Rocky Talkies Etiquette

I'm always surprised how many folks aren't aware, so I'll share this here.

Channel 3 (in Colorado) is designated for emergency use, so try to avoid using that channel for other traffic.

"...during an emergency, using a simple and easy to remember channel and no sub-channel, or sub-channel of 0 (zero), is the best option. In Colorado, this is channel 3 (462.6125 MHz) with no sub-channel (Channel 3.0)."

https://coloradosar.org/frs-radio-use-for-backcountry-sar-position-paper-04-10-23/#:~:text=Often%20groups%20use%20a%20specific,%2Dchannel%20(Channel%203.0).

In a gym, communication between a climber and a coach is done. Not at all uncommon, I'm guessing, with climbing teams at every gym these days. With a radio, it could just be one way, instructions from the ground to the climber, without the coach having to bellow all the time.

Are rocky talkies earbud/bluetooth/whatever compatible? I think that would be the ticket, using them with earbuds somehow.

Stefanos Apostle wrote:

Rocky talkies are a noise pollution that we dont need in climbing, leave it for the ski "mountaineers" on their spicy 40 degree nève. A beans can alpine butterflied into the rope makes for a quick snack and then easy communication that you can talk trash about the other people at your belay without them knowing

Lol noise pollution.

"OFF BELAYYYYYYyyyyy!!!!"

"WHATTTTT????"

"WHERE DO I GO!??????!!!!?"

"TAKE!!!!!"

Rockie Talkies are aid.

slim wrote:

Are rocky talkies earbud/bluetooth/whatever compatible? I think that would be the ticket, using them with earbuds somehow.

Yes, this makes some pretty good sense. Assuming AirPods will stay in yer ear after a 20’ whip, or thrutching through some mungy pitch.

If you go climbing with airpods you deserve to lose them

slim wrote:

Are rocky talkies earbud/bluetooth/whatever compatible? I think that would be the ticket, using them with earbuds somehow.

Saw someone talking quietly to themselves at the crag and then found out they had these on. 

https://www.kentfaith.com/GW53.0077_motorcycle-bluetooth-earphones-supporting-6-rider-800m-intercom-bluetooth-5-1-helmet-communication-s?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyeWrBhDDARIsAGP1mWRCVpFbtyjKtPsF1WnahWEGguzRWfYW0LQkqT0QaDMuPKJFSTbtv-kaAkbyEALw_wcB

At least one of my climbing partners is really hard of hearing so I am glad that rocky talkies are a thing. I much prefer key communications like on and off belay to be stated rather than assumed. On the other hand, I went to Rumbling Bald with my friends and a few of us had rocky talkies and I would say that they definitely need to be on low volume on one/two pitch climbs. They can be really loud and disruptive. If I'm gonna complain about speakers at the crag, then I really have to behave well with hand held radios....

This post is pretty ironic for places like Potrero where the incessant and repeated shouting of inexperienced parties with poor communication is far more of a nuisance than the beep of a radio. 

apogee wrote:

Yes, this makes some pretty good sense. Assuming AirPods will stay in yer ear after a 20’ whip, or thrutching through some mungy pitch.

2 words: duct tape

Talk about goody style!

Just learn how to use the fuckin privacy codes on any radio. There have been too many times where I've been met with minutes of a busy channel after telling my partner to take me off belay, assumedly because someone joined the same channel without a privacy code and heard my command.

Adam R wrote:

Saw someone talking quietly to themselves at the crag and then found out they had these on. 

https://www.kentfaith.com/GW53.0077_motorcycle-bluetooth-earphones-supporting-6-rider-800m-intercom-bluetooth-5-1-helmet-communication-s?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyeWrBhDDARIsAGP1mWRCVpFbtyjKtPsF1WnahWEGguzRWfYW0LQkqT0QaDMuPKJFSTbtv-kaAkbyEALw_wcB

I'm skeptical of the Bluetooth range but it might actually be nice for skiing so you could tell your partner you fell in a tree well or whatever

J L wrote:

If you go climbing with airpods you deserve to lose them

Agree, however it's clear that technology that makes my eyes roll such as radios are going to continue to be used in climbing. And there is some logic in the fact that it could reduce loud beta spraying from shirtless boulder brahs at both the crags and the gym. So the previous question is actually a good one: can rocky talkies function with airpods or similar? And is that even a practical option?

apogee wrote:

Agree, however it's clear that technology that makes my eyes roll such as radios are going to continue to be used in climbing. And there is some logic in the fact that it could reduce loud beta spraying from shirtless boulder brahs at both the crags and the gym. So the previous question is actually a good one: can rocky talkies function with airpods or similar? And is that even a practical option?

If you're in the gym and want to use Bluetooth earbuds you can do a phone call, guess that's true at crags with cell signal too. Lots of people wear them while climbing already. 

I prefer no yelling and no radio.  But when verbal is needed, I like radio.  

apogee wrote:

....can rocky talkies function with airpods or similar? And is that even a practical option?

Rocky Talkies do NOT support Bluetooth, so wireless earphones will not work with them.

edit:  ^what I wrote above is not correct if you have the new Rocky Talkie Mtn radio, which is compatible with the new Hand microphone.  DrRockso (below) points out an available adapter, which supports wireless. I have the 1st version of the Rocky Talkie, which does not have a connector for an external mic.

Terry E wrote:

Rocky Talkies do NOT support Bluetooth, so wireless earphones will not work with them.

Theres' plenty of options if that's something people actually want to do. 

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Hands-Free-Cancelling-Connector/dp/B0CGV7VH3X/ref=asc_df_B0CGV7VH3X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=680455642983&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10466981440078543184&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014487&hvtargid=pla-2258976533015&psc=1&mcid=cc665e61d69c3b35b9710f4e0b7f5522

I commonly used a "wired" headset like the one linked below with my radios on SAR related missions where it's advantageous to be hands free. If I'm using walkies on a mp it's usually not midpitch so I've never felt the need fora headset. But if that floats peoples boat there are plenty of options.

https://www.amazon.com/HYS-Earpiece-Acoustic-Headset-Baofeng/dp/B0B1F3K9RB/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1LZS7TVK3L60J&keywords=baofeng+headset&qid=1702522045&s=electronics&sprefix=baofeng+headet%2Celectronics%2C115&sr=1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1 

Channel 69 gang

Terry E wrote:

Rocky Talkies do NOT support Bluetooth, so wireless earphones will not work with them.

edit:  ^what I wrote above is not correct if you have the new Rocky Talkie Mtn radio, which is compatible with the new Hand microphone.  DrRockso (below) points out an available adapter, which supports wireless. I have the 1st version of the Rocky Talkie, which does not have a connector for an external mic.

The first gen has the ability to connect to a hand mic but you have to trim the rubber housing. I’ve done it to mine and it worked out ok. The second one came out better than the first.