Power Talkie Off Grid Communication Device

[JASII]

I just ran across this. Is it simply a FRS/GMRS radio that can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, similar to the Motorola T800? I am assuming that this one is not FCC type accepted, though.

Power Talkie Off Grid Communication Device

The Power Talkie, an advanced off network two-way radio walkie talkie which enables smartphone users to operate and create mesh network via satellite, especially during times where there’s no signal, no internet, or WiFi! This innovative off-grid communication expert will secure communication...

www.wholesalehome.com

 

[bill4long]

I just ran across this. Is it simply a FRS/GMRS radio that can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, similar to the Motorola T800?

Yes. The blurb about "mesh network via satellite" is in error. It's simply a GMRS radio with Bluetooth which your cell phone can connect to using an app just like the T800. You can text between phones, but what's the point of that when you can just talk on the radio? Seems dumb to me. What's interesting about that radio is that 6000 ma battery. That seems fishy. But if true, it might be a good radio to use for long usage between charges.

 

[Hans13]

You can text between phones, but what's the point of that when you can just talk on the radio? Seems dumb to me.

One use of data transfer is location sharing for mapping; sending coordinates via text and an app plots it on a map. It's much easier to have the phone do it than to relay voice and then enter that into the phone... less potential error as well.

You also have to figure the current generation, they will sometimes text each other in the same room rather than talk directly. This is especially true if they are doing something else at the time, like working, because it doesn't require immediate attention from the receiving party. They can look at the message when they have a moment.

 

[KK4JUG]

And, it says it "Works Globally!" It's probably not legally globally but it works.

 

[bill4long]

One use of data transfer is location sharing for mapping; sending coordinates via text and an app plots it on a map. It's much easier to have the phone do it than to relay voice and then enter that into the phone... less potential error as well.

You also have to figure the current generation, they will sometimes text each other in the same room rather than talk directly. This is especially true if they are doing something else at the time, like working, because it doesn't require immediate attention from the receiving party. They can look at the message when they have a moment.

Good points. I wonder why nobody makes FRS/GMRS radios with texting screen and GPS. At least I couldn't find one.

 

[JASII]

Good points. I wonder why nobody makes FRS/GMRS radios with texting screen and GPS. At least I couldn't find one.

At least some of the Garmin RINO units will do that. In fact, I was testing a pair of Garmin RINO 700s this morning. They are limited to 13 character texts.

Garmin Rino® 700 | Handheld Two-way Radio

The Motorola T800 will allow texting and location sharing, too.

https://shop.motorolasolutions.com/t800-two-way-radios/product/B8F22204LBHAAW

 

[bill4long]

At least some of the Garmin RINO units will do that. In fact, I was testing a pair of Garmin RINO 700s this morning. They are limited to 13 character texts.

Garmin Rino® 700 | Handheld Two-way Radio

The Motorola T800 will allow texting and location sharing, too.

https://shop.motorolasolutions.com/t800-two-way-radios/product/B8F22204LBHAAW

Right. I was referring to units with text screens, something like what an iPhone or Android has, where it's easy to type in messages, instead of rotating through characters and all that. But you can do that with these bluetooth units and a real phone. So I guess we're back full circle to the point of why these bluetooth devices exist in the first place. Which has more merit than I originally thought.

 

[Hans13]

Right. I was referring to units with text screens, something like what an iPhone or Android has, where it's easy to type in messages, instead of rotating through characters and all that. But you can do that with these bluetooth units and a real phone. So I guess we're back full circle to the point of why these bluetooth devices exist in the first place. Which has more merit than I originally thought.

I believe the answer lies in the fact that a smartphone has functionality with which the user is already familiar... screen keyboards, google maps, etc. Instead of squishing all of that into a radio and ending up with an interface that has to be learned, Bluetooth solves that by connecting to a familiar and flexible interfacing device. Also, mapping and the like are best done on smartphones as opposed to a dedicated device. The device can then be used to do things like give turn-by-turn directions.

