The Colorado Great Sand Dunes, the Louisiana Bayou, eastern Montana Big Sky Country, Oregon’s Hells Canyon, the Pennsylvania Wilds – I’ve been to all of them. And guess what? None of them had any cell phone service.
I was traveling with companions during some of those trips. They drove their own vehicles. And when the signal bars disappeared, I improved communication by sticking my arm out the window and gesticulating wildly in some sort of caveman sign language.
If was smart, I would’ve had a walkie-talkie.
Backing up your RV can kill a marriage or ruin a lifelong friendship. It’s stressful, time-consuming, and – sh*t, there’s a tree there!
There’s a simple solution to this conundrum (and it’s a lot cheaper than marriage counseling): a 2-way radio, aka, walkie-talkie. In fact, walkie-talkies come with a host of other benefits. They’re great for backcountry hikes, for corralling kids, and for traveling with companions.
1. NO BARS, NO PROBLEM!
The main advantage of an RV walkie-talkie is no cellular signal is necessary. With a long-range two-way radio, you can communicate over the airwaves, no matter if you’re in Alaska, Alabama, or G-Ma’s back yard.
Even when cellular signal is nonexistent, a walkie-talkie keeps working! With a long-range two-way radio, you can communicate with your travel partner at great distances, no matter whether you’re in Tennessee or Timbuktu.
2. EASIER THAN A CELL PHONE
If you often travel in a motorcade, you might find an RV CB radio invaluable. With a 2-way radio, there’s no swiping, typing, passwords or yelling “Hey, Google!” at your phone. You just press, hold and talk.
Compare that to the alternative. Once service disappears, your only method of communication is sticking my arm out the window and wildly waving like Tom Hanks in Castaway.
And no one can claim, “Sorry, didn’t hear you call!”
Of course, using a handheld communication device while driving is not legal. A workaround is a 2-way radio headset, which you can use without taking your hands off the steering wheel. If you can’t use any communication device at all while driving, then follow the law. Pull over and park to use your walkie-talkie.
3. NIGH UNBREAKABLE
In manufacturing plants, walkie-talkie radios are the tools of choice. They can be dropped, banged, sat on or thrown across the room, and they still work. High-quality 2-way radios are IP-rated for dust- and water-resistance, and many are built to military specifications for shock and drop tests.
I’ve used lots of walkie-talkie radios in manufacturing. And I’ve dropped my radio roughly 1,524 times on the concrete floor. And it still works. These RV two-way radios are tough, durable, water- and dust-resistant.
4. EXTREME BATTERY LIFE
Unlike a smartphone, which is constantly gasping for its last breath 10% of charge, a 2-way radio battery can easily last the entire day. And best of all, while you’re using your RV walkie-talkie, you can charge your smartphone at the same time!
I don’t know about you, but my smartphone battery never seems to get above 60% when I’m traveling. I use it too much and charge too little.
If I use an RV walkie-talkie, I can A) charge my phone more and B) drain less of my phone battery!
5. NO ROAMING FEES
RV two-way radios cost the same price (that’s free) whether you’re dry camping in southwestern Utah or enjoying a Thousand Trails resort in the Midwest. No charges for out-of-country service, either. RV two-way radios cost the same amount whether you’re boondocking in British Columbia, Canada or touring the canyons of northern Mexico: $0! Can’t do better than free.
6. EMERGENCY AND WEATHER ALERTS
High-end RV CB radios come with weather update and access information. These devices can scan the Family Radio Service, which broadcasts weather alerts from NOAA. And best of all, these alerts can be accessed without a cellular phone signal!
7. FINDING LOST KIDS
I’m sort of joking, but I do seriously wonder how many hours of my childhood could have been salvaged had my mother strapped a walkie-talkie to my hip. When you need to corral kids around the campground, nothing is faster than a 2-way radio.
For that matter, some 2-way radios have ranges of more than 20 miles! That makes them perfect as an emergency option for a backcountry hike. An RV walkie-talkie isn’t just useful on the road! It really comes into its own corraling kids roaming around the campground.
For that matter, some of these 2-way radios have ranges of 20 miles or more! Why not bring them along on your backcountry hike? They just might save a life!
8. SAFER WHILE DRIVING
There’s no need to swipe, enter a PIN, press speed dial, or yell at Siri when using an RV walkie-talkie. You just hold, press, and speak. Mash n’ talk.
And best of all, no one can easily ignore your call!
Now, in many states, using a handheld communication device while driving is illegal. So be streetsmart and invest in a two-way radio headset, which allows you to listen and respond without removing your hands from the wheel.
And you can pretend you’re a fighter pilot and make airplane noises.
Psst … a walkie-talkie would have helped me almost save someone’s life, once. I tell the story at Porch.com’s roundup article, “Home Security Measures for RVs and Mobile Homes.” Check it out!
Andy Herrick is a blogging nerd, #8 Enneagram, wannabe bread baker, INTJ, RV industry professional, and small business entrepreneur. He can be found hanging out with his lovely wife and family, skiing, cycling, climbing, hiking, and convincing anyone who will listen why dogs aren’t really that great of pets. Also, he runs this website.
