEM data modules, and other two way radio products.

The Ritron callbox is primarily a two way radio transceiver in a box that can be mounted either indoors or outdoors in a central location for general access. It can be programmed to communicate with other makes and models of two way radios as well as radio repeaters for maximum versatility and range.

To demonstrate the features and versatility of the Ritron callboxes, we created this video showcasing The Ritron Outpost 1 Series Callbox.

Ritron products are available at our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle sites.

Posted by Rick at 6:59 PM | Permalink

We recently received word from Motorola that after a brief hiatus, the The Motorola CLP1040 and CLP1010 two way radios are now back in production. We are told Motorola will ship them to us around the end of the month!

The CLP Series was launched in June 2010 and were becoming quite popular on our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites for their light weight, compact size and ease of use.

Motorola pulled both models earlier in the year to improve their performance and design.

For more information about the Motorola CLP Series radios, visit Buy Two Way Radios, Banoggle or give us a call at 1-800-584-1445.

Posted by Rick at 5:40 PM | Permalink

The Cobra Comparison Chart was just the beginning. Now we have them all! We just released Radar Detector Comparison Charts for all the major brands we carry, including Beltronics, Cobra, Escort and Whistler.

Each of these charts lists all of the current radar detectors we carry for that manufacturer on both our Buy Radar Detectors and Banoggle web sites. They are all available to download in Adobe Reader .pdf format. The best part, all of them are free!

Download each chart and compare them all!

2011-2012 Beltronics Radar Detector Comparison Chart
2011-2012 Cobra Radar Detector Comparison Chart
2011-2012 Escort Radar Detector Comparison Chart
2011-2012 Whistler Radar Detector Comparison Chart

Posted by Rick at 4:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As an authorized Cobra dealer, we carry a full line of Cobra radar detectors at our Buy Radar Detectors and Banoggle sites. With so many of their products to choose from, we understand that choosing the right one for your particular needs can be a daunting task.

That's why we created the 2011-2012 Cobra Radar Detector Comparison Chart!

This chart includes all the models currently offered by Cobra. Both the radar detectors and their key features are organized into a grid for fast and easy comparison at a glance.

The 2011-2012 Cobra Radar Detector Comparison Chart is a FREE download courtesy of Cricket Ventures.

Posted by Rick at 4:23 PM | Permalink

On behalf of everyone at Cricket Ventures, we want to wish you a happy Fourth of July! Our offices will be closed on Monday, July 4, 2011 for Independence Day celebration. If you need assistance, please send us an e-mail or give us a call after 8 AM EDT Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at (800) 584-1445. Have a safe holiday!

Posted by Rick at 4:16 PM | Permalink

This month we're giving out FREE tips and tricks at Buy Two Way Radios for maintaining your two way radios! First, you can download our FREE Two Way Radio Care and Maintenance Guide. This free guide is chock full of advice and best practices for taking care of your radios to maximize your investement. You can read from your desktop or print it out to share with everyone on your staff or in your group. If you need a more permanent version, a you can purchase a laminated version of our Care and Maintenance Guide for a nominal fee.

This month we also released a special episode of The Two Way Radio Show titled Care and Maintenance of Two Way Radios. In this episode we tell you how to maintain your two way radio properly to keep it in peak operating condition. You can hear it on demand anytime. Best of all, it's FREE!

Posted by Rick at 3:47 PM | Permalink

When it comes to new products, we aim to be there first, and today we're on the mark as one of the first Authorized Midland Dealers to offer the new Midland GXT5000 two way radio!

The Midland GXT5000 Pro Series Rugged Professional GMRS Two Way Radio is a professional grade radio for the consumer market. It's a tough, rugged radio that is built for the outdoors. It has all the standard FRS and GMRS frequencies and features 121 privacy codes. It has five selectable call alerts, selectable high/low power modes, dual channel watch, channel scan, and silent operation, It also features an out-of-range alert.

The Midland GXT5000 is available at our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle sites.

Posted by Rick at 3:22 PM | Permalink

Our new podcast, The Two Way Radio Show, has been warmly received by listeners, with our third episode being the most popular!

So far, Episode 3 - Radios in the Woods, has been downloaded and listened to the most of all the episodes released. In this episode, we openly discuss the use of consumer two way radios in various outdoor activities, particularly hiking, hunting and camping. We talk about the most important features to consider in radios used for such activities and recommend specific makes and models, including the Midland GXT1000VP4, the Motorola MR350R and the Motorola T9680R-SAME

Listeners seem to be very interested in the topic discussion, an indication that radios are indeed relied on heavily for such activities.

The Two Way Radio Show is hosted by Danny Feemster, Anthony Roque and Rick Savoia, and is released on the first and third Mondays each month for Buy Two Way Radios.

Posted by Rick at 5:14 PM | Permalink

Always innovatiing, Always leading the pack. That's one of our primary goals at Cricket Ventures. Now we've set the bar even higher, with a new Internet radio show for Buy Two Way Radios, the Two Way Radio Show!

