Kenwood FreeTalk UBZ-LH14 (14 Channels) Two Way Radio
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- Maximum Range: 2 Miles
- Battery Indicator: With Battery Indicator
- Power Output: 0.5 Watts
- Channels: 14
- LCD Display: With LCD Display
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Kenwood's UBZ-LH14 2 Way-Radio - Have You Thought of Buying One?
Pros
Transponder, 14 channels, 38 Privacy Codes, Long Range, Fold Down Antenna
Cons
Nothing
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
I highly recommend the Kenwood UBZ-LH14 2-way radios for the range, quality, features, and clarity of sound.
After extensive research, we bought 2 of the Kenwood UBZ-LH14 2 way-radios last year for the sole purpose of being able to communicate with each other on our 120-acre mountain property. After one of our family members got lost at night on our property and ended up 3 miles away on the other side of the mountain and another one encountered a bear, and then my husband's vehicle getting constantly stuck in the snow while plowing and having to hike back to the house, it was time to either get a cell phone or look at the 2 way radios. We decided on the 2 way radios so we could also communicate in our vehicles when traveling behind one another and to be able to communicate with each other instead of hand signaling when we are trying to yank each other out of the snow with our vehicles and its cheaper than a cell phone service in our area.
All of the 2 way radios also known as Family Service Radios are called short range meaning 2 miles or less with no license needed. While I was researching I discovered that 2 way radios more than a 2-mile range need a license. These radios work on line of sight so I was really leery about its capability with the trees and the different levels of our property. But, that was put to rest on the first day of usage when instead of my husband hiking back to the house he was able to ring me and communicate to me what he needed.
My son took it to work one day to test to see how far we could communicate with each other and it was an unbelievable 12 miles that we kept talking until he rounded a large mountain and then it ended.
My daughter recently obtained her drivers license and takes it in the vehicle with her to drive to school her which is 5 miles away and though we may not talk it is a comfort that she could if need be especially since we live in a rural area. You can tell that the radios are in range because of the transponder.
When the kids want to go hiking on the property, they have to take the radio and then all you have to do is talk or use the call button to check on their status.
The only time that it has gone out of range within the 2 mile radius is when a large rock formation on our property is in between us. So if we need help in that area, we just need to walk until the transponder shows "In" range.
Features
Tone Squelch (CTCSS): CTCSS means continuous tone coded squelch systems which allows you to not hear unwanted calls from persons who are using the same channel as you. There are 38 frequencies available and both radios must use the same code. Others will still hear you unless you activate the next function.
Privacy Talk: This is known as the security mode when you do not want others to hear your conversation. An indicator will display on your display window with the word "Privacy" when you are in this mode. We always have this mode on.
Communication Range In/Out Detect: This is also known as a transponder. You must have your privacy code on for this to be operable. The radios will check with each other every 25-30 seconds in which you will hear that you are still within range of communication. An indicator will display on your display window with the word "In". If one radio transponds to another and doesn't receive a response your radios beeps and lets you know that you are out of range. Sometimes all you have to do is move your radio to a different location such as out the window and it will pick up again. Line of sight remember that!
Channel Scan: In order to use this function your CTCSS numbers on your radios must be programmed the same. This function is used to find an available channel if your channel is busy. We have never had to use channel scan.
Transmit Power Save: The purpose of this is to prevent from one person to transmit (talk) too long. The default time is 3 minutes or you can opt to switch to 10 minutes. Holding the push to talk button longer than the selected time causes the transceiver to beep and stop transmitting. We have never transmitted 3 minutes long nor can I imagine listening to someone for 3 uninterrupted minutes on a walky talky.
Display Backlight: You can select the option of leaving the display light on all the time or when this mode is off, pressing a button will activate the light to come on and then it will go back off. It saves on your batteries by choosing to leave it off.
Auto Power Off: This allows the radio to turn itself off automatically if after 2 hours no communication is happening or you happen to leave the power on unintentionally. The letters "APO" displays in your window display when the timer is counting down. You will get a warning signal 1 minute before the power goes off with 4 double beeps.
Key Lock: Using this function locks most of the keys on the transceiver to prevent accidentally changing any transceiver settings. A small key will display in your display window to remind you that you have activated this feature. With this feature on, you can still receive and transmit and send call tones.
Call Tones: There are 3 different call tones to choose from. To send a call tone to the other party, simply press and hold the push to talk button and either the up or down arrow.
Fold Down Antenna: The radio will function with the antenna folded down, however, you will lose range. With a fold down antenna it makes the unit smaller and easier to store or carry.
Belt Hook: There is a little hook on the back of your radio to hook onto your belt or I hook it on my shirt so I can still do my chores.
Visual Aspects
The volume knob is located on the top of the unit making it easy to adjust. Next to the volume knob is a rubber cover that hides the jacks for adding a microphone or external speaker. The push to talk button is located on the side of the radio. The LCD display is large and clearly shows all the functions you have chosen. The backlight is bright and very easy to see in the dark.
Specifications
The unit is 4 inches in height by 2.2 inches in width x 1 inch in depth and weighs approximately 6.3 ounces with the batteries in.
The unit requires 3 AA batteries which Kenwood suggests with alkaline batteries that you would get approximately 40 hours of usage, however, using the transponder mode, we can approximately 30 hours of usage. If you do not use the transponder mode the unit will go into battery saver automatically after 10 seconds of no key entries or transmit/receive.
