Prior to the 1970s, surveyors working in the field generally relied on flags or hand signals to communicate when they were within sight of one another. Although two-way radio communication had existed for decades, it was not practical for routine field use. By the late 1970s, radio communication became more feasible for surveyors with the introduction of portable walkie-talkies and vehicle-mounted radiophones.
Radiophones use radio waves to transmit voice. Some radiophones operate similarly to walkie-talkies or CB radios, using direct radio-to-radio communication without towers. Other radiophones rely on towers to communicate. Early radiophones, as well as early cellular systems, used shared radio frequencies that could be monitored by others tuned to the same frequency. Cell phones also use radio waves, but they operate within a managed network of cellular towers.
The Society has a number of these devices in its collection.
Radiophone, GE
Radiophone, Cantel
Radiophone, Motorola
Radiophone, Midland
Radiophone, Midland
Radiophone, WR Communications
Radiophone, ICOM
Radiophone, Fenon
Radiophone, Johnson
