These radios Require Outside Infrastructure That You Have NO Control Over. Traditional VHF/UFH radios can Simplex, radio to radio, no third party involved. Or you can talk through repeaters. I feel that people thinking of these for "prepping" have no idea how these work OR Would Not Work.... Rapid Radios are PTT Cell Phones, in a very basic sense.
If you point out that these radios do not offer free usage, the company will block you from their page so you cannot comment. The truth is that when you buy a set, you prepaid for a SIM card that runs for one year. If you want the units to function after that, you must buy another prepaid SIM card for $50 per radio per year - 2 radios $100, 3 radios $150, etc. So their practices are shady. Add to that fact that if a cell tower goes down, or you’re out of cell phone range your “radio” is useless.
Their website also says nonsense like “With the on-going crisis in the Middle East & Europe, the threat of Cyberattacks on the USA, and the uncertainty of WW3 you simply CAN NOT RELY on Cell Phones and Internet for Communications in the Future!”. This is complete BS because these radios rely on the same cellular networks lol.
I used to love these when I had a Nextel. Theres also apps that do similar things with your phone. So long as everyone understands this is cell phone infrastructure and technology. Its true that if your cellphone can't connect, this may, just as when your cell phone doesn't connect, but someone elses can. These may even have roaming network agreements so can work on one service if the other is down. However, if theres no cell tower in range, or that tower doesn't have power, these are incapable of working.
I hope they fail. Their CEO signed off on marketing saying "No Monthly Fees-No Subscriptions" No Hidden Fees" but there are yearly fees. What a joke. Their business model is to put that in the fine print then after a year you go to use it, it doesnt work, you call em and have to pay $50 each for them to work again.
Coming in for a second comment. Great job on the video. You have experienced some of the same pros and cons that I have. Like you said, mostly pros. I was unaware of what the CMCT meant. Thank you for that. Again, I love them. With the battery life, as I’m sure you know, transmitting will deplete the battery faster but it still lasts a long time. It seems that there is also no problem with using the radio while plugged in and charging.
some of these comments kill me (most of them). As a licensed amateur radio operator, GMRS, and tech enthusiast, I still know these have a purpose. And Eddie clearly shows that in the video. These are NOT SHTF devices. These are for every day use communication, same as your cell phone. We all know cell phones will not work if SHTF. But we all still have one. These aren't designed to replace a ham radio or a cell phone. They are simply for quick easy convenient communications, good for businesses or quick chats with people you frequently talk to. They serve a purpose, but doesn't cover all scenarios. If that's what you are expecting, get a satphone.
I'm curious, do you have the Napa County Motor Parts in Lakeside? I've been going there ever since that took over the RV place and my friends shop M&M Off-Road.
Eddie thanks for the great information. This is not a SHTF radio which what I expected. But it did bring up my awareness that I need to get a satellite phone
@@donalderickson-si8wwThat's not accurate. You're thinking of vhf/uhf ham radios, which do in fact use repeater towers (like gmrs). However, ham radios have so many more capabilities and bands, from ssb, digital, am, and when using HF can go hundreds and thousands of miles with no tower, no infrastructure of any kind.
Well There are several modes in ham radio. Yes you can use a repeater for VHF or UHF and Even on HF bands. They also have digital modes like DMR, Dstar, C4FM etc.. to many to list. Once you get in the world of ham radio you won't give these radios a second look.
I had this on my Nextel cell phone back when they merged with Sprint years ago. It is basically a cell phone and works over cell towers. You most likely need to pay for cell service to use these.
If y’all would watch the whole video, he tells you that they use cell towers and won’t work when they’re down and you’d have to use something different they work great for what they’re intended for
Were we ride there are dead areas with the cell phone. Would the company be good about us returning it if this device gets the same dead spots? Because if this device also does not work in out areas it useless.
I was curious so I asked on their FB add if there were any fees ever. They blocked the question almost instantly. I took a screen shot but I was unable to paste it here.
What happens if the cellular services were to no longer exist for whatever reason? Do these still work …I have to assume they wouldn’t work meaning it’s not useful in a catastrophic situation.
That's incorrect.They run on all carrier 4G-LTE networks, Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile, and others. They don't use the same frequency. Cell service could be down but these ride a carrier frequency from which all towers have battery backup in outages. Cellular outages have no effect. HAM radio is still the best but these for what they are can go way farther for way cheaper than HAM. PTT like Nextel was limited to their towers. These run on all towers so they do get service in mountains. There will be dead spots but pull up a 4G LTE map with the 3 big carriers. You can get out immediately across the nation. Again, these are not perfect but for any serious comms people this is a must have tech for your tool box for when the SHTF
@@PropertyInsuranceClaims nice sales pitch, the carrier frequency is the cell service. Power backup is pointless if the backbone is down. These rely on someone else, carriers, to move the traffic. That is the failure of this expensive device.
I have 11 radios we talked from nevada ,cal and idaho simultaneously, clearer than cell signal at this point , battery really strong ,we keep them in a Faraday bag just in case cellular phone gets attacked from EMP and no cell phones left after stores are empty , not perfect but cheap backup
What I'm very disappointed with is There is no phone connection with the company themself. I've never been able to leave a message email. Is your only chance. Concerning
Idk why this is so confusing to people….. it’s a portable radio. Just like any other. Instead of using 100-800mhz frequencies in an analog or digital fashion it uses digital cellular frequencies. Instead of using radio to radio (simplex) for short range and 100-800mhz repeaters for long range. It just only uses cellular repeaters (cell towers) to talk that’s it….. it’s just a radio that rx and tx on a cell frequency rather than a traditional lower frequency……. The upside is nationwide connectivity. You don’t need a permit you don’t have to set up your own repeaters or talk to man children ham operators and ask for permission to talk on their repeaters you can just… talk. Even if the signal goes down it can still operate on a 1g level instead of 4g. Downside is that if you have a legit total blackout you can’t use it at all.
