Walkie Talkies

[rlkubi]

Does anyone bring walkie talkies on cruises? If we thinking about purchasing some for our cruise in October -- we thought they would be helpful. If you do use them, can you recommend a make/model? Thank you!

[flutepilot]

Does anyone bring walkie talkies on cruises? If we thinking about purchasing some for our cruise in October -- we thought they would be helpful. If you do use them, can you recommend a make/model? Thank you!

 

Hi,

 

I brought them on my first (and so-far only):( cruise and found them to be extremely helpful on shore (we will be on our second in Feb):D . Also between shore and ship - Judy decided to go back on the shuttle earlier than I wanted to.

 

Any of them work fine. Be sure to get one with all the security codes, and one which will reach 2-4 miles.

 

Dan& Judy

[wraithe]

Okay, I'm gonna say this and then I'm gonna get flamed for being the walkie talkie police, but here goes. The 5 and 10 mile range walkies require a license to use in the U. S. That license which costs $80, does not give you permission to use them in foreign countries. There are many here who will tell you to go ahead and do it, since they've never had any problem, and most likely, you'll be fine. I just want you to understand that if you do use them, you're breaking the local law, like it or not, and subject to penalty if you're caught. JMHO, YMMV.

 

For the record, here are some web sites to peruse:

 

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=family is the site talking about FRS radios, they do not require a license but are limited to fixed antenna and 1/2 watt output, useless on shore, much less on a ship.

 

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=general_mobile is the site for GMRS, and dual band radios.

[dforeigner]

Yes, the license is good for 5 years (I just got mine) and you are not allowed to use them in certain countries. This does not mean you cannot take them to other countries. Now I am sure those other countries have their own regs and licensing fees.

[cindi0511]

We use them only on the ship, and it had never crossed my mind that they weren't allowed in another country. Thank you for the notification!!! They have been lifesavers on the ship for us, though.

[mjt2890]

We brought them but couldn't use them very well onboard the ship. There wa sooo much background noise (carnival miracle) that we couldn't hear the alert that someone was trying to reach us. Probably works great onshore.

[Pop Tart]

I know some people will probably think I'm a nit-picker but...........on our first cruise we found a wonderful place to sunbathe - nice and quiet.

That is until the the walkie-talkie started between father and son. I understand communication is essential ( we have 3 kids ourselves ), but the "bleeping" was so darned annoying! We had to listen to him practically yell his responses, and then the "bleeping" after each communication.

When we took our kids the following year on a cruise we vowed never to bring those things. We found that we never needed them on ship or land.

Sorry if I've offended anyone....

[cindi0511]

I know some people will probably think I'm a nit-picker but...........on our first cruise we found a wonderful place to sunbathe - nice and quiet.

That is until the the walkie-talkie started between father and son. I understand communication is essential ( we have 3 kids ourselves ), but the "bleeping" was so darned annoying! We had to listen to him practically yell his responses, and then the "bleeping" after each communication.

When we took our kids the following year on a cruise we vowed never to bring those things. We found that we never needed them on ship or land.

Sorry if I've offended anyone....

 

No offense, just a valid point. We've never carried on any conversation other than, "Hey, where are you and when are you coming back?" and that was pretty much it. BUT, this is a good reminder to be considerate. Thank you!

[LARGIN]

Leave them home. They are intrusive and flame as you will, the majority that use them have no consideration for other passengers.

[betcat]

You are right, but the same can be said about Smoking but no one leaves them at home.

[lknight27]

You are right, but the same can be said about Smoking but no one leaves them at home.

 

I'll second that!

[BobbiOh]

You are right, but the same can be said about Smoking but no one leaves them at home.

 

Well, with smokers there are smoking and nonsmoking areas and I get to choose if I go into them. With Walkie Talkies and cell phones, I have no choice. Personally, I find the noise of having to listen to someone scream into their walkie talkie (or cell phone) much more intrusive.

[Guest rfrenchbaxter]

rlkubi,

We took a set with us and they came in rather handy. We purchased Motorola's and it can transmit up to 15 miles. There are some variables though, trees, high buildings and mountains are interruptions. As far as the law, I witnessed several people have them on our cruise, I personally think it is a great idea. I can see if someone was carrying on a full conversation that would be annoying to another, but just to find out where everyone is, that is what they are usually used for. I would not take them off the ship, who knows what someone might suspect.

I will probably get dogged for saying this, but I agree with betcat, that nasty smoke is very annoying and it can kill us,:eek: what can walkie talkies do?

If you are looking for a peaceful environment on a cruise, stay in your cabin!!!!!:D

Rfrenchbaxter

[Pop Tart]

Excuse Me? Stay in my cabin for peace and quiet? I hope your joking...

