What in the world is a Rocky Talkie? Why is it the best? Unboxing a great little radio.

I love the Rocky Talkie and let me show you why. (Not a sponsored video)
Useful links:
Buy your very own Rocky Talkie here: rockytalkie.px...
Rocky Talkie's instructional video: • How to use the Mountai...
Rocky Talkie's instruction manual where you can find the DCS and CTCSS codes to enable you to talk with radios of other brands: cdn.shopify.co...
Midland DCS and CTCSS codes for cross reference (page 27-28): midlandusa.com...
What in the world are DCS and CTCSS codes?: www.k0tfu.org/...

[@t33lossin]

Thank you for this review. I am GMRS licensed and looking for quality and value in a backup/emergency comm. Ordering 2 now.

[@greghaff229]

FCC ID: list this radio as around 730 mW, while the company claims 2 watts. Most GMRS HTs put out about 4.0 to 5 watts.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

your range is two miles and that is it 1/2 watt f c c rules the gmrs side is where the 35 mile range is using radio towers middlen does make a radio for off roading at 20 watts for your four a t v

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

my radio's are 1/2 watt on family service and full five watts on hand held with a 45 watt back up base

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

you are both wrong G M R S is 5 watts on a hand held I run a 45 watt base going into a 60 watt repeater.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

@@greghaff229 5 watt on handhelds

[@xeroblastx]

I bought 5 rocky talkies and 5 mics and 5 backup batteries from watching your video… YOU SHOULD BE SPONSORED! 😅

[@AdventureCruiser]

I sure hope Rocky Talkie heard that! Ha ha, thank you. I’m so glad you bought what you did, I’ve bought 6 myself and regularly pick them rather than my expensive Motorolas when I hand them out to friends and family.

[@kildli]

I been looking for walkie talkie for basic overland communication back country outdoor activities and this seem perfect. Looked at midland gsmr, but having to charge via docking station is huge negative for me.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

the family servce side of the frs gmr side is 1/2 watt gmrs is 5 watts that is the side I am on I got my license in june I also bought my 45 watt base radio all my gear is from rugged radio I am tied in to 6 repeters all linked to gether thay cover three countys and 6 citys my base would mount in a side by side four wheeler an perform the same.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

the F C C told us we had to go down to one repeater so we shut down 5 or lowered there power out put.

[@greghaff229]

This radio is a SOC type (system on a chip) and a Wouxum KG-805F is a superheterodyne receiver. Both radios are FRS and in the $100 - $110 price range.

[@AdventureCruiser]

This is fascinating information, can you please share what the major differences are? This is new to me.

[@greghaff229]

@@AdventureCruiser Super Het radios, the received signal is filtered. There is a lot more to it than that, but that is an easy answer. Back to your video, nice your radio came in a box, mind came in a bubble bag. A US company out of? You can say the same thing about Midland, Btech, etc. Based in America, but sellers of Chinese radios. How about a Rocky Talkie vs Radioddity GM-30 video? One is what it is, and one will save your life. I do like your workbench setup.

[@greghaff229]

For some reason, I'm able to set channels 8-14 (.5 watts) to high power (2 watts). This goes against FCC rules.

[@AdventureCruiser]

@@greghaff229 strange, mine doesn’t do that. I’d be curious to see what their actual output is.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

but thay won't work farther than two miles tops do to 1/2 watt ruling by the f c c it is a short range radio

[@cypherf0x]

You can technically do 25 miles with a Rocky Talky but that involves being on a big hill with a direct line of sight to the other hill. It's not a common situation, but it can happen. Half a mile to 5 miles is more realistic to expect depending on terrain and vegetation.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

on family serice which it is on out of the box your at 1/2/ watt switch over to repeter ch 15 put in repeter 15 es pl tone now your in 5 watts in pit to the repeter and go out at 10 for 20 miles. I own a license that is why I know get in to the gmrs net and talk to chicago

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

this is what involves a CD ROM to program the radio and a pL tone to a G M R S tower near you then call the F C C to get your license then you can talk to me as I am W R X N 824 minnesota

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

if you put in a PL tone to a tower then you five watt radio goes in at 5 watts comes out at 60 watts on a 150 ft tower and your talking 20 miles I do 45 watts in and come out 60 watts for 20 miles and I live in an apartment I am 200 ft up on a hill on the 12 floor I see the trees meet the sky tower is 15 miles away nothing be tween me and the tower but AIR.

