Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio: Review and Guide

Rockie Talkie Mountain Radios superimposed over an image of the mountains

Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio: Review and Guide

 

Hey there, fellow adventurers! If you're like us, that itch for exploration leads you to the mountains' majestic allure, where communication isn't just for chit-chat—it's downright essential.

Today, we're taking an in-depth look at a gadget designed to keep the line of communication open no matter where you find yourself: the Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio. So tighten those hiking boots and fasten your carabiner—we're going on a radio-guided exploration! 

"Not all those who wander are lost...but a reliable radio can sure help!"
~ Gandalf Greybeard's distant relative

Now we know what you're thinking, a complete guide to a two-way mountain radio? That's enough to make even the most seasoned mountaineer's head spin. But fret not, we're here to decode the technicalities. 

  • Meet the Rockie Talkie: An exclusive introduction to the Rockie Talkie Mountain radio's features.
  • Trying it Out: We put this rugged radio to the test, so no stone—pun intended—is left unturned.
  • Understanding FRS: Unfamiliar with the FRS radio system? We'll help you unravel this mystery.

Why you need Walkie Talkies

Before we step foot on this trail, it's best we get our gears aligned. So, here's the question: why might you need one of these gizmos in the first place? I'll just use my cell phone.

In the mountains, where cell service is as elusive as the yeti, a device that ensures a steady line of communication is not just a luxury, it's a necessity. After all, as much as we love the thrill of adventure, getting lost in the mountains isn't exactly on our bucket list, right?

What about communications tools for your little ones? Ages 4 and up can understand how to operate a radio. We always have radios with us on bike rides, when Jr can wind up way ahead of us and out-of-sight. Halloween just passed, it was dark, how to keep track of our kid who is mission focused on collecting as much candy as quickly as humanly possible? 

What if you want to talk to a large group all at once? You can't easily do that will a cell phone - but if you have a bunch of FRS or GMRS radios around then group communications is a breeze. 

It's even simpler with a product designed to make it as straightforward as possible, and that's why we really like the Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio and think it's the perfect tool for non-ham (and even Ham) backup communications. 


What is the Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio?

Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio sitting on top of a Maxpedition bag in the woods

Rockie Talkie is an FRS (Family Radio Service) two-way radio built specifically for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re a skier threading your way down a mountain or a hiker traversing challenging peaks, this little device has got your back. Wondering about what FRS is? We'll get into that later.

 

Maybe you've heard of it, maybe you haven't—either way, let us introduce you to the Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio. This nifty little device isn't just a quirky throwback to the days of CB radios. Nope, this is modern communication technology at its finest, designed to navigate the terrain and weather conditions of the great outdoors. And let's be honest, when cell service takes a hike, we could all use a bit more tech in our trek. 

Created for the adventurers among us, the Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio serves as a lifeline in remote, off-grid areas. Paintballing in the woods? Check. Ice climbing in the frozen tundra of the Rockies? Double check. Prepping for a scenario where standard communication might not be available? Oh yes, you bet! 

Now, consider this scenario: your GPS is lost, your cell phone turned into a pretty brick, and even Siri can't save you. What's a poor, modern-day adventurer to do? That's where the Mountain Radio comes in. The radio that can mean the difference between a dire survival story and an awesome camping experience. 

They are built to withstand harsh weather and environments and can operate at extreme temperatures of -20° to 120° fahrenheit. They are IP56 (Splash proof/Snow proof, not submergible) so you don'e have to worry about rain, just don't go for a swim with one if you can avoid it. 


Why We Love the Mountain Radio

We own a lot of radios of all sorts from a wide range of manufactures. Way, wayyyy too many radios. I have my general class ham radio license (get your technicians license, for real!) and even have a GMRS repeater setup at the house and 2 radios in all our vehicles (one VHF/UHF, one GMRS). 

What makes the Rockie Talkie Mountain Radios stand out to me, is the intuitive design. I took it out of the box and tried using it before reading the included guide, to see if I could figure out how it worked just by looking at it. 

I was able to change channels and make contact with the other radio by simply using the top "channel flipper" to first unlock the radio, then navigate to an open channel on both radios, then press the PTT (push to talk button.) It's as simple as that. 

I handed it off to the wife and kid and they had no problems using it either. 

They come with this useful guide, I decided to scan it and put it up here for you to look at, to get an idea of what the radio can do and how it works. 

Operating instructions for the Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio

Operating instructions for the Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio
*Open these images in a new tab to see them in full size. 


Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio Complete Features

Let's quickly go over some of the other important features of the radio you'll want to know before deciding if they are right for your plans. 

Battery Life

The Mountain Radios have an integrated 1550 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which uses USB C thankfully. (USB C all the things we say!)

They say you can get 4 days of use out of them, and I think that number is greatly dependent on usage - are you constantly talking, running on high power? Or using it only occasionally on low? We've only charged ours once and have used it a half dozen times, and the battery meter hasn't even dropped one bar yet. That's good news, that means that the battery they are using is high quality. 

They also offer backup batteries, which is nice if you want to carry a spare to hot-swap with you. Recharging with a small backup battery or our favorite solar panel would be a breeze. 

BTW If you buy anything with the links we provide on this page we might get a small percentage of the sale from the manufacturers end. For more info click here.

The radios come with a USB C cable and 110v plug in the box. 

Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio sitting next to a fallkniven knife on the forest floor

Range

Now this is where things get really subjective. If you have line-of-sight, meaning there is nothing but empty space between you and the radio you are communicating with, that is the optimal situation, and you can get up to 25 miles of range. 

However if you are using these radios is urban or suburban areas you are going to get much less than that: 1 to 0.5 miles in our experience. There's houses, trees, buildings, wifi, cell towers, all kinds of stuff that will mess up your signal. 

You won't really know until you test them out for yourself. They put out 2-watts of power, which is the highest legal limit for FRS radios. 

In our area we get just over a half mile, depending on the direction we head, but that's a good estimate, and we live in pretty dense suburbs (for now.)

Design

The Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio has a very unique design, and is built like a tank. It has a protective outer covering that really beefs up the rugged profile. 

The carabiner is also well built. It's a Trango Quantum Carabiner: an ultralight, fully climbing rated biner.

There is also a back-up clip and coil wire to give you a second point of contact in order to secure the radio. Very smart idea and just shows the overall attention to detail these radios have. 

They are slightly bigger that you might think. If you want to shrink them down a bit you can by removing the carabiner - but then you'd have to come up with another way to attach them to yourself - there is no belt-clip like you might see with other radios. 

Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio attached to a climbing backpack


FRS Explained

The FRS radio system, or Family Radio Service, is a two-way radio communication system that operates on a set of frequencies designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. It is primarily used for short-range communication between individuals or groups in close proximity to each other. FRS radios are commonly used for recreational activities such as hiking, camping, and outdoor adventures.

FRS radios work by transmitting and receiving radio signals over specific channels within the designated frequency range. These radios operate on a low power level, between 2 and 0.5 watts, which limits their range to a few miles. The range can vary depending on the terrain and environmental conditions.

One of the key advantages of the FRS radio system is its simplicity and ease of use. FRS radios are designed to be user-friendly, with simple controls and intuitive interfaces. They do not require any special licenses or training to operate, making them accessible to anyone. This makes FRS radios a popular choice for casual users and families who want a reliable means of communication during outdoor activities.

Another advantage of the FRS radio system is its affordability. FRS radios are relatively inexpensive compared to other communication devices such as cell phones or satellite phones. They are widely available in the market at affordable prices, making them a cost-effective option for short-range communication needs.

FRS Frequency Chart

FRS Frequency chart and power output

FRS and GMRS

You can use FRS with many GMRS radios. You can see the FRS GMRS cross over frequency chart here

For those of you who don't know GMRS is similar to FRS, but you need to purchase a license from the FCC and you get more channels, more power, and are able to use repeaters. What's cool about both FRS and GMRS radios is that for the most part they are interoperable. 

By the way, it looks like Rockie Talkie has a 5-watt, repeater capable radio coming and it looks awesome. 

About Privacy Codes

The Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio, like many other radios, allows you to use "privacy codes" which means that they transmit a sub-audible frequency while transmitting. This means the receiving radios will only "open up" if they are on the same privacy code. 

There really isn't anything private about the privacy codes. It's easy enough to pull the code being used by someone else (many radios support this) and you are still transmitting at the same frequency as the non-privacy code enabled radio is. 

It really only helps when you don't want to hear other people who might be using the same frequency that you are, but that comes with its own issues (see below). 

Our suggestion is to not use the privacy codes, that way you can not only hear the open channel, but you can know if there are other people already using it so you can switch to another channel without interference. If too many people are using the same channel with privacy codes, the channel performance can be degraded. 

Privacy codes will help however if you live in an area with a lot of RF interference. The privacy code tone should help block out any spurious noises. 

Just my 2 cents. You do what is best for your situation. 


Where To Get Them

BTW If you buy anything with the links we provide on this page we might get a small percentage of the sale from the manufacturers end. For more info click here.

Keep in mind, that the Rockie Talkie Mountain Radios sell in quantities of ones (1) so if you need a pair, you need to order two (2) radios from them. 

Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio with clips, strap and carabiner

Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio

The Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio is our award winning license-free radio designed and tested in the Colorado Rockies. Created with climbers and skiers in mind, the compact radio is suited for any rugged adventure where communication is critical.

Each comes with a 2 year warranty. Accessories available like a waterproof hand mic and extra batteries. 

$110Mountain Radio