Walkie Talkie advice! (and a mask question too!)

littlemissfancypants · Post by **littlemissfancypants** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:59 pm

I was going to go searching for walkie talkies, but I don't really have any idea what to look for.

My friend said "Just don't get something crappy". When you've never used the technology, that concept is not quite so obvious. Aside from range, I have no idea what else is a good feature or what is a clear indicator that it's a crappy device.

So then my mom (I love her dearly, but the lady is captivated by The Shopping Channel) noticed these ones and pointed them out to me. Normally I'm extremely wary of ANYTHING bought in such a fashion (she has the crappiest DVD player on Earth I swear), but seeing as I'm in school full time and recovering from an injury, I'm lacking time to research stores myself personally.

So, would you buy these? If not, what brands/features would you recommend? Something bought within Canada would be nice, as I'm in Canada and paying variable customs charges is not really something I can afford (or want to even if I could!).

Oh, one other key item question (while I'm here and all, why start another thread? That's like paper clutter, online!): I've been advised to get a respirator mask as my friend at the 4th of Juplaya warned me it appeared to be crazy dusty this year. However when I think of "mask" I think of two extremes, those little white hospital ones, and those full crazy gas masks with the speaker in it so people can hear what you're saying. Which will be adequate for playa dust? Or are there other options available completely? I would prefer to go as cheap as possible without sacrificing function...and have no desire to incorporate a gas mask as part of my "costume". ;P

Thanks!! *heart heart*

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:17 pm

For me, I don't like walkie talkies on the Playa for us that are not Rangers.
Thats what has been great about the lack of cell phones .....
For me I don't want my campmates looking for me or telling me that I'm late for dinner... That is why it's called " Playa Time"
Like I said, For me...... It's more relaxing

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=20161

Token · Post by **Token** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:03 am

Radios - IMHO a waste of time unless you have a specific need for one, such as being a spotter for an art car etc. There is so much chatter on the bands that they become useless.

If you do chose to go with radios, the ones you linked are fine. I would make sure to get all the same brand and use the privacy codes. Read the manual and learn how to use that feature.

Get the cheapest model you can find since they are all pretty much mass produced commodity items. Popular brands are: Motorola, Audiovox, Uniden, Cobra, etc.

Masks - The simplest mask out there, and one of the most effective, is the bandanna; it works great with goggles, is easy to carry and can be a fashion accessory.

Next are the hardware store disposable particulate respirator masks, the kind you find in the paint section; white cup-like things with a couple rubber bands... These also work well for most folks. They are a bit more bulky to tote around and you don't want to just hang them on the handle bars on your bike kuz they will get dusty before you need to use them. Unlike bandannas which are rinse and reuse, these are not reusable and get stuffy fast.

Then come the reusable vapor, paint, pesticide, particulate respirators - those are the rubber bulky dual cartridge respirators that almost look like a gas mask. Unless you are a flagger for exodus or have really bad asthma, you don't need this. They provide the most protection but are big, bulky and sweaty. If not cared for will get musty and stinky right quick. I doubt you need this type of respirator.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:56 am

We took walkie talkies one year. We will never do it again. Doesn't matter how many channels you get, somebody will always be on it with you. And somebody will always use the ringing feature which drives me mad. And the endless calls of Dave? Dave can you hear me? Dave? Is that Dave? Dave? ARGH! And yes, the campmate calling you has found something cool, but so have we and we want to stay here .... Never, never again.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:34 am

That's why I'm bringing enough hose and funnels to make shouting tubes to connect around LabWerks...Olde Schoole Land Lines! Not to mention that you can also send a "beer-o-gram" with them....

Hoolie · Post by **Hoolie** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:25 am

Yeah, no matter how odd your channel combination may be, there will be several others on the same frequency. I've never listened to channel 1-1 out there, but it might be good for a laugh. I will say this though: walkie talkies are good for keeping in touch with your companions in other cars if you are caravaning to and from the event.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:31 am

Yes, but cell phones work for caravans even if you get away from each other.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:31 am

No cell phone service or pay phones from Lakeview Or. throught Cedarville to Gerlach..

We reliy on the good old CB while traveling.. They don't work real well on playa.. I think it so dry it's hard to get grond..

I have talkies in my camp gear but never found a use for them on the playa..

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:38 am

Okay, let me specify, cell phones work great on I-80 westbound. in most places. And if you have a Cb you can often chat to the cathouses.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:12 pm

3M 5000 Series half-face HEPA Respirator. My personal fave.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:28 pm

littlemissfancypants wrote:I was going to go searching for walkie talkies, but I don't really have any idea what to look for.

My friend said "Just don't get something crappy". When you've never used the technology, that concept is not quite so obvious. Aside from range, I have no idea what else is a good feature or what is a clear indicator that it's a crappy device.

So then my mom (I love her dearly, but the lady is captivated by The Shopping Channel) noticed these ones and pointed them out to me. Normally I'm extremely wary of ANYTHING bought in such a fashion (she has the crappiest DVD player on Earth I swear), but seeing as I'm in school full time and recovering from an injury, I'm lacking time to research stores myself personally.

So, would you buy these? If not, what brands/features would you recommend? Something bought within Canada would be nice, as I'm in Canada and paying variable customs charges is not really something I can afford (or want to even if I could!).

