Walkie Talkies - Need Advice

[tgduffy]

My wife and I just bought our first travel trailer and will be putting it to use in Utah this summer. I like the idea of using walkie talkies for backing up the trailer and for just hiking around while camping. Any suggestions on walkie talkies that (1) don't require a license, (2) will work within a few miles as I don't need a 20 mile range, (3) simple to use that won't require an engineering degree and (4) cost maybe $50 or less?

[Bluepill]

Put "GMRS" into Amazon search.

[tgduffy]

It's my understanding that GMRS units require a license at $80/year.

[banda]

We use the Motorola talkabout fr50 and like them. They are a little above your requested price though. http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-FR50-.../dp/B00004HYS6

[fella10]

if you both have cell phones, that will work just as well,......we watched a couple work for almost an hour getting their 5er into a very tight site with the wife talking into what I assumed was a walkie -talkie,.... meeting them later, was told they always use their cells for that

[coupevillefish]

Originally Posted by tgduffy

It's my understanding that GMRS units require a license at $80/year.

You are tight for US. Most walky talky type radios are FRS/GRMS but you can only the FRS (family radio service ) channels can be used without a licence. Those channels are low power and good for 1-2 miles depending on terrain.

The GRMS channels have more power. One license covers family members (I assume that the license holder must be included in the communication and would be responsible for behavior of the users).

An FRS radio would be fine for backing or for around the campground, especially in a cell - free area, but when I'm backing I don't have an extra appendage to hold a radio. We also use cell phones although we have both FRS radios and hand - held ham radios (amateur license required).

[kdp1897]

We use Motorola MT350Rs - $80/pair on Amazon. They are pretty rugged, rechargeable, have NOAA weather and are IP-54 weatherproof rated. There are less expensive models with fewer features as well.
As for the FCC, the fee had gone down but is still required by law. Here is a link to their website: https://www.fcc.gov/general/general-...o-service-gmrs

[DaGrinch]

The DW and I have been using simple hand held walkies for years. I think I bought our last set at WalMart for about $35. I just lay my walkie on the console while she gives directions. They are good for short distances also.

[donniedu]

Amazon, WalMart, or Best Buy all sell a wide variety of wakie takies priced from 35 dollars to over a hundred dollars a pair. Get a pair with rechargable batteries, and a 35 mile range and you will be all set.

[NoviBill]

One of the issues with FRS (and GRMS) Walkie Talkies is they have a 1-2 second delay between keying the mic and transmitting (they send out a security code to the paired Walkie Talkie). If your spouse does not wait you hear nothing (but the tree was small). Cell phones (with the drive on speaker - hands free works better).

I think hand signs work better than anything (if your spouse is willing to stay within view of the drivers side mirror). You need signs for left, right, straight and how near:

• Left -> point with both hands large movements
• Right -> point with both hands large movements
• Straight -> both hands, motioning towards your body
• Near -> hold your hands in a clap 2-3 feet aprt (distance to move) and bring them together, when they "clap" it's time to stop

Personally I use the get out and look, backup a few feet and repeat (it may have saved our marriage).

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by tgduffy

It's my understanding that GMRS units require a license at $80/year.

The GMRS License is only if you use the GMRS channels or FRS channels at "Full Power" (8 watts). In an emergency, those channels would be available to you to reach help even without a license. (ONLY in an emergency, though).

"If you operate a radio that has been approved for both FRS and GMRS, and if you limit your operations to the FRS channels with a maximum power of ½ watt effective radiated power and an integral antenna, you are not required to have a license. (Note that some dual-service radios transmit with higher power on FRS channels 1 through 7; these radios can be used without a license only on FRS channels 8 through 14.)"

