Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic Palm-Link KXTR320B 2-Way Radio (Black)

This FRS radio has some nice features, like a flip out switch on the bottom to let you use the radio like a phone, by automatically reducing the speaker volume. This affords more privacy than the usual broadcasting-to-everyone-around method of the other radios. This could be simulated on other radios by just reducing the volume, but the transmit buttons are not usually placed for easy operation while holding it up to your ear.

The buttons are a bit smaller, which takes some getting used to. It has the usual lockout feature to prevent accidental changing of the channel and modes after you've set it up.

The fold up antenna makes for a smaller size when not using it, but it does give it a more delicate feel, giving some concern about breaking it off. The antenna is flexible to allow it to handle bending it the wrong way, so it shouldn't pose a problem with reasonable care.
The radio looks more like a little cell phone than a radio, which is nice at times, when you don't want to walk around talking into a bright yellow gizmo, broadcasting to everyone around you.

The transmission audio has a more tinny characteristic compared to the Motorola 250 and 289; it has a more 'electronic' sound which sometimes makes it harder to understand from the other end. I found the Motorola has a more natural sound to its transmissions. It has a lower number of steps on the volume control than some other radios, but it does the job.

The call tones on the unit are annoyingly long; they go on for a much longer time than is necessary to notify the other party of your incoming transmission.

These items are just minor problems, though; with the significant rebates that Panasonic offers on these radios, the value is hard to beat-

Overall, I like this product. I have tried it both inside and outside of the house and on the road. I guess I was hoping for a little more range out of it. They are pretty lightweight and the looks arn't bad. I couldn't quite get the 2 miles range that it says it has. But hey, for the price you can't beat these things anywhere. They are great. It was cool

Big Truck

This product is definately worth the money! It has many great features including a unique private talk function. This is the best walkie-talkie I have ever used.

Reasons to buy this product:

- two mile range
- great sound quality
- cool design
- private talk function
- easy battery access
- 38 different privacy codes
- small for easy storing
- splash and shock resistant housing

Reasons not to buy this product:

- buttons difficult to activate

Overall I think that this product is very good compared to others.

I hope that this review was helpful to you!

I bought two of these KX-TR320S. All is fine, no problem till today. One of the radios just fried up on me. My buddy gave me back the radio, & he says; why is this thing warm? Well, it was quite hot. I tried to open the back to see the batteries, but it was almost heat sealed. Finally opened it up & the batteries were peeling off themselves. Also the LCD display wasn't looking all that good.

I/we did nothing to them, ie-drop them or anything. I hope that it was just that one bad radio & the other one is okay. Now I have to go through the hassle of replacing that one.

So, be aware of this if you own this FRS. I still like the radio, some real nice features, but for it to fry like that, hmmm...makes me wonder.

This FRS radio has a fold up antenna, which is nice in that it makes it compact for storage, and and interesting privacy mode feature that lets you use it somewhat like a phone.
When the lever at the mic is flipped down, it switches the audio to a separate speaker at the top, cutting down the volume and letting you hold it up to your ear to listen, instead of broadcasting the conversation to everyone around you.
You could just turn down the volume with the other radios and do the same thing, except you have to move the radio away from your ear to speak into the mic, which usually isn't located in the right spot.

It has the usual complement of other features, 14 channels with subcodes, scanning capability to check for activity, automatic turn off timer, jacks for external mic and earphone, lockout mode to prevent accidental settings change.

Functionally, the radio has a few shortcomings:

The squelch stays off too long at the end of an incoming transmission, which causes a burst of static to make it through each time the other party stops transmitting. (Shades of TV show cop radios) The Motorola FRS radios has a faster acting squelch, and it mutes ALL the static. The burst of static could serve somewhat as an "Over." indication, though, signalling your turn to talk..
Also, it does have an advantage because it breaks squelch faster on incoming transmissions, so it doesn't chop out the first word, as the slower acting squelches tend to do.

The audio on transmit is more biased towards the high frequencies, giving it an "electronicky" sound that sounds less natural and sometimes harder to understand than units like the Motorola ones.

All in all a nice radio; well made and rugged, (just needs some extra care with the flip out mouthpiece and perhaps the antenna, which could prove more delicate than the rigid types)