Possible to transform (at least two) smartphones into walkie-talkie like devices?
Of course we agree on the fact, that cellphones aren't that good in the great outdoors cause they just don't work if you are too far from civilization. That's why we use devices like Walkie-Talkies etc.
So, since everyone of us has a smartphone already, is there any hard- or software to transform these into outdoor-prove devices? So that I can stay in contact with my group even if there isn't any connection to the mobile network (and wifi of course)?!
Aravona added a good point. It's eventually even cheaper to buy a common walkie-talkie than a phone-addon (especially if it's something like iWlkieTalkie ;P). However, just share your thoughts nevertheless if it would be more expensive.
Edit:
This question is about connecting smartphones together not about interconnecting walkie-talkies and smartphones.
The situation is like this: me and my buddy do any kind of outdoor activity where we neither have wifi nor mobile network. Nevertheless we want to stay connected. Since we both already have a smartphone I wondered if we can connect these two smartphones, so that we can use them to speak/text to each other.
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The answer is, you can do this, but I don't recommend it at all. Wallow talkie apps for the iPhone and android phones should be considered nothing except toys.
- Firstly, the range of wifi and Bluetooth is abysmal and the use of the cellular system does increase that range, but that defeats the why try in a remote location with poor or nom-existent coverage.
- the apps do no run in the background, that means everyone would need to run their phone ON at all times and would therefore burn the battery charge very quickly. This also would defeat any use for this as an emergency situation, because unless everyone is poised to listen to you, you will not be heard.
There are very inexpensive 2 way radios suitable for camping in even wet conditions, and they don't sit in a full on state to work. While the radio is listening and the squelch tuned properly, most of the radio isn't even powered on, and the battery will last much much longer than your iphone will.
The frequencies used by many 2 way radios have a much greater range than any of the frequencies used by cell phone. A walkie talkie using CB bands (11meter wavelengths), can send and receive signals up to 10 miles away under most conditions, and when using special features such as single sideband modulation, can reach 100s of miles at the right times of the day.
Don't try to use your cell phone for this, this is like the difference between using designer sneakers for ice climbing when you should be using yak tracks.
This post was sourced from https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/a/10260. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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I'm a little bit surprised about these answers. There are devices out there doing exactly what you want.
I hope it's okay to name actual product names here?
Me and my wife are using something called "GoTenna". It's like an antenna which is connected via bluetooth to your smartphone. It connects with other "GoTennas" in the area.
A few key facts:
- You can achieve mid-ranged distances (from my experience about 3 miles)
- You can connect (and broadcast) to any other goTenna device
- It comes always in pairs
Read more in the FAQ
Especially interesting in this context for example:
Why is goTenna better than a walkie-talkie?
- Integrates with the smartphone you already have on you
- Texts allow for less miscommunication (and poor timing) than real-time voice
- Delivery confirmation & automatic message retry for one-to-one messaging
- Chat with specific individuals or groups, or anyone within range of you
- Don't worry about being on the same channel or having your conversation interrupted by others
- Share your location and points of interest on detailed offline maps
- End-to-end encryption for total privacy
- Small and light form factor
- Upgradeable to include new features via firmware & software updates
This post was sourced from https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/a/10270. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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Not really. The only long-distance communication method phones have is GSM/CDMA-based, and requires a tower (at which point, just call each other).
Other signals they carry are usually Bluetooth and WiFi, with an effective range of respectively 10 and maybe 30 meters.
This post was sourced from https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/a/10259. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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As other answers point out, their are issues with using your cell phone as a walkie-talkie. The answer as they point out is you, can but it really does not meet the need.
Your need/desire is to communicate with cell phones when "you are too far from civilization". Depending on what country you are in and/or your desire to communicate lawfully, the solution is to build and bring your own cellular network with you.
Build yourself a mobile cell tower/network, install it/them on a vehicle(s) parked strategically, or a single vehicle and a balloon. Call others in your private network, and everything works just like being in civilization, except no roaming fees, and no minutes deducted.
- How I built my own mobile cell tower
- Where Cellular Networks Don’t Exist, People Are Building Their Own
- Build Your Own Cellular Network
- DIY enthusiasts make their own cell phone tower using a Raspberry Pi
- OpenBTS (Open Base Transceiver Station)
- Google balloons, “cell towers in the sky,” can serve 4G to a whole state
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