[@JoseRFloridaPureFishing]

just received my, going to be using it on a Alaska RV trip. and like you said in you video they are well made .thank you for the the good info.

[@AdventureCruiser]

I’m thrilled to hear it, safe travels and have a wonderful adventure.

[@JoseRFloridaPureFishing]

@@AdventureCruiser thank you

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

you also need to know that you have a two mile range restricksen do to your radio uses 1/2 watt on family service F C C RULES

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

in a car you signel will drop by 1/2 as you are transmitting out of a can the frame of the car will stop your circle.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

rember at 5 watts you get 5 miles between radios that is it simplex

[@StormsRadiosCats]

I feel really passionate about this radio. Throws radio down on bench lol

[@GospelOutside]

😅

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

your still at one half of a watt and two miles tops just the same be cous it is restred by the f c c for short range use over on g m r s that is where the 35 miles comes from through repeters set the rockie up on gmrs then your talking.

[@ferreiragunderson5027]

As a flagger I've been shopping forever (it feels) for a GOOD radio that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. This seems perfect. Hah I really appreciate the mention of privacy codes btw! Never heard of that before now and will absolutely appreciate not hearing everybody else's garbage noise or having to shuffle through channels to find an empty one in the morning.

[@StormsRadiosCats]

Always keep in mind, privacy tones keep you from hearing stations you don't want to, however they can hear your transmissions. Unless of course the turn on privacy tones too.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

SORRIE you privacy channel only prevents other people talking to you that is the meaning of that on a1/2 watt you limited to two miles only becouse THE f c c has rules he does not know I am license radio W R X N 8 2 4 so I know

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

thay will still hear you

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

BUT WE CAN STILL HEAR YOU so not privet

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

THAY WILL ONLY HEAR YOU

[@thunderflower7998]

Sea level....and a horizontal non curved line...from left to right ! I am a believer after this wonderful sunset video seconds!!! And the earth is flat :) (If comment t was appropriate ,please forgive and delete.) Greetings from Greece.

[@pawpatina]

4:18 roger beep can easily be turned off in the menu.

[@RdRAge-qr4md]

Nice review! Gonna pick me up a pair! Where did you get the carabiner clip leash from?

[@AdventureCruiser]

Super secret place. Actually they come with the radios! No need to buy anything extra. Congrats on your decision, you’re going to really like the radios. If you go to Rocky Talkies website they may have a discount still.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

comes with radio also you are on a 2mile leash do to transmit at 1/2 watt fcc rules set it up on g m r s get your licenst know your on repeater channels using 5 watts out

[@sikomotors]

Great video! Just ordered mine!

[@AdventureCruiser]

Awesome!

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

you are rested two miles only be couse you are limited to a 1/2 watt trnsmitter f c c rules

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

my car unit will out walk and out yours mine is perfict for you R V I have 45 watts

[@sikomotors]

@@donalderickson-si8ww either proofread your post or go back to school and learn how to read and write. Your response is incoherent.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

@@sikomotors what I mnt was get you self a mobile radio and put the antenna on the roof the you can talk farther then in side the R V.

[@mrwizworks]

The new 5 watt rocky talkie radio is repeater capable!

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

you will need a CD ROM on a computer with patch cord to do that and the pl tone to a tower near you good luck A ham radio guy set mine up and then the 35.00 dollar to the F C C to do it.

[@NTHunt]

You can turn off beep in the settings with the Baofeng...

