Walkie-Talkies

Harv · Aug 1, 2001

Just to have closure on this thread -- I tested the two models (Motorola TalkAbout 250, Audiovox FR1420) up at the property over the weekend. The TalkAbouts are amazingly clear, noise-free units. The Audiovox were noticeably less impressive in terms of clarity and volume. One nice feature of the Audiovox is the call alert. No way I could miss that sound, no matter what I was doing with the tractor. Interestingly, they both seem to have about the same range, cutting out at approximately the same point.

One thing's for sure -- my property is not a soccer field, so the range was severely limited by the terrain. All in all I am happy, especially with the TalkAbouts, and I doubt any FRS units could do better. The areas in which the radios failed completely are also areas that I am very unlikely to ever take the tractor, so as a safety tool, they still meet the requirements.

Here's my doodle du jour, indicating the test results:

dmccarty · Aug 1, 2001

Harv,

Are there any/many trees between the HappyFace by the House and the Happy/Frowning/TongueShowing Faces? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I've been thinking of walkie talkies when we finally get to the property but I have lots of trees.....

Thanks...
Dan McCarty

Harv · Aug 1, 2001

Are there any/many trees?

Yes, Dan, my property is thick with oak and pine trees, among others. You don't have to wander far from the house before you can't see it any more.

Trees didn't appear to be a factor in signal quality, at least not at the distances I tested. I think as long as you otherwise have something close to line-of-sight, the TalkAbouts will work over quite a stretch. Even mild hills were okay -- it's just when too much earth gets in the way that they peter out.

ejb · Aug 2, 2001

I had the same problem as you harv, and my topology is a lot like yours. I bought a few of the inexpensive units and ended up sending them back 'cause they wouldn't work everywhere I wanted.

Ended up picking up two commercial-type Motorola Spirit units at Staples. Two watt units rated for 5 miles on flat ground. Very nice, solid feel to them and get great reception (more like 2 miles cause of all the hills and trees).

Now it says on the box I am supposed to have an FCC license, but no ones come knocking at the door yet /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

A little more expensive, but a lot of quality.

Harv · Aug 2, 2001

ejb -

Thanks for that input. My budget (or lack thereof) says I keep what I've got or have nothing. I would eventually like to reach all points on the property, but these TalkAbouts cover enough of it that I feel better having them.

I just checked the Motorola web page and they show over a dozen Spirit models. May I ask which ones you got and how much you paid?

I seem to recall that getting the appropriate FCC license wasn't a big deal. Anybody out there know for sure?

scruffy · Aug 2, 2001

Harv, seems to me that it was fill out the paperwork and set around and wait....but then were talking 20 years ago! Don't really know what it intails today.

dmccarty · Aug 2, 2001

Harv,

Thanks for the info. I think these or something similar will work on my land. I only have one or two low spots and they most likely are close enough to line of sight to where the house is most likely going to go that walkie talkies will work. The wife and I have been wanting something for us to have when on the property and this seems like it might work. Its certainly worth trying out.

Cell phones only work on part of the property. On some high spots they phones work but I can walk a few hundred feet down the road and there is no service even though I'm not in a low spot and the tower is about 1.5 miles away.

Thanks...
Dan

ejb · Aug 2, 2001

The model number is MU21CV.

I pulled out the recept and they were more than I remebered: $219/each. I'd bet in the last couple of years they have come down in price, like everthing else.

-EJB

btw: Harv you have mentioned more than a few times about your "cash crunch". I also noticed you called yourself a "computer geek". Are you a freelance programmer? or work for one of the ailing dot-coms?

I do freelance work and have also noticed a tightening of budgets with my clients.
Edited by ejb on 08/02/01 11:36 AM (server time).

Harv · Aug 2, 2001

EJB -

I just did a quick check on the internet and found prices from $196 to $225 apiece for the MU21CV, so I'd say you did all right.

As for the "cash crunch" -- yup, I've done the rags to riches and back to rags now. Worked in software development, Corporate America style, and saved up a small fortune over a period of 30+ years. Then I bailed out and tried to make it on my own for the last 5+ years. Seems I'm a better geek than I am a businessman. Always thought that working hard would eventually produce income. Turns out you have to work smart, too. /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

Couldn't have timed it any worse. Now that our savings dipstick shows virtually nothing in the tank (of course maybe it's just hard to see against the yellow background), our investments are suddenly doing poorly (aren't everyone's?), and to make it worse, there is now a glut of people with my skills competing for the Corporate America jobs around here. And did I mention Mom is not doing well?

Wait a minute -- you're not supposed to hang your dirty laundry out on a public forum! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Oh, well. TBN is just family. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

scruffy · Aug 2, 2001

Harv, I know what you are feeling, that is why I went back to the 'Corporate America' the end of last year when I saw how the purse strings were tightening up. Jobs that were normally contracted started getting set aside and either not done, or done 'in house'. Glad I did though, as the medical situation deteriated (sp) quite drastically.

ejb · Aug 2, 2001

I know what you mean Harv. I have been independent for 12+ years now and have made a pretty good living but I can't imagine ever going back to a 9-5. I don't even own a suit or tie anymore. (I had to borrow one for the last wedding I was invited to).

