Walkie-Talkie on a ship: good idea?

[ashoor]

Walkie-Talkie on a ship: good idea? Especially when two groups of people and you are constantly doing different things etc.

 

Has anyone used walkie-talkie to get in touch with family and friends on a ship?

[chrysalis]

They used to rent them....some find them annoying. You can leave messages on phones or in mail boxes

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1428195&highlight=walkie-talkie

Edited February 15, 2013 by chrysalis

[junglejane]

The ship's own structure (a huge lattice of steel beams) seriously degrades the performance of these devices. A good idea in theory, but in practice you will hear lots of static (if you hear anything) and will constantly be shouting "could you repeat that--I couldn't understand you." Post it notes and voicemail on room phones work better, not to mention making plans in advance.

[dizlove]

Walkie-Talkie on a ship: good idea? Especially when two groups of people and you are constantly doing different things etc.

 

Has anyone used walkie-talkie to get in touch with family and friends on a ship?

 

I have used walkie talkies on ships for YEARS. Love having them when we split up from a group. great with kids who want some independent time but them want to meet back up in a bit. great on shore when splitting up instead of cell phones. Mine even reach ship to shore to communicate with someone who wanted to stay on ship in port.

[cardqb]

Walkie talkies came in very handy on our last couple cruises, especially with kids.. but also communications with the spouse. The ships are so large that it does make it difficult sometimes if you're on opposite ends or there is lots of structure between.

 

But definitely look into it as a viable option for communication. Don't go all out and buy the expensive ones, we found the cheap old ones that took 2 AA batteries worked better than our newer fancy rechargeable ones!

 

Just keep in mind many others might also be using them and you'll want to use an obscure channel.. Something like 12-4 or other off the norm frequency besides the standard 1-1, 2-1,3-1, etc. You will understand when you see the walkie talkies.

[gingera]

our walkie talkies worked pretty well...we only have one cell phone so the walkies were nice.,,

[peachykiehn]

We have used them also. come in handy especially if you wanted to communicate without needing to go back to the room.

[ORDMan]

Just consider keeping the volume down, maybe turning off the "beep." Some of them are programmed to make a loud beep every time the mic is keyed, and that can be very annoying to those around you. But used with good taste, I'd think they would be valuable tools. Getting a VHF signal to penetrate many decks of steel deck plating is quite another, so I'm not sure what kind of range you could expect.

[vancouvergirl2010]

I find that they are often loud and are obnoxious. Cabin voicemail and notes have always worked well for us and hundreds of others.

[satxdiver]

So called walkie talkies are actually two way hand held radio devices that are authorized under the FCC FRS and GMRS services. Between the two services there are 22 distinct channels authorized. With 3600+ pax on a ship, 22 channels does not go far. Anyone using channel 10 for example can be heard by anyone listening to that channel. Only one talker at a time on each channel. Most of the radios are 1/2 watt or 500 MW meaning low power and with ships made of steel, reception from one deck to another can be limited. BTW shouting into the radio will make reception worse due to electronic reasons, so don't do it.

 

Using FRS/GMRS hand held radios in foreign countries is limited at best or not allowed according to local laws. You could find yourself in violation of a local law and speaking to a judge. Use at your own risk.

[4realrod]

We always bring our walkie talkies with us. We have never had a problem with others being on our signal. Mine allow to set it to a channel and then have it set to another setting which keeps it private between the radios. There can be challenges depending on where you are on the ship. Overall they come in very handy.

[shazz56]

I know this is different to a 'walkie talkie' but does anyone know if a HAM radio is allowed on board? I have searched the Princess website and cant find anything relating to a HAM radio.

 

cheers from 'down under'

 

sharon

[flamomo]

I know this is different to a 'walkie talkie' but does anyone know if a HAM radio is allowed on board? I have searched the Princess website and cant find anything relating to a HAM radio.

 

cheers from 'down under'

 

sharon

 

I am pretty sure you have to contact Princess to get permission.

 

I do know someone had brought one on a recent Princess cruise I took, but I recall him saying he had to get the OK from Princess before bringing it with him.

[Stevesan]

Walkie-Talkie on a ship: good idea? Especially when two groups of people and you are constantly doing different things etc.

 

Has anyone used walkie-talkie to get in touch with family and friends on a ship?

 

We used walkie talkies with our grandson. That was on Grand Princess.

They worked fine until he "lost" his .:rolleyes:

Edited February 16, 2013 by Stevesan

[shazz56]

I am pretty sure you have to contact Princess to get permission.

 

I do know someone had brought one on a recent Princess cruise I took, but I recall him saying he had to get the OK from Princess before bringing it with him.

 

Thanks.. i will contact Princess for "he who must be obeyed, NOT". Hopefully they will give permission.

 

 

sharon

[CruisinChris]

Horrible idea. Noisy, disruptive, annoying...

[tip]

Horrible idea. Noisy' date=' disruptive, annoying...[/quote']

 

Agreed!

[UpcountryTravelers]

....

Using FRS/GMRS hand held radios in foreign countries is limited at best or not allowed according to local laws. You could find yourself in violation of a local law and speaking to a judge. Use at your own risk.

 

Exactly. VERY risky, especially in the Caribbean. (And actually, it's a violation of national law, not local.)

 

As for ham radios (it's not "HAM", btw), reciprocal licenses from the country to be visited are usually required. Check with the Wireless Institute of Australia. (http://www.wia.org.au/)

 

Use in international waters (called "MM" or "maritime mobile") aboard ship requires permission from the Captain - usually handled by the radio officer. Hand held radios are usually easy to get permission, larger HF radios are more difficult. (I'm an Extra Class operator and license examiner.)

Edited February 16, 2013 by UpcountryTravelers

[dizzy1948]

If you have iphone 4 or 5 you can use the walkie talkie feature from iTunes

 

Voxer Walkie-Talkie PTT for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad on the ...

 

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/voxer-walkie-talkie.../id377304531

Edited February 17, 2013 by dizzy1948

[travel09]

How simply tragic to have to be in touch EVERY minute of a cruise ...in wonderful places.. how very annoying it is to have these stupid things crackling and buzzing around others...I so hope you are not on OUR cruise..!!:

[shazz56]

As for ham radios (it's not "HAM", btw), reciprocal licenses from the country to be visited are usually required. Check with the Wireless Institute of Australia. (http://www.wia.org.au/)

 

Use in international waters (called "MM" or "maritime mobile") aboard ship requires permission from the Captain - usually handled by the radio officer. Hand held radios are usually easy to get permission, larger HF radios are more difficult. (I'm an Extra Class operator and license examiner.)

 

As my partner is a full call licensed amateur radio operator, he is aware of the reciprocal license agreements. He is also a member of the WIA.

 

Before we start our big trip, we actually have to go via Dayton! You know what that means! LOL

 

sharon

[Colo Cruiser]

I seriously doubt that anyone would allow you to broadcast on any radio frequency from a Princess ship.

[caribill]

Be sure to have them turned off when at a Princess show, in a dining room or restaurant, during a ship indoor activity such as trivia or bingo, in the casino, and other places where they would be an annoyance to everyone around you.

[only1deejay]

Using any type of 2way radio aboard a ship to me would affect the onboard sat. comm and bridge radio traffic which could be an issue all together...and the ship security staff has there own security channel and don't want people listening on on comm between staff.....i say don't bring onboard comm. equipment except maybe an IPHONE and enjoy your cruise.

[PunkiC]

We used them on a cruise we took with our cousins who had a teenager on board.

 

Somehow when it is just the two of us, we always seem to be able to find one another. I guess we know one another's ship habits pretty well.