[@shansawyerlehman]

Hey bro so I work in the mountains of Oaxaca Mexico and we need Wilkie talkies that can go distance and go through obstacles.what would your recommend

[@AdventureCruiser]

Unfortunately walk-in talkies of all types really only work on line of sight. If you need to go over or around obstacles I suggest a repeater or PTT over LTE or something that creates mesh network. Sadly these are all expensive and complex, and I really don’t have experience setting this system up.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

any f r s radio will work there range is two miles the rockie radio has a linear to anker to your gear.

[@damianoverlander6766]

AWESOME !

[@elcentinela3434]

Good video

[@HarryHamsterChannel]

From way back here, it looked like another brand in a customized case. For 110 dollars each, I'd like to have more power, within reason. These radios are more form than function. I need a carabiner and a curly lanyard, both? Are they waterproof? What was that about squealing Baofeng's? Roger Beeps? Same on both brands. Turn them off. Use Chirp. Buy some spares. You coulda had eleven UV5R's. Get some rubber cases, if needed. I raw dog with my cheap radios. And freely ;-) FRS radios like this one are limited to 2 watts. GMRS radios only provide higher power on the top eight channels: The crowded ones. People don't know what they're buying anyway, and will probably rarely try to use them. High mark-up radio distributors help the economy.

[@NatsumeKonno]

Just a rebrand of the zastone mini 9. What is a $50 radio now a $110 with some extra mods.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

all f r s radios are water tight keeps keeps radio guts dry privecy codes only prevent others from talking to you thay can still hear you. I hold a g m r s licensee and reserched all the big box co that sell any thing else

[@NTHunt]

Check out the Baofeng BF-H6 GMRS radio. Its very good and can easily be programmed with CHIRP. @Not a Rubicon has great content and a video on the BF-H6. All the complaints he has about it in the review have since been addressed and fixed.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

beo fang is a very louse radio all my radios are made by rugged radio company no extra button's eather and by the wa y the privicy thing is not privet once you set it no one can talk to you thay will hear you. every one miss that one.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

you have a radio that will do a mile or line of site and your Midland I own his big brother RUGGED RADIO 45 watt and my 5 watt hand held's

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

and I walk and talk every day at 20 miles or more sorry for your loss

[@phillipsmiley5930]

Are they IP67 waterproof? Baofeng UV9R are

[@AdventureCruiser]

If you like Baofeng, keep using them by all means. I’m not sure that the Rocky Talkie has an IP67 rating, but I’d guess they don’t. I’m going to do a real world destructive test of the Rocky Talkie in my next video. If you have any suggestions for how to test the durability, please leave a comment. Thanks!

[@spiritzweispirit1st638]

@@AdventureCruiserThank you, Great video! Tie heavy gauge fishing line around it, do a real world drop down the rocks 10 or 20 feet , that'll show some grit or not? -

[@AdventureCruiser]

@@spiritzweispirit1st638 I’m going to do even better than that soon. Stay tuned!

[@HarryHamsterChannel]

They're splash resistant. Not that a radio hanging around your neck is gonna get messy. Try dunking it in Coors.

[@phillipsmiley5930]

@@AdventureCruiser I dont like Baofeng but ive found the UV-9R is the cheapest rugged handy with a motorola style waterproof mic socket on the market AFAIK.

[@mountfairweather]

Still unclear why is a rocky talkie good? Can you make a more in depth video? Thanks 🙏

[@NatsumeKonno]

It's just a cheap FRS radio by Zastone mini 9. Rockie talkie just did some upgrades to it. FRS is a 2watt fixed antenna 462 frequency license free. If you want range get a GMRS license no test. You get up to 50watts, repeater use and you can change the antenna.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

the rocky radio is just like all the other frs family the in sides are the same thay are all shot ranges radios f c c rules restrick them all too 1/2 watt out put and two miles in town there you are I am a licensee operater

[@anonymous_friend]

Do you get to writeoff your vacations if you show us your vacation videos?

[@AdventureCruiser]

I wish I could, sadly I’d have to get paid something first.

[@hellohogo]

aww do they not have a port for an earpiece?

[@AdventureCruiser]

Good question, yes and no. If you take the rubber case off, there are headphone ports on the right side. I have not tested them yet, and the manual doesn’t reference their existence. I’ll test them when I get a chance.