 

There are many places on the ship that aren't as loud and lively as the pool area, disco, etc and I don't expect silence with 3,000 people on board.....but it does become annoying when I have to listen to people speaking loudly/shouting into those walkie-talkies as well as hearing them "bleep".

This has nothing to do with smoking either.

 

Call me an old fart (at 43, with 3 kids :) ), but those darned things can be really annoying for the people around those using them.

[dforeigner]

I know some people will probably think I'm a nit-picker but...........on our first cruise we found a wonderful place to sunbathe - nice and quiet.

That is until the the walkie-talkie started between father and son. I understand communication is essential ( we have 3 kids ourselves ), but the "bleeping" was so darned annoying! We had to listen to him practically yell his responses, and then the "bleeping" after each communication.

When we took our kids the following year on a cruise we vowed never to bring those things. We found that we never needed them on ship or land.

Sorry if I've offended anyone....

 

This is why the newer models have silent mode where you can mute the beep. The radio instead will vibrate when someone is calling you. I do agree with others as these radios should be for quick use. Such as we are here. Meet us at such place and time. etc.

[flutepilot]

We had to listen to him practically yell his responses....

 

 

This is a constant problem with these - people try to communicate directly (by yelling) instead of by radio when using them. I had to convice my son that yelling into them just created distortion; you just speak normally and they work great. Yes, people are inconsiderate with them - all the excessive beeping, etc, but look at cell phone non-etiquette...

 

...and to the person who has the 15-mile sets - they ARE illegal without a license here in the USA and who knows in foreign countries. I would definitely not use them there at all. That's why I recommended the 2-4 mile sets, which work fine.

 

Dan

[betcat]

Me and my wife have nextel phones and they work great. The newer phone have a off network direct talk that are walkie talkie. They work any where in the world. They have a range of up to 8 miles. And they are good high quality. No you dont have to yell and you can hold them up to your face and ear just like a cell phone. They are great for travel. And didnt have to go out and buy anything new. Because they are our cell phones they go right on our belt or pocket real easy. And those other walkie talkie might be illegal, nobody is going to come after them. 99% of the truckers have CB and 90% of them dont have a license. I am a trucker so I know. There are alot of things everybody that is illegal. So next time you do 36 mph in a 35 mph zone maybe we should turn ourself in. Or pass a car on the right or stay in the left lane after passing or not useing the blinker when changing lanes. You understand what I mean. I see it everyday.

[familycruzer]

We are watches, phones, and post its to stay in contact on the ship but walkie talkies are a must on land. My daughter and I split up from the husband and son while shopping and we can easily find each other again with the WT.

[BallFour4]

Many people confuse FRS and GMRS walkie-talkies. They are two entirely different services.

 

The two way radios purchased at almost all stores that carry consumer electronics are GMRS radios, NOT FRS radios. Do not be confused when they say FRS/GMRS. If a radio has more than 14 channels, it is a GMRS radio, and you require a license to operate this radio.

 

A GMRS license is good for all persons legally residing in your household. Each individual does not need their own license. Most 22 channel radios are type accepted for use on all 14 channel license-free FRS channels. As such, you may operate on channels 1-14 only, using only low power.

 

FRS stands for Family Radio Service. The FRS channels were set aside by the FCC in 1995 to meet the needs of families on non-commercial use of higher power radio transmission with mobile radios.

 

Most FRS radios available presently have 14 channels and 38 sub channels in each of the 14 primary channels. These devices have a line-of-sight range of about 2 miles.

 

Some of the older FRS radios have only the basic 14 channels and lack the additional 38 privacy channels. Recently these have been phased out and are seldom seen now in stores.

 

FRS and GMRS radios share the use of channels 1-7 on the FRS radio.

 

GMRS stands for General Mobile Radio Service. This was formerly known as Class A of the Citizens Radio Service. These are the same type of radio used by commercial and government radio communications.

 

However these are set aside for use by individuals who have the same "longer" distance radio communications needs, and operate on separate radio frequencies from the commercial and governmental users.

 

The most significant difference between FRS radios and GMRS radios is that the FCC requires that the GMRS radio be licensed with the FCC.

 

Here is the link for the application:

 

http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/

 

Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 47, Volume 5, Parts 80 to End]

[Revised as of October 1, 2000]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 47CFR95.3]

 

[Page 519]

 

TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION

 

COMMISSION (CONTINUED)

 

PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents

 

Subpart A--General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

 

Sec. 95.3 License required.