Intended for both businesses and consumers, this new Internet radio show or "podcast" is all about using two way radio communications. Each episode covers an open discussion topic related to two way radio technology, a review of a specific radio related product and a question and answer segment.The first episode of the show, titled An Introduction to Consumer Radios, is now available online and can be heard on most major Internet radio and podcast outlets, including Apple® iTunes®, Microsoft® Zune® Marketplace, BluBrry.com and Stitcher Radio. The new show can also be heard directly on demand on the Two Way Radio Show blog 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Two Way Radio Show is hosted by Cricket Ventures President and radio expert Danny Feemster, Cricket Ventures Sales Manager and radio product and programming expert Anthony Roque, and Cricket Ventures Web Content Writer Rick Savoia.

The show will be produced in our media studio at Cricket Ventures and released on the first and third Monday of each month.

Posted by Rick at 2:35 PM | Permalink

At Cricket Ventures, we contually strive to offer the best and most innovative online shopping experience possible. Now we've set the bar again with an all-new feature on our sites: Audio samples of our business two way radios! You can not only see them, you can hear as well!

These samples were produced for both our Buy Two Way Radios and Banoggle web sites for all the major brands of business radios we carry, including Blackbox, Icom, Kenwood, Motorola, Olympia and Vertex Standard. The audio samples were recorded using specific equipment under controlled conditions to reproduce the most consistant recordings possible for a fair comparison between all models of business two way radios available on our sites. You can hear these sample audio clips while examining them for a full virtual shopping experience.

We also added a page on the Two Way Radio Blog with the complete list of business two way radios with their audio samples so you can compare them all with each other!

More audio clips will be added to each site as new products are introduced.

Posted by Rick at 2:04 PM | Permalink

We would like to take a moment and thank all of our customers and vendors for a great year. From all of us to all of you, Happy Holidays and have a phenomenal new year!

Posted by Rick at 1:58 PM | Permalink

To make holiday shopping easier for our customers, we are giving out free gifts on our web sites this season!

At Buy Radar Detectors, we've partnered with Whistler to offer FREE Whistler Socket Multiplier (Model 203285) for every dashboard mount Whistler radar detector purchased, a $10 value! In addition, we will give away one FREE Whistler INTELLICORD® Power Cord (a $20 value) for every Whistler XTR-690 SE, XTR-695 SE, orPro 78 SE radar detector purchased from buyradardetectors.com, Combined, the Whistler Socket Multiplier and the Whistler INTELLICORD® Power Cord valued at $30. a great deal for holiday gifts!

The giving continues at Buy Two Way Radios. We've partnered with XLT Communications offer a free EB100-MT PTT earbud with every set of Motorola Talkabout radios purchased. The EB100-MT earbud is valued at $15 and adds even more value to the already value-packed Motorola Talkabout radios.

This is our way of saying Happy Holidays from Cricket Ventures!

Posted by Rick at 1:23 PM | Permalink

Motorola Rebate Offer

Posted by Jeff at 1:30 PM | Permalink

In order to continue to provide the best customer care and service possible, we have initiated a new program and have added video content to Buy Radar Detectors. As part of our continuing plan to inform people about the radar detectors and protective products we carry, we decided adding videos would be one of the most useful resources we could provide to our customers.

The introduction of quick videos summaries coincides with the launch of our YouTube Radar Detector channel. We look forward to spreading out to an even larger web community in our effort to further educate people about the products we carry.

This is just one part of our ongoing efforts to improve the shopping experience for visitors to our entire family of websites.

Posted by Jeff at 12:35 PM | Permalink

Our comments to the FCC about the proposed changes to GMRS and other services have been posted. For more information, read our comments over on the FCC website along with the post we made on our two way radio blog.

What We Told the FCC

Response to the FCC's Review of the Part 95 Personal Radio Services Rules

My Thoughts On The FCC's Proposed GMRS Changes

A Summary of the FCC's Proposed Changes to GMRS and Other Services

The FCC Wants to Change GMRS Licensing, GMRS Repeater Usage, and More!

Posted by Jeff at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

You can now pre-order the revolutionary Motorola CLP1010 and Motorola CLP1040 here at Buy Two Way Radios. They will be available for sale on Tuesday, June 25th. In fact, they may even get here a bit earlier! We also have the Motorola RPU2160 Portable Repeater, designed specifically for use with the CLP1040 and CLP 1010, in stock now!

Both radios are very compact, easy to use, and high-tech. Motorola has designed two ultra stylish radios that will make your staff look as cutting edge as your business.

The size and ease of use of the radios and the range boosting repeater make them just as ideal for those needing a mobile communications suite. If you are an event planner, go to trade shows, or have a business that travels a lot, the radios combined with the mobile repeater may be exactly what you have been looking for.

In addition to carrying just the radios and the repeater we plan on carrying CLP series accessories, and many of you know we like to have a few two way radio accessories in stock. We are as excited about these radios as many of you are, and want to carry every CLP radio and RPU repeater accessory we are able to.

