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Lumatic · 11-17-2015, 01:30 PM

What do you recommend for a pair of 2 way radios? I primarily would be using for communicating with my spotter when parking my rig. I might also want to use for short hikes. Brand? CB or walkie? One CB base and one handheld? Thanks, Marshall

Protagonist · 11-17-2015, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

What do you recommend for a pair of 2 way radios? I primarily would be using for communicating with my spotter when parking my rig. I might also want to use for short hikes. Brand? CB or walkie? One CB base and one handheld? Thanks, Marshall

Even better, cell phones with walkie capability. There ARE apps for that…
http://readwrite.com/2012/05/23/5-pu...-walkie-talkie
Beats having to carry yet another piece of electronic gear!

Gsmblue · 11-17-2015, 01:39 PM

We use the Motorola ones we use when snowboarding. Maybe overkill for just backing up, but they work real well at that too!

TalkaboutÂ® MS350R - Motorola Solutions USA

Lumatic · 11-17-2015, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Even better, cell phones with walkie capability.

But, would cell phones work if I did not have a signal? I could also use 2 tin cans and a long piece of string

dayner · 11-17-2015, 01:47 PM

Con for smartphone apps-need good cell service area and a data plan....radios work where phones dont. FMS/GR, CB, SPOT/sat & marine work anywhere anytime

alano · 11-17-2015, 01:49 PM

We use FRS radios when backing up. Ours are Yaesu and double as our ham radio handheld for VHF and UHF. The nice thing about FRS is that the audio quality is FM and much better than CB radios.

**Rocinante** · 11-17-2015, 02:16 PM

We use FRS 2-way radios for lots of things. The FRS bands also seem less crowded and therefore even more useful since they aren't as "cool" these days.

Ours are a pair of old Motorola radios that each burn 3 AA batteries.

A more modern version would probably be more battery-efficient, but until these die, we'll probably keep using them. We had a pair of "newer" ones from Cobra that used AAA batteries, but they weren't as tough and did not survive.

Anyway, FRS is cheap and easy, unlike our Airstream.

cwf · 11-17-2015, 02:35 PM

We have the MOtorolas and I really like the UV-5R+Plus by Baofeng (China as there are no US available products I know of).. They are "professional grade" but found two for $50 on eBay. You can get into the "HAM" freq. so read and follow setup properly.

Cannonball · 11-17-2015, 02:47 PM

We use Cobra brand FRS radios. We have found that the cheaper, the better. None of them last very long. At least that has been our experience.

greghoro · 11-17-2015, 03:41 PM

+1 for FRS radio.

Suggest you consider one which accepts a wired headset/microphone and even better if it has VOX capability, at least for the driver, so they can talk hands free.

Greg

Protagonist · 11-17-2015, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

But, would cell phones work if I did not have a signal? I could also use 2 tin cans and a long piece of string

I've only stayed at one park in four years of Airstreaming (in nearly a hundred different sites in the Gulf Coast states so far) where I didn't have cell phone coverage.

Tincampers · 11-17-2015, 03:54 PM

And we went six weeks out west without cell coverage.

cwf · 11-17-2015, 03:54 PM

I am not the experienced like our friend, Protagonist. I can name three where the coverage was poor, within 50 miles of Austin.

Protagonist · 11-17-2015, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrprez

And we went six weeks out west without cell coverage.

The only time I've been out west was at Farmington for the WBCCI International Rally, so I don't know what cell coverage is like out there. I've been to lots of places, but only in south Georgia, Florida panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Southwest Oklahoma, and one place in New Mexico. The rest of the country is still all howling wilderness to me, at least so far.

Obviously if there's no cell service then cell phone apps that mimic walkie talkies wouldn't be much use. But that doesn't negate the concept entirely; if your travels don't normally take you beyond cell range and you have smart phones, the walkie apps are an inexpensive alternative to buying new pieces of gear.

But I don't have a vested interest in these apps— I didn't create them and don't sell them— so it will not hurt my feelings at all if you choose not to use them or if you travel to places where you can't use them. But please, Lumatic, don't compare them to tin cans on a string without at least trying one of them first. If you try one and it doesn't work even though you're in an area with cell coverage, then feel free to compare it to tin cans on a string, with my blessing.

alano · 11-17-2015, 05:23 PM

We've tried cell phones but the delay was unacceptable and almost resulted in a slight collision. The delay via FRS is negligible.

Wingeezer · 11-17-2015, 06:28 PM

FRS radios are good for backing the trailer, but two things I have learned ....

(1) Tell your spotter to stay in a position where she/he can see your rear view mirrors - not good to put all your faith in radio waves - watch for waving hands and facial expressions of horror!

(2) If you use the security code feature for your FRS radio, i.e. something like
channel 2- 09 instead of just channel 2, you will find it may causes a significant lag between the time you press the talk button and the time the radio starts to transmit and the first words of your transmission will be lost.

I'm not sure if they are all like this, but two brands we have used are, and it made them next to useless for backing the trailer as I could never convince my wife to press the button then wait for a second before talking!

Besides, one second can be very relevant and quite important when backing the trailer!

10-4 good buddy! (From my CB days many years ago!)

Brian

PKI · 11-17-2015, 07:01 PM

We bought a set of Motorola radios, charged them up, stored them in the trailer, and never got them out. Spotter stays in mirror. Stop immediately if you can't see your spotter. Visual signals rule.

We'll get to the radios soon. They are a skill that folks need to learn, just not while backing up.

Pat

Lumatic · 11-17-2015, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

FRS radios are good for backing the trailer, but two things I have learned ....

(1) Tell your spotter to stay in a position where she/he can see your rear view mirrors - watch for waving hands and facial expressions of horror!

Brian

This ia exactly why I want some radios.

And/ what is "FRS"?

TinShack · 11-17-2015, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

This ia exactly why I want some radios.

And/ what is "FRS"?

Family Radio Service. Many of the walkie talkie type radios sold also include GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) which a license is required to operate and are more powerful and transmit over longer distances. Certain channels are designated as FRS, certain channels are designated GMRS, and some are shared. More information on the FCC site here...https://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/fam...io-service-frs

cwf · 11-17-2015, 08:28 PM

Got me a FCC license..

Also, the radios are helpful when my wife or I are away from the AS... I do not have to 'dial' her number... just mash the 'transmit' button.. If for some reason she is not able to manage the phone she can hopefully mash the 'transmit' button and summon my assist...

Also, she carries into the restroom with her at 'fuel/rest stops'.. easy to communicate with me.. but, not a 'private' conversation without an earphone..

We have also used car to car.. on occasion others travel with us... it is nice to just mash the button for a quick verify.. (Is the AS throwing Marathon tires at you?)