 

Before any station transmits on any channel authorized in the GMRS

from any point (a geographical location) within or over the territorial

limits of any area where the FCC regulates radio services, the

responsible party must obtain a license (a written authorization from

the FCC for a GMRS system).

 

[53 FR 47714, Nov. 25, 1988]

 

Walkie-Talkie Etiquette

 

Mass-market cruises have a large amount of users of these radios, and the ones that are 2-5 mile range are worthless. We took them on our first cruise with my daughter and gave them away the minute we got home.

 

I have three pairs of them; all Motorola’s and the best ones are the 6000 series with the drop in charger. You can remove the battery pack and use three AAA batteries in a pinch. The battery packs are ni-cad, so the will develop a memory if you don't cycle them.

 

We've never sailed on a mega-liner, but aboard the Splendour, Rhapsody and other ships in this size range they worked great from cabin to pool area, casual dining area to cabin and theater to cabin.

 

We use them for cabin-to-cabin instant communications at night, finding each other on deck after a morning run and even ship to shore in Costa Maya.

 

Our daughter uses them to check-in with us from the teen area and we check on her wherever she tells us she is.

 

The ones we have experience with have a vibrate feature, and all you need to do is key the mic and the other radio vibrates. This allows me to step from the theatre and then communicate with my child.

 

While the potential for abuse exists, I find them less bothersome than the announcements, loud conversation, smoking, etc. And for those that sail mass-market cruises they should expect families with radios.

 

Also, the new FCC permit is $80.00 and can be ordered online in about ten minutes total. You can use the radios once you enter credit card information and then get your confirmation e-mail.

 

Whatever you do, check them out, charge them and get familiar with the abilities to change frequencies and sub-codes quickly. The first day is the one where people are moving around to find a quiet or little used channel.

[Leo Jay]

Just buy the models with vibrate alert and headphones (ours were about $50 from Costco), and speak in a normal voice -- actually, if just speak right into it, you can actually speak softer than normal. It need be no more irritating to other people than normal speech. :)

[nparmelee]

This topic seems to come up quite a bit and often seems to be controversial. If you are going to take them, please make sure that 1. all in your group have some etiquette about them (having those things go off during a show is annoying too) and 2. everybody agrees to use them. On our first cruise we were annoyed by a kid with one, not because he was yelling in it, but because he was ignoring his mother yell for him through it. Have to admit, we also found that pretty humurous at first, that kid refused to acknowledge or talk back to her and she just kept yelling louder, it started to get pretty annoying though as the volume of her voice just kept going up as she got more frustrated with him not replying. We have always found the ship voicemail and post it notes on doors to be adequate for us in keeping up with friends or family we are travelling with.

[TennisLover]

Just buy the models with vibrate alert and headphones (ours were about $50 from Costco), and speak in a normal voice -- actually, if just speak right into it, you can actually speak softer than normal. It need be no more irritating to other people than normal speech. :)

 

Do these work on the ship? Not only on the outside decks but from cabins to other venues too? Last time we tried some (3 years ago), all the steel on the ship interfered and they were useless. In the tech world, three years ago was like the ice age. If we're going to invest in walkie-talkies for our next cruise, we want to be sure they are going to work.

 

Learning a lot on this thread. Thanks for the info.

[Leo Jay]

Do these work on the ship? Not only on the outside decks but from cabins to other venues too? Last time we tried some (3 years ago), all the steel on the ship interfered and they were useless. In the tech world, three years ago was like the ice age. If we're going to invest in walkie-talkies for our next cruise, we want to be sure they are going to work.

 

Learning a lot on this thread. Thanks for the info.

 

Depends where in the ship you are. We tested them early one morning, and we transmitted clearly between our cabin Aft of Deck 6 to about midship on Deck 2. We only seemed to hit interference when the Casino was in our path.

[sharpie13]

sorry, duplicate comment:o

[cruisinbuddy]

rlkubi,

We took a set with us and they came in rather handy. We purchased Motorola's and it can transmit up to 15 miles. There are some variables though, trees, high buildings and mountains are interruptions. As far as the law, I witnessed several people have them on our cruise, I personally think it is a great idea. I can see if someone was carrying on a full conversation that would be annoying to another, but just to find out where everyone is, that is what they are usually used for. I would not take them off the ship, who knows what someone might suspect.

I will probably get dogged for saying this, but I agree with betcat, that nasty smoke is very annoying and it can kill us,:eek: what can walkie talkies do?

If you are looking for a peaceful environment on a cruise, stay in your cabin!!!!!:D

Rfrenchbaxter

 

Just one thing. Why should someone who has paid a lot of $$ for a cruise stay in their cabin!!!!!? And walkie talkies give you brain cancer like cell phones. LOL. And, I'm not a smoker.