Walkie Talkies

[bgarnett]

What is a good/dependable/ fairly inexpensive brand of Walkie talkies

 

[ManlyMan]

We’ve been through a number of cheap walkie talkies and the set we have now is the best of the ones we’ve had. They are Midland X-Talker, 22 channel FRS walkie talkies. You can buy them for around $40 at Amazon or Cabela’s.

Our main use of these is when I back our fifth wheel into camp sites.

 

[bgarnett]

We’ve been through a number of cheap walkie talkies and the set we have now is the best of the ones we’ve had. They are Midland X-Talker, 22 channel FRS walkie talkies. You can buy them for around $40 at Amazon or Cabela’s.

Our main use of these is when I back our fifth wheel into camp sites.

Thank You

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I too use Midland purchased at Best Buy, Mine is the higher power unit that you need to register to use all frequencies. We travel tandem so use them to communicate as we travel. We too use them to park the units.

 

[redbaron]

Gmrs radios are the best way to go. It does require a fee to register, but 1 registration covers all your family and those temporary guests using your radio to talk to you.

My jeep has a 50w gmrs installed, and we carry handheld gmrs for the rest of the time.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I single-hand our trailer. That is to say, I do my own navigating when backing into a camping spot. I first "size up" the site to determine if it will fit and what has to be done in order to position the rig to make it fit. Then depending on if the site is on the passenger side or driver side, I take care of the inside of the turn and let the trailer slide into the spot. There is no need for hand signals, screaming, waving, hollering, and such. The total length of the truck and trailer is 58 ft. Once the trailer and truck are in the spot and straight, I then determine what is needed to level the trailer, move it forward or backward, as available, put down my leveling blocks and move the trailer onto the blocks. Oh, the marks on the front level indicate the amount of leveling height needed. Thus one mark, one block, two marks, two blocks, etc.

The toughest one I've encountered is at one of our favorite state parks where I have to make an S turn to get the rig in the spot. I first have to back to the left and around a curve and then to the right to get in the spot. Correctly adjusted mirrors come in real handy.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I single-hand our trailer. That is to say, I do my own navigating when backing into a camping spot. I first "size up" the site to determine if it will fit and what has to be done in order to position the rig to make it fit. Then depending on if the site is on the passenger side or driver side, I take care of the inside of the turn and let the trailer slide into the spot. There is no need for hand signals, screaming, waving, hollering, and such. The total length of the truck and trailer is 58 ft. Once the trailer and truck are in the spot and straight, I then determine what is needed to level the trailer, move it forward or backward, as available, put down my leveling blocks and move the trailer onto the blocks. Oh, the marks on the front level indicate the amount of leveling height needed. Thus one mark, one block, two marks, two blocks, etc.

The toughest one I've encountered is at one of our favorite state parks where I have to make an S turn to get the rig in the spot. I first have to back to the left and around a curve and then to the right to get in the spot. Correctly adjusted mirrors come in real handy.

Now that is impressive. Can you judge shadows and compass heading of the rig as well? Guess what I am asking is do you boon dock with solar?

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Now that is impressive. Can you judge shadows and compass heading of the rig as well? Guess what I am asking is do you boon dock with solar?

Nope, no solar. Just shore power when available or generator as needed, otherwise it is the battery's capacity. Learning many years ago about parking and moving airplanes on busy ramps or taxiways, one learns that shadows on the ground are a big assist in getting things in place and straight and keeping separate. Just don't let the shadows touch or there will be other things that touch at the same time! If the shadows are separate, then the rig or trailer is in the clear as well. The GPS in the truck gives very accurate compass headings.

Oh, since I'm a ham radio operator, I do carry radios of various types, kinds, and such if needed. But doing single-hand with the trailer, who would I talk to other than myself? Oh, I do that a lot, sometimes when backing the trailer.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Nope, no solar. Just shore power when available or generator as needed, otherwise it is the battery's capacity. Learning many years ago about parking and moving airplanes on busy ramps or taxiways, one learns that shadows on the ground are a big assist in getting things in place and straight and keeping separate. Just don't let the shadows touch or there will be other things that touch at the same time! If the shadows are separate, then the rig or trailer is in the clear as well. The GPS in the truck gives very accurate compass headings.

