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What is a Rocky Talkie and how is it different from a standard walkie talkie?
Rocky Talkies are rugged adventure radios. The main thing that sets the Rocky Talkie apart is its ease of use and durability. Unlike the fragile plastic belt clips of standard radios, the radio easily secures to backpacks and harnesses using an ultra-light CAMP Nano carabiner. For extreme terrain, a back-up leash is included to prevent drops. We find that this system is the difference between actively using the radio and keeping it in a backpack for emergencies. For durability, the radio includes a thermoplastic covering and shatterproof LED screen. The battery life also stands out, with a li-ion battery that lasts 3-5 days on average and does well in the cold. We also worked hard to keep the whole system (radio + protective covering + carabiner + leash) under half a pound to make sure its light in the pack.
Rocky Talkies are rugged adventure radios. The main thing that sets the Rocky Talkie apart is its ease of use and durability. Unlike the fragile plastic belt clips of standard radios, the radio easily secures to backpacks and harnesses using an ultra-light CAMP Nano carabiner. For extreme terrain, a back-up leash is included to prevent drops. We find that this system is the difference between actively using the radio and keeping it in a backpack for emergencies. For durability, the radio includes a thermoplastic covering and shatterproof LED screen. The battery life also stands out, with a li-ion battery that lasts 3-5 days on average and does well in the cold. We also worked hard to keep the whole system (radio + protective covering + carabiner + leash) under half a pound to make sure its light in the pack.
Describe the birth of this idea and the transition into a business.
The idea actually started during a climb in Utah several years ago. We (Bryce and Alex, the cofounders of Rocky Talkie), were climbing the north chimney on Castleton Tower, and witnessed a whole host of unsafe behavior be climbers above us. A team was rapelling the route, only to find out their rope was too short, leaving a climber stranded at the end of his rope. The wind prevented them from being able to communicate the situation to each other, and in the chaos several large rocks were knocked off. We were a little shaken up from the experience, and realized it wasn’t an isolated incident, and these situations happen all the time. We looked for radios that you could use easily and safely while climbing, and after finding nothing, set out to design our own solution to the problem. After using Bryce’s 3d printer to test out some prototypes, we had a solution that we were really happy with. It was around this time we thought we might be on to something, and turning the idea into a business started to make sense.
Share some examples of how people use the Rocky Talkies when climbing.
Communication in climbing is absolutely essential. Teams should always discuss their plans before leaving the ground, and have backup systems (like rope systems) to communicate if all else fails. We find the radios are great on multipitch climbs, and allow teams to move safely and quickly up the wall, and have a great time while doing it. People also make great use of the radios on single pitch climbs where rivers or highways make it hard to hear your partner. In climbing, rope systems are great, but it's all too often that more complicated situations arise, and being able to talk it out with your partner allows for quick and safe resolutions.
The idea actually started during a climb in Utah several years ago. We (Bryce and Alex, the cofounders of Rocky Talkie), were climbing the north chimney on Castleton Tower, and witnessed a whole host of unsafe behavior be climbers above us. A team was rapelling the route, only to find out their rope was too short, leaving a climber stranded at the end of his rope. The wind prevented them from being able to communicate the situation to each other, and in the chaos several large rocks were knocked off. We were a little shaken up from the experience, and realized it wasn’t an isolated incident, and these situations happen all the time. We looked for radios that you could use easily and safely while climbing, and after finding nothing, set out to design our own solution to the problem. After using Bryce’s 3d printer to test out some prototypes, we had a solution that we were really happy with. It was around this time we thought we might be on to something, and turning the idea into a business started to make sense.
Share some examples of how people use the Rocky Talkies when climbing.
Communication in climbing is absolutely essential. Teams should always discuss their plans before leaving the ground, and have backup systems (like rope systems) to communicate if all else fails. We find the radios are great on multipitch climbs, and allow teams to move safely and quickly up the wall, and have a great time while doing it. People also make great use of the radios on single pitch climbs where rivers or highways make it hard to hear your partner. In climbing, rope systems are great, but it's all too often that more complicated situations arise, and being able to talk it out with your partner allows for quick and safe resolutions.
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This is a technological product. Describe the process of creating a prototype and setting up manufacturing.
We focused a lot on the design process, making sure that the attachment systems were reliable, and the radio rugged enough to be scraped up rock walls without issue. We started by using 3d printing to nail down exactly where the carabiner and backup leash would sit on the radio to make them as intuitive as possible to use. We did a lot of testing at this stage until we had a solid design. Then focused shifted to the outer case. We did a material study, comparing all possible materials suitable for the injection molding process. |
We finally settled on an advanced thermoplastic that can handle a lot of abuse. Next, we partnered with a manufacturer for the base radio circuitry that we liked quite a bit, and customized the radio from there. We worked on ruggedizing the product, and designing it to work with our other attachments. Software was the next hurdle, we had to strip the radio down to just the essentials to provide a simple and dead easy experience. Looking back, we have come a long way in just a couple of years, and work to continue to improve the product constantly.