I have 3. I love them and the company is great. You can add new people to your group by coordinating that with the company. They will make it happen for you.
People are complaining about a hidden $50 yearly fee but we pay much more than that for actual cellphones which may or may not work at times. There have been times where AT&T has gone down but Verizon and others worked in my area. Not saying that all towers won’t fail but certainly not wishing for it to happen.
Your statement is strong and true. I think what you’re missing is the fact that you can use your radio to talk to the other Radio. The only other Radio in the talk group. Yes it’s cheaper but you get what you pay for. You can talk to the other person. That’s it.
I can talk 50 miles with only 10 watts rms on the 10 meter band and the antenna 15 feet off the ground. If it wasn't for all the trees the distance would be grater.
nice thing about these, they are not on only one system, the sim card they have uses All the major systems, and these look for the next strongest system if one goes down, they told me strongest signal is what it seeks.
I have many radios, and I ended up ordering 6 of these Rapid Radios. Tested for almost a month. I returned them. Don't buy. Reception was bad, if you want to add contacts, you have to contact the company. The operating system is trash, and they are definitely not a "if all else fails" option. Don't waste your money on these. For claiming they use multiple towers, the reception is horrible! When you don't have reception, you can't even enter the menu. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME, OR MONEY!
Many cell towers have generators as a backup in case of power outages so these MAY work in certain locations. But the local GMRS repeater in my area does not have a power backup. I guess it’s always good to have a couple of ways to communicate. Still on the fence on RAPID RADIO…
I ordered a set of six. How long did it take you to receive your radios because I’m afraid that I won’t get them but they they took my money. How long did it take you to receive your radios?
As precise like a swiss clock you see a bunch of comments comparing these devices to either a cellphone or a ham or gmrs radio. Oh, the wisdom ... They will not work if the grid goes down!!! In my entire life the grid never went down. So, what is the point. Besides these are for a different kind of use. Family, work, sport events. They are not meant for SHTF. If that is your sentiment, go get a ham license and prepare for that, if it is ever gonna happen. Anyway, the annual cost is a fraction of that of a cellphone plan. So for family or work they make a lot of sense. Push-to-Talk Over Cellular (PoC) radios are like giving your classic walkie-talkie a major tech upgrade, propelling your communication capabilities into the 21st century. Unlike traditional Ham, CB, or GMRS radios, which are pretty great for a nostalgic trip or a short-range chat, PoC radios leverage cellular networks. This means you're not just talking across the street or to the next hill over; you're staying connected across states, or even continents, as long as there's cell service or Wi-Fi. Planning a get-together or coordinating work tasks becomes as easy as pie, regardless of where everyone is. Now, let's talk secrets. With PoC radios, your conversations aren't just between you and the intended ears; they're encrypted. That's a fancy way of saying what you chat about stays between you and your chat buddies. Unlike the open-air waves of Ham radio, where anyone with the right equipment and a bit of know-how can tune in, your PoC convos are locked down. You can share the juiciest of gossip, the most confidential work info, or even just rant about your day without worrying about eavesdroppers. Plus, PoC radios aren't just about talking. They let you send texts, images, and share your location, making keeping in touch with family, friends, or coworkers not just more secure, but also more fun and functional. So, for those who value their privacy, love the idea of limitless communication, and want a few extra goodies thrown into the mix, PoC radios offer a modern, secure, and versatile way to stay connected. If you are preparing for dooms day .. well ... keep a couple of ham, gmrs radio handy or ... you can get a POC radio that is also a regular analog radio UHF/VHF and you will have the best of both worlds. That is what I went for, and I am pretty happy about it. Namaste.
If you guys would watch the fucking full video, he tells you if the cell phone towers go down the radio is useless. Don’t just watch 10 seconds and then start asking questions. 🥴
Completely pointless as a SHTF radio considering these need to have a cellular LTE service. And the fact they say no monthly fee but charge you annually $50 each.
All I know is if I need to use a radio vs cell phone its most likely cause I only need to speak within a few miles etc. If I need to speak to someone beyond that I use my cell phone. So it seems like a gimmick, and it depends on carriers. Which means at any time in the future a carrier or carriers can decide not to allow the service on their networks, this thing becomes a paper weight. At least a Nextel had both cell service and radio service combined.
I purchased under false advertisement .. Im wanting a radio that I can communitcate w/ family when shit hits the fan for Emergencys .. No cell service or ways to contact loved ones . Does anyone know of a radio that will work like that ??
Won't this type of service have the same problems as mobile phones? As in when something happens, everybody jumps on the phone, and nobody can get through reliably. At least with ham radio and private repeaters, the system won't be overwhelmed or jammed.
@@billbrady3998 I think they use a different band than regular cell phones. So even during congestion they should work. Yes you need a cell service but for example when AT&T went down, your AT&T phone also went down. These would jump to a different carrier. They are really a more robust cell phone but are badly marketed with some misrepresentation making people think they are like movie radios that work anywhere imo.
CMCT does not stand for Comcast. It stands for Concurrent Multi-Channel Transmission. It never changes from CMCT because the SIM card the radio is using is programmed for multiple cell carriers.
Does this borrow from all cell phone companies? All I have to do is go half a mile into the woods and all services die. Basically this is just a limited use cell phone set on an open speaker.
I bought these and they did. Not work . They sent me new SIM cards and said they would reset them . And still didn’t work.. So I’m waiting to see if they’ll send me replacements like they promised . I also bought the emergency radios So I’m hoping to use these for work
This is just a cellphone that has ptt button, like nextel or zello. Nothing special, just waste of money if trying to use in no cellular coverage areas
