Stabo Freecomm 700 PMR446 - Two Way Radio (Review and Range Test)

Discover why PMR446 radios such as the Stabo Freecomm 700 are so popular in Europe.
Part 1 - Stabo 700 on Amazon* ➜ geni.us/Zj0MDK
Part 2 - Unboxing ➜ (3:03min)
Part 3 - Range Test ➜ (8:34min)
Part 4 - Summary & Conclusion ➜ (12:36min)
*If you are located in the United States please make sure to use a FRS radio instead:
For example - Midland LXT630 ➜ geni.us/suQu5C
In this product review, we will have a closer look at license-free two-way radios from Stabo.
While we find a maximum range of 10 km (6,2 miles) listed on the package, in my opinion, such distances are only reached under optimal conditions (e.g. open line of sight).
More realistic is to assume a shorter range, because houses, trees, and other obstacles can reduce the signal quality significantly.
According to government regulation, PMR446 radios are not allowed to have a replaceable antenna, and can only transmit at a low output power of 0.5 watts.
Because of this, it is perfectly normal that these radios perform best in close range communication.
At first, a short range may seem like a disadvantage, but if you think about it, it also has advantages.
In a city with many users, simultaneous transmissions on the same channel, are less likely if the radios only have a short range.
The benefit, users are not constantly bothering each other on one of the 8-16 available PMR frequencies.
In addition, the low output power extends battery life, and you can use the radios longer while consuming less power.
Also, if your radio would transmit over longer distances, more people could listen in, which is also avoided by the weak transmission power. Because a potential eavesdropper would always have to be close enough to receive the signal.
In my test, the communication quality was very good, personally, I think the Freecomm 700 offers a nice value and plenty of accessories as well as the carrying case.
#ReviewTechTV
/ Affiliate Links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. /
// This video does not include product placement. I got the product myself. //

[@ReviewTechTV]

*If you are located in the United States please make sure to use a FRS radio instead: For example - Midland LXT630 ➜ geni.us/suQu5C

[@michaelloughlin734]

These were excellent on all of the test points...

[@TheForla]

congratulations for your videos, are your tests done in an urban context? thanks

[@Saustrup]

Thank you for this review! I was considering the Midland XT70s but these won. Radios ordered and awaiting trial on Denmark-Ukraine roadtrip with vehicles for the Ukranian army.

[@ReviewTechTV]

Ok, just keep in mind that all PMR466 radios have only 0,5 watt transmit power! The main point is that these radios are for close range coms, as such I encourage you to try them in different situations to get a feel for the range, because range will change a lot based on your environment. (City, Suburbs, Countryside)

[@Saustrup]

@@ReviewTechTV They will be used while we're driving in convoy in relatively close vicinity. It's been tested with other much cheaper 446 MHz radios and has worked fine - I just wanted to upgrade the quality a bit ;-)

[@TheAlien971]

Can I ask, what was the maximum range you achieved with this radio?

[@ReviewTechTV]

The range of two-way radios tends to vary based on your environmental conditions, e.g. countryside, open pastures, or city, lots of buildings, also if you are located in Europe, you will be limited to the PMR446 output power of 0,5 watts, in the US you have FRS with 2 watts.

[@TheAlien971]

@@ReviewTechTV I know all this, but from your personal experience. What range have you achieved with this thing? 1km? 5km? For example in place like a forest.

[@b0dRy]

By accident, I'm looking second video of yours and I really do not understand, why you are not reaching the limit of the range? If you are checking only standard PMR radios then the real value of these tests will be to see the tiny difference between them! Don't you think?

[@ReviewTechTV]

Because the range will vary based on the user's environment.

[@b0dRy]

@@ReviewTechTV Yes, my environment may vary, but yours as tester (QA) should be the same each time. Probably you can do the same test for every device and based on that to show exact difference between them. It's just a suggestion. Doing it that way "Range Test" will be helpful.

[@michaelloughlin734]

Speaker mics.....

[@ChrisRedfield--]

Please use the right universal Metric system, Americans just have to adept.

[@ReviewTechTV]

What do you mean, people can choose to do whatever they want, if they want to measure in km that’s awesome, if they want to measure in miles that’s greats too, it’s the same anyway~

[@ReviewTechTV]

I am trying to be helpful by providing both imperial and metrical system, it’s not about this system or that system, it’s about people having a good time, watching my review, having a rough idea what to expect when buying a radio.

[@ChrisRedfield--]

@@ReviewTechTV On Earth, the standerd is Metric, only three countries on Earth - the U.S, Liberia and Myanmar use imperial. (The USA government itself uses Metric their army uses Metric), get with the program.

[@ChrisRedfield--]

@@ReviewTechTV Not saying your video's are bad or non informative, they are quite informative.

[@ReviewTechTV]

@@ChrisRedfield-- Ok, fair enough, but let’s say I am used to driving 70 mph on the highway, or buying 52oz of my favourite orange juice, why would I change that?