Backcountry Radios -- experience, recommendations, questions

[goldenboy]

My $20 Cobra radios from walmart have been working great for years. I haven't figured out a reason to get BCA's that break all the time or spend hours figuring out Baofangs or paying a bunch more for the Rocky Talkies that are pretty much the same thing.

[LeeLau]

Which Baofengs are recommended? The one 10yo Motorolas I have need to be replaced.

I use the U5VR and bought some whip ( ie longer ) antennaes for use for more range. Have 6 that I use and loan out to groups. They're working fine. Program easily using Chirp.

I've used Icom, Kenwood, Vertex/Yaesu, Wouxun and had comparable success /reliability vs the Baofengs.

[frorider]

Two thumbs up for Rockie Talkie. Used it a bunch last season on hill and on the river. Solid, simple, great battery in cold, and now the corded mic (already ordered).

Been happy with our rocky talkies. I don’t notice it on my pack strap (doesn’t flap around at all once you figure out best way to attach) and the battery life is far better than the Midlands I had before. Main advantage is the UI is better than the cheaper radios I’ve happened to use.

From what I’ve read they go on sale for $80 occasionally.

[Lindahl]

Interesting. This is the design I’m referring to. Broke two of them and they replaced both. My buddy who has a pair had one fail. Now I either use voile strap or electrical tape.

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Yeah, I haven't had issues with that design yet. Must be the way they're sitting in the packs? Mine is sorta sandwiched on each side, since I run a small pack and everything sort of fits just right.

[thefrush]

Had the BCA 1.0, 2.0, and now Rocky Talkies. The BCAs were great in concept, terrible in execution. The 1.0 had ergonomic issues with the mic that caused me to regularly inadvertently turn the channel dial, causing me to unknowingly lose contact with my group for unknown amounts of time. I wised up and eventually set channels A-D as the same to avoid this. They fixed it with the redesign of the mic on the 2.0 but both the 1.0 and the 2.0 broke at the connection from the mic to the main radio unit, simply from being in my pack. 0 stars. Now much happier with the Rocky Talkies. Better battery life, range, durability. Excited to get the new external mic as well.

[goldenboy]

Great discussion on backcountry radios on the San Juan Snowcast Podcast (Season 2, Episode 6). It talks about channels 8+ having much more limited range, which I never knew (although it is mentioned upthread), among other considerations.

[alfajores]

JFC dude. You are telling someone who owns Yaesu and Kenwood HTs that what they really need to do is buy a used Baefang so they can use GMRS?

It's like telling someone who rides Yetis, Transition, Intense, DPS, Iggys, and Folsoms that what they really should do is go down to Walmart and buy a Huffy and some pink strap on kid's skis.

You have no clue.

Well, I think what you are missing here is licensing and cost. I am advising someone who was told to use Yaesu that the extra cost, the need to get a HAM license (time and money), and the increased clarity/signal-to-noise ratio will be less advantageous than the benefits of going this route over a BCA or RockyTalkie. Additionally, having your peers also make this commitment is a hard swallow, especially if you ride with several different groups like I do. Before you jump on the "you can use HAM radios on GMRS" response, we all know you can. Should you? Would you actually advise anyone to do this knowing the worst case scenario if they get sniped by someone on a radio foxhunt? I wouldn't but maybe my risk tolerance is a but lower than you. I would hate to get roped into any drama there.

I appreciate your incredible over reaction as it is what keeps TGR entertaining, but as someone that only rides Ibis, On3p, and DPS, I think one look at my quiver and gear room and you would appreciate that I am coming from a place of diminishing returns. You can happily spend more and grab a Wouxun GMRS radio to gain all the benefits of the aforementioned Yaesu and Kenwood radios, but keep your licensing clear. I haven't seen enough value add to advise anyone to spend $200 on a radio where a $50 radio outperforms the RockyTalkie and BCA for purposes of use within 5 miles with obstructions.

I think I have some clues. Maybe too many.

For your entertainment, I wanted to share a funny video of someone reviewing a Walmart mountain bike. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UmOzPopJNE

[alfajores]

I use the U5VR and bought some whip ( ie longer ) antennaes for use for more range. Have 6 that I use and loan out to groups. They're working fine. Program easily using Chirp.

I've used Icom, Kenwood, Vertex/Yaesu, Wouxun and had comparable success /reliability vs the Baofengs.

Makes sense to me. Did you find that you had better signal-to-noise on the Yaesu/Wouxun with superheterodyne vs Baofeng? I recognize that when trying to hit repeaters, this is where Baofeng tends to get muddy but in day-to-day use, did you notice? Generally, in CO, we don't often get much interference in the backcountry and the value has not shown itself in mixed groups where peers are using lower-powered radios.

