walkie talkies

[BiGGy]

what are the best walkie talkies to use in the parks and where can we get them from?

any info greatly appreciated.

regards biggy

 

[TraceyL]

I've been looking into 2 way radios too, so far without much luck as you can only get US ones shipped to a US address for legal reasons Found some lovely Disney Princess ones too - although they haven't had very good feedback

We'll probably end up getting some in Walmart when we get there

 

[Mickey_UK]

We bought from radio shack TRC 509 Walkie Talkie and have never had a problem,they work over a distance of about 3/4 of a mile,we also use them if we have 2 cars.It works out great if one car gets through the traffic lights and the other does not or just to talk to each other about when we should stop for coffee.In the parks they are great when you need to contact the kids

 

[neo's white rabbit]

...in his updated Brits Guide post on April 19th


"Oh, anyone looking to use the Airwave Communications mobile phone services which we mention in the book is likely to be disappointed as they have gone out of business, which is a great shame as they offered excellent service. However, I have two possible alternatives so far - Radio Rentals, at 1412 West Colonial Drive, Orlando (call 407 835 9500), offer rates at $40 for 2 weeks hire of a cellular phone (calls cost 65 cents per minute, no minimum charge). They also do two-way radios at $40 per unit for two weeks; and a more specialist firm, CellURent, at 407 522-6565 or 1-888-817-3681, or look up www.cellurent.com. I have recently checked out the latter and rate their services very highly. Very efficient."

 

[Kimkie]

We Looked into buying some before we went, but decided against it as they seemed quite expensive. However, when we got to Disney we really missed being able to talk to eachother on our mobiles, so we got a couple in a big disney shop in Epcot. They cost 60 Dollars, around £40, which actually seemed much cheaper than we had seen at home. They REALLY helped as we often split up to do different rides with our 4 and 9 yr olds. We used them the whole holiday, down to Naples, then back to Universal Studios, even in the shoping Malls. One time I had a scary time trying to get somewhere and it was really great to get hold of DH and say 'come and get me'!

 

[Mickey_UK]

As I said we bought from radio shack at florida mall,the 2 units cost $65 and we just buy new batteries each year,in the long term it works out cheaper but all depends how often you would use them.

 

[Aceman88888]

Are UK ones not able to be used over there???????

If so, why not?????

 

[BiGGy]

UK ones cant be used in the USA because it works on the same frequency as the emergency services and vice versa.

well i think thats why i maybe wrong hehehehe


BiGGY

 

[uksaint]

We bought some Motorola 6210 two-way radios on e-Bay from a US vendor. Cost £35 + £8 customs charge on import.

We thought they were excellent in the parks, and very rarely did we experience any interference from other radio users.

 

[cheryl.UK]

we have motorola ones purchased in the UK from Tandy and the info with them says that they are safe in the US. They cost £50 for 2 with a charger

 

[Leech esq]

If you can wait,Wallmart sell a decent choice,we bought some back in 2000,two in a pack for about sixty dollars.On the odd occaision we have used them over here we have heard other users.We felt it important to get ones with sub channels,so that you stand more chance of a clear airway.The ones we got have fourteen channels each with thirty eight subs.In the parks you quite often have to change to find one with less user's on.

 

[BONZO]

Cheryl,


Any more info about the ones from Tandy?

we have motorola ones purchased in the UK from Tandy and the info with them says that they are safe in the US.

I've never seen this before.


Quote from Dave (TFM)

The radios bought in the UK from Argos or anywhere are ILLEGAL in the USA. They operate on frequencies used by the emergency services and government.

 

[cheryl.UK]

the walky talkies we have are motorola 'Talkabout's with the number T5522 on them,

I checked the info very carefully before i bought them and it deffinitely says that I can use them in the US

 

[Kimkie]

Hi Cheryl.uk
That holiday sounds amazing, have a good one!

 

[thefatman]

--------------------------------------------------
With ref. to Radio Communications Agency UK and Family Radio Services USA.

UK PMR frequencies
<i>8 channels and 38 codes for 304 talk combinations, as used by the Motorola T5522.</i>ARGOS
446.00625 MHz
446.03125 MHz
446.05625 MHz
446.08125 MHz
446.01875 MHz
446.04375 MHz
446.06875 MHz
446.09375 MHz

And as you can see the USA frquencies are totally different.

USA/Canada FRS Frequencies
1 462.5625
2 462.5875
3 462.6125
4 462.6375
5 462.6625
6 462.6875
7 462.7125
8 467.5625
9 467.5875
10 467.6125
11 467.6375
12 467.6625
13 467.6875
14 467.7125

WARNING: USA FRS frequencies are allocated to fire,police & hospital services in the UK.

<b>The UK channels are not licensed for personal use in the USA.</b>
The sub codes make no diffeerence they are only like access codes not channel frequencies.
With the US radio spectrum being a lot busier than here, I,m finding it a little difficult digging out of the FCC whose service you would be going interferring with in Florida if you used your UK radios.
But I,m sure someone WILL suffer if you choose to use them, lets hope its not a hospital or critical service, and technically you would would be breaking the law.
--------------------------------------------------

They sell VERY good walkie talkies in Wal Mart for $19 each !

 

[bmcconalogue]

Argos and Dixons both sell them in the UK (they transmit themselves, so there's no reason to buy US radios). Even the cheapy ones, about £30, work over 1-2 miles. We've used them in parks, skiing, and driving in two cars with great success. Basically, the more you pay the greater distance they cover, and that's about the only difference.

 

[Gilligan]

...you can manage without!

My DH and I love our mobiles around Chessington & Thorpe Park, and assumed we could get something cheap in the States (and now I know why I never did get a reply from Airwaves Communications!). We never did get around to sorting out walkie talkies or mobiles whilst we were there...and do you know what? We managed! Yes, it would have been easier with something, but we just estimated how long a ride would be (and not too long with a fast pass!), or where we would meet whilst the other went off to fetch a fast pass; that sort of thing. It worked.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by bmcconalogue
Argos and Dixons both sell them in the UK (they transmit themselves, so there's no reason to buy US radios)

Other than the fact that the frequency that UK radios operate on is not licenced for use by the general public! Therefore you will be breaking some American law by making illegal transmissions.

As Dave said, perfectly good walkie talkies can be had in a wide range of shops for not many dollars. We decided not to risk using our UK bought radios, avoiding unnecessary interference on possibly more important frequencies. It might be safe to use UK radios while in Orlando (you won't get electrocuted or anything) but it isn't legal.

Regards

Rob

 

[cheryl.UK]

If it were just me and my DH wouldn't need the walkie talkies but have you every tried attackibng the pars with 4 teenagers, 2 kids between 7 and 10, 2 under 5's an OAP and 6 adults,

Did it once.....NEVER trying that again

 

[Kimkie]

We bought some Disney Walkie talkies during our recent trip. I learn from this site that UK ones are illegal to use in the US, so it's just as well we didn't buy them here first. However we were in Curry's today and I saw the very same Disney walkie talkies as we bought in Orlando only £10 more here. I am assuming that the frequency would be the same, but maybe the change it for the UK market?