Are these Radios legit...?

[AJMD429]

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These are advertised as able to communicate long distances, but no mention of repeaters I can see.
So it looks like they are using existing cellular infrastructure as repeaters.
They say it won't "bog down" in a crisis like cellphones do, because "it's an entirely different technology"...ok, so if that's the case, how does it use existing cellular infrastructure 'differently'...?
Maybe I'm missing something...

https://rapidradios.com/products/rapid- ... kie-talkie

[GunnyMack]

I'm not sure if they are cellular or satellite, we were talking about these on the job one day, great idea for poor service areas, after these past two hurricanes they are a great idea.

[JimT]

Range of Rapid Radios

The range of Rapid Radios varies based on factors such as terrain, obstacles, and the particular model used. Generally, a 6-foot high antenna on both ends (for transmitting and receiving) has a maximum range of around 6 miles.

However, real-world performance changes due to local conditions. Things such as buildings, hills, and vegetation can lower the effective range.

Rapid Radio Cost
Description Cost
Initial buy cost per Rapid Radio unit $200
A one-time charge for a SIM card and one year of service per radio $50
Annual service renewal per radio after the first year $50/year
Monthly fees or subscription fees No
Pricing Details Rapid Radio

How Do Rapid Radios Work?

Rapid Radios operates as the next generation of instant, high-speed, and secure two-way radio communications for both voice and data.
How Do Rapid Radios Work?

Enabled Devices: These are the devices through which users interact with the Rapid Radio system.
RAPID Command: This refers to the commands sent by users to the Rapid Radio system.
RAPID Network: Rapid Radio uses existing public cellular networks, private network Wi-Fi, or Ethernet connections to send communications.
Radio over the Internet: Data calls are securely transferred to and from the Rapid Server using a series of protocols.
RAPID Server: The Rapid Server hosts the software and data securely on selected AWS (Amazon Web Services) infrastructure.

https://reviewdiv.com/rapid-radios-review/

[JimT]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFQu3Pscq7M

These are a cellphone radio. The video is worth watching if you are interested in these radios.

[jeepnik]

Geesh! Spend some time, get a technician's license and buy an appropriate shortwave set. A bit of studying and you can upgrade the license.

I did note that licensed operators were complaining about unlicensed folks broadcasting on shortwave bands after both hurricanes.

I suppose they have a point from a legal standpoint. But if someone is cut off, needs help and it's the only way to communicate, shut up and just help.

[AJMD429]

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The thing is, I have a Technician Ham License, but in terms of practicality, that doesn’t help me get in touch with non-geeky family or friends, who need plug-and-play type gear. And even if the other party is a radio-person, the need to have pre-agreed frequencies and times of contact and code phrases for security makes things difficult from a practical standpoint.

And if one wants to use repeaters of the Ham type, the complexity gets crazy (at least unless you do it all the time as a hobby, versus relying on it more as a contingency), versus the automatic way the cellular repeater network works.

On the other hand if the repeater or cellular network is down, it’s back to having to pre-agree on contact times and frequencies and so on, which very few non-hobbyists are going to do.

If (and maybe a big if) the advertising is truthful, the ability to take advantage of the automated encryption and automatic routing via existing cellular infrastructure could be a boon for long distance family communications, at least IF (the other big if) the cell towers were still running.

If they are down then it regardless of equipment, long distance communication would be ham-to-ham only, and they may get lots of trade goods in exchange for relaying messages to others and coaching others how to do local communication using those Baofengs they have stashed in their bugout gear but have never used.

[Bronco]

Looking at one review stated that they need cell service for long distance !

[AJMD429]

Looking at one review stated that they need cell service for long distance !

It looks like they are using the existing cellular repeater (‘tower’) network. Not sure what the basis for the claim is if they get through heavy traffic unless they are using some sort of different ‘packet’ technology that might take advantage of lulls in exchange for slight delays or maybe contractually can shift more nimbly between frequencies, than ordinary cell phones…?

Also not clear on local peer-to-peer communication what range they would have (I’m betting kind of line-of-sight).

I have a radio-knowledgeable friend I’ve asked and I’ll post what I find out.

[Wiresguy]

This is an informative thread about these on a popular ham radio site:

https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?thread ... ow.929267/

Post #6 I think covers the explanation very well.

[AJMD429]

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Thanks, WIresguy - that link was educational.

Sounds like for the money a satellite phone would work better, in more places, and although it depends on infrastructure, it doesn't depend on infrastructure that weather or earthquakes would affect. An EMP would knock out satellites, but would knock out everything anyway. Weather or earthquakes or power outages wouldn't affect satellite phones, though, but would mess with these radio/phones.

The challenge for many folks is that they ONLY have cellphones now (not even land-lines, which are still dependent on much of the same infrastructure). So if a hurricane or earthquake or terrorist hits, they are without communication totally.

If they have GMRS stuff they can communicate in a 'public' forum within a mile or two, and if they have fancier stuff maybe 5 miles or so, but that is all public and I don't think the people who just bought a couple Baofengs or whatever and put them in the 'emergency closet' realize that those radios are pretty much useless unless:

> you learn how to use them - and they are very complex versus most gadgets people are used to
> you know what frequencies are 'taken' and which ones you are allowed to use
> you have pre-agreed-upon times and frequencies to get together with your contacts
> you know the repeater settings that apply (and the repeaters are up and running), or you are very near and on flat ground

I have talked to gun owners and 'prepper' type folks who have all the stored food and water and stuff, and have some radios, but just assume that when bad stuff happens, they can just pick up the radio, dial a number, and chat with their cousin who lives twenty miles away.

I did go so far as to get a 'technician' license about 20 years ago, and still remember some of the 'theory' and regulations, but in terms of actually turning on a radio and contacting anyone, I've only done it twice, with a buddy who was an experienced HAM operator. He passed away, and the only other thing I've managed to do 'radio-wise' is for a few years I had the frequencies used by local storm-chasers, and the settings of the local repeaters that they used. However, the local 'meeting place' for area HAMs was a hobby store and whenever I went in there to ask questions they were very snobbish, and it clearly wasn't a place for anyone who wasn't part of the in-crowd. Very disappointing. I can only imagine how it would be if a crisis hit and a bunch of 'newbies' who knew little to nothing about radios were to try to pry practical information from that crowd.

I work 70 plus hours a week still (down from over a hundred a year ago) so participating in a church or other social group that SHOULD be prepping with communications hasn't been possible, and my church-friends say that nobody there is really interested in anything but storing food and stuff like that, to distribute to needy people with hard times happening. I know some churches do have very organized 'disaster preparedness' groups with their members, and I hope for our nation's stability that they ARE including radio communications, because it sure isn't something you can just pick up after reading an instruction manual (that is probably translated from Chinese anyway... ).

If someone DID make a 'beginner-proof' radio system that would allow people 10-20 mile communication, even if not encrypted and even if 'public', it would be helpful in emergencies, even if not ideal. I guess that the old-fashioned CB radios some people have might serve that purpose reasonably well. I remember a friend had one and would talk to people 10-20 miles away when travelling, though of course it was very public conversation. They were mostly talking traffic and weather though, so no big deal.
It seems like technology could have bridged the gap somehow between the CB radio and the complex dual-band transceivers that seem so difficult to get competent with.

We as gun owners decry the folks who buy a Glock or AR or whatever, a box of ammo, maybe make one trip to a shooting range, fumble through the manual-of-arms, then stick it in their closet and assume they will be able to use it competently when some social chaos endangers their family. But compared to modern communication equipment, guns are pretty basic and easy to learn.

[Wiresguy]

Well said, Doc. I think the best solution for those unwilling or unable to pass the 35 question written exam for the Technician license would be GMRS.

A group of Tech licensed individuals could be well served by a basic 2 meter radio with prearranged frequencies. Something like the Icom V-86, which also receives NOAA weather stations (would those even be on the air in a true bad times ?) and has an available AA battery pack to replace/supplement the original rechargeable battery. All in for around $150.

I can identify with your description of the snobbish attitude you encountered. I was first licensed in high school in 1962. That license lapsed and I was relicensed as a General class in 2000. The old guys in the small town I was living in didn’t want anything to do with the “new guy.” About a year later when I upgraded to Extra a couple of them called me to help them with problems they were having. Yeah…

While NC gets all the news coverage, far eastern Tennessee received substantial damage from Helene. A new Tech with an inexpensive radio was able to help his community:

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/little- ... d-friends/

As to faith groups, the Salvation Army has their Emergency Radio Network https://www.satern.org/ and the Texas Baptist Men had one as well. I’m not a member of either, but point out that they are resources.

I doubt this reply provided any solutions, but maybe food for thought.

[Grizz]

i've been an off-and on ham since school days. ham radio has a big footprint in disasters, and usually there are plenty operators around providing comms, including relaying phone calls over radio. of course, if all that has gone d e i, like the airlines and air traffic control and surgeons, etc. then all bets are off.

grizz

Big P.S. any and all radios and radio frequencies are legal to use in an emergency, by anybody, if it's the only comms available. and it's a real emergency. and a CB radio is your friend if you need the 11 meter bounce, + good local comms.

it seems to be a problem these days to have equipment that's so technical and so over regulated. but tune around the HF BANDS any more and they sound just as rude as CB sometimes. a 5 crystal AM HF radio should be able to get someone's attention.

P.P.S forgot to mention marine vhf. there are millions of them around, can connect you directly with a government agency tasked with blowing up some boats and saving others. with a properly grounded vertical I've gotten 50 nautical mile conversations with other boats aided by knife-edge refraction and other niceties of those frequencies. same applies to 2 M. everyone seems to be yoked to repeaters, but they will go away fast in the right wrong conditions.

in a real emergency, there need to be listeners and scanner radios that cover a lot of band width. sometimes a guy in east germany could hear me better than someone on the same general area I was in...

[jeepnik]

Like water purification you can't rely on a single method. Currently, I have cell, GMRS, CB and shortwave. I ditched my landline because if the infrastructure is severely damaged (earthquake being our biggest concern) it likely won't work anyway.

I do have a buttinski but my days of pole climbing are over.

[Grizz]

this reminds me of Boost Mobile that provided radio type comms. They were perfect for cross-border conversations from stateside into northern baja. i think they covered all over Mx but not certain. Great for checking in for list add-ons before returning to Mx, or to coordinate getting someone sick or injured to Cruz Rojo. that only lasted a few years.