The BCA Link Mini Radio fits nicely in the hand. The buttons are easy to toggle and are ample sized. And the banana yellow is catchy.
In our last episode, the BCA Link Mini Radio first look, we found a robust, functional, durable, and user-friendly unit. A few months later, those attributes hold. If you are in the market for a new radio, the Link Mini, available online between $90-$99, could meet your needs. Our first look was a bit beyond a first look. But, as BCA’s first new radio offering in a few years, I was a bit liberal with the word count.
In the BCA Link Mini, the upsides outweigh any real drawbacks. In my experience, I see a few small flaws worth noting. I like a scan function on a handheld radio. Although the scan function can be imperfect, it allows users to determine if other FRS radio users are transmitting in a zone. Scanning should pick up any radio transmission from a nearby party and allow you to determine their transmission channel. This is useful in potentially crowded zones where designated group-to-group channels aren’t the norm.
The screen has an optional backlight. Note the arrow to the left of channel A (upper channel). The arrow denotes your transmission channel (for speaking). The radio employs full time dual channel monitoring, so, by default, you’ll hear transmission on both channel A and B without switching channels.
Let’s not be bashful here. The BCA Link Mini Radio is the response to Rocky Talkie’s Mountain Radio. Both are worthy radios. The Mountain Radio has a scan function. However, that doesn’t dissuade us from choosing the Link Mini over the Mountain Radio. (Know that both are great.)
The Link Mini, unlike the Mountain Radio, has dual channel monitoring—known in BCA-speak as “dual channel watch.” This function allows users to monitor two channels at once. This option seems like a no-brainer for ski/splitboard tourists living in or frequenting zones with established community channels.
Upsides of the Link Mini’s dual channel monitoring:
- One can simultaneously monitor (hear) all the transmissions on the A and B channels. One must not toggle between channels to hear channel A/B transmissions.
Downsides of the Link Mini’s dual channel monitoring:
- Disabling dual channel monitoring is not possible. As long as the unit is turned on, you are monitoring two channels. This uses more power—however, in our experience, battery drain has not been an issue. A workaround is setting the secondary channel to one with no traffic. In this way, you should only hear intra-party transmissions on the primary channel.
- Toggling between the A and B channel is easy, but we’d like to see a dedicated A/B channel button for even more streamlined channel switching.
- Once one toggles to the secondary channel (in this case, channel B), any transmission goes across channel B until the user manually switches back to channel A (the primary channel).
No real shade, as for the price point, the dual channel monitoring on the Link Mini works. We’re just eyeing some slight improvements. Rockie Talkie’s 5-Watt-Radio, an altogether different sort of radio beast, features dual channel monitoring with a dedicated A/B channel toggle switch. It also has the feature of allowing the user to toggle to channel B and transmit on the secondary channel, but after 10 seconds of no transmissions, the unit defaults back to transmitting on channel A, the primary channel. I like this option because it prevents inadvertent chatter on the community channel. When using the secondary channel on the Link Mini, I’ve got to remember to switch back to channel A, to better facilitate the banter within my specific group. Once I turn the radio unit on, I also double-check at the start of the tour to ensure I am transmitting on the primary channel. This is easy; look for an arrow pointing towards channel A on the LED screen.
Shown here, the Link Mini weighs 178g with dimensions of 6.25 × 2.5 x 1.25 in / 16cm x 6.5cm x 3cm. The radio is about as thick as my Swift RL headlamp.
Fine Tuned Basic Functions
As the simplest of the BCA radio suite, the Link Mini is user-friendly. One can lock the buttons to prevent channel switching while touring. The PTT (transmission button) is easy to trigger, and users can use an optional “beep” to help signal the transmission button has been hit. In the event the unit is stored inside your pack while powered on, and the transmission button is depressed for more than 180 seconds, the unit reverts to “standby mode” to save batteries.
The Link Mini has a relatively easy-to-read LED screen with an optional backlight. The backlight serves its purpose in low-light situations, yet I’d like to see it be a bit brighter in the later iterations.
The round power on/off knob is very unlikely to turn on accidentally when the radio is shoved in your pack. As noted in the first look, the assortment of attachment options to secure the Link Mini on your pack is excellent. Scrolling through the menu and selecting channels and subchannels does not require more than a few minutes either experimenting with the unit or, even better, reading BCA’s clear and concise owner’s manual.
FWIW, I like radios. I like using them in treed terrain. Although I’ve never had to use them in a real-life avalanche rescue scenario, I can see how they can be useful. For ease of use and communication, the Link Mini scores are big. As a basic FRS radio, the Link Mini is compatible with Rocky Talkies and other units—just ensure that the channels are set to the same channel and sub-channel.
The ergonomics are refined with buttons, knobs, and hand grip fine tuned. The unit is encased in Polycarbonate (speaker/screen) and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) which is grippy. In the event of a fall, the case provides some shock resistance. BCA claims the Link Mini meets IP55 ingress protection meaning it is weatherproof (think snow/rain/splashes) but not fully waterproof for the rafters and kayakers out there looking for a double duty handheld radio.
Shown here is the basic plastic gator clip (removable) and the backup leash with small carabiner (also removable).
What Does it Come Down To?
We reviewed the Rocky Talkie 5-Watt-Radio early this past winter. It’s a hit. But at the cost of some considerable weight, and a more professionalized feature package, it is not for everyone, let alone every ski/splitboard tourer. Many communities are establishing specific group-to-group channels. You do you. But, we like the option of dual channel monitoring in those zones. That means one will likely default to a 5-Watt-Radio or the Link Mini. Weight weenies, or even those just needing a basic FRS radio with this function, the Link Mini shouldn’t let you down.
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
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.