(ETA: I see you referred to some of the same in your reply. )

 

[Searay]

Interesting that they say the Power Talkie will create a mesh network. That adds a neat feature that you could do some neat things with, if it is in fact true.

 

[bill4long]

Interesting that they say the Power Talkie will create a mesh network. That adds a neat feature that you could do some neat things with, if it is in fact true.

Doubt it's true. THe image on the site that says "how it works" mentions neither mesh nor satellite. Another site that advertises the same radio doesn't mention mesh or satellites.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

The removable antenna and the text messaging seem to fly in the face of current Part95 rules. But it does have a "6000 AH" battery so thats a good thing.

 

[bill4long]

The removable antenna and the text messaging seem to fly in the face of current Part95 rules. But it does have a "6000 AH" battery so thats a good thing.

It's a GMRS certified radio (so they say.) No such restrictions on antennas for GMRS radios.

Text messaging is legal for both FRS and GMRS.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

It's a GMRS certified radio (so they say.) No such restrictions on antennas for GMRS radios.

Text messaging is legal for both FRS and GMRS.

Read on....lots of limitations... including the antenna.

§ 95.1787 GMRS additional requirements.
Each hand-held portable unit transmitter type
submitted for certification under this subpart is
subject to the rules in this section.
(a) Digital data transmissions. GMRS handheld
portable units that have the capability to
transmit digital data must be designed to meet the
following requirements.
(1) Digital data transmissions must only be
initiated by a manual action by the operator, except
that GMRS units may automatically respond with
location data upon receiving an interrogation
request from another GMRS or FRS unit.
(2) Digital data transmissions must not exceed
one second in duration.
(3) Digital data transmissions must not be sent
more frequently than one digital data transmission
within a thirty-second period, except that a GMRS
unit may automatically respond to more than one
interrogation request received within a thirtysecond
period.
(4) The antenna must be a non-removable
integral part of the GMRS unit.
(5) GMRS units must not be capable of
transmitting digital data on the 467 MHz main
channels.

 

[TailGator911]

I used to run military field phones between my horse barn and my back porch and buried the line in the ground, best communications ever. ha My how the times have changed. That was a true Landline.

 

[bill4long]

(4) The antenna must be a non-removable
integral part of the GMRS unit.

I stand corrected. Radios that can transmit digital data must have non-removeable antennas.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I stand corrected. Radios that can transmit digital data must have non-removeable antennas.

The FCC seems to rubber stamp anything a "certified" lab presents to them. I wonder how stringent the lab certification must be?

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

If these radios worked with a BT headset and internal speaker/mike they might be attractive. But a Smartphone just adds a weak link into the comms plan.

 

[JASII]

...Text messaging is legal for both FRS and GMRS.

I noted that the Garmin Rino still limits the the text length to 13 characters. I wonder if nobody at Garmin is aware of this and just hasn't bothered to update their firmware to allow longer texts.

 

[KK4JUG]

The FCC seems to rubber stamp anything a "certified" lab presents to them. I wonder how stringent the lab certification must be?

The one they certified may have had a non-removable antenna.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I don't know how they are legally transmitting voice ("real time audio") over these units as they have certified only a digital data emission designator.

I went to their Indego website and they are claiming they work worldwide. Except that in the comments, someone in Bahrain had theirs seized at customs. The sellers seem a bit naive about regulatory issues and even are talking about a version 2 that is 1 watt (900 MHz??) .

I would avoid this product.

https://fccid.io/2ASMU-PT01

Emissions Designator 11K0F1D
11K0F1D--

Bandwidth: 11.0 kHz
Modulation Type: [F] Angle-modulated, straight FM
Modulation Nature: [1] Digital, on-off or quantized, no modulation
Information Type: [D] Data, telemetry, telecommand
Emissions Designator Lookup
The Emissions Designator 11K0F1D signifies a wireless radio which transfers data over a modulated wave using Digital, on-off or quantized, no modulation signal. This signal transmits at a 11.0 kHz [11K0] maximum bandwidth . bandwith does not indicate frequency of the signal. Emissions Designators describe the type of signal only.