[@756766]

@@AdventureCruiser So in order to use the ear piece, the rubber case needs to be off the radio ( no cut out in rubber case for ear piece )?

[@AdventureCruiser]

@@756766 sadly the use of an earpiece was not something originally intended by Rocky Talkie. However by popular request they confirmed that the Kenwood style connector works. They also released a specific rubber case that has the cutout already molded into it. You can buy it for $10 I think, or you could take a sharp knife and make the cutout yourself.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

i do not owen one so look for rubber gromet and open it there should be a dubble plug for it or check you mice i have one there

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

my store sell everything to do with radios mobles hand helds head sets Mike's and everything else to get you going and one think your radios don't have a REAL radio guy to call when the radio has a hickup.

[@mikeblitzen]

price?

[@AdventureCruiser]

According to their website $95. rockytalkie.com/products/rocky-talkie

[@HarryHamsterChannel]

@@AdventureCruiser Now, $110. Each.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

when you do hat the only person you can talk to has the other radio But with my radio I will only her you becouse I was not at the brefing be for the event happend.

[@tommills177]

I almost didn’t make it through the intro.

[@atomicsmith]

Yeah, it was long. The right arrow key is your friend.

[@atomicsmith]

As is SHIFT + >

[@quinnmannen]

Yeah watching people have fun is the worst!

[@hardenpt2522]

😂

[@dougnewton]

One of mine broke after 1 use. Didn’t even get to charge it again. Also cant get customer support to email me back. They have no phone number. I checked it on my spectrum analyzer and it is broad casting 50 kHz off of band. Seriously dint even use it 2 times. Hope I can get it resolved. Oh and all I use these for is to communicate with my spotter when backing my trailer.

[@AdventureCruiser]

Wow! That’s a real bummer. Let me be clear that I have no affiliation with Rocky Talkie, so I’m only speaking for myself, but here are some things to try. 1) try using the charger included with the radio. I’ve tried a few different chargers and found oddities with the USB platform, not just with RT radios. Some chargers will charge, and some won’t. I can charge from my USB power brick, but not from my car charger for my phone. 2) I have a friend who also has an issue with one of his radios and RT was really tops with getting it fixed, so it’s strange to hear that they’re unresponsive. I’ve successfully communicated with them via Instagram direct messaging. Hopefully they can get this sorted. Please let me know if you’re successful or not, I’d like to make sure my video is accurate.

[@dougnewton]

@@AdventureCruiser I think your review is accurate. They are nice radios with a nice speaker. I know electronics break at this point I hope customer service comes through because I love the radios.

[@Jh0ac]

@@dougnewton I'm late to the party here, but if you haven't gotten a reply back yet, try their FB page. They've been very responsive with me through there

[@dougnewton]

@@Jh0ac forgot to post update. These guys are great! Complete replacement with 2 day delivery. He was excited that I helped figure out the problem! All is good

[@HarryHamsterChannel]

Um, looks like a really cheap off-brand in a rubber case with a two dollar carabiner and a free casino slot lanyard. Did it happen to get water in between the case and the radio?

[@shawnwade302]

These rocky talkies are okay but I don't like FRS band radios. Gmrs has a much better range.

[@AdventureCruiser]

100% agree with you, that’s why I waited so long to buy one. However, on many channels they do still talk to each other (GMRS and FRS).

[@shawnwade302]

@@AdventureCruiser true enough. When comparing the rocky talkies to 99% of the frs radios you can buy at places like Walmart.... The rocky talkies are great. Baofeng and their sister company Btech make really high quality gmrs radios that are completely legal to use on gmrs frequencies. Most of those radios are anywhere from 35 to $55.

[@shawnwade302]

If I'm going to be completely honest as long as you're not planning on having reliable communications more than a mile or a mile and a half away then FRS radios (good ones) are fine.

[@shawnwade302]

If you've never experimented with it, you should consider trying out some MURS radios. They seem to have about the same range as FRS but there's not as many people using MURS so it's less likely to hear kids playing with them.

