Walkie-Talkies are a very practical solution to the age-old problems of getting lost, keeping in touch and communicating.
     I can remember what they looked like when we were children, boxy and radio-like in colors of black or brown and silver or gold.  Now they fit snugly in the fist and come in sporty colors like purple or yellow.
    Citizen Band Radio (CB radio) was also very popular at the time, especially among “truckers”.  Cars and trucks sported a big antenna.
     These days, I see adults and children keep in touch, using the newest models at fairs and festivals and even concerts.
     My husband, John, and I bought and used a pair when we moved from Michigan to Maryland.  He drove the car and I drove the truck and we kept in touch with a set of hand-held T6310 Motorola Talkabouts.
     The hand-helds kept us awake the whole way.  If we needed to stop for a break or turn off the road, we could briefly notify the other without racking up unnecessary cell phone charges.
     John used them again when he and his friend, Jeff installed phone lines in our new home.  Jeff ran wire in the attic, communicating via radio with John in the hall below.
     John and I have used our Talkabouts in the big home warehouse stores, because without them, we spend twenty minutes trying to locate each other.
     These Talkabouts use one of the Citizens Band Radio Services, called Family Radio Service (FRS).  The service has a communication range of less than one mile and no license is needed.  You can operate the FRS unit on any of the 14 FRS channels and within or over any area of the world where the FCC regulates radio services.
     Wireless technology is ubiquitous.  These radios are one more example of how it infiltrates our lives.  Air is the new wire and the new wave for being connected.  802.11 wireless technologies are expanding using wireless cards in personal computers, laptops and cell phones.  More about using airwaves for your personal use later.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/tech/articles/010702/tech/walkie.htm
http://www.dwgsoftware.com/webservices/walkie_talkie/ (underscore between walkie and talkie)
http://members.tripod.com/~jwilkers/frspage.html
http://www.provide.net/~prsg/frs-home.htm
http://wireless.fcc.gov/prs/famrad.html
 

 She can be reached by email at jana@barberio.com