Now that my work career is nearly over I can share the secrets of my success:

1. Do the job no one else wants to do (and charge a very low rate)
2. Make sure what you do is critical to the organization.
3. Do it well.
4. Don't tell anyone how you do it.
5. Do it with tools that no one else understands how to use or that anyone wants to learn.
6. Don't tell anyone what the tools are...
7. Do everthing in the most complicated way possible.
8. Make sure it doesn't look complicated from the outside.
9. Never document anything, keep it all in your head.
10. Never ever turn over the source code!
11. Raise rates dramatically now that you are a permanent fixture! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif
12. Retire early. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Harv · Aug 2, 2001

Thanks, Scruffy! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I guess I should count my blessings, in that I and my family have our health.

Sorry to hear about your own situation. I'm sending all the positive thoughts I can. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

glennmac · Aug 2, 2001

I left IBM Corp in 1993 and went out on my own as a solo practitioner working at home, and nearly starved.

I really admire small businessmen, but I'm no good at it. There are really 3 full time jobs involved in running your own business. Marketing to get clients, doing the legal work, and doing all the administrative chores (paperwork, billing, collecting unpaid bills, buying and installing and fixing equipment). I finally realized I only enjoy, and am only good at, doing the legal work. I hate marketing, administration and management. I like helping people but, basically, I intensely dislike being in business. (My favorite job was being a law professor, but I am too old and politically incorrect to get a job in academia again.)

So, I sent myself back to law school for the third time at age 50, got an advanced degree in a mysteriously black art--tax law--and peddled myself to a law firm in Hartford. I only work part time. Make good money when I have work to do, but many times there is no work to do. Have three kids in college and a big mortgage bought when I was a corporate exec. Wife has to work and money's tight. Health is ok so far. Fingers crossed.

Tractoring is a healthy distraction.

scruffy · Aug 2, 2001

Harv, I'm doing great! Just got da 'word' last Tuesday. Officially (even though not expected) in remission! Should be good for six or seven months or so anyway! At least that's the average with this type. Gives a good time to get setup for the next time around. Health insurance is a definate nice factor, but the life insurance is a stinker! I'm back to paying that outta pocket (3/4's of it anyway).

Harv · Aug 3, 2001

Scruffy -

I knew my positive thoughts would help! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Seriously, that's great news!!! I think I misinterpreted your last message, and I've never been happier to do so.

Next you'll be telling us you're buying a new tractor! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

glennmac · Aug 3, 2001

Scruffy,

Way to go, man! One day at a time. Did you have the transplant?

ERNIEB · Aug 3, 2001

There are really 3 full time jobs involved in running your own business.
Is that why I often wish there was 3 of me? I've been doing my own thing for about two years now. In spite of all the problems, and there are plenty, I enjoy it. But Glenn, everything you said is gospel, and I can sure see why someone wouldn't want any part of it.

Ernie

scruffy · Aug 3, 2001

Harv, you didn't misinterpret! Things are looking very good right now! New tractor? Don't I wish! No place to use it here, and no place to store it on the Oregon property. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Besides, I don't want to pull a 'Harv' and have drive half way across the country (you don't really have to go that far, but I would) to get in tractor time! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Besides, I've a lot of financial catching up to do when they let me go back to work...if they do any time soon. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
Glenn, not yet! They want to do the stem cell harvest (after doing another bone marrow biopsy), store it, and wait for the cancer to re-occur, which they say will be around 6 or 7 months down the road...then do the transplant. That is where I will really appreciate the insurance!
Any volunteers? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Harv · Aug 3, 2001

EJB -
During my time as a software developer in Corporate America, I perfected your #4, #5, #6, #7, and #8. Now that I'm on my own, I'm free to try the rest of your tips, but just haven't had the opportunity. Some readers here may think you are joking. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Glenn -

I hate marketing, administration and management.

That pretty well sums up the situation with my one-man business. Although I've had corporate experience in all of those, my only "talent" lies in the technical stuff. It's what I'm good at.

Only recently have I formed an alliance with a guy who has a lifetime of experience running companies (my new business administrator) and a hard-working, smooth-talking go-getter (my new marketing man). They are both already doing most of the stuff I hate, and there is finally a glimmer of hope on the horizon. It may be too little, too late, though, since I may have to grab any job I can find right now just to pay the mortgage, but I don't mind working a double shift if that's what it takes.

A wise businessman once told me that when you're in business for yourself, you can work any hours you want -- any 100 hours a week you choose. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Harv · Aug 3, 2001

Scruffy -

They want to do the stem cell harvest ...then do the transplant.

Sounds like something that could be done with tractors, and I know just where to find a couple thousand volunteers! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Your apparent good spirits are an inspiration, Bob. I see little doubt that you'll be back in the saddle soon, ornery as ever. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif