Forum Discussion

BoosterBob's avatar
BoosterBob
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013

Walkie-Talkies

About ready to make the move from Dixie to Washington state and will have two vehicles in our convoy. Would like to be able to communicate between the two without depending on cell phones (service is spotty along some parts of I-80). I have a CB in the truck but not in the DW's car. Anybody have experience with or suggestions about portable transceivers? (Don't need really long range, hope to stay in visual contact and if we don't, there's always the cell phone.) Many thanks for the help.

18 Replies

  • Have a set of Motorolas I bought at Costco last year and when we go with the inlaws we use them all the time. Just don't get too far apart or you will lose your signal.
  • we have used the simple handheld radios for a trip and it worked perfectly fine. they do have a limited range so if the person behind drops way back you will lose reception. other than that, not one issue from the east side of Washington state over the mountains and to the pacific ocean.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    We bought one of these for the same situations. We have a CB in the truck but not in other vechiles. The HH Roadtrip can be used handheld or connected to the magnetic mount antenna. It has served us well for several trips.
  • My way of thinking is that longer range means stronger signal, stronger signal means clearer voice. I'd pick something with a saftey factor to your anticipated separation distance solely for sound quality.
  • Best bet is to install a CB radio in your DW's car.

    If you use Channel 13, most of the other people there will be RVers.
  • Don't have a CB radio but we have used the FRS radios for that purpose and they perform well in that scenario. We purchased a few sets over the years from Walmart and Camping World when they had them on sale. Latest versions have really increased range but those statements no doubt are under ideal conditions, our current set works pretty well within a 5 mile range.
  • The Motorola Motorola MR350R 35-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS has a good rating on Amazon.com
    Motorola makes several models with better pricing but shorter range.
  • Have used the Motorola Talk-abouts and they work real well up to a mile or so depending on the hills.