Rocky Talkies have privacy codes, what are they, and how do those work when connecting to other radios?
Rocky talkies use privacy codes, which block out other signals on the same frequency so that your team’s communication is not disrupted. The radio comes with 22 unique frequencies and over 100 privacy codes. This enables thousands of unique combinations for finding a clear channel. This feature is fairly standard on advanced consumer radios. In order to connect to other radios, you can match the channel number and privacy code to the other radios, or disable the privacy code entirely.
Rocky talkies use privacy codes, which block out other signals on the same frequency so that your team’s communication is not disrupted. The radio comes with 22 unique frequencies and over 100 privacy codes. This enables thousands of unique combinations for finding a clear channel. This feature is fairly standard on advanced consumer radios. In order to connect to other radios, you can match the channel number and privacy code to the other radios, or disable the privacy code entirely.
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Who are the business founders and are they all climbers?
The business was founded by Bryce and Alex, and yes they are climbers local to the Denver area. We soon expanded the team with Scott and Darcie, who also happen to be badass Colorado climbers. One of the most fun parts of developing this product has been taking the team all over to test it on big walls, from Yosemite to El Potrero Chico. What are the different roles of each of the founders in your business and what are your backgrounds? Rocky Talkie started as a nights-and-weekends passion project for our team. After launching the business last month, we found that the demand for our radio system is much higher than we anticipated. Bryce is currently taking the most active role in managing the company and has several thousand radios stacked in his apartment. He has an MBA from the University of Michigan and a passion for product design / 3D printing. Alex leads the technical side of the business and has a PHD in Physics from the University of Michigan. What has been the experience like starting and running a business? It has been quite a roller coaster. Things were slow during development, when we would hunker down and discuss 3d models and manufacturing techniques. Now, after launching the product, we have been working non-stop to provide the best customer service and working to keep up with demand. It has been humbling how many people have reached out and supported the product, so we feel a big responsibility to do them justice. |
Rocky Talky creators and owners Alex (left) and Bryce (right).
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What would you like climbers to know about small businesses?
If you have an idea go for it! We have been blown away by the response from the community. Everyone has been so supportive. People are just psyched to have a product that works for them. If you are a climber and have a problem, its likely a lot of other climbers have that exact problem, so share your solution!
What are your goals and vision for the future?
Our mission is to spread awareness about the dangers of miscommunication and to make radios a standard part of a climber’s rack, just like a helmet is. The focus for the Rocky Talkie product is to continue doubling down on reliability, durability, and simplicity. We want it to be a radio that athletes can rely on regardless of the conditions and terrain that they find themselves in.
Please feel free to add any additional questions (and responses) you think would be interesting, fun, or informative for the reader.
We just wanted to add that even with perfect team communication, we know that accidents will still happen. Because of this, we have taken a pledge to donate $2 dollars per radio sold to Search and Rescue teams. Most of these teams are run by volunteers and are extremely underfunded - yet they are our last line of protection out in the wild. Even if Rocky Talkies aren’t for you, please consider donating to your local rescue team!
If you have an idea go for it! We have been blown away by the response from the community. Everyone has been so supportive. People are just psyched to have a product that works for them. If you are a climber and have a problem, its likely a lot of other climbers have that exact problem, so share your solution!
What are your goals and vision for the future?
Our mission is to spread awareness about the dangers of miscommunication and to make radios a standard part of a climber’s rack, just like a helmet is. The focus for the Rocky Talkie product is to continue doubling down on reliability, durability, and simplicity. We want it to be a radio that athletes can rely on regardless of the conditions and terrain that they find themselves in.
Please feel free to add any additional questions (and responses) you think would be interesting, fun, or informative for the reader.
We just wanted to add that even with perfect team communication, we know that accidents will still happen. Because of this, we have taken a pledge to donate $2 dollars per radio sold to Search and Rescue teams. Most of these teams are run by volunteers and are extremely underfunded - yet they are our last line of protection out in the wild. Even if Rocky Talkies aren’t for you, please consider donating to your local rescue team!
Learn More & Purchase at the Rocky Talkie Website: https://rockytalkie.com/
Instagram: @rockytalkies
Facebook: @rockytalkies
Instagram: @rockytalkies
Facebook: @rockytalkies
*Common Climber does NOT take a percentage of sales when you follow a link to a business from our website, nor do we make money by featuring these businesses on the Common Climber Marketplace. We feature small businesses to help raise awareness and advance our climbing community.