walky talky?

not sure if there's a specific Communications subforum this belongs in

what's a good walky talky for off roading with other vehicles?
(assuming they don't have CB radio installed)

phone just seems like asking for trouble. ie leaving it on, wasting battery, not having cell reception in remote areas, etc.

 

most clubs and groups are transitioning to GMRS radios and or FRS. You can pickup a blister pack radio minus the spongebob paint job for unlicensed GMRS spectrum frequencies that will work perfectly fine in off road groups.

my advice, find out what the local to you groups use. If you want to use more powerful GMRS radios its a $35 license fee, no test, through the FCC

 

We use these, with the bigger battery and longer antenna.

BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery

$63 BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MAULSOK?_encoding=UTF8

 

May be time to upgrade. I have a 9 year old Baofeng UV-82. I don't use it much as I mostly off-road solo.

To OP, you need a license to 'operate' on a GMRS system. To me that means to transmit, not to monitor. But there is no radio frequency police that I know of, nor have I ever read or heard of individuals being prosecuted for unlicensed transmissions. Apply on Form 605.
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs

And don't go by the distance advertising. You'll see 10, 20, etc mile radios (usually for FRS radios). That's under ideal conditions. Realistically, you'll be lucky to get two miles due to obstructions and terrain conditions.
https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2016/12/gmrs_radio_range_chart.html

 

has anyone ever used just two Wally Talkys

such as cheap Baofeng standalone from Amazon?
Not part of the truck. Not mounted to the dash.
Just handheld radio that probably runs on batteries or rechargeable.

thinking of going this route.

main goal is secondary for duos. Wheel with a friend, they don’t have anything. Let them borrow the second radio for cheap. Just to have comms.

because otherwise if anyone needs to communicate it’s a pain in the ass stop the truck get out walk over
Instead of talk while driving which a phone in the middle of nowhere isn’t the best tool

cheapest I’m seeing is this one

 

I have several Baofeng BF888 models but they are not very powerful. I used to use them at work and they were good for short distances, less than quarter mile with no obstructions. I still have the UV82 mentioned above and it has better range, plus you can manually enter frequencies. It also has an FM radio. The 888 requires software to change frequencies, and I would not recommend them. The UV82 is what most of my off-roading buddies have and recommend.

 

I'm a fan of cb (they even have hand held these days) but for the money it's hard to beat something like a

$18 baofeng uv5r BAOFENG UV-5R VHF/UHF dual band radio 144-148mhz 420-450mhz transceiver

baofeng uv5r or similar variant...using chirp they will all work with gmrs or frs and a lot of other frequencies.

A lot of bang for the buck.

 

https://rockytalkie.com/products/5-watt-radio

Gmrs handhelds.

 

thanks. I heard they go through power fast. Gonna check how many hours it lasts if that.

intended use would be line of sight. Like two trucks. One in front the other following behind on a trail.

eventually do plan on learning all about different comms and putting something good in the truck with an antenna somewhere.

but for now temporary can sell later I think two handhelds would be good. One in my truck the other loan out.

got a buddy who wants to off road his rig for the first time and having comms like that would be wise.

hopping out of the truck to talk is not smart.
I remember once on a trail it was so loose I could literally push the truck off the cliff by hand. Obviously didn’t do that. But it would move with one hand. Not a good idea to be shifting weight getting out in that scenario.

not to abuse returns but if I get a UV5R pair on Amazon and wheel a week later only to find out it’s crap, can always return. Not like it’s been beat up and thrown down the mountain.

——-

UV82 for only a little higher price looks stronger 8w vs UV5R has 5w

UV5R says it has scan and preset channels so maybe UV82 is better in that regard based on what you said about ability to manually input channel

 

I’d be curious if those handhelds actually put out 8watts since the fcc limits handhelds at 5 watts max output. I don’t know enough about handhelds though.

 

I mean the Amazon reviews on UV82 say it doesn’t and that it’s actually 5w lol

one of the pics for one of em says be careful of RF exposure don’t know what they’re talking about it’s a handheld.

hopefully whatever I get is easy to figure out, doesn’t require buying additional shit

and doesn’t hop on a channel with 40 random people yelling

the SpongeBob walky talkies might work
NO PATRICK YOUR OTHER LEFT

 

I have BCA link 2.0 along with a few buddies that we use in the snow, not sure if it does what you are looking for but it’s a good radio.. there is some complaints about certain design features but I have had no issues

 

For short distance, the BF888 models will do you well. They are cheap and simple to use. The battery on the UV82 has lasted me all day. A backup battery is cheap.

