Walkie Talkies? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

WeedPirate · 07-12-2005, 10:21 AM

I'm leaving for a 4 month backpack trip come september, I will be travelling with a group of friends about 6 of us in total, and I had the idea of getting a set of walkie talkies. You know, in case the group feels like doing seperate things etc. Do you think it's a good idea (e.g. save alot of greif, getting lost etc.) or just dead weight and a waste of money. Please let me know thanks.

foofiter · 07-12-2005, 11:24 AM

You must carry chargers and coverters as well. I would not bring them personally since it is more weight and more things for people to be tempted to steal.

That's my take!

foofiter

WeedPirate · 07-12-2005, 11:39 AM

The one I found is relatively inexpensive and works off of regular AAA batteries, but yes it might attract some unwanted attention. Here's the link fyi
Motorla 2-way
Thanks again

**pinion** · 07-12-2005, 11:52 AM

It seems like a cool idea, but the range is only 3km...thats not too far. & if you're in a big city with lots of buildings I can imagine that range is cut in half.

**omisan** · 07-12-2005, 11:54 AM

Also keep in mind that there may be regulations on walkie talkies/FRS radios in other countries. For instance, in the US, the FRS radios are approved for use on a piece of the band reserved for them, but in other countries, they might interfere with other communications.. doubt you'd get busted for it, but it's something to keep in mind.

**SuDz** · 07-12-2005, 12:28 PM

As for people looking to steal them form you, I mean maybe if they really were in your hostel or something. Other than that it would seem to almost look like a cell phone anyhow which tends to not be such a "gotta have it" ticket for people to steal since they are everywhere.

Granted it happens but theivery would not be my main concern with them, the lack of distance would.

SuDZ

foofiter · 07-12-2005, 12:32 PM

Also makes you stick out like a sore thumb as a tourist if they do happen to work...

WeedPirate · 07-12-2005, 09:16 PM

haha I figure we look like tourist even if we try to our not to some degree.

What type of range do you think would make it worth taking?

Also, has you ever taken a cell phone with you, like a gsm one? If so, was it useful?

danny · 07-13-2005, 02:38 AM

Walkie talkies rely on a LOS system (line of sight) with the analogue waves they will still go through buildings and such but metal in the area will greatly reduce the range of these. If you are going out bush to if there are mountains in the way you will not be able to talk to people on the otherside of the mountains.

A much better option is a CDMA phones if you have them or any satelitte based communication as this is heaps move effect cause of the digital waves which are clearer and more secure.

**MeTurk** · 07-20-2005, 06:33 AM

What's wrong with mobile phones? I've seen ready to go ones for sale at €30. But they would only work in the country you bought them in. Vodafone also charge at your local rate after the connection charge, their probably Europes biggest provider.

Walkie talkies would be cool though, people might think your with the FBiee or someit, you don't see normal people using them around europe anymore.

**TERI** · 07-20-2005, 09:04 AM

omg. I would have so much fun with walkie talkies! But i still don't think that I would take them to Europe. The novelty would wear off. even more quickly if they didn't work that good.

**Joker** · 07-20-2005, 11:01 AM

I use a Motorola GMRS (long-range FRS band radio) Talkabout when I go big mountain skiing with my friends. Also used to use them when my old car club groups would caravan to shows. Great way to let each other know about cops up ahead...

The Ski Patrol reserves/monitors a comm line in most mountains, since thats the typical way of comm for them, and the range was over several miles, assuming that you had line of site.

Anyway, radios were about $50 each, but pretty decent size, easy to use, etc. This was several years ago, and a quick check of their site shows you can buy two similar ones for about $70.

Mine has all the bells and whistles, wibrating alert, a billion channels, etc etc etc...

Motorola does sell similar models on their UK site, so you may not have as much trouble with them getting you arrested in Europe

britkettle · 07-20-2005, 03:17 PM

If you plan on splitting up with the group then I think the most fool-proof method of not getting lost is to choose a well known, easy to find meeting place to meet up at a certain time, and what to do if they don't show up within 30 minutes of that time. If you have a centrally located hostel then this would be ideal. I think that walkie talkies would be added weight with not much reward...

Have a great trip...4 months, I am so jealous!!!

**Joker** · 07-20-2005, 06:53 PM

(BK- you're talking about maybe 4oz of extra weight...

)

Qwardian · 07-23-2005, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by danny@Jul 13 2005, 01:37 AM
Walkie talkies rely on a LOS system (line of sight) with the analogue waves they will still go through buildings and such but metal in the area will greatly reduce the range of these. If you are going out bush to if there are mountains in the way you will not be able to talk to people on the otherside of the mountains.

A much better option is a CDMA phones if you have them or any satelitte based communication as this is heaps move effect cause of the digital waves which are clearer and more secure.

CDMA?!?!?!? ARE YOU ON CRACK!!

First of all CDMA sucks. second. It sucks.

If you are going to use a cell phone in europe go with a quadband GSM/GPRS phone. Eruope uses 900/1800 frequency, North America uses 850 and 1900. They seem like the same thing but they arent, they dont work together. Hence why you need to go with a quadband, which means you can use it anywhere. To avoid Roaming charges buy a SIM card while over there and install it into your phone. ANOTHER benifit over CDMA, since CDMA doesnt use SIM cards. With the SIM card you can get a number for the country you are in and get it pay as you go. No Contracts, and cheaper than buying a CDMA ohone over there. Typically uou will pay $20 for the sim card and a little more for the air time.

As for the Radios you do have a couple options with them,
First they come with rechargable batteries and charger. Most chargers are rated 110-240, meaning all you need is a cheap plug adapter. should cost $5 from a RadioShack. Or you could use AAA batteries. However you will run through them FAST, you are lucky if you get a days use out if them with regular AAA batteries. An alternative is AAA Lithium batteries. They cost more, but should last about a week on average use. They do essentially work off of line of site. a set rated for 10 km or 6 miles will give you about 3 km or 2 miles at most in a large city. When they rate them they do it on the salt plans of Utah or on open water. No the typical scenario of the average consumer. Steal girders and pwer lies will screw up the reception and cut the distance considerably.

**space virgin** · 07-23-2005, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Qwardian@Jul 24 2005, 02:26 AM
First of all CDMA sucks. second. It sucks.

Roger that. I have Verizon, which uses CDMA. Can't use my phone anywhere outside of North America (to my knowledge).

1.5 years left on the contract and counting...

Qwardian · 07-23-2005, 07:36 PM

There is an estimated 1 billion cellphone out there. Only 3 million are CDMA.

The numbers dont lie.

**omisan** · 07-24-2005, 11:40 PM

Hmm, I thought China's mostly CDMA - wouldn't that pump up its numbers significantly?

(Either way, yeah, f-CDMA. GSM rawks.)

danny · 07-28-2005, 04:26 AM

CDMA is about the only thing we have here but if you want to get technical get a sat phone

As for crack shove that up your arse good thing about living here is there are no smackheads ripping off your TV's

Qwardian · 07-28-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by danny@Jul 28 2005, 03:25 AM
CDMA is about the only thing we have here but if you want to get technical get a sat phone

As for crack shove that up your arse good thing about living here is there are no smackheads ripping off your TV's

I am not trying to be a prick, I am one naturaly, but I am not trying to be a bigger one.

Sat phones are a good idea, HOWEVER, They are outragiously expensive. Its cheaper to make a long distance phone call on a normal roaming cell phone.

btw, I live in Canada, I have never had a crackhead steal anything from me. Except my heart.