Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals (Read 1017 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #25 –
We use Motorola walkie-talkie's fairly successfully, with one recurring snag: the DW keeps forgetting to release the "talk" switch so I can reply or pose a question. Does anyone have a "diplomatic" solution that won't get me in trouble with the DW? :)
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #26 –
Since Mr Wonderful is hearing impaired, the walkie talkies do not work for us at all. The Universal hand signals have really been the answer for us.  If there is any doubt at all in what we want, all comes to a stop and we confer. Night time is a bit tough, one more reason why we always try and stop before dark!
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Don Hay –
We use Motorola walkie-talkie's fairly successfully, with one recurring snag: the DW keeps forgetting to release the "talk" switch so I can reply or pose a question. Does anyone have a "diplomatic" solution that won't get me in trouble with the DW? :)
Don,
Start with "Honey you know I love you..." Then, "I tell you that all the time when I'm backing up the motorhome, but you can never hear me because you don't release the talk button on the walkie-talkie." LOL ;-)
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Don Hay –
We use Motorola walkie-talkie's fairly successfully, with one recurring snag: the DW keeps forgetting to release the "talk" switch so I can reply or pose a question. Does anyone have a "diplomatic" solution that won't get me in trouble with the DW? :)
We also use the Motorolas on occasion (had them for docking the sailboat, in order to minimize entertaining the marina with our colorful language!).  We have the reverse problem, Don....  not infrequently, DH will press the "talk" switch and start talking immediately... there's a delay whenever the "talk" switch is depressed, so I miss the first few words.

So, we rely on hand signals and, like Ken and Dori, I do the backing while George is outside directing me precisely where he wants the coach backed/parked.  Much, much easier and far less stressful!

Best advice, Don, in addition to Peter's "sweet talk" :))  is (a) no radios; and (b) no moving the coach unless the spotter is visible in the mirror and providing directions with hand signals.
The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #29 –
In reality Beth and I have agreed to a system. We discarded our walkie-talkies. Now she is outside giving me directions. Our agreement is, if I don't move the coach it's because I don't understand her signals or I cannot see her. It's worked out very well.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #30 –
Hey Don,

I just found a pair of hands free headsets for rvers (no push-to-talk).  RV Headsets - RV Headsets for Mobile Vehicle Safety.    These might help your situation (and mine too :facepalm: ).  A solution for all us walkie talkie impaired folks! :thumbsup:

Jerry
The selected media item is not currently available.
Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #31 –
We use Motorola walkie-talkies -- but with one important difference.  Jim is outside giving me the directions.  This works so much better than when I was giving him directions.  He only has 4 basic commands -- STOP, butt to the driver, butt to the passenger, straight.  Jim has a much better grasp of spacial relations than I have so he can usually get me into even a tight spot in one try.  When we get parked, people usually give me a standing ovation for my parking skills -- but in reality, I could park it blind folded as long as I listen to Jim (and only Jim).

And for those woman who do little or no driving -- that's me -- I do very little driving but I do the parking, so give it a try.
Gayle McNeece

Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #32 –
Quote
just found a pair of hands free headsets for rvers (no push-to-talk).  RV Headsets - RV Headsets for Mobile Vehicle Safety.    These might help your situation (and mine too  ).  A solution for all us walkie talkie impaired folks! 

Jerry
I had a set of these and they in my opinion are worthless.  In fact I gave them to George Stoltz.  You might ask his opinion.
Nothing beats clear signals from a helper AND stopping, getting out and looking before you move again.  In my days doing trucking safety training this is what we taught.  Woe be unto the driver that BACKED into anything.
Gary B

Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Peter & Beth –
In reality Beth and I have agreed to a system. Now she is outside giving me directions. Our agreement is, if I don't move the coach it's because I don't understand her signals or I cannot see her. It's worked out very well.
                        We do the same thing. Carol S gave Dee a crash course on hand signals while we were at FOT. It works well for us except I like having her in the drivers mirror and she doesn't like the exhaust heat burning her legs when it gets close.

                              Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #34 –
Quote from: coastprt –
Hey Don,

I just found a pair of hands free headsets for rvers (no push-to-talk).  RV Headsets - RV Headsets for Mobile Vehicle Safety.    These might help your situation (and mine too :facepalm: ).  A solution for all us walkie talkie impaired folks! :thumbsup:

Jerry
They are AM, not FM, therefore more prone to electrical interference and engine interference.  If they were FM and voice activate(duplex), I would jump on them in a heartbeat!
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #35 –
And as Dean said, "I like having her in the drivers mirror!"  It is a must that both persons can maintain eye contact in that drivers mirror!    If the driver looses the guide from the mirror, driver must stop immediately until the guide is visible again.  If the guide looses sight of the driver in the mirror, guide must immediately tell driver to STOP and get away from the rear of the motorhome until it is stopped.  Loosing that guide in the mirror and not stopping can result in injury or death to the guide!!!  Have seen that happen first hand, and it was not a pretty sight
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Walkie talkies or Hand Signals

Reply #36 –
We use hand signals ( a flashlight at night). We tried walkie talkies, but we found that a few simple hand signals worked better. Also after my DW understood that she had to continually move so that I could always see her in my mirrors, they worked well.
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert