Rapid Radio - an interesting concept.

[RVTECH]

I just learned of this tonight while listening to a HAM tech net.

Basically a handheld radio that uses the cellular system. Kind of like that Nextel cell phone many years ago.

I can see the practicality of this with families & friends who want to communicate as an alternative to cell phones.

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[AshWilliams]

Interesting. Basically $50 annually per radio.

 

[DirectDrive]

The handsets are expensive (IMO) and you need cell service for it to work.
For those reasons, I'm out.

 

[kmk1012]

It's like Sprint from the late 90's into the 2000's all over again!!!

 

[albin25]

If/when the cell towers are out of commission, you're gonna need a radio to communi….. oh wait… uhhhh… hmmmm…. ???

Never mind

 

[RVTECH]

If/when the cell towers are out of commission, you're gonna need a radio to communi…..

This is true however and I was watching a couple reviews on these it was mentioned due to the differences in cell phones and these radios they can utilize the cell systems even if cell phones are not functioning on it.

It was also mentioned that the cell systems are actually pretty reliable and robust, and often when cell service is 'out' its often an issue with the service provider and not the cell tower system - as In a recent 'outage' of many cell phones in S. Central Oregon.

Obviously they are not perfect (nothing is) and will NOT work in a complete cell system failure but I can see a lot of practical uses for them OTHER than in 'survival' or SHTF situations.

 

[arakboss]

Will they work with Starlink system?

 

[RVTECH]

Will they work with Starlink system?

I don't know but one of the reviews the guy stated they use ALL cell servers and the internet.

Heck watch a couple, they were short and to the point. I found it moderately interesting.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I think all the cool kids use chatbots now.

 

[edzz]

No monthly fees ever. just a small annual fee.

We cover those costs by charging $50/year per radio after the first year

No mention (that I could find) of weight.

100% AMERICAN OWNED BUSINESS[ We are an American company, located in Michigan! The parts are sourced from Asia, and all radios are programmed and shipped from Michigan.

So... made in china

OK as I understand it these radios will function as long as the company survives than they become paper weights. Once the company's contract for cellular service goes away, useless.

Nice web page however somewhat deceptive IMHO.

 

[RVTECH]

No mention (that I could find) of weight.

cell phone or lighter one compared it to.

One nice thing about them is you and other users can set up your own 'network' and only those allowed in can use it.

Nice web page however somewhat deceptive IMHO.

A little , I agree but then I learned Rapid Radio wasn't the only company that has these, so they might have a following. Heck Motorola has them, or at least their name on them.

 

[Stomper]

I think all the cool kids use chatbots now.

Is that one of them there inflatable "realistic" Chatty-Cathy jobbies?









Don't answer that.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Is that one of them there inflatable "realistic" Chatty-Cathy jobbies?









Don't answer that.

I was going to add to, comment or qualify my post but decided to not.
Dystopia is sad.

 

[Stomper]

I was going to add to, comment or qualify my post but decided to not.
Dystopia is sad.

Yep.... dystopia bites. Too bad it doesn't lick, instead.... we'd REALLY have something then!

 

[Camelfilter]

There's a guy on Snipers Hide building up some crazy comm devices which can do GPS, text, talk and such amongst themselves without any network(s)-ie totally off grid. Plus they are encrypted. Way over my head technology wise, however pretty darned interesting.

Not going to link in (another forum). The thread is: IP/Lora Mesh/ATAK/Off-grid encrypted comms device
, if folks wish to search out themselves.

Be forewarned that forum has a TON of scammers watching it. To the point that if you post to a classified "I'll take it" or "We want x number of whatever" there is a good chance a scammer will spoof the original seller in a PM response to you with there zelli (or whatever electronic $$ transfer info), take your money then disappear...

 

[RVTECH]

Yea it's almost overwhelming what is going on in the word of radio. With all the digital this and that, alternative ways to 'talk' on the radio, messaging etc. it's hard to keep up so I DON'T.

When I got into ham 3 years ago I was not entirely 'ignorant' of it - I just never expected that there would be so many alternative methods of using radio IE as opposed to Mike and antenna.

Now, having looked into some of these 'alternatives' it is MY opinion many of them are not really practical, difficult to use and counterproductive. About the only one I see that seems to be fairly practical and is used by quite a few is the EchoLink system with which one can use the internet to access a repeater and talk using their phone.

 

[DirectDrive]

My litmus test is, "If the grid goes down, will it still work ? "
The answer seems to be "No" for most of these devices.

 

[Mark W.]

When I drove School bus we used the Nextel radio phone system. And you could either talk direct to one or a small group or to everyone.

That everyone got almost anyone in trouble more then a couple times..LOL One driver talking about another etc.

 

[kopcicle]

The handsets are expensive (IMO) and you need cell service for it to work.
For those reasons, I'm out.

^^^^^^^^^

Crippled crap on a cracker, Just take the test, pay the alphabet agency the extortion fee and join in. 27 of 35 questions gets you in. Another 27 of 35 gets you on HF.

And you thought firearms could punch a hole in your wallet...