Give us a call at 1-800-584-1445 or send us an email if you have any questions. The way your employees use radios to communicate on the job has just changed forever.

Posted by Jeff at 8:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Kenwood Rebate

Posted by Jeff at 12:37 PM | Permalink

The new Motorola RPU2160 Repeater is fast becoming a favorite around here at our walkie talkie test lab. We really like all the accessories that are available. People truly like an affordable, easy to setup and use repeater with plenty of options.

There are two battery kits, great for powering the repeater for a short term as a remote unit, or as backup during power failures:

Motorola HKHN4004A Lithium Ion Battery Frame Kit: The kit allows you to run the RPU2160 repeater off of lithium-ion battery packs.

Motorola HKHN4003A Battery Frame Kit: The kit allows you to run the RPU2160 repeater off of alkaline batteries.

There are two antennas to further boost range and improve transmission quality:

Motorola HKKN4022A Magnetic Mount Antenna: The long, heavy duty cord allows you to place the antenna away from the RPU2160 repeater. This provides more options on where you can locate the repeater, such as in a desk or cabinet. The antenna can then be placed in a separate location, or even at a higher position, potentially boosting range and providing a clearer signal.

Motorola HKAE4000A Dipole Antenna: The 15" antenna has an adjustable joint at the base allowing it to be repositioned at different angles, potentially boosting range and providing a clearer signal.

There is also a vehicle power adapter:

Motorola HKPN4003A Vehicle Adapter: Turn your RPU2160 repeater into a mobile repeater! Just plug in the power adapter and you will be able to add the convenience and additional range of a repeater anywhere you go. This is perfect for remote job sites, camping, hunting trips, and any other activity where you might need additional communication range.

Posted by Jeff at 12:34 PM | Permalink

Radar is short for RAdio Detection And Ranging and is the use of radio waves to determine the range, location, and speed of an object. Police use radar by focusing radio waves at an area (or object such as a car) and then measuring the radio wave that is reflected back. By using the Doppler effect they can then determine an objects speed.

Police use a radar "gun" that was invented by Bryce K. Brown in March 1954. Most radar guns used by law enforcement today are a basic variation on the original design.

A radar gun is a simple radio transmitter and receiver. The radio waves sent have a frequency measured in Gigahertz (GHz). When the radio waves reflect and bounce off of an object there is a slight change in frequency. The frequency shift (Doppler effect) is measured by the radar gun and the objects speed is determined.

The frequencies used by the radar guns are called radar bands. X band was once the most common but is becoming rather rare since it is very easily detected by radar detectors. K and Ka bands use frequencies that are much more difficult to detect and are now more common. Ku band is mostly found in Europe.

• X Band is in the 8.0 to 12.0 GHz range (most common is 10.5 in the US / 9.4-10.6 in Europe)


• K Band is in the 18 to 26.5 GHz range (most common is 24.12 - 24.17 in the US / 24.12 - 25.15 in Europe)


• Ka Band is in the 26.5 to 40 GHz range (most common is 33.8, 34.6, 34.7, 35.5, 35.7 GHz in the US / 34.0, 34.3, 35.5 in Europe)


• Ku Band is in the 12 to 18 GHz range (Ku is not used in the US, most common is 13.45 in Europe)

In the US most radar guns used by police are K or Ka band, however some police departments still use X band. We know that a lot of people advocate turning X band off, but before you do we recommend driving around for a while with it on to make certain you do not encounter any police still using the band in your area. In fact, some departments now purposefully use X band because so many people treat it as a false alert and turn it off.

In addition to being used by police, many automatic doors and some car navigation systems emit radar as well. This results in false alerts. The signal from an automatic door, etc... is often rather weak so most radar detectors have a city mode to lessen the detectors sensitivity. A few radar detector models also allow you to manually lock out false signals, or will even block them for you automatically.

How you setup your radar detector can also be a determining factor in how effective it is. First, the detector should be placed so that the forward sensor has an unobstructed "view" ahead. For a windshield mount detector, the best location is in the center, and middle of the windshield. The detector should also be level and not pointing up, or down. You may want to turn off X band depending on where you live. Next, in town set the detector to city mode to lessen the number of false alerts, and switch back to highway when outside of urban areas. There are compromises in setting up your detector related to how tolerant you are of false alerts. Some prefer to use highway mode constantly, others will never turn off X band. As you use your detector you will be able to decide what you want to change from the basic settings.

Certain radar detector models are better for highway use where you want long range, and very quick detection, but they tend to have a lot of false alerts in urban area. There are other models that tend to be much better at filtering out false alerts but may not alert fast enough for someone that travels mostly on the interstate. Because of this, here at Buy Radar Detectors we work with you to find the radar detector that fits your specific needs.