Oh, since I'm a ham radio operator, I do carry radios of various types, kinds, and such if needed. But doing single-hand with the trailer, who would I talk to other than myself? Oh, I do that a lot, sometimes when backing the trailer.

I knew you were a ham K4TAX, Many times in the wild woods shadows are used to be sure my solar gets the sun it needs. I need someone on the ground to keep track of tree shadows. BS(before solar) I would just park where I wanted, now it is a little different.

 

[FloridaSon]

Gmrs radios are the best way to go. It does require a fee to register, but 1 registration covers all your family and those temporary guests using your radio to talk to you.

My jeep has a 50w gmrs installed, and we carry handheld gmrs for the rest of the time.

Hi RB,
What things do you like about Gmrs over FRS like the Midland? Still trying to decide. TIA

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Here is a link that nicely explains the differences between GMRS and FRS radio services.

FRS and GMRS Radios – What a Consumer Should Know

There are two main types of handheld radios in the united states, FRS and GMRS. Learn about what each one is for and which one is the best for you to use.

www.highlandwireless.com

For local use, between family members/friends, spotting a trailer and such, the FRS is adequate. The actual "quality" depends more on the hardware as opposed to the mode.

 

[redbaron]

Hi RB,
What things do you like about Gmrs over FRS like the Midland? Still trying to decide. TIA

As @Bob K4TAX posted, the hardware matters.

I too am a ham operator, and have both a ham and gmrs in my jeep. When traveling with others that are not ham operators, gmrs is a good alternative. The gmrs allows use of repeaters, and be up to 50w of power for sight to sight communication and many hardware options.

Frs is only 1-3watts, and often has too cheap of hardware. If you are just communicating around the coach for parking, frs is fine. If vehicle to vehicle, you will want gmrs and external antenna.

 

[FloridaSon]

Makes a lot of sense, thank you. Since you mentioned HAM, are certain freqs preferred for RVs? (I am KK4CIF).

 

[bgarnett]

We’ve been through a number of cheap walkie talkies and the set we have now is the best of the ones we’ve had. They are Midland X-Talker, 22 channel FRS walkie talkies. You can buy them for around $40 at Amazon or Cabela’s.

Our main use of these is when I back our fifth wheel into camp sites.

Thank You

 

[Voyageurs]

Ham here as well. VE6ROK and wife is VE6ANG. But for the non hams in our family we recommend the better quality midlands.

 

[redbaron]

Makes a lot of sense, thank you. Since you mentioned HAM, are certain freqs preferred for RVs? (I am KK4CIF).

I am WD4LOW

I have not found many rv hams, and even fewer on the road. I run 2m/70cm in the rv and jeep.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I know quite a few Hams. guess it depends on your clan.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I know quite a few Hams. guess it depends on your clan.

I only run HF in the travel trailer. I have several antenna configurations which I choose to use. Mostly a single wire tossed in a nearby tree. If I'm desperate and have no trees around, I'll put up the HF6V vertical.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Makes a lot of sense, thank you. Since you mentioned HAM, are certain freqs preferred for RVs? (I am KK4CIF).

I only run HF in the travel trailer. I have several antenna configurations which I choose to use. Mostly a single wire tossed in a nearby tree. If I'm desperate and have no trees around, I'll put up the HF6V vertical. Not aware of any specific frequencies used by RV'ers.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

As @Bob K4TAX posted, the hardware matters.

I too am a ham operator, and have both a ham and gmrs in my jeep. When traveling with others that are not ham operators, gmrs is a good alternative. The gmrs allows use of repeaters, and be up to 50w of power for sight to sight communication and many hardware options.

Frs is only 1-3watts, and often has too cheap of hardware. If you are just communicating around the coach for parking, frs is fine. If vehicle to vehicle, you will want gmrs and external antenna.

Most of the less expensive radios have a speaker the size of a nickel and only about 1/4 watt of distorted audio. And it gets worse the louder the volume. The better quality radios will have a larger speaker and better quality audio. With FRS radios, using them in the campground for less than 1/4 mile communications 1 watt is adequate for line-of-site communications. Otherwise, don't be concerned about the "sales pitch" of a 5-watt radio. It will just suck the battery down faster. If you believe you need more power and distance then go with the GMRS radios. One pays for what one gets.