Which 2-way radio brand (walkie-talkie) do you recommend?

[CountryB]

Why not just coach her on how to signal you when to stop. And teach her to use the same signal each time for the same command. Nothing is more comical than to see the person standing behind a vehicle being backed and flailing the arms as if they are trying to disperse a pungent odor.

You should learn how to interpret what you are seeing in the camera and the mirrors. Sorry to be so blunt, but know where you are going and what is out there that can get you. Check out the area before you start to back into a slot.

My desire for having the 2-way radio is not as much for communicating when backing up (yes, hand signals will do fine) but more for communicating Car-to-Coach, for running around the campsite, hiking trails, and when she "loses" me in the Home Depot store.

[Ksatter]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Motorola. FRS type. They have several in the $60-$90 range for a pair. I think the ones we have are the 400 model.

Have had cheaper Midland and Cobra units - they are marginal at best. Aa

x2 - have had mine for 8 yrs without any problems. Motorola is my number one choice.

[jrwitt]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but can someone tell me what FRS is? Just tell me what the letters stand for and I can probably google it and figure it out.

Thanks,
Jack

[hoosierrun]

FRS = Family Radio Service. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) pretty much defines a few channels (radio frequencies) that can be used for wireless communication devices and they set aside a few channels for use with walkie talkies that don't need a license. These are not CB (Citizens Band) frequencies.

EDIT: everything you wanted to know and then some...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Radio_Service


....and what I just found out was that you can now use the GMRS... licensed channels without a license beginning last month provided they are used at low power. I'm not sure that most people give a flip about these FCC regs for low powered devices. The technology is really quite old and went and left in a flash... except they do come in handy for our applications.

[Ksatter]

Originally Posted by jrwitt

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but can someone tell me what FRS is? Just tell me what the letters stand for and I can probably google it and figure it out.

Thanks,
Jack

Family Radio Service - private, short distance, two way radio service. Hope this helps.

[FatChance]

We have the Cobra CXT1035R walkie-talkies. More than a basic unit, but they work great for communicating while parking or from coach to car when driving separately.

[Wundertaker]

I just open my driver side window...have my wife go to the back of the fiver where I can't see her and let her YELL at me!!! No muss, no fuss, NO BATTERIES NEEDED, and provides some brief yet intense entertainment for our new neighbors!

[TonyDi]

We just use our cell phones when necessary.

[Rick-Alabama]

I just bought the Midland T30's at Wal-Mart for $39. Sound is a bit tinny, but range is good & transmission is clear and crisp. I set the 'Roger Beep' to off. The Weather Radio function is useless unless you have a very strong signal.

[rvbiker45]

Originally Posted by CountryB

My desire for having the 2-way radio is not as much for communicating when backing up (yes, hand signals will do fine) but more for communicating Car-to-Coach, for running around the campsite, hiking trails, and when she "loses" me in the Home Depot store.

That changes the narrative a bit. Those radios are good for finding each other at WM or HD. They pose an issue that may be a problem. They work by line-of-sight, meaning that if there is a hill or large structure between you both. They will not allow much, if any, communication.

So, if a fair distance developed between the MH and car, you probably will not make contact.

[Forkyfork]

Ahhh the fun of getting down our drive, and across the river.
We live in a cell signal challenged area. There is no hand signal or yelling at the backup camera for us. I have to hear my husbands response to how close is the tree and are you still on the road. lol Getting down the drive and back up is quite the complex project. Friends that have visited have requested a video.

Then there is the over the river (mighty spring lol) Its about a quarter mile of one motorhome width steep twisty road with drop offs and lots of trees. In a car there are spots where you can squeeze by someone coming the other direction but not in the motorhome. The added bonus is no cell signal in that stretch. So FRS radios to the rescue. I drive through in the car, guard the road and tell my husband to start driving.

For some reason I have 3 sets of FRS radios. My favorite set by Motorola are awol somewhere in a box from when we did the floors in our house. They were an investment and were used when hiking when reliability across distances really mattered.

Digging around I found a random set of generic ones I purchased in 2003. they work but they really mean 1 mile signal as in not even a block you could get the same response yelling. lol The higher frequencies weren't available at that time.

So off to buy something. I picked up Cobra rechargeable ones. Very basic but they have the higher frequencies. It also has the weather alert channel on them which comes in handy in these parts with frequent tornadoes. They seem adequate only used them a few times. Need to be on the higher channels 13+ to get any distance out of them even though they say 16 miles thats a joke on any of them. North Dakota on a farm maybe but not where anyone would need them.

They have also come in handy when camping in an area with no cell service. My husband went fishing and I was able to find out when he planned on heading back for lunch.

[Craig36]

Unfortunately, no matter chat brand you buy, they are likely made in China.

I got a nice pair of Motorola's at Home Depot that have drop in chargers.

They work great, but the push to talk button takes a lot of pressure to push. I often see the YL's month moving in the mirror, but can't hear her because she is not pushing hard enough.


Be sure to get ones with drop in chargers, as it is worth the extra money.

[gptexas]

We use the Motorola Talkabout model MT351R. Works best for long distance. I use them between the MH and Jeep. And Jeep to Jeep on the trails. Also works good on the ranch for communicating back to the MH's . Came with charger and purchase on eBay used like new $40 with carrying case.

[CountryB]

Originally Posted by Craig36

I got a nice pair of Motorola's at Home Depot that have drop in chargers.

They work great, but the push to talk button takes a lot of pressure to push. .

That's a good point. maybe I should go somewhere to buy where (sporting good store, bestbuy, etc.) I can get my hands on it before buying.