Star Trek communicator

[cantdrv55]

I'd buy a pair if they're available. I wonder why no one has come up with them yet. I think there's a market for the devices. Imagine small, wearable, multi-channel walkie talkies with incredible range mated to blue-tooth earpieces. One tap turns on the mic allowing you to talk and listen simultaneously like a cell phone but no numbers had to be dialed. At the end of the conversation, you'd merely have to tap again to turn off the mic but allows listen mode only. I think the closest thing to it are the Nextel phones but I don't want to have to buy airtime. With these, you wouldn't incur any monthly fees.

I'd use these when out shopping with the family, when we are following each other on our bicycles or cars. I think there'd be a market for these things. Is there anything like what I described available today?

[Geronimo '74]

Push to talk function on mobile phones would be today's equivalent

[slakjaw]

Some nextel phones have an "off network" direct connect setting. Its called direct talk. All U need is a phone that has a SIM card in it. Phone does not have to have service on it to work.

On the ground in average terrain I got about a mile or so out of it. When I had one in my apartment 250 feet up I could get like 8 miles out of it.

U still ain't getting me to walk around wearing a star trek communicator though.

[jyl]

The issues, I think, are the limited range of radio devices and the availability of frequency (spectrum). Spectrum is regulated, certain bands are reserved for police, fire, commercial radio, ham, FM radio, mobile phone, aviation, military, CB, FRS, GMTS, etc etc, and each has a legal power limit. A device would have to fit into a legally available spectrum. And then range is subject to the physics of that wavelength with the feasible antenna design and the legally mandated power. For more range you need a repeater infrastructure.

You can get approximately what you are describing with a FRS radio, these are the inexpensive walkie talkies you can buy at Best Buy. Range up to 2 miles with no obstructions, several blocks in built up areas (think Manhattan). For more power and range, get the GMTS walkie talkies which require a FCC license that is easily obtained. For even more range step up to ham radio handheld units, though more stringent licensing applies. All of these are open communications meaning others can hear what you say (no scrambling). We have some FRS radios, come in handy when hiking, flea markets, etc.

[Teutonics]

Here's the ticket:

[GH85Carrera]

The battery technology will have to make some quantum leaps in power. For the communicator to be that small the battery has to be tiny.

[Steve Carlton]

I want a phaser!

[ckissick]

I have a neighbor who has a fully functional, life-size R2D2. While the geek-factor is high, it's a pretty cool. He brings it out every Halloween.

[cantdrv55]

You guys are funny.

John, we use FRS's now when shopping etc but the geek factor with those are high. I was hoping there was something available now that are hands free. I hope we don't have to wait a couple of centuries before they appear on the market. The phaser I can wait for.

[legion]

Google "Iridium".

[jyl]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

You guys are funny.

John, we use FRS's now when shopping etc but the geek factor with those are high.

It sure is.

You can get earbud/inline mike accessories. The geek factor is even higher but perhaps not as noticeable -

http://www.buytwowayradios.com/Products/Accessories/Motorola-TalkAbout-Accessories.aspx

For something you can clip to a lapel -

http://www.buytwowayradios.com/products/motorola/53724.aspx

[jyl]

Browsing through that site, I see TriSquare radios in the 900MHz band which look interesting - not the commonplace FRS radio.

[cantdrv55]

Believe it or not, John, I already have the wired earbuds. I am such a geek.

[jyl]

Cool, we can have a geek convention. I'll wear my Starfleet shirt.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Teutonics

...

so the lower middle button is...

the mouse's 3rd leg??

[slakjaw]

I was thinking those were speed buttons. Low medium and high. Thing looks like a woman's "massage" device.

[slakjaw]

I carry a Nextel and I am always chirping my friend with stoopid shyt like breaker breaker with a 10-220 on the side.

I guess I am a geek too.....

[bell]

http://ocala.craigslist.org/clt/1379700123.html