Experience with Walkie-Talkies onboard

[cdog62]

Travelling on Explorer of the Seas in October with three boys (8, 12, 14). Considering purchasing walkie-talkies to maintain communication onboard.

 

Does anyone have experience with using walkie-talkies? Performance issues? What to look for while shopping for these devices? Technical risk assesment...why they would or would not work?

 

Thank you all for your input!

[c-cruise]

We have used our Motorola Talkabouts on ships in the past and they worked "ok". I would recommend getting ones with lots of channels because there will be many other people on the ship using them. Just try to use them discreetly or be prepared for a lot of annoyed looks from other passengers.

[MesGirl]

I don't know much about walkie-talkies, but we used Midlands 20-mile, 22 channel, on the Radiance of the Seas this summer, and they were fine. I agree with using them discreetly, so you might consider ones with vibrators (these do). Also, remember to give your children nicknames so they don't have to used their real names... you'll likely have other people on the same channel.

[cdog62]

Thanks all for your input. Especially appreciate the discretion & privacy insight!! Something we did not consider!

[momofmn00]

We used them on our last cruise...they seemed to work ok. We purchased them onboard (I know...not the smartest thing, but you know guys and their need for toys...:rolleyes: LOL!!!!) No, they did come in handy when we were trying to find each other (two couples) on the crowded Lido deck or even on shore, since we uusually got off before them..I just couldn't sit around all day!!!!:cool: SOmetimes, if you got on one of the lower inside decks they were harder to use and understand each other. BUt, yes, we had to switch our channels a couple of times because others we using them. AND, I like the idea of nicknames on there, espiclly for kids...

[Sugar*Magnolia]

We've used them on each cruise. We have 2 sets and bring them both. Remember to bring the chargers and a power strip for charging the extra electronic goodies you bring.

 

I guess we have always used them discreetly, b/c I dont recall anyone ever giving us annoying looks, yet Ive read about it on multiple threads. I guess it goes along with being "respectful". I wouldnt sail without them!

 

Not even the best of the best motorolas work perfectly though. Remember, there is a lot of interference on board.

[Peanut Patricia]

Travelling on Explorer of the Seas in October with three boys (8, 12, 14). Considering purchasing walkie-talkies to maintain communication onboard.

 

Does anyone have experience with using walkie-talkies? Performance issues? What to look for while shopping for these devices? Technical risk assesment...why they would or would not work?

 

Thank you all for your input!

 

I travelled with my husband, daughters aged 11 and 13, and 19 others on the Carnival Freedom in the Med in July. Especially after the Sea Diamond incident, I needed to know that I could always get in touch with my girls if they were not with me. We purchased 4 Motorola talkabouts, I believe the model number is 9500. They came with vibrate alert (so if someone called and I was in a noisy area I would hear, then could leave and talk); they were rechargeable--drop in charger. When others in our group heard we chose these, they all bought them. They worked REALLY well, and it was great that everyone in our group was on the same frequency. We had no problem finding a frequency for ourselves, and did not get dirty looks, just praise that we were so clever to have them on such a large ship! They came with belt clips, in my opinion necessary. I do suggest that if you bring walky talkies you instruct your family how to use them--press the button completely, pause a second and THEN talk. We did not use code names with our large group but that sounds like a smart idea. We did identify ourselves when we broadcast so as to not confuse others. Also we said "out" when our conversation was ended.

Hope this helps.

[cdog62]

Once again, thank you all for your input. I hope others in my situation read these threads and benefit from your experience.

 

My brother is a RF Engineer...that means Radio Frequency...he is arguably a hands down expert in the field of RF technology with 25+ years designing, testing, and engineering RF devices for the military.

 

He has no experience using walkie-talkies onboard a cruise ship, but his insight was extremely informative and enlightening. I just wanted to hear the practical side of things from those who have field experience.

 

He made an excellent suggestion to test the radio performance in a mall due to electrical noise. We tested the units outside with no intereference and all was well. However, that range was diminshed to mere feet in some places inside the mall...especially when one of the units was inside a store...very interesting.

 

For anyone interested, here is the response I received from the RF guru himself:

 

You asked the right guy since I am the radio guru of the known universe.

Radio signals don't penetrate steel very well. However, the higher the frequency, the better your chances of establishing communications. Anything in the 800 MHz or higher ranges will have better performance on a ship than lower frequency units. Very low frequencies penetrate well but I don't think you would want to carry around a 100+ foot antenna.

Power (wattage) equals range, at least from the transmit perspective. However, the receiver needs to have equally good sensitivity to pick up the transmitter, no matter how powerful it is. That said, getting a higher wattage transmitter only increases your chances of establishing communications. I am unsure if they make personal radios that put out any more than 1 watt. Maybe you can rent professional radios that put out higher power (~5 W). You don't have to contend with the FCC, at least while your at sea!

