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Rocky talkies
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RTs internals are nothing special but the form factor is. The lack of a screen, belt clip, and volume knob, plus durable/water resistant casing are worth the markup. The leash, battery, and preprogrammed privacy channels are also nice. I think the infrequency of them being sold used is a clear indicator of how happy the end users are. And anyone who bashes them probably hasn't given them an honest try. I picked up one during their holiday sale for $92 shipped, so not really that expensive as far as electronics/safety gear goes. And hownot2 has a perpetual 10% off deal. Plus for those who care, you're supporting a domestic company owned by climbers. |
curvenutwrote: Uhhhhh, you looking for the highest price or something? even on the dewalt amazon store its $149  |
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The DeWalt talkies are ~$140 at Lowe’s, which is still about $80 cheaper than the Rocky Talkies but 1000x higher quality: - utilizes UHF frequencies. Rocky Talkies use FRS, which is what everyone and their annoying relatives use in the Valley (have you ever tried using walkies there and just gave up because the full on conversations between tourists that are like 200ft away from each other at the base of Yos Falls, and you can’t get a single word in??). Yes, a GMRS license is $35 but it lasts like 10 years. - we use these Dewalt talkies at the cave I work at. 165’ away and a good 40’ of solid limestone between us and I can still hear my coworkers clear as day - i have dropped that same Dewalt talkie from the top of a 100’ staircase and it survived the first two times (after the third it finally broke, now we zip tie all of our walkies- my bad) - the battery lasts forever. like multiple days between charges. i know this because i always forget to return my work talkie at the end of the day (also something management has talked to me about, whoops) Honestly I’m just a massive DeWalt girlie but do with that info as you will. |
Ally Lwrote: Can Dewalt talkies also connect with the Rockies? When things get really bad and you need to communicate to other teams... |
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Please put me in hard no category for radios while climbing. I get it, it'll reduce my partner availability and I'm perfectly okay with that. If you need a radio, then I don't want to climb with you. Go ahead and hate away. But ... since I'm always interested and genuinely curious, and meant to ask during the last thread, is there a standard emergency frequency or channel? A quick google says FRS channel 3 (462.6125 MHz) or 20 (462.675 MHz), neither is official, just a potential local practice. I'd consider a single radio in my pack as part of my kit if this standard was a thing. Especially relevant in an area like RR that has so many users, with rescues or emergency situations arising nearly every weekend when the wx is nice. I'll reiterate from the previous thread, I do think radios in backcountry skiing are crucial in complex terrain, and infinitely increase safety. Cheers! |
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Do the DeWalt radios have a PL tone function? That should shut out the families lost and wandering through Upper Pines campground... Asking for a friend. Still hate the idea of these damn things. |
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Question. Would the DeWalt radios be able to communicate with back country skiers useing Rocky talkies? Let's say you have a mixed group the Rocky talkies will most likely be the standard? |
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According to Dewalt, the radios Ally mentioned use FRS (Family Radio Service) allocated frequencies - yes these are also UHF frequencies, but that isn't relevant to the "will these communicate with Rocky Talkies?" question. The FRS is actually in the Model Name/Numbers, in this case DXFRS800 The transmit frequencies - or channels - are what determines if different brands can talk to each other. FRS radios made for the US and certified by the FCC all use the same frequencies / channels - so yes these Dewalts will transmit and receive to RTs, Midlands, Retvis, etc. ANY FRS configured radios (and the expanded frequency, bandwidth, and power allowed in GMRS radios - for the first 22 channels). The taunt about not hearing families is the Valley may be empirical, but technically incorrect. |
Dave Schultzwrote: My diary entry after reading this, btw :’(  Also I thought there was an overlap in frequencies between FRS and GMRS radios, but I can take a work walkie home tonight and check that so I’m not just talking out of my ass (through a walkie talkie, of course). EDIT: yukon said it better, without my inane sass |
Ally Lwrote: sass endorsed :) |
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So Ally gets a pass for her sass, but I don’t? Sheesh. Anyway, do these radios have a PL tone that can be applied to any frequency that would shut out all the chatter (Upper Pines or otherwise)? |
apogeewrote: by the power vested in me by the great and merciful fidssfsskfuy, I hereby give a PASS for SASS to any and all mountain project contributors to this drifting thread! disclaimer: am a powerful SASS privilege grantor, but not an expert radio nerd, just have a couple. |
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I have a pair of Radtel RT12's for $30 and the heavy duty retractable keychains that I rigged to a small snap gate. the usb cable and the programming software allow me to set specific channels which I have never had any crossover or interference. They lasted years and can take a beating. Only use them if communication is going to be a bitch. but they do the job |
apogeewrote: 10 second google would give you the answer, but I got you. |
Mr Rogerswrote: So much sass.  |
Dave Schultzwrote: It's not a matter of need - there are methods used long before radios - it's a matter of making some things easier, more efficient, less intrusive, et al. Are you using thinner than an 11mm rope? What about sticky rubber shoes? Assisted braking device? Cams? All of those, at the time of introduction, had their old school detractors who felt they made things easier and degraded the challenge of climbing, using much the same logic as you. |
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I don't see how with 128 channels that you would ever have a problem finding a secure channel. The more interesting and useful feature would be if the entire back country community could agree on an emergency channel. 2018 we witnessed a skier tomohawk the entire north face of Jackson peak. There was no way to communicate with that party. If back country radios were common and had a common emergency channel that would have been a very useful feature. |
Jabroni McChufferson wrote: Because your phone always has 100% connectivity in all locations, right? |
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The privacy codes don't make it so that others can't hear you, it makes it so that you can't hear anyone without the same privacy code. From channel 23 and up, you are using the same frequency as other channels, just with a pre-programmed privacy code. For example, if you are on channel 23 you will be broadcasting at 462.5625 MHz with privacy code 12 [1]. Channel 1 also uses 462.5625 MHz but with no privacy code. This means that anyone on channel 1 will hear your conversation but you won't hear theirs. The privacy codes are just Rocky Talkies name for Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System, or CTCSS. This adds a low frequency audio tone to your transmission. If other radios are set to the same CTCSS, or have no CTCSS set, they will let your audio through. Conversely, if you have a CTCSS set and others don't, you will not hear them on your radio. [2] What all this means is that all the overlapping traffic you might be hearing is likely the result of a bunch of people on the same transmission frequency but with CTCSS turned on but you don't have any turned on for your radio. It also means that others can eavesdrop on your "private" conversations, so don't assume that if you have a "privacy code" set up that you are having a private conversation. [1] Rocky Talkie Users Manual, pg. 20 [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_Tone-Coded_Squelch_System |
Jabroni McChufferson wrote: I had 3 different partners this past summer try calling me on multi pitch climbs to communicate. It's trending |