The license is 80 dollars for FIVE years. It can be used by EVERYONE in your family, even aunts and uncles; nieces and nephews. Just assign a Alpha letter to their radio. There is no test. You can program GMRS channels to reject all other traffic except for your other radio(s).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genera..._Radio_Service

To use it you "open the net" with your call sign, use the radio as needed for as long as you need (retransmit your call sign every 15 minutes if needed), and close it with your call sign when finished.

NOTE: There are 4 GMRS channels you can't use close to the Canadian border (in the US) due to interference with Canadian assigned frequencies so you need to be aware if you camp up there.


All in all a great deal.

https://www.fcc.gov/general/general-...o-service-gmrs

FYI - There is a rule change pending since 2010 that will remove the licensing requirement from GMRS systems. The proliferation of cheap Dual Band radios has resulted in "bubble pack Pirates" who use the radios without bothering to get licensed. Similar to the removal of the CB license requirement due to the number of folks who broke the law, this is only a matter of time as well.

[asquared]

We have had both Motorola and cobra walker talkies. Both have served well. As stated above Walmart, Amazon, best buy are all places to find some in your price range. I prefer them to the phone because you don't have good cell phone reception everywhere and it seems to work better for us. There is no interpretation of hand signals, DH can disappear frim site to check something and still talk to me. He can say tree 3 Feet back drivers side or whatever. Drivers side and passenger side cues work far better than right/left cues as it eliminates confusion.

[bobcrowder]

We just use a few simple hand signals. That seems to work fine. We take our walks/hikes together, so I guess we don't have a need for them.

[Filthy Beast]

Originally Posted by tgduffy

It's my understanding that GMRS units require a license at $80/year.

Currently the license fee is $80 for 5 years, I know because i just renewed my recently. Things I have read lean towards the fee being eliminated but I will wait to see on that.

We have a set of GMRS radios and use them for much more that the RV. I have headsets for those times I cannot key the mike manually.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Filthy Beast

Currently the license fee is $80 for 5 years, I know because i just renewed my recently. Things I have read lean towards the fee being eliminated but I will wait to see on that.

We have a set of GMRS radios and use them for much more that the RV. I have headsets for those times I cannot key the mike manually.

"You can't make things idiot proof, you can only make them idiot resistant."

Ain't THAT the truth!

[Flybob]

Lots of good information above. One word of caution: You can not expect to use these for the 1-2 miles as in your OP on FRS and in many cases even on GMRS Freqs. The impressive numbers quoted in their specs are essentially from mountain top to mountain top. Any of them the have VOX ( voice operated capability) will work for backing up. If you have a choice, get one that can use either the included rechargeable battery pack or regular carbon batteries in case you forget the charger.

[karrun]

Originally Posted by NoviBill

One of the issues with FRS (and GRMS) Walkie Talkies is they have a 1-2 second delay between keying the mic and transmitting (they send out a security code to the paired Walkie Talkie). If your spouse does not wait you hear nothing (but the tree was small). Cell phones (with the drive on speaker - hands free works better).

I think hand signs work better than anything (if your spouse is willing to stay within view of the drivers side mirror). You need signs for left, right, straight and how near:

• Left -> point with both hands large movements
• Right -> point with both hands large movements
• Straight -> both hands, motioning towards your body
• Near -> hold your hands in a clap 2-3 feet aprt (distance to move) and bring them together, when they "clap" it's time to stop

Personally I use the get out and look, backup a few feet and repeat (it may have saved our marriage).

This. We switched to walkies from cell phones because of the feedback. Now my husband complains about the delay. Not good when you start shouting "Stop, stop!".

[Cowracer]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

"You can't make things idiot proof, you can only make them idiot resistant."

Ain't THAT the truth!

if you make something idiot proof, nature will make a better idiot.

Tim

[fella10]

my dear wife gets busy giving hand signals and forgets that its important to stay where I can see her,.....all the hand signals in the world are useless if you can't see those hands!!!! .................

[Herk7769]

Good News,

FlyBob just informed me the 5 year license is now just 65 dollars.

By the time I renew it should be free!