Posted by Jeff at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

One of the new radios we just got in stock is the Cobra microTALK CXR925 GMRS two way radio. Not only is the design original compared to most two way radios, it also uses lithium ion batteries. Most consumer radios use nickel cadmium batteries which honestly are just not as good. Li-Ion batteries last longer and also do not suffer from "memory effects" when charging.

The CXR925 is the "big brother" model to the popular Cobra CXR700. The CXR700 is another GMRS radio that we like a lot. So many radio are copy cat designs of each other, we like the originality in the two Cobra models.

The CXR925 is relatively compact and has all the features you would expect form a top of the line GMRS radio (142 privacy codes, VOX, NOAA channels, silent alerts, and key lock). It also has the Rewind-Say-Again® feature. You can replay calls and record messages for playback.

We have them in stock and ready to go for $74.99. The CXR925 value pack comes with two radios, Li-Ion batteries, desktop charger, and wall adapter.

Posted by Jeff at 4:15 PM | Permalink

We have already talked a bit about the new RLC 250 from Whistler, but they also have several new radar detectors coming out this year. Whistler is the leader in budget, quality radar detectors and everyone here at Buy Radar Detectors is a big fan. Some of us use them in our personal vehicles, and we have literally a warehouse of radar detectors to pick from!

For 2010, there are a few new models and some that are an "upgraded" design over a previous model.

OK, here is a quick list of the new 2010 models:

• Whistler XTR-145


• Whistler XTR-265


• Whistler XTR-335


• Whistler XTR-420


• Whistler XTR-440


• Whistler XTR-555


• Whistler PRO-68SE

One thing that we are interested in, we consider the Whistler PRO 68 to be one of the best (if not the best) radar detector available for under $100. The new Whistler PRO-68SE might be a very interesting model.

We of course will continue to stock all of the existing models including the popular Whistler XTR-690 SE, Whistler PRO 78SE, and Whistler XTR-540 Radar Detector.

Posted by Jeff at 4:13 PM | Permalink

The bill to repeal the ban on radar detectors failed to make it through the state's legislature. So for now the use of radar detectors in Virginia will continue to be illegal.

Posted by Jeff at 4:10 PM | Permalink

The Escort Solo S2 Cordless Radar Detector is a favorite around here. While cordless radar detectors do not have the same performance of a "wired" model, the Solo 2 is still a very good radar detector. Also, it is perfect for motorcycles, and for those that need a detector that can easily be set-up and used with different vehicles.

Escort has made some minor changes to the packaging of the Solo 2 model. On the left side of the picture is the old package, and on the right is the new one. The radar detector is staying the same, but it will now come with a soft case and an extra set of suction cups. The price is remaining the same at $339.95. Here at Buy Radar Detectors our opinion on soft cases is split. Many feel that it makes it easier to store, and is more rugged than the hard case. Others feel that the hard case provides better protection and is, well, nicer. We only have a few hard case models left, so if you want one, please call us at 1-800-584-1445 and specify that you want one.

Posted by Jeff at 4:09 PM | Permalink

According to this article radar detectors may soon be legal in Virginia. Currently Virginia is the only state where having a radar detector is illegal, though they are also illegal in DC and on military bases. Virginia's ban has long been a frustration to drivers. You have to stop and take down your detector when entering the state, in fact there are even signs at the stateline warning you of this. For many people, a concealed radar detector was their only option. This is great news for everyone that drives in Virginia! We also encourage you to write to Delegate Joe May expressing your support for his plan to legalize radar detectors.

Posted by Jeff at 4:07 PM | Permalink

UPDATED (2/17/10): We are now expecting to have the radios and repeater in stock in April!

Now and then here at Buy Two Way Radios we find out about a new radio that is truly innovative. The new Motorola CLP1010 and Motorola CLP1040 two way radios may lead to a rethinking about how radios look and function.

The CLP 1010 and CLP 1040 are designed for restaurants, hospitality, and retail businesses. They are 1 watt radios and have 1 and 4 channels respectively. They are designed to be stylish, and easy to use.

They are also rather small. The CLP series uses a compact (3.5 x 2.0 x 0.75 inches) and light (2.38 ounces with battery) design. So, how do they get a business radio that small? They changed around some things, and just made the rest more compact. They have removed the speaker, you will have to use a headset and one comes with each radio standard. They also have an internal antenna and very few exterior buttons. Instead there are just a few side buttons, with many functions using voice driven menus. There is an LED ring indicator around the top logo will glow to indicate the current channel, transmitting and receiving, scan, and battery level. Also gone is the traditional side PTT switch. There is just a single large PTT button.

Oh, and they are also repeater capable. They are specifically designed to work with the new Motorola RPU2160 Portable Repeater. Combined together, the radios and repeaters create a very affordable option. The radios are very easy to use, and the repeaters are simple to setup. This means you can easily transport an entire communication system.

With a very nontraditional look and approach, the CLP radios will be great for businesses that want their staff to carry around something besides traditional walkie talkies. If you want your staff to look as high tech and knowledgeable as the products they sell and company they work for, then you want to give these radio a serious look.

If you want to learn more about these radios, or have any questions, please give us a call at 1-800-584-1445

Posted by Jeff at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Cobra really knows how to make a great interface for their radar detectors. It looks like the soon to be released XRS 9970G and XRS 9965 radar detectors will improve on their distinctive design and UI even further. Both detectors will feature a touchscreen display. You will be able to tap on the display screen and scroll through options and set your preferences.

This is a very interesting development in radar detectors. Most windshield mount detectors can be a bit, er, fiddly when trying to do something as simple as hit the mute button. Trying to actually change settings without yanking down the detectors is nearly impossible most of the time, and a very bad idea to attempt while driving. Cobra might be changing all of that, and we will be doing a detailed test ourselves.

The 9970 will offer all of the features of current top of the line Cobra windshield mount detectors including a GPS based camera warning system (with plug-in GPS locator, itself a very nice feature, and a lifetime subscription to the redlight camera warning service), POP detection, and voice alerts. The 9965 is very similar to the 9970 but does not include the GPS locator/service (though it should be available as an option).

We cannot wait to try out the new interface! It should be a great feature that we feel is rather innovative. Anything that makes detectors even more intuitive to use, and more effective tools as well, is a welcome addition.

Posted by Jeff at 4:05 PM | Permalink

I know a lot of you have often found yourself in the position at work where you are responsible for buying some new two way radios. There are a lot of potential candidates out there to choose from, so how do you even start, how do you stay on budget, and what do you even look for?

Well there are a few easy questions you can ask yourself that may make the process a lot faster, simpler, and also save you a bit of money. In this post, we are going to look at shopping for Icom business radios. Icom has a great line of radios, and they are very rugged and durable. You can use this guide to shop for any business radio though, and we hope it will save you some time and frustration.

Before you start reading all of the features for every Icom business radio, let us first answer some questions.

1. Where are you going to use the radios? Are they for use inside or outside (or both). If you need some radios to use at a golf course, or other open outdoor settings, then you want VHF radios. They will give you the most range and clarity. If you are indoors, or outside around a lot of structures and buildings, then you want UHF since they will work better inside since it is better at transmitting through obstructions. Many of you are in both situations, UHF will be the best solution most of the time. We list if an Icom radio is VHF like the IC-F3011 or UHF like the IC-F24 in several places in the description to help find the right one.

2. Do you need that feature? Today's two way radios have a lot of features. However, which ones do you really need? Are the radios going to be used by just a few people? Then you do not need custom banks and group calling. Are you in an area where only a few radios are used, then 4 channels is probably all you will ever need. So try to narrow down the features to only what you know you need. Icom has radios that go from the basic such as the IC-F4011 to the loaded like the IC-F60V.

3. How many radios? Many times you do not need to get a radio for every single person. If there are multiple shifts, you might want to just get rapid chargers like the Icom BC-119N and have them share radios instead. You can save a lot of your budget by buying just the radios you need, and then getting extra batteries and chargers.

4. Why bother about how tough they are? Some radios are able to take a lot of abuse, others are meant to be treated a bit less rough. If you know that where you work, the radios will be subjected to a lot, then look for tough milspec radios. They will last longer than others, and while you pay a bit more for them, they will not need replacing very often. Every Icom business radio is milspec and tough. They are made to last a long time, even in very hostile environments.

5. What range do you need? Icom radios are mostly 4-5 watts, and have great range. With Icom radios you can change the antenna, so you can use a smaller one for short range use and make it a bit more ergonomic. If you need more than 2-3 miles of range you can set up a repeater system. A repeater system is what is used by law enforcement, emergency services, large construction crews, etc... to get 10-20 miles of range. Every Icom radio we carry is repeater capable, from the IC-F11S to the IC-F60.

6. What accessories will people need? Headsets, spare batteries, and speaker mics are often a necessity. Try to list out what accessories people will need, or may ask for. Many brands such as Icom have a lot of two way radio accessories to fit a lot of job situations (even spare belt clips!).

7. How much do you have budgeted? You notice this is not the first question. Once you have all of the rest figured out, then look to see what model fits the description. Often you will find that the radios you actually need are much more affordable than those you might have fist looked at. One thing we like about Icom, they have a very comprehensive selection at all price levels while still having the same quality. The only difference in how they are constructed is in the features.

We hope this makes looking for new radios a lot easier. If you have any questions about Icom business radios, or well anything at all, please call or email us!

Posted by Jeff at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It seems we just remembered Guglielmo Marconi, and now it is the birthday of Nikola Tesla. Telsa's research into sending messages wirelessly helped to create modern communications. Inventor and all around interesting fellow, Tesla made the world a lot more fun.

Posted by Jeff at 4:54 PM | Permalink

Buy Two Way Radios is constantly looking for great products to carry. This means we spend a considerable amount of time doing research, talking with customers, and meeting industry people. We pride ourselves in the fact that we do not just carry one brand (like a lot of other places). This means we can provide you with the communications solutions you need, and not try to pressure you to buy something because it is all we have.

After meeting with a lot of great people, and talking with our customers, we started to give Icom a serious look. Well, we liked what we found. Icom is a very solid, yet personable, company. They are not so huge they could care less about their customers, not too small either. They do not "farm out" any design work, even the manufacturing. When they say they make their radios completely in-house at Icom, they mean it. This means they have full control over the design, manufacturing, and quality of their products. We like that.

Buy Two Way Radios is now an authorized dealer for Icom two way radios and Icom accessories. We are excited about this product line as it allows us to offer our customers a full range of LMR products from simple portable radios to advanced digital and repeater systems. If you are interested in an Icom product you do not see listed, please contact us. Over the next few weeks we will be doing some more detailed blog posts on Icom radios and Icom accessories.

Now that we are an Icom dealer, we can provide even more solutions for your communications needs. We see Icom as truly enriching the products and services we offer (at a great price as all of you know!). Combined with our personal approach, you will now have even more options. As always, contact us with any questions, or to just say hi. Everyone have a great weekend!

Posted by Jeff at 4:50 PM | Permalink

I can not say anything about it yet, but we have some rather exciting news here for Buy Two Way Radios. Must be good, must not tell anyone yet, must be good.

Posted by Jeff at 4:48 PM | Permalink

Cricket Ventures will be closed for business from 6pm EST Thursday May the 21st until 6pm EST Monday the 26th. We hope everyone has a great weekend! We will catch up with everyone on Tuesday.

Posted by Jeff at 2:06 PM | Permalink

Hi all! Tomorrow is April 25th, the birthday of Guglielmo Marconi, the "father of radio". There are a few celebrations taking place this weekend, and I know quite a few of you are amateur radio enthusiast, so have a great weekend.

Posted by Jeff at 4:47 PM | Permalink

Just letting all of you know, we now have Blinder replacement lens cover sets in stock. Works with all Blinder Xtreme models, including the current M25 and M45. Are your lens covers all chipped and cracked from road debris? Excessive wear to the lenses can impact the performance capabilities of your Blinder Laser Jammer.

Each set contains two replacement covers for $39.99. Note: These are covers only, not the modules.

Posted by Jeff at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Buy Radar Detectors is pleased to announce the new lineup of Whistler radar detectors!

For 2009, Whistler's product line will include a total of 11 radar detector models (including 3 Pro series models). At least two high-end models, the XTR-690 and Pro 78, will be reintroduced with a few face-lifts and a sensitivity-enhancing new feature. A new cordless model and a new sub $100 model will also be released.

The new models and features listed below have been confirmed, but of course these models are still a few months away so changes can happen.

Improved Ka Band Sensitivity

Hardworking Whistler engineers have found a way to squeeze even more Ka sensitivity out of their high-end platform! The new XTR-690 SE and Pro 78 SE will all have a new mode called Ka Max. With Ka Max activated these detectors will deliver even more range on Ka alerts.

New Radar Detectors

Pro 78 SE (Updated!) - The current Pro 78 will be replaced with the slightly modified "Pro 78 SE". The shiny silver buttons and splash of blue coloring on the top of the detector are gone in favor of solid black. The Ka Max mode has been added as well as the RSID feature that was first available in the XTR-695. RSID makes it easier to quickly distinguish a real Ka threat from a false alert. Estimated retail price is $179.99. We will be selling them for $169.95, and are now taking pre-orders!

XTR-690 SE (Updated!) - The "XTR-690 SE" will replace the current XTR-690. This model is also now solid black, but more importantly has a completely different display. Instead of the blue backlit text display, which some users reported as being difficult to see in bright sunlight, the "XTR-690 SE" has bright red text on a black background. This display is very similar to the display of the Pro 78 SE, only red instead of blue. The Ka Max mode has also been added. Estimated retail price is $169.99. We will be selling them for $159.95, and are now taking pre-orders!

XTR-540 - The XTR-540 is a cordless model that will replace the popular 1788 and make Whistler's flagship cordless model look more consistent with the rest of their lineup. This model will have the same style of display (blue backlit text) as the 1788 and will also feature a built-in battery charger. Blue "alert periscope" LED's have been added as well as a 72 point digital compass. Estimated retail price is $149.99.

XTR-265 - This is a fairly low end model, one step up from the XTR-140 and very similar to the now discontinued XTR-260. It features an icon display with a numeric signal strength indicator and POP mode detection. Estimated retail price is $69.99.

All of the new models listed above are expected to start shipping in mid to late April, however this date is tentative and could change! We will likely begin accepting pre-orders for a few of these models as we approach the release date.

Posted by Jeff at 4:44 PM | Permalink

We are excited to announce that we are accepting pre-orders for the new Beltronics Pro GX65 GPS enabled radar detector. The Bel GX65 provides the high performance and functionality that you have grown to expect from Beltronics radar detectors, but is Bel's first detector to incorporate a GPS chip. The GPS allows the GX65 to offer many of the GPS enhanced functions of an Escort 9500i, such as false alert reduction, while adding a North American database of red light, speed, and safety camera locations.

