By Kathleen Carter Smartphones rule the ether, connecting people through a mostly reliable communication channel. They are handheld phones with digital functions that make them highly versatile and portable. They can access the internet with Wi Fi, can send pictures, can be used for group calls or messaging, and have that most unique text messaging function. The older and some would say less functional cousin of the cell phone is the two way handheld radio. It is actually a transceiver, a combination of transmission instrument and receiver, that can communicate with other sets. Technology was miniaturized to create the sturdiest gadgets, the same Dallas two way radios that many businesses still look for and use. Way back when cell phones were not even in the horizon for communication, these sets were all the rage. The same went for things like CB or ham, which aficionados often built from scratch. They shared the same technology. Even with the technology available these days...