FRS systems

[Dodge34]

I would like to know if anyone used the FRS (Walkie Talkie) for communication in the WDW parks, I heard that the channels are overcrowded and it is impossible to get one free. I also heard a load of people barking at us when I use my native language on these (I speak french) Any way of getting the peace or to block a channel or code it in a way no one will be able to hear what I tell. My kids don't speak english otherwise I would have used it.

Also what do you think about these things ???

 

[all4fun]

We have used these in the parks before, but it's been about 18 months since we've been to the world, so maybe usage has increased, which crowds the airwaves. There is really no way to "block" a channel so others can't hear you. Anyone who has their radio set on the same channel as yours can hear what you're saying. If you want to carry on a private conversation, you will have to invest in some cellular phones. Most of the major carriers work in the parks.

One tip: if your FRS radio's have "sub" channels, then you should use those. This should really decrease the problem you're having with other users talking on the same channel. If you're in the parks and having trouble with other users, then you just need to keep changing your channels until you find one that (hopefully) isn't being used too much.

Also there are radios called GRMS radios that have a 5-mile range which may work a little better (but basically work the same way the FRS radios do). If you upgrade to those, you may have better luck, but you will also need a FCC license, which is $75/family and lasts for 5 years.

HTH!

 

[Dodge34]

Thanks for the infos, I was going to get FRS but i already planned to buy the sub channel compatible units since I figured out that the regular 14 channels would be overcrowded. I'll try to find infos for GRMS in Canada, I'm not sure we can have them here and what are the license price in Canada, maybe they are like short wave radios (sorry if I don't know the exact term for this) This require a special license and you need to know the morse code, thing that I think is for radio geeks only. But anyway I have planned to buy regular FRS with sub channels, this should be perfect, as I always travel with my cell phone, but I'm not sure they will work at Disney (outside of my country) altough I know they are supposed to be tri-band tech. I'm sure that Bell mobilite is not available in the states (this is my carrier here)

 

[Dodge34]

Anyone from Quebec on this board has tried their Cell phones at Disney, how much it cost more (I have a pre-paid option so I don't know how much each call will cost)

 

[djm99]

2 years ago I had these really cheap walkie talkie and they were a nightmare. So last summer when we went to Disney I got ones from Radio Shack and was told that they were a better quality. Yeah right!! Not to me. I still heard other conversations and some little boys who had fun cursing on the channels. You really can't change the channel because your loved ones are away and they can't communicate with you on another channel.

This year I am using my cell phone. Every thing I've read from allearsnet, mouseplanet, and a few others have all said that cell services are your best means of communication. And with Sprint now offering the R-link services, its just an added plus. For those people who have Sprint Cell services, they have added a R-Link feature (walkie-talkie - like Nextel). I once had a Nextel, and love the phone, but hated the bill. Sprint has some extremely nice cell plans especially if you are adding lines to them.

I probably need to open another thread to ask if anyone has had any problems with their R-link services while in WDW????