Thanks for all the answers guys, i just asked because the USA guys seem so fixated on "must have a radio the same as the local club" where here in Aus i've only ever seen 1. even the biggest club in Victoria (possibly Australia) dosent use them.

i was interested because if the buddy system was "better" i was thinking about setting one up, but as usual no 1 way seems to be "best", for the extra cost i tink i'll stick with Ragland or "here mate have a go of this"