two-way radios/rude people

[melindaandrob]

How do you handle using two-way radios, (without subchannels, unfortunately we didn't learn about the importance of them until after purchasing) while in the parks and having rude people play silly games. Our last trip we encountered 4 or 5 incidents of rude people, one child was playing with it so every time dh would try to tell me where he was she would scream! People were fighting over it, it was ridiculous. They were terrific to have when we could use them but dh is convinced they may have been more trouble.
Any suggestions? How do you handle these situations?

Thanks
Melinda

 

[Michelemouse]

I really think that if you don't have the sub-channels the radios are worthless. Our first set did not have the sub-channels and we ran into the same problems you did. Now we have invested in a set with the sub-channels and they work great. We rarely (really never) have any interference from others and we use them all of the time. I would say that, if you can swing it, you should look into a set with the sub-channels.

 

[safetymom]

We had a set with sub channels and you still could hear everyone else's conversation. I think there are too many people using them to be effective. I also encountered lots of rude people using them, the ones standing in the middle of the walkway screaming into them were my favorite.

 

[>>^..^<<]

There are so many sub channels to pick from - it is extremely rare to have others on the same frequency - although it has happened -

I talk to my daughter on her way to school/home from school (she takes her two way everyday so I know she is safe) and one day - by chance there was this guy on the same channel... he heard me call my daughter by her name and then started calling her saying "talk to me baby" it was really upsetting - I told her to turn off the radio and come straight home - I kept mine on and he kept talking trying to get her to answer him... creep

>>^..^<<

 

[safetymom]

In Disney there are so many people using them your chances of not sharing the channel are slim.

>>^..^<< , I am sorry to hear of your experience. It reminds me of what they used to say about cordless phones. Don't consider anything private when using them. There are folks out there with scanners that listen to these radios.

 

[slp87]

We've been using ours with subchannels for the past 2 vacations and only twice on our 10 day trips have we had someone else on our channel. We then have a back up channel we switch to (our DD birthday). I agree with others that it really would be worth it to upgrade if at all possible. We use them on vacations to all other places now, anywhere that we want to split up.

 

[Luvdisney]

Can someone give me a good brand and model of a 2 way radio with sub channels?

 

[leighmidd]

I would suggest using your cell phone. If you don't have a national plan go ahead and upgrade to one before you go to Disney. Much less of a hassle, I think.

 

[Ven]

I don't have two cell phones at my disposal to do that with.

I'm with Luvdisney and would love to know of a good deal on a set of decent two-way radios with subchannels.

 

[DRoseBall]

I would also like a suggestion from those of you who have had no problems with them (those with sub channels) to suggest a brand..........I don't have ANY two way radios and am considering purchasing them for our trip this July! Thanks a bunch!


Denise

 

[Maridw]

My sister and her family had 4 radios for all of us to use, and my DH & I thought they were worthless (must not have had subchannels). Everytime we tried to find one of our group, we kept getting this other stupid woman who had to know where her husband was about every other minute... (I am in line at Splash Mountain; where are you now? ... still in line at SM; where are you now? getting ready to get on the ride; where are you now? on the ride; and so on) I think we heard his entire ride through SM.

After the first two days, we gave the radio back to my sister & said call us on our cell if you want us, we'll see you around.

 

[Epscot]

I agree with the others that said the radios without sub-channels are pretty much wortless in WDW. I've got a pair of Cobra Micro-Talk radios with sub-channels that will ring, vibrate or both and also have a weather radio built in that will receive National Weather Service broadcasts. The model I own has probably been discontinued (I purchased them 3 yrs ago), but I would HIGHTLY recommend them or their replacement model.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I've got Motorola Talkabouts - they were purchased at Costco in Hawaii... I'm sorry that I don't have the model number, but they have lots of channels and subchannels. Only once did we encounter someone else on our channel. They also make a Disney brand, i recall seeing something about them on www.mousesavers.com

What might be useful is to have a channel you want to use, bring it into the parks and at the entrance before splitting up, test to see if there seems to be a lot of chatter - if so, you can try for other ones.

 

[christi]

I'm from the UK and know that 2 way radios that I purchase here are illegal in the US! Does anyone know if I can buy radios from the US via the internet to take with me? I have seen the Motorola Talkabouts on a site called circuitcity.com and would like to know if anyone has purchased from them?
Thanks

 

[Epscot]

www.circuitcity.com is the online version of Circuit City, which is a large nationwide electronics chain store here in the USA. They are a well-known company and are as reputable as any other large retailer.

Their chief competition here is Best Buy, which is also online at www.bestbuy.com

 

[Traveliz]

For those looking for walkie-talkies ... I was in a SuperWalmart recently that had a huge selection of them on clearance. These were the Motorola with the 14 channels AND the 38 subchannels with the 2 mile radius. They were very similar to the ones I bought for my husband and brother several years ago.

We use them every trip and also at malls and other outings and have had good success with them.

Anyway compared to when we had bought them the price has come down dramatically!

They also had several other brands clearanced so checking a Walmart might be a good idea.

Liz

 

[mcnuss]

First of all, >>^..^<<, I hope you called the police. They may have been able to track the guy down or lure him into a trap. He should have been taught a lesson.

As for the Walkies, we used a combo of cell phones and the 2-ways with the 38 sub-channels. Mine are Cobra with re-chargeable batteries. I got them at Costco 2 years ago for $75 for the pair. inc. the charging base. At WDW they worked ok. We had to play around every day with the channels though. They were much better on the Disney cruise and when we were skiing.

We also used our cell phones - DH and I each had one, as did my DM and DB, so between 6 of us there were 4 phones. The problem with ALL of these comm systems is that it is very hard to hear them ringing/beeping in the commotion of WDW. My DM, bless her, put her phone and walkie in her purse, so she never once heard them! In all honesty, if you are a 2 cell family, they did work better. At least with the phones, I did not have to hear other people's chatter. Next time, I am going to get one of those hideous phone holsters for my belt and put the phone on vibrate.

 

[crisi]

If you don't have two cell phones, you can rent them for the week.

 

[Jacket93]

The more the prices drop on the 2-way radios the more traffic and rude people you are going to get on them. I first pick them up about 4 years ago for a trip and they worked great always had a free channel Last yearthe traffic was real bad on the radios so we used the cell phones to contact each other, we were able to leave voicemails to each other and the text messaging features to contact each other I still had the radios with us but found the phone easier to get in contact.

I did use the Radios at the hotel and on the Mouse boats to stay in contact with the kids. That worked real well. Rather have them lose the radio than my cell phone.

 

[MELSMICE]

We solved it by using our cell phones. We made sure we had a good plan with free roaming & free long distance evening & weekends.

We were there for 15 days on our last trip & used 2 cell phones constantly with different #s. Called everyone & everywhere. When we got home our bill was only $18.