Are 2 way radios a good idea

[djm99]

I just recently bought (2) 2-way radio wrist watches on ebay (i chose the wristwatches because of the convience instead of having to carry a hand one). I was just wondering will any one with a 2 way radio hear me or i hear them all day. When i received them i opened them to "play" and one of my old 2 way radios could pick up the two new ones, so that's why i'm asking?

 

[Jacket93]

The 2 way frs radios have the same frequencys assined to them. Channel 1 is the same frequency of channel 1 on other FRS radios. So what you broadcast over your radio will be heard by anyone with a FRS Radio, Scanner or any other reciver that can tune in those frequencys.

In Disney you do hear a lot of traffic on the FRS radios since everyone there is using one of the 14 channels to communicate with each other.

lf you have a scanner tune it to. 462.5625 and you will be able to hear transmissions of channel 1 of the FRS radios

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Many years ago when FRS radios first came out I bought 4 of them for our trip to Disney. Since few had them then, they worked great. The next year, everybody had them. Then they came out with the privacy subchannels, which are OK but if you are interested in privacy, this is not the answer. Despite the fact that you may only be able to hear the other person that is on your subchannel, everyone on the main channel can hear you. But then, do you really want to put personal info over the air?

Another problem is range. Despite the claim of a 2 mile range, with the trees, buildings, etc at WDW your range will be much less. I have been able to talk to my wife at MK while I was on the launch from FW to MK, and they will reach nearly from one end of FW to the other, which is about a mile.

You might consider the newer GMRS frequency radios, which can get up to 5 miles coverage. I have recently gotten ones that are combined FRS and GMRS, but be sure the one you purchase is full power with a 5 mile range. There are cheaper models out which will only get a 2 mile range.

 

[brimel]

WE use our FRS two-ways all the time at WDW. The range is limited there, but I could talk to my wife in our room at BWV while at MGM, so that was really handy. Also, since I wander off to check CM lanyards for pin trading, it has saved me many nights sleeping on the couch!

 

[Longsx3]

The GMRS radios require an FCC license.

You might consider the newer GMRS frequency radios, which can get up to 5 miles coverage. I have recently gotten ones that are combined FRS and GMRS, but be sure the one you purchase is full power with a 5 mile range. There are cheaper models out which will only get a 2 mile range.

[/B][/QUOTE]

 

[ibidforit]

I have been thinking of getting the GMRS radios with the 5 mile range, but I was unsure of the FCC license requirement. How do you get the license? Is there paperwork included with the radios at purchase? Do you pay for the license? Is the extra hassle worth the increased power and range with these, or should I stick with the 2 mile FRS radios! Thanks for any more info about these!

Gretchen

 

[ftwildernessguy]

You can get the license on line. It cost 75 bucks when I got it. The information is included in the paperwork with the radio.

 

[1204]

We are taking our cell phones. My ds and I have free mobil to mobil and no long distance or roaming charges. Just a thought

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

I'd definitely recommend getting some kind of radio if you think you will be splitting up at all. We wasted a very frustrating 90 min. in the MK once when we split up to take kids on different rides. The ride that my DH headed to ended up being broken down, so he headed right back to our agreed upon meeting place. I was also there with our 1 year old just sitting on a bench and letting him toddle around. What we didn't realize is that we were literally just across the walkway from each other.....never saw each other because of the foot traffic and because we each assumed the other was on a ride somewhere.

The standard radios with the subchannels have helped us eliminate that problem since then. Now, if I could just get my husband to stop losing his radio! We've had to buy quite a few!!!!

 

[djm99]

Losing them is what we've done at six flags St. Louis. Caring them or putting them on my waste was more trouble than they were worth. That's why i bought the wrist watch. It only has a 2 mile range but its so much more convient than the hand held ones. My concern was hearing them all day because every one has one.

 

[Daxx]

DH just bought 2 way radios b/c he had a GC and the set he wanted was on sale w/a rebate and we payed pennies for them.

Anyway, we are planning on giving one to DS to carry in case he gets lost. At least he'll have a way to communicate w/us. Also, DS tends to head out places w/his Grandmother, so it'll be great to keep track of them while DH & I go in our direction.