Oh, one other key item question (while I'm here and all, why start another thread? That's like paper clutter, online!): I've been advised to get a respirator mask as my friend at the 4th of Juplaya warned me it appeared to be crazy dusty this year. However when I think of "mask" I think of two extremes, those little white hospital ones, and those full crazy gas masks with the speaker in it so people can hear what you're saying. Which will be adequate for playa dust? Or are there other options available completely? I would prefer to go as cheap as possible without sacrificing function...and have no desire to incorporate a gas mask as part of my "costume". ;P

Thanks!! *heart heart*

I had radios for when I had someone at medical. So if they where released they could call and someone could go get them.
But when had bump at medical someone took my radio off my bike. So I never used radios for the rest of the week. (I had backups) Just leave it all at home.

3M 5000 Series half-face HEPA Respirator. My personal fave.

Nice..

notonmysofa · Post by **notonmysofa** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:08 pm

Went out and bought motorola radios several years back thinking we'd use tham all week out there. That has definitely not been the case, they don't get used at all. Of course we continue to bring them every year anyway.

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:58 pm

AntiM wrote: And the endless calls of Dave? Dave can you hear me? Dave? Is that Dave? Dave? ARGH!

Sounds that my wife make.....

littlemissfancypants · Post by **littlemissfancypants** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:31 pm

Well I figured radios would be easier, just so I can get in contact with the person I'm going with if necessary. Even though we'll be in a camp, we may need to get to each other.

Who knows?

Thanks Token and Isotopia for the mask details!

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:45 am

ibdave wrote:
AntiM wrote: And the endless calls of Dave? Dave can you hear me? Dave? Is that Dave? Dave? ARGH!
Sounds that my wife make.....

Want scary...

Look at Nextel's Direct Connect coverage map.

We are realy doomed.

Radios? Get a Radio Amateur License and get ham HT's. Then you can crosstune them to the FM band - I recommend 99.9 WTF...

Masks - the nice thing about the cartridge style is they can be decorated pretty kewl. But they take getting used to, and they are hot and nasty on a good day. But in a dust storm (esp, a bad one) it's kinda nice!
If I had to use one of the paper ones, I'd do a tripled bandanna first. Just my preference - those paper ones get worthless after a while, But anything is better than nothing...

bb

MrMullen · Post by **MrMullen** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:43 pm

Radios are kinda pointless on the Playa unless you are short range. Yes, there is too much traffic, so no matter what channel you are on, there will be a zillion other people. The radio power they put on the box is about half what it is in the real world, even on the Playa. My "3 Mile" radios are barely a half mile on the Playa and my other "2 Mile" radios are barely 100 yards. In fact, the only good ones are the short range ones because you don't pick up other people because they are do short range. Plus, if you turn on privacy codes, you cut your range in half.

If you really must have a radio and don't want to get a ham license or what not, get the 13 mile FRS & GMRS radio with a lot of privacy codes. I won't promise they will work but it's about the best you can do.

If you plan to stay short range (Art car safety and what not), then get low powered ones.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:40 pm

Radios vary a lot.
I haven't taken them to the playa, but the last ones I used were motorola, about $1500 each.
Clear as a bell.

MrMullen · Post by **MrMullen** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:15 pm

I did some investigation on this.

So here is what I can figure our from experience, The Internets and reading the boxes of several of these radios at Costco.

The advertised range is based off best conditions, which in the world of Motorola is hilltop to hilltop in a desert on a clear night. Being on a flat lake cuts that range in half and dense urban areas cut the range to about 1/10th of the advertised range.
So that means your 16 mile radio, is 16 miles from hilltop to hilltop in a desert on lovely spring evening. It's 8 miles on a nice clear day on a still lake. Then it's 1.6 miles in a urban environment like a downtown.

I say, at Burningman, it's about 6 miles with a 16 mile radio. The dust does a bit to the signal but it does not stop it. The event is not wider than a mile and a half, so those 16 mile radios just might work!

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 5:02 pm

Leave 'em at home, Hon...waste o' time and $$...you will not need a radio, besides you'll look like those idiots at ski resorts and you don't want to look like that. Just as bad is putting up a white picket fence around your camp...lame'o.

Miss Coolette · Post by **Miss Coolette** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:36 am

What about just to use on Monday afternoon for arrival?

misfit · Post by **misfit** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:16 am

miss C, thats about what they're good for, (finding those late arrivals)...

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:20 am

Miss Coolette wrote:What about just to use on Monday afternoon for arrival?

I'm sorry, Walkie Talkies are only to be used during the hour of 6am-6:06 am.

If seen using them outside of that time you will be flogged...

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 1:46 pm

A flogging! Is there going to be a flogging?

At a certain point, the number of people using these "family band" radios becomes so great that they're only good for entertainment. Many people set them up as their personal radio broadcast stations, for ranting, singing, whatever. Anything but useful communication.

JediDale · Post by **JediDale** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 2:02 pm

Tis my belief that radios sould be for those who need them, not those who
want them! Obviously, people who have health issues may need to stay in contact with others in their tribe. I believe that Burning Man is about getting away from the default world (And it's need for instantaneous communication with the world constantly) for a while, and getting to relax somewhat.

Genuinely,

JediDale Of Reno

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:45 pm

Dont worry about walkie talkies..Id use a Megaphone...or..if your group gets separated..here's what my camp does..we all shout "Tom Jones!" until we find each other...works brilliantly! Bring a bandana...and a dual filter respirator...keep them both with you always! While their are some firm non-believers, it is actually very dusty up their. Peace!

Walkie Talkie advice! (and a mask question too!)

Walkie Talkie advice! (and a mask question too!)

Re: Walkie Talkie advice! (and a mask question too!)

for arrival

Re: for arrival

Radios on the Playa