New Hand Held Nationwide Radios

[ggrizzard]

Today, while looking at a "Sail Life" video, an ad popped up talking about a new line of hand held
radios that work nationwide. The company's page says "No fees, no subscriptions, no licenses."
I'm a skeptic when it comes to these kinds of ads/offers. I'm wondering if any sailors have seen this
ad/product and can comment.

Rapid Radios Nationwide PTT Walkie-Talkie

Nationwide LTE Push to Talk Walkie Talkies set! UNLIMITED RANGE* AND USE! INSTANT Communications. 100% NO MONTHLY FEES - EVER! NO Licenses - Includes SIM card with 1 year of service per radio. Renew for another year for $50/year (no subscriptions/contracts/monthly fees). 5-DAY Battery Life...

rapidradios.com

Thanks,
G.

 

[BlowMeAway]

I was also curious about the functionality and usefulness for offshore cruising. I saw an add on YouTube and thought…ohhh, this might have marine applications. Then a further investigation found this review. I’m thinking probably not as a safety device at this point.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

VoIP. Some have per minute charges. Great advertising for the “free lunch” crowd

 

[Leeward Rail]

a new line of hand held
radios that work nationwide. The company's page says "No fees, no subscriptions, no licenses."

To work nationwide it has to be either a radio over cellular unit (which uses cell service and requires a fee), or it's a radio that requires a repeater system like HAM/Sat

The ads are BS and hide the details, preying on the gullible.

That link specifically says it uses LTE cell towers. What it doesn't mention is that's it free for the first year and you pay after that. Same as every other POC radio or radio/cellphone combo

No cell towers offshore unfortunately.

I was also curious about the functionality and usefulness for offshore cruising.

Unless it's SSB or Satellite system that isn't happening.

 

[ggrizzard]

Thanks for the responses.
Ah yes, semantics.
"No monthly fees ever"... Just yearly.
"Coast to Coast"... Just not off the coast.
Oh well, back to SSB!