The unit is weather-resistant but not waterproof.
Frequency Range: 462.5625 - 467.7125 MHz (14 channels)
Transmit Mode: 420 mA or less
Receive Mode: 120 mA or less
Receive Mode (No signal): 50 mA or less
Transmit Output Power: 500 mW
Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
Optional Accessories
Drop-In Battery Charger
Remote Control Speaker Microphone
Headset
Clip Microphone with Earphone
Suggested Uses
Camping, hiking, amusement parks, shopping, vacations, traveling in a caravan, or any use that we have done.
Thank you for reading my review and I hope this was helpful to you.
All of the 2 way radios also known as Family Service Radios are called short range meaning 2 miles or less with no license needed. While I was researching I discovered that 2 way radios more than a 2-mile range need a license. These radios work on line of sight so I was really leery about its capability with the trees and the different levels of our property. But, that was put to rest on the first day of usage when instead of my husband hiking back to the house he was able to ring me and communicate to me what he needed.
My son took it to work one day to test to see how far we could communicate with each other and it was an unbelievable 12 miles that we kept talking until he rounded a large mountain and then it ended.
My daughter recently obtained her drivers license and takes it in the vehicle with her to drive to school her which is 5 miles away and though we may not talk it is a comfort that she could if need be especially since we live in a rural area. You can tell that the radios are in range because of the transponder.
When the kids want to go hiking on the property, they have to take the radio and then all you have to do is talk or use the call button to check on their status.
The only time that it has gone out of range within the 2 mile radius is when a large rock formation on our property is in between us. So if we need help in that area, we just need to walk until the transponder shows "In" range.
Features
Tone Squelch (CTCSS): CTCSS means continuous tone coded squelch systems which allows you to not hear unwanted calls from persons who are using the same channel as you. There are 38 frequencies available and both radios must use the same code. Others will still hear you unless you activate the next function.
Privacy Talk: This is known as the security mode when you do not want others to hear your conversation. An indicator will display on your display window with the word "Privacy" when you are in this mode. We always have this mode on.
Communication Range In/Out Detect: This is also known as a transponder. You must have your privacy code on for this to be operable. The radios will check with each other every 25-30 seconds in which you will hear that you are still within range of communication. An indicator will display on your display window with the word "In". If one radio transponds to another and doesn't receive a response your radios beeps and lets you know that you are out of range. Sometimes all you have to do is move your radio to a different location such as out the window and it will pick up again. Line of sight remember that!
Channel Scan: In order to use this function your CTCSS numbers on your radios must be programmed the same. This function is used to find an available channel if your channel is busy. We have never had to use channel scan.
Transmit Power Save: The purpose of this is to prevent from one person to transmit (talk) too long. The default time is 3 minutes or you can opt to switch to 10 minutes. Holding the push to talk button longer than the selected time causes the transceiver to beep and stop transmitting. We have never transmitted 3 minutes long nor can I imagine listening to someone for 3 uninterrupted minutes on a walky talky.
Display Backlight: You can select the option of leaving the display light on all the time or when this mode is off, pressing a button will activate the light to come on and then it will go back off. It saves on your batteries by choosing to leave it off.
Auto Power Off: This allows the radio to turn itself off automatically if after 2 hours no communication is happening or you happen to leave the power on unintentionally. The letters "APO" displays in your window display when the timer is counting down. You will get a warning signal 1 minute before the power goes off with 4 double beeps.
Key Lock: Using this function locks most of the keys on the transceiver to prevent accidentally changing any transceiver settings. A small key will display in your display window to remind you that you have activated this feature. With this feature on, you can still receive and transmit and send call tones.
Call Tones: There are 3 different call tones to choose from. To send a call tone to the other party, simply press and hold the push to talk button and either the up or down arrow.
Fold Down Antenna: The radio will function with the antenna folded down, however, you will lose range. With a fold down antenna it makes the unit smaller and easier to store or carry.
Belt Hook: There is a little hook on the back of your radio to hook onto your belt or I hook it on my shirt so I can still do my chores.
Visual Aspects
The volume knob is located on the top of the unit making it easy to adjust. Next to the volume knob is a rubber cover that hides the jacks for adding a microphone or external speaker. The push to talk button is located on the side of the radio. The LCD display is large and clearly shows all the functions you have chosen. The backlight is bright and very easy to see in the dark.
Specifications
The unit is 4 inches in height by 2.2 inches in width x 1 inch in depth and weighs approximately 6.3 ounces with the batteries in.
The unit requires 3 AA batteries which Kenwood suggests with alkaline batteries that you would get approximately 40 hours of usage, however, using the transponder mode, we can approximately 30 hours of usage. If you do not use the transponder mode the unit will go into battery saver automatically after 10 seconds of no key entries or transmit/receive.
The unit is weather-resistant but not waterproof.
Frequency Range: 462.5625 - 467.7125 MHz (14 channels)
Transmit Mode: 420 mA or less
Receive Mode: 120 mA or less
Receive Mode (No signal): 50 mA or less
Transmit Output Power: 500 mW
Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
Optional Accessories
Drop-In Battery Charger
Remote Control Speaker Microphone
Headset
Clip Microphone with Earphone
Suggested Uses
Camping, hiking, amusement parks, shopping, vacations, traveling in a caravan, or any use that we have done.
Thank you for reading my review and I hope this was helpful to you.