The one thing you have going for you on a ship is short range. Your challenge will be trying to communicate between decks (top to bottom) rather than along one deck (fore to aft).

I would guess that a cruise ship is very noisy, electrically. You have the turbines and generators to deal with as well as a whole lot of lighting and user noise. One operating hair dryer will really mess up a low power communications system.

The ships crew uses pagers and handhelds but they install high power repeater systems on the top decks of the ship to overcome the electrical noise.

One test of a 2-way system is to try it out at a shopping mall. Malls are electrically noisey, similar to a ship.

Multi-channel systems will be of use to avoid others who might have the same idea that you do. A multi-channel system can also help you avoid channels that are being "stepped on" by other electrical systems and harmonics. Make sure you get a squelch system on your unit or the receiver will be constantly squalking static at you.

[momof3cruisers]

We are considering leaving our oldest in charge of her brothers in a few years--we plan ahead--and have them watch a movie when we go to the casino or some other grown up thing. We will be bringing walkie talkies when we go. The thing we discovered while on a trip with extended family a couple of years ago is that indeed you pick up other people. We were actually at WDW and DH was paged by who we thought was his mom as we were to be meeting her. She asked where we were so DH told her. Oh MY! This woman went off into this string of swear words and cursing him out like you would not believe! DH and I looked at each other shocked and then DH said into the walkie talkie "You have the wrong guy." and shut his off. No way his mom was talking to him like that. When we found her she laughed and laughed and said that no, she had not tried to contact us.

 

For that reason alone, I have decided we need a code word so that the kids know for sure if they have reached us and not someone else! So, we will start the convo something like "Sunrise, are you there?" And the other person will have to answer "Sunset, this is me."

[FFKampy]

I must agree with most posters...

 

Advice would be to purchase the highest powered units one can afford.

 

Also get sets that have the most possible digital codes- some motorola models have 99 digital codes.

 

Many models also have little earpieces that can be used, just like a cell phone.

 

I am not sure how many models will be able to communicate from Rivera deck to Lido, but most will penetrate two or three decks worth of ship.

 

-Personal experience with a middle of the road Motorla brand: talking from Lido to 7th deck just barely made contact. But From Grand Cayman, to the ship No problem what so ever (one radio was in the cabin while talking very clearly)

[notentirelynormal]

We've used them successfully on board many times. Yes, you might have to change channels. Small issue. They also come in handy on shore as well. Be discreet. Keep your conversation to a minimum and use common sense/courtesy. We don't sail without them anymore.

[Muskoka2]

when we really need to......there are some people who use them like toys.....and take up all of the channels.....I think families out of consideration should let the children have them only when communication is truly needed rather than goofing around in the halls etc.

 

We also used them when on different shore excursions and wanted to find each other after. They covered a far enough distance that we were actually successful in finding each other.

 

Very handy.

[mickey-mouse]

Do you know if there is a way to set up 2 sets of walkie talkies so all 4 have contact with each other, or can only the 2 in the pair that was bought together be connected to each other?

[cdog62]

Do you know if there is a way to set up 2 sets of walkie talkies so all 4 have contact with each other, or can only the 2 in the pair that was bought together be connected to each other?

 

If they are the same models, or at least operate on the same frequency ranges, they will work together. Nothing is needed to modify the units to work together.

[mickey-mouse]

So does that mean that everyone else who has the same model will be communicating with our walkie talkies?

[cdog62]

The frequency range on most walkie-talkies are the same. If your units are communicating on common frequencies, then anyone operating on that frequency will hear you & vice-versa. It does not matter which brand you purchase.

 

Having a walkie-talkie with multiple channel choices will minimize the cross talk & chatter.

[mickey-mouse]

Thanks for the info.

How many channels is the minimum suggested amount for best results?

[Yungs]

Interesting thread. Does anyone have experience using cordless telephone handsets to communicate? Some of the newer digital systems available advertise that they can be used as like two-way radios at sporting events etc, with the handsets being set up to call one another directly. We have the Uniden and Panasonic brands in mind with 3 handsets - does anyone have any experience or input on the idea of using these?

 

http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=DCT738-3T

http://panasonic.com.au/products/details.cfm?objectID=3200

 

Thanks heaps!

 

Megan

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Interesting thread. Does anyone have experience using cordless telephone handsets to communicate? Some of the newer digital systems available advertise that they can be used as like two-way radios

 

does anyone have any experience or input on the idea of using these?

 

http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=DCT738-3T

http://panasonic.com.au/products/details.cfm?objectID=3200

 

Thanks heaps!

 

Megan

 

I would love some information on this as well. Can these be simply plugged in in your cabin and used throughout the ship? We're travelling on Explorer.... Any info would be appreciated.