[alfajores]

LOL. In my opinion unless you're an expert, want to fuck around with your radios, or are on a huge budget just get the Rockie Talkie or BCA 2.0. They're expensive for a reason, like why iPhones took off and Windows Mobile sucked ass.

God, Windows Mobile 6 was

I did try Windows Phone and wish they had some Apps. It is still my favorite UI. Got a free phone through a connection at T-Mobile to play with as they were ending those products.
Recent review of Windows Phone in 2021

[doebedoe]

I love Seths Bike Hacks -- even if I don't MTB anymore.

FWIW, I still like my Rocky Talkies a few years after starting this thread. They go BC skiing, on backcounty canoe trips, car camping with friends, skiing inbounds with family. They do it all pretty well.

I've had several blister pack radios. They just aren't the same quality. Yeah maybe they have same specs re:wattage and frequencies and all that jazz. But that doesn't mean the product is the same from a user experience perspective. It's got better-quality audio than any blister I've had. It's got better battery retention in the cold. It's clip and leash system works well and is secure across a wide range of applications. It's less obtrusive than my patrol radio in a harness or a vest and I ski perfectly fine with that. And at the end of the day, 95% of folks I know who ski in the BC with a radio show up with a FRS-style radio: generally link / Rocky or blister pack. I don't want to be the person trying to train someone on a new radio at the TH or make them figure out how to carry some radio I give them (unless they have no radio...and then Rocky I hand them is about as idiot proof as possible.)

I don't have ownership experience with the BCA product. But they seem about as nice. Some people like the one piece design, some like the mic. Personally I like the one piece on my should strap and less cords to faff with.

I had a battery issue with one...potentially caused by draining it 0 and then leaving it uncharged for several weeks. They overnighted a replacement and sent me a discount code if i wanted to update to the newer gen.

[summit]

Before you jump on the "you can use HAM radios on GMRS" response, we all know you can. Should you? Would you actually advise anyone to do this knowing the worst case scenario

That is exactly what YOU are telling people to do.

You were telling someone who already had high quality HAM HTs to get a Boefang in order to use GMRS. That's fucking dumb as shit.

The Boefangs UV radios that everyone has are, if they have any type acceptance from FCC, Part 90 radios (business). They are not GMRS/FRS (Part 95) radios. So it is technically illegal ($10K fine) to use Boefangs for GMRS/FRS whether or not you have a license that nobody cares about unless you seriously and repeatedly fuck up. No different, legally, for a Kenwood/Yaesu HAM HT vs a Boefang. You can read about the FCC crackdown triggered by the BOefang radios here.

I'm not telling anyone to get a HAM HT (Part 97) or a HAM license so they can talk on amateur bands. I'm telling (American) people to get a GMRS radio, a cheap one like a Midland/Cobra/Moto, or pricey one with features like a Rockytalky, and not worry about whether they have a good copy or a crappy copy of a Boefang that they have to figure out how to program or get an appropriate antenna for.

If you already have a fancy $300 HAM HT, nobody cares if you are appropriate on GMRS/FRS as you probably know what you are doing because you are already a licensed HAM if you own such a thing and you've probably got a SWR meter and the right antenna, and programmed the appropriate transmit power for the appropriate channels. Nobody should buy something like that specifically for GMRS/FRS.

FWIW I have a VX-7R, some Motorolas, Midlands, and Boefangs. The Boefang's have the worst reliability and are the hardest to use. I've used BCAs (don't like, they break and switch channels) and RockyTalkys (fantastic radios, they are just pricey).

Back to you sorting out your little box of clues...

[alfajores]

That is exactly what YOU are telling people to do.

You were telling someone who already had high quality HAM HTs to get a Boefang in order to use GMRS. That's fucking dumb as shit.

Back to you sorting out your little box of clues...

I see where you are confused in my statement. The clue you are missing is that the UV-9G is not a HAM Baofeng radio. It is an FCC licensed GMRS radio with 5W and does not transmit on all the HAM frequencies. Hope that clears things up for you.

[summit]

I see where you are confused in my statement. The clue you are missing is that the UV-9G is not a HAM Baofeng radio. It is an FCC licensed GMRS radio with 5W and does not transmit on all the HAM frequencies. Hope that clears things up for you.

It does. I apologize.

[LeeLau]

Makes sense to me. Did you find that you had better signal-to-noise on the Yaesu/Wouxun with superheterodyne vs Baofeng? I recognize that when trying to hit repeaters, this is where Baofeng tends to get muddy but in day-to-day use, did you notice? Generally, in CO, we don't often get much interference in the backcountry and the value has not shown itself in mixed groups where peers are using lower-powered radios.

