BCA’s Link Mini Radio, the company’s newest radio offering, is a modernist lightweight design. The unit is a FRS radio with multi-channel monitoring, and a price under $100.00.
BCA’s Link Mini is somewhat modest in size, yet it packs a solid dose of features into the company’s newest radio unit.
Radios in the backcountry; some folks love them for basic comms, but others still resist. For those seeking to outfit themselves with a light yet functional unit, BCA (Backcountry Access) began selling their svelte Link Mini this season. The Link Mini is BCA’s sleekest—read, lightest, and minimalist—radio unit after the company helped popularize radio use in the backcountry (and sled) community with their Link 1.0 and Link 2.0 radios.
THR readers, this is a first look. We’ll give the basic rundown on features, look for your questions and comments, and return later this spring with a thorough review. But here’s what to know from the outset. The Link Mini is BCA’s entry into the FR’s handheld radio scene, featuring a single unit that does not require a separate handheld mic for operation. Both BCA’s Link 1.0 and Link 2.0 require handheld mics for comms.
The Link Mini is lighter than the Link 1.0 and Link 2.0 iterations yet operates at the standard 2W for select channels and 0.5W for others. This is similar to the other BCA radios on offer. The Link Mini shares design and function features with Rocky Talkie’s Mountain Radio—the company’s paired down, yet robust, FRS radio. However, the Link Mini adds dual channel monitoring capabilities. BCA calls it “dual channel watch.” More on that in a bit. In addition, unlike the RTs and some other citizen radios, the Link Minis meet European radio transmission standards and will be available for purchase there.
On the left, a RT Mountain Radio. To the right, the BCA Link Mini.
The two units share similar dimensions, however, the BCA Link Mini weighs ~50g less with the appropriate attachment systems included.
The Link Mini with the plastic gator clip and carabiner leash weighs 182g. The RT Mountain Radio with carabiner and Leash weighs 225g. A robust and seemingly durable Polycarbonate and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) case houses and protects the Link Mini’s electronics. The TPE has an easy-to-grip/hold rubbery feel, whereas the polycarbonate houses the speaker and LED display. (The display has a small backlight, which is useful for low-light situations.) A single round knob at the top controls power on/off and volume. On the Link Mini, the lock function prevents accidental channel switching; however, similar to the Rocky Talkie models, it is possible to turn the radio off even when the lock is engaged.
Water and dust resistance on the Link Mini meets IP55 guidelines, meaning it is splash, snow, and rainproof but not submersible. This standard suits backcountry tourists and climbers, not rafters and kayakers.
Link Mini Key Features
Let’s pivot back to some key features. If the talk (PTT) button is depressed accidentally, the unit will default to standby mode after 180 seconds to conserve battery power and free up the channel. If you shove the unit in your pack while powered up, and the PTT is triggered, the batteries shouldn’t drain.
There was some buzz around RT’s new 5-Watt Radio and the dual channel monitoring feature. Many backcountry communities in the West have adopted community (group-to-group) radio channels. Dual channel monitoring allows a party to have inter-group and intra-group comms in high-traffic zones. In other words, the radio can monitor two channels simultaneously.
The new BCA Link Mini has this feature. Dual channel monitoring on the Link Mini is easy to use, and establishing the specific A and B channels, respectively, is easy, too. Further, the Link Mini, similar to the 5-Watt Radio, allows a user to simultaneously monitor (hear) all the transmissions on the A and B channels. (You do not have to toggle between channels to hear traffic on each channel.) However, you need to toggle between the channels (again, A or B) to transmit on either channel. For example, if the radio is set to transmit on A but there are comms on channel B I’d like to respond to, I must toggle to channel B and then hit the PTT button. Toggling between the channels is easy, yet, for me, it requires removing the unit from my pack’s shoulder strap to confirm I’m transmitting on the appropriate channel. (This process is similar to the 5-Watt Radio: however, the 5-Watt Radio has an A/B button to toggle between the transmit channels. )
Learn more about Group-to-Group Comms
Communities Supporting Local Group-to-Group Comms Initiatives
With the Link Mini, one must set the A and B channels and proceed with the tour. The 5-Watt Radio’s dual channel monitoring can be turned on or off. With the Link Mini, you’ll be monitoring two channels by default. The function cannot be disabled. This is, however, not a deal breaker if you suspect you’ll be hearing banter all day from surrounding parties. From our experience, finding a channel with no traffic is super easy. In the case of the Link Mini, set your primary channel to your group’s preferred channel and privacy code. Then, choose a quiet secondary channel and proceed. Again, if there is too much chatter on the secondary channel, it should be easy to find a channel+privacy code with no traffic—you have 22 channels and 121 privacy code combos to choose from. The Link Mini offers no scan option to find channels in use.
The Link Mini is mini. With dimensions of 6.25 × 2.5 x 1.25 in. The small size is an asset, especially considering its dual channel monitoring ability—a key feature in such a small and light package.
The 182g includes a minimal carabiner leash, and gator clip.
For much of this season, I’ve been using the RT 5-Watt Radio (w/steel gator clip+carabiner leash+7cm antennae) and the optional hand mic—a beasty 426g. That’s over two times the weight of the Link Mini setup. However, that’s a bit apples to oranges, as the 5-Watt Radio caters to users looking for a relatively full-featured GMRS radio.
As a test for those who (maybe like myself) can be radio-challenged, I operated the Link Mini initially without using the manual. Setting up channels, scrolling through the menu, and operating the unit was simple. This ease of use bodes well for those looking for a slimmed-down, lightweight radio with dual channel monitoring.
The BCA Link Mini arrives with a few different attachments to secure the radio to a pack shoulder strap. In this instance, I’m using a Velcro strap, which fastens around the shoulder strap, with the gator clip clipped securing the unit.
The Link Mini arrives with the following attachments
—2 x webbing clips
—1 x plastic gator clip (spring and plastic seem strong, especially considering a backup carabiner leash is an option for security.)
—1x velcro strap (to be paired with a webbing clip) for more options to secure the radio unit on the pack, etc.
—1x carabiner leash
—1x USB-C charging cable
Specs
Price: (BCA website) $99.95
Radio Unit weight no accessories: 162g
Dimensions: 6.25 × 2.5 x 1.25 in / 16cm x 6.5cm x 3cm
Radio Unit weight with gator clip and carabiner leash: 178g
Battery: 3.7VDC Li-ion with 1800mAh of usable capacity
Claimed usable range: Approx 6 Miles / 9.5 km line of sight
Claimed maximum range: Up to 32 miles / 51 km line of sight
Claimed battery life: Max 33 hours using low-power (0.5W) channels
Regional compatibility: BCA also sells a European approved (PMR446) Link Mini Radio