 

i grabbed these mostly because i can charge them via USB (eg easily in my truck). was pleased with their performance even without line of sight

$70 Midland® - T61VP3 X-TALKER - Two-Way Radio - 36 Channel FRS- Long Range Walkie Talkie, 121 Privacy Codes, & NOAA Weather Scan & Alert Black/Yellow, 2-Pack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SLHM4JE?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

I have a Beofeng UV-9R GMRS radio that works well. The battery lasts a couple of days. I just installed a Wouxun KG1000G+ mobile radio (50 watts) which is awesome. Not cheap though.

 

I got a set of these 2 months ago, so far just playing around with them they are pretty good.
The main selling points for me was they are cheap and have usb recharging.

$40 2 Pack Radioddity GM-30 GMRS Handheld Radio 5W Long Range Two Way Radio for Adults, GMRS Repeater Capable, with NOAA Scanning & Receiving, Programming Cable, Display SYNC, for Off Road Overlanding

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09T3KBD4F?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

Gotta give a +1 to the Rocky Talkie GMRS handheld. Works as a perfect starter radio to use with the group and if you decide to go with something mounted in the truck later it can be a great durable handheld for spotters or family to borrow. They also are FRS capable so you can run with any basic 2 watt radios if needed.

 

honestly just bcuz of the price
thinking Im gonna order 2 baofengs on Amazon and see what happens

with intended use:
-truck to truck line of sight
-driver to spotter comms

such as

$40 UV-5R 8Watt Ham Radio Handheld Long Range UHF/VHF Radio with 2 Rechargeable Battery, Portable Radio for Adults with Earpiece, GV-771 Antenna, Programming Cable (3rd Gen)

UV-5R
Maybe UV82. That sounds better. Above post says it's good
not much higher cost
has a lot more positive Amazon reviews

and play with the setup quick to test operation and see if it's worth a shit or not before Amazon return time window expires

with real, legit, better, more capable comms
to be looked into at a later date
cost significantly more
as cool as antennas look, just need truck-to-truck line of sight and spotter comms

I *think* UV5R is GMRS
while UV82 is HAM
supposedly you need a license for HAM, might be wrong

looks like Rocky Talkys comin out with a 5w gmrs for $150
Boom. China. $30. 5w GRMS.
hopefully USB does not send evil pokemons into computer

 

I see this exact setup most commonly. I have 3 baofengs and a couple ham radios too.

These are great for the majority of folks. The relatively simple channel selection is easy.

You definitely need a license for ham radio, but again as long as you are respectful and dont jump on a frequency and start yelling and cussing no one will likely care.

Baofengs are great, but beware that they do not have "channels" you need to know that FRS channel 1 is 462.5625mhz and thats what the screen says and so on. Also they are not "type legal" to be used on FRS and GMRS frequencies. That only holds back the most strict rule followers, but it is in the books.



I've been a licensed ham for a number of years now. All my wheeling buddies have 50w mobile radios with externally mounted antennas. In some events it's possible to be 15-20 miles away up in the hills and talk back to the main event center. You pretty much have to be sitting on the close side of the mountain and able to practically see the event center, but it works. There are also repeaters that you can use to talk to large areas. There is a network of repeaters in Colorado that allow you to talk to 90% of the population of the state. You definitely want to be licensed and on your best behavior there, lots of listeners. but in the backcountry with relatively low powered hand helds is a different animal.


At the end of the day, be courteous, dont swear and make sure you are on the right frequencies (FRS/GMRS) and no one will bat an eye. If this stuff is interesting to you check out hamstudy.org and get your license. Some diligent studying and effort and you too can get your ham license and a federally issued callsign.

 

yeah. Was reading that GMRS license is cheap.

post above said GMRS > FRS.
Hopefully it’s not bad if I hand second Walky to friend (other vehicle or spotting) and pretty much give brief rundown how to use it, what channel, keep language professional

as technically they would not be licensed

I’d except less voice traffic on trails as it’s not a lot of people there like a crowded beach or something.
Last trail I did saw a whole 4 other trucks most of which did not have comms.

I think a giant antenna on my truck would look sick,
But maybe later. That seems like the difference between
-good enough talk to spotter
vs.
-legit comms built into truck, higher cost

heard CB is smart eventually. Cross country road trip pass through snow, know from CB there’s a wreck 2mi ahead.