[@AdventureCruiser]

@@shawnwade302 I love VHF, and where I live everybody has “desert race” radios which are almost the same frequency, and share all of the same benefits as MURS. I think MURS is great, I just don’t have any friends who I’m use it, but I agree that it’s a really great option.

[@danielpele5532]

You can turn that bleep off on the Baofengs lol

[@AdventureCruiser]

I’m sure you can, but my over-educated friends don’t seem to be able to figure it out. Failure of modern education? Ha ha

[@danielpele5532]

@@AdventureCruiser setting #39 is "ROGER", turn that off. DONE!

[@HarryHamsterChannel]

menu 39

[@dennisbuchen1686]

You obviously haven't done much research into this have you? There are all different kinds of brands of GMRS walkie talkies. The ones you are displaying are NOT GMRS radios those are FRS radios. You need to get that right!! There are two main differences to talk about that you are not informing you viewers of. 1 FRS is limited to 2 watts and 2 the antennas are NOT removable. GMRS is limited to 50 watts and you can upgrade your antennas to whatever works best for that particular radio. GMRS has much better range than an FRS radio as well. I saw in one of your other videos where you said that you need a license to use ( transmit ) on an FRS radio. This is not true!! You need a license to transmit on HAM and GMRS bands but NOT FRS.

[@AdventureCruiser]

You are always free to mock my videos, but I’d encourage you to be a productive member of society and make your own. Clarify what I left out, or be content being a keyboard warrior.

[@Samlittlesr57]

For the same money the Wouxun KG-805G is a much better radio and it has a interchangeable antenna and it is repeater capable.

[@Hot_Guac]

The Wouxun KG-805G is a 5-watt GMRS radio that requires an FCC license to use. The Rocky Talkie is a 2-watt FRS radio that doesn't require a license. Not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. The Rocky Talkie has a better IPXX rating and is specifically designed for use outdoors. I'd say the Rocky Talkie is a much better if you want something that's easy to use, can use with a friend that doesn't have an FCC license, and will survive hitting a wall when you take a fall climbing. If I'm out backpacking or climbing with friends I don't need a 5-watt radio to blast a message a million miles. Sometimes "better" is subjective and differs user to user.

[@randyjohnson1598]

William Gross wouxun kg-805g

[@greghaff229]

On the wouxun 805G Channels 8-14 are pre-set to .5 watt

[@blackops8996]

Beofeng uv-5r all day long

[@756766]

DO you need a license to communicate with these radios?

[@tacticalsweater5119]

I decided not to buy these. They probably won't perform well in forest/hills.

[@AdventureCruiser]

Yeah, they do have their limits. What did you end up selecting? I would likely pick VHF, possibly a MURS radio, for that application. But I am curious about what you bought.

[@NatsumeKonno]

They have MURS radios they do VHF no license required. If your in a dense area you want a GMRS radio. You will have to pay a $35 license but there is no test. It also carries to your family. Much better then the FRS stuff.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

the f c c limites them all to 1/2 watt out you should get at least a mile in the woods hunter use them and a head set

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

the RUGGED RADIO's are built here in the U s a in a real store thay are water tight for off road people and we don't have dum buttons eather just radios that will talk 20 miles on a radio tower systum we cover three county's

[@johngallati8164]

MOTOROLA SO DISAPPOINTING OWNED BY A CHINESE COMPANY...AWFUL!!!

[@AdventureCruiser]

John, I’m not aware of this. Can you please share more? I love buying American, and as far as I’m aware only BK Technologies is a truly domestic company, but I had not heard that Motorola was owned by China… though I’m not really surprised. Thanks!

[@johngallati8164]

@@AdventureCruiser IT MAY JUST BE ITS PHONE DIVISION...I HOPE SO ANYWAY....I LOVED THEIR QUALITY.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

look at rugged radio no extra buttons like the big box store sell these are real radios used for off road my h t's come in orange or lime or gray thay work grate and are tied in to 6 repeters on same pl tone and the fact that I have a 45 watt bace realy help I hit all 6 toghter.