Vehicles equipped with the Bel Pro GX65 will be able to avoid tickets from the proliferation of red light cameras and speed cameras. The Bel Pro GX65 incorporates GPS and the North American Trinity Database, which allows a user to be notified of known speed cameras or red light cameras. The Trinity Database can be updated through a PC USB cable and it is recommended to do so every month due to the fluid nature of camera use to enforce traffic regulations.

The addition of GPS not only allows the user to be warned of known locations, the Bel Pro GX65 allows the user to "mark" the locations of local speed traps and hot spots. Another annoyance, repeated false alarms, is virtually eliminated with the Bel Pro GX65. While driving by areas that normally set off false alarms, the user can program the Bel Pro GX65 to disregard the location and frequency of the false alert.

The Veil Guy has a pre-release version of this highly anticipated new model, and has posted a preliminary Bel GX65 review to his blog. Check it out!

Posted by Jeff at 4:36 PM | Permalink

Do you need a high powered two way radio, but don't want to deal with the hassle of licensing? MURS may be the answer, particularly if you plan to use the radio outdoors where VHF frequencies are most effective.

The Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) is a two-way radio service consisting of five frequencies in the VHF spectrum. Established by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the fall of 2000, MURS is a radio service allowing for "licensed by use" operation, meaning that a FFC issued license is not necessary to operate a MURS transmitter. The FCC formally defines MURS as "a private, two-way, short distance voice or data communications service for personal or business activities of the general public". There are some limitations to MURS: radio power is limited to 2 watts, MURS stations may not be connected to the public telephone network, radio repeaters are not permitted, and the highest point of any MURS antenna must not be more than 60 feet above the ground or 20 feet above the highest point of the structure on which it is mounted.

Since MURS exists within the VHF spectrum, it has the potential to become very popular among the traveling community and outdoor enthusiasts. VHF characteristics are ideal for short-distance ground communication, with a range generally somewhat farther than line-of-sight. Although there are limitations on transmitter power output and antenna height, there are no restrictions on the use of external antennas. The range for vehicle-to-vehicle communications with MURS can be much greater than that for the Family Radio Service (FRS). Outdoor activities are benefited by the increased range over the FRS, allowing for base camps to utilize antennas to stay in contact with campers and emergency personnel.

MURS operation is authorized anywhere a CB station is authorized.

• Within or over any area of the world where radio service are regulated by the FCC


• Any other area of the world, except within the territorial limits of areas where radio services are regulated by either an agency of the United States other than the FCC or any foreign government (Subject to either parties rules)


• Aboard any vessel of the United States, with the permission of the captain, while the vessel is traveling either domestically or in international waters

MURS operation is not authorized aboard aircraft in flight.

MURS stations may transmit voice or data signal as permitted in FCC regulation Section 95.631.

Determined quickly whether a radio is legal to use on MURS:

• If the radio is Part 95 certified and operates on MURS frequencies
• If the radio was Part 95 certified prior to November 12, 2002 and transmits no more than 2 watts, and has no external control to increase power above 2 watts and only operates wideband on the 154 MHz frequencies (all parts must be true)
• If the Radio was Part 90 certified prior to November 12, 2002 and transmits no more than 2 watts and has no external control to increate power above 2 watts and does not narrowband on the 151 MHz and 154 MHz frequencies or narrowband on 151 MHz and wideband on 154 MHz frequencies (all parts must be true)

Click here for a list of radios that we currently offer supporting the MURS frequencies.

Posted by Jeff at 4:38 PM | Permalink

I spoke with The Veil Guy earlier today, and we have decided to team up and offer a special promotion along with our new Laser Veil / Photo Blur combo. For a limited time, we will be including a copy of Craig Peterson's Driver's Guide To Police Radar with every Veil / Photo Blur combo! This book is a $20 value, and we will be splitting the cost of this item as a way to help launch this new combo and to commemorate Craig's excellent Escort 9500ci review, which was recently published on his web site.

Click here for more information on the Veil / Photo Blur combo, including pictures of a recent application.

Posted by Jeff at 4:34 PM | Permalink

Motorola has recently released their latest series of business radios: the RDX series. The RDX series will eventually replace the highly popular XTN and AX series's, and they provide a number of improvements.

The biggest improvement is in voice clarity and loudness. The RDX models are 30% louder, and the sound clarity that Motorola has achieved is simply astounding. The one watt/one channel models have been eliminated and now all of the "low powered" models are a full two watts and have either two or eight channels. Models without a display are available for those wanting simple-as-possible operation. High powered, fully programmable 4/5 watt models will be available soon.

The following is a breakdown of the new RDX models, along with their primary differences.

The following features are new, or have been improved with the RDX series.