In day to day use in the backcountry, in the mountains; I didn't see a noticeable difference whether using whips, stock or stubby antennas. Even in frontcountry (resort) use I haven't noticed a difference. Anecdotally I know that Baofengs have consistency/QA issues with some friends having radios that mysteriously cease working. Perhaps it's just luck on my side but I haven't had that experience.

[alfajores]

In day to day use in the backcountry, in the mountains; I didn't see a noticeable difference whether using whips, stock or stubby antennas. Even in frontcountry (resort) use I haven't noticed a difference.

Interesting. I may try some stubbys to see if I can improve packability of the radios in my application. Using that weird pocket in the middle of my airbag where the balloon is all around and put it next to my thermos of miso. The short whip sometimes has to bend to clear the zipper depending on whatever is going on. Stubby would be a non-problem.

Anecdotally I know that Baofengs have consistency/QA issues with some friends having radios that mysteriously cease working. Perhaps it's just luck on my side but I haven't had that experience.

Are most of them using the UV-5 series? Honestly, the build quality on those that I have seen have been poor. I know some companies have them spec'd out a bit nicer, but I haven't used one. Rugged Radios on that platform seem nice, but you lose all the value in their price.

The UV-9G is mil spec water resistant and really nice build quality. I ordered two and one came DOA. They sent another one and it is bulletproof. So far the two I am using are working flawlessly (2 out of 3 perfect?). I have even spilled miso all over one of them and it works as expected. One thing I am looking for is handmic with a light to indicate it is receiving. I ride with a couple deaf skiers sometimes and want to build out a visual cue for them to know we are trying to talk. Then they can turn on their implants as needed to save battery. If anyone has seen one using the waterproof connector, let me know. Otherwise, I am going to tear one down and try to build it with an LED array. Maybe an RGB disco handmic?

[alfajores]

It does. I apologize.

All good. I suspected you and I were on the same page to some extent.

[::: :::]

Small necro bump, but Rocky Talkie is coming out with a waterproof hand mic. Not full feature parity with BCA's hand mic, obviously, but brings them a bit closer.


https://rockytalkie.com/products/waterproof-hand-mic

Received mine recently. Mic works as expected.

Wondering if the port closure tab is intended to just cantilever out there, or if it can be pulled off in such a way as to reinstall later

[Ørion]

Received mine recently. Mic works as expected.

Wondering if the port closure tab is intended to just cantilever out there, or if it can be pulled off in such a way as to reinstall later

Yeah, that port cover seems to be a design overlook on their part. Thankfully it doesn't seem to get in the way that much when shoved into a backpack pocket.

[::: :::]

I sent a note to customer service to ask the same.
Searching around online, I did see someone say the blue rubbery cover is removable. So I’m guessing, if I can get that off without over stretching it, I might find that port cover can be removed. I don’t want to tear or stretch the cover tho cuz i like the durability for bumping around. Cover seems pretty tight…

[::: :::]

I sent a note to customer service to ask the same.

followup
RT CS says don't remove the tab - that might subvert the water resistance of the unit esp when not using the hand mic accessory
they said in their testing they had no issues in a backpack or clipped onto a person or backpack
if it does break, they'll warranty the unit

[AlpiNord]

followup
RT CS says don't remove the tab - that might subvert the water resistance of the unit esp when not using the hand mic accessory
they said in their testing they had no issues in a backpack or clipped onto a person or backpack
if it does break, they'll warranty the unit

Thanks for looking into this. I was wondering the same.

[1000-oaks]

The blue cover is easy to remove.

[bio-smear]

The Boefang's have the worst reliability and are the hardest to use.

I have 2 UV-5Rs that both seem to function properly, haven't had any reliability issues. Used em for paragliding and mobile ham geekery but...I would never hand this radio someone who wasn't familiar with typical 2m radio config bullshit.

I recently upgraded our skiing walkies and got the Moto T600 with speaker mics. I feel like a pimp waiting for my heli extraction at the 500 vertical midwestern resort.

[LHutz Esq]

Has anyone tried these?:

https://baofengradio.ca/products/pof...nnels-built-in

Forgive the jong question - but are the 22 BCA radios using the same frequencies such that I could communicate with friends using those or are these more a kin to the Walmart walkie talkies?

Thanks

[doebedoe]

Looking at the remote mic for the RT and I have to say...I just don't get it. I know people like the two piece config, but the hand mic appears to be 80% the size of the main unit.

Is it really that much less obtrusive than the main unit on your shoulder strap? Enough to justify extra cost, extra weight, extra fucking around / cords /etc?