# Room-to-room intercom? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 14, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508 "2013-07-14T21:36:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/1 "2013-07-14T21:36:46Z")
I’m thinking of getting an intercom, so that when I’m ensconced in my basement lair, my wife will have an easy way to get to me, especially if I aciddentally leave my phone elsewhere, it’s dead, or there’s no signal. Anyone have suggestions? I’m not very handy, so installing a wire-based system would be less preferable. How good are FM-radio signal based intercoms? How cheap can I go? I’d be grateful for any guidance on this. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/2 "2013-07-14T21:47:49Z")
Cordless phones with multiple handsets work as intercoms. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/3 "2013-07-14T22:05:07Z")
Cheap walkie-talkies. If you just have the basement one on the charger in the “on” position all the time, it should work just fine for what you need. My parents bought a set to use in a similar manner, and they’re also useful when boating. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/4 "2013-07-14T22:43:05Z")
When my son was young we had an intercom in our home and it was quite handy. It was some kind of cheap wireless set from Radio Shack or Sears or something. It worked perfectly fine for a couple of years, then started buzzing and crackling all the time, but by then we were pretty much done with it anyway. They are much handier than cell phones - just push a button and talk. And they plug into a wall socket, so no batteries to dick with endlessly. The reason it made sense for us is that the house has 6 levels, and nobody wants to walk up and down flights of stairs just to tell someone “dinner’s ready” or “we’re leaving in 5 minutes.” ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/5 "2013-07-14T23:04:06Z")
Wired systems will work best, the wireless will be cheapest (and she’ll expect you to have good batteries in it if I’m reading between the lines correctly). Lastly, exchanges like “Engineering to Galley: Repairs will take 20 more minutes, so you’ll have to reschedule that meal…” only work on Star Trek. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/6 "2013-07-14T23:10:30Z")
Baby Monitor with 2 way talk. $67 wireless and reaches 1000 ft [http://www.walmart.com/ip/11993476?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000129596&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=13685951110&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=34442196670&veh=sem](http://www.walmart.com/ip/11993476?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000129596&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=13685951110&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=34442196670&veh=sem) > [@](#): > > Keep tabs on your baby while you are away with the Philips AVENT Baby Monitor with DECT Technology. Place the monitor near your babys cradle, the receiver near you, and monitor your baby from as far as 1,000 feet away. The Phillips baby monitor unit includes a nightlight. The DECT technology guarantees a secure connection with crystal-clear clarity and zero interference to provide assurance that your babys fine. This talk back baby monitor allows two-way communication, so you can comfort your baby from anywhere. It features LED lights that get activated to display different levels of sound. ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/7 "2013-07-14T23:11:55Z")
[This](http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-your-own-intercom-or-walkie-talkie-out-of-tw/) is quite simple and easy. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/8 "2013-07-14T23:13:35Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > (and she’ll expect you to have good batteries in it if I’m reading between the lines correctly). 😉 > [@](#): > > Lastly, exchanges like “Engineering to Galley: Repairs will take 20 more minutes, so you’ll have to reschedule that meal…” only work on Star Trek. I’m having a very hard time resisting [this](http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e9b8/). ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/9 "2013-07-15T00:05:30Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#): > > the house has 6 levels I’m trying to picture how this is even possible (never mind practical), unless you’re super-rich and have a whole apartment complex to yourself? … If you \*are \*super-rich, can I borrow 20 bucks? ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/10 "2013-07-15T00:14:19Z")
the multihandset cordless phone that allows intercom or a Family Radio Service radio are best solution. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/11 "2013-07-15T00:15:36Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > I’m trying to picture how this is even possible (never mind practical), unless you’re super-rich and have a whole apartment complex to yourself? > > … > > If you \*are \*super-rich, can I borrow 20 bucks? He might live in one of those town houses that are only 10 feet wide. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/12 "2013-07-15T00:21:09Z")
Philly has many of those. We had wired intercoms when I was growing up. My Mom’s yelling always worked better. Their main use was for us kids to spy on our parent’s private coversations! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/13 "2013-07-15T02:45:10Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > Cordless phones with multiple handsets work as intercoms. This is what I was coming to propose. We use it whenever anybody is sick; in your case I’d recommend having one of the chargers in the basement and another in the living room or the kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/room-to-room-intercom/663508/14 "2013-07-16T20:24:39Z")
I decided to go with this – > **[RadioShack.com Official Site - America's Technology Store](https://www.radioshack.com/)** > > The Shack Is Back! Shop Radios, Headphones, TV Antennas, Cables & Adapters, DIY Tools & Parts, Electronics Maker Kits, and much more brand new arrivals daily! Don't forget to visit any of our 450+ RadioShack locations across America!