Transmission Clarity - Motorola radios have always been exceptional in terms of noise reduction and transmission clarity, but with the RDX series they have outdone themselves. There is considerable improvement in clarity even over the AX and XTN series radios.
Loudness - 30% increase over AX and XTN series models.
Battery - All RDX radios come equipped with a lithium battery. Lithium batteries provide more life and are more lightweight than the NiMH batteries used by previous series's. The 2 watt RDX radios come standard with a 12 hour battery, and the 4/5 watt models include a 18.5 hour battery. Upgraded battery options are also available.
Configurability - All RDX series radios can be configured via a PC using an optional programming cable and Motorola's Customer Programming Software (CPS). The CPS is a free download from Motorola's web site.
Ease of Setup - The Customer Programming Software is one way to setup a personality for your radios once, and easily copy the configuration to other handsets. Cloning is another. Using an optional cloning cable, you can easily copy settings from one radio to another.
Ease of Use - By offering several models without a display and front panel buttons, Motorola now has options for customers looking for a straightforward, easy to use radio.
Durability - The RDX series radios have an aluminum chassis and are even more durable that their predecessors.
Voice Scrambling - All RDX models support scramble codes.

All Motorola RDX radios are compatible with AX and XTN series audio accessories. Other accessories such as a multi-unit chargers, extra batteries, PC and cloning cables will be available soon.

Posted by Jeff at 4:29 PM | Permalink

We have a special promotion for our Buy Two Way Radios site! Through June 30th, we will be giving away a free NU-32 Xenon flashlight to customers who purchase two or more Motorola business radios (AX, CLS, DTR, and XTN series). Purchase five or more radios and you will receive the Sarge NU-35 model, which is a more durable Xenon model that is rechargeable and includes a nylon holster!

Specifically, this promotion applies to the following models: CLS1110, CLS1410, XU1100, XV1100, XU2100, XV2100, XU2600, XV2600, AXU4100, AXU5100.

Posted by Jeff at 1:14 PM | Permalink

On Buytwowayradios.com Motorola's 2007 GMRS / FRS line are released to the public and are in stock. The new models are the T9550XLR, T9500XLR, T8550R, T8500R, FV750R, and FV700R.

This series includes 3 camo colored models, the T9550XLR, T8550R, and FV750R. The 9550 and 8550 camo models also include a pair of push-to-talk earbuds (model 53727). These earbud packs are a nice addition, and gives Motorola a package similar to the GXT600VP4 and GXT650VP4 value pack offerings from Midland.

The feature set is very similar between all of these new models, with the primary difference being the power / range of the radios. The 9500 and 9550 have an antenna that is about 1 1/2 inches longer than current models, giving them a 25 mile range in ideal conditions (typically 2 miles in urban conditions). The 8500 and 8550's advertise an 18 mile range (1.8 in urban conditions), and the FV700R and FV750R's advertise a 12 mile range (1 mile in urban conditions). Motorola has not yet provided us with the actual wattage of the radios.

All of these models include rechargeable batteries and a dual pocket charger, and they all support 11 NOAA weather channels. The 9000 and 8000 series' have the VibraCall vibrate alert.

These new models should be going fast.

Posted by Frank at 8:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

We are excited to be participating in a new promotion that is being offered by Motorola on certain Motorola business two way radios! For every 5 XTN or CLS series radios that you buy, you qualify for your choice of either a) one free radio or b) one 6 unit charger. This promotion is valid on every 5 radios purchased, up to a maximum of 40 radios. That means you can qualify for up to 8 free radios or multi-chargers!

If you choose the free radio, the radio radio model that you will receive for free will match the model of radios that you purchased. This is a value of up to $205 when you purchased the Motorola XU2600 radio! If you choose the free charger, you will receive the model 53879 charger ($175 value) if you purchased XTN series radios and the 56531 charger ($139 value) if you purchased CLS series radios. You can view these chargers on our XTN series accessories and CLS series accessories pages.

This is a mail-in promotion being fulfilled by Motorola, not Buy Two Way Radios. After you receive your radios, you will need to claim your free radio/charger by visiting www.motosavings.com and filling out their online form. They will require that you mail them the UPC/serial number sticker from the radio boxes along with a copy of your receipt (which will be included in your package). Your free radio/charger is typically delivered within 4 to 6 weeks.

This offer expires June 30, 2007. Click here for full details.

Posted by Frank at 12:56 PM | Permalink

Buy Radar Detectors is now offering the Whistler DE-1665 radar detector! Whistler was offering a closeout special on this model and we purchased a large quantity.

We are able to offer this feature-packed model at a great price, just in time for the holiday shopping season! We are expecting this to be a big seller!

Posted by Jennifer at 1:38 PM | Permalink

BuyRadarDetectors.com no longer offers photo radar related products. The largest company that we advertise with has decided that they will no longer allow sites to advertise that sell these types of products. We have removed links to these products from our site.

We are investigating the possibility of creating a new site specializing in these types of products. A decision on this will be made in the coming months.

Posted by Jennifer at 1:43 PM | Permalink