Walkie-Talkies on the High Seas?

[Jackjenson]

Has anybody brought walkie-talkies on a HAL ship? We have some really good ones, the range is upward of 2 miles, and they are small and the battery life is really long. I was thinking that it might be really nice to be able to communicate with our friends who are travelling with us (or for the gals to call the guys if we split up during the day) or to use them while in port to keep in touch with each other.

Of course we wouldn't want to interfere with the electronic equipment on board or anything, but I think these channels might be different or broad-spectrum enough not to be a problem.

Any thoughts?:)

[Stevesan]

We used them when cruising with our ten year old grandson. Provided a sense of security to be able to keep in contact with him. They do not cause any interference with other electronic gear. From your description, yours are probably multi-channel which helps with isolation from other walkie talkies. By all means, take them along. There are a group of people on message boards who instinctively find it their imperative to admonish others to not interfere with their "enjoyment of the cruise" with their infernal machines. Just ignore them. Or if you wish, remind them that you are adults, know how to behave in public, and don't require lectures from strangers.

Enjoy your trip.:)

[dakrewser]

See the thread here (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=65759&highlight=talkie).

[bepsf]

Please ensure that all walkie-talkies, cell phones, laptops and other electronic devices are turned off as the ship prepares for landing...
:p :D

[pollux]

Here goes the neighbourhood.

[cruzincurt]

The WT's have an audio frequency to radio frequency superhytrodyne amplifier whereby the multi-interference cancling metrotone oscillator converter multiplies the basic reference crystal frequency thus providing radio frequency energy delivered to the antenna. So the louder you yell into them, the farther they transmit.

[Jackjenson]

Dave, thanks for pointing a newbie in the right direction, I didn't even know I could search back like that....you have opened my eyes to a bunch of older conversations that are really helpful, and, er, enlightening, to say the least.

Stevesan, thanks for your wise words, after reading the post Dave sent me, and then the replies here, wow, you had THAT pegged.;)

I don't think that we will end up "persona non grata" (we are pretty nice people and easy to get along with, usually) but I guess if you never ask a question, you never know how hot a topic it is.

Thanks again.

[dakrewser]

We were all newbies once! And with a name like Jackie Jensen, all old-time Red Sox fans would want tp help out:rolleyes:


-dave

[cruise_nut480]

The WT's have an audio frequency to radio frequency superhytrodyne amplifier whereby the multi-interference cancling metrotone oscillator converter multiplies the basic reference crystal frequency thus providing radio frequency energy delivered to the antenna. So the louder you yell into them, the farther they transmit.I have been an RF electrical engineer for over 30 years and hold an FCC license. I have never in my life heard such a line of BS as you have posted. What world have you come from? I betyou are holding your cell phone to close to your head.

[serendipity1499]

Cruzincurt, even I got the joke & LOL & I'm not an electrical engineer! In fact I leave anything electrical alone & "holler" for my DH if something goes wrong! Guess some people don't have a funny bone like mine...Just got home from seeing "Shall We Dance", & my funny bone is still tickling me..

Anyway, after losing my DH on the way to the Trevi Fountain on our last trip (we finally connected after 1 1/2 hours), I've decided to take our WT's along on our "Westerdam" cruise next month..Don't want to lose him in Barcelona or Casablanca!.. Without mentioning it to my DH, I e-mailed "Cobra" & asked if the WT's would work on the ship or interfere with the electronic equipment..They replied that they do not interfere with the ships electronic equipment & work very well OB.."Cobra" also said that some Ships now rent WT's to their passengers.. Thought that was interesting...We always try to be considerate of others when using them...

[ColoradoJuli]

Office Depot has a specia going on through the end of October on the Cobra brand. They are $49.99 with a $20 mail-in rebate. The WTs have 23 channels, subchannels, six mile range, and both freqencies ( don't remember what they are called) they also come with rechargable battery pack and a charger stand. Great value.

I like having the radios with us. I have lost my husband too and the WT saved me from trying to run all over the ship. It also helped my and I once when we were on shore and dad was back at the ship and got sick. He was able to radio us and were we able to immediately get back to him on the ship. I will never cruise without my WT.

[Roboat]

The WT's have an audio frequency to radio frequency superhytrodyne amplifier whereby the multi-interference cancling metrotone oscillator converter multiplies the basic reference crystal frequency thus providing radio frequency energy delivered to the antenna. So the louder you yell into them, the farther they transmit.Cruzincurt, Excellent! :D
(I'm sending this to my EE buddy. He'll get a big kick out of it. And he'll be so impressed by my newly acquired technical knowledge!:) )

[Roboat]

I know you can check phone messages while you are in the cabin, of course, but I didn't notice whether you can retrieve them from a house phone.
Does anyone know?

If so, that's an option some may consider. You wouldn't have to walk back to the cabin, and you could check in every once in a while. I wish we'd thought of that last week on the Zuiderdam. We used the old "tin cans and string" telephones. ;)

[Grumpy1]

I know that there are all sorts of International treaties and regulations regarding the use of radio frequencies, and rules vary from country to country. Does anyone know if the US unlicensed WT's are legal to use in other countries?

[Randyk47]

Good question Grumpy. Years ago in the 80's I was living in Germany and they had pretty significant restrictions on such equipment. Of course, back then there were hardy cell phones....certainly nowhere near what we have today. As for the walkie-talkies. DW and I have a pair that we used last year when we drove two cars from Virginia to Texas. Worked out great to be able to coordinate stops, etc. I don't think we'd take them on a cruise....we're pretty much together the whole time. I did see a couple of families using them at one of the ports and I guess if you have kids or large group then they make sense. On the other hand, can't say I'd be real excited about a whole boat of folks yelling into their walkie-talkies.

[stanjj111]

While walkie-takies are a good idea for keeping track of kids. I can find them very annoying while trying to relax in a deck chair etc. If these become commonplace I might as well pay for a vacation on the subway. You can't go too far on a ship.

[a1moty]

In todays' world, I think anytime your younger children are not physically with you, it is a safety issue. I am sure that all of us (reading this board and trying to help others out) are really good people, but I am also sure that there could be a sicko just waiting for his chance. If it were me, I would make sure that my kids could reach me at any time!!! If I don't protect them, who will?? IMHO

[cruzincurt]

Cruisenut 480, don't you recognize tounge-in-cheek when you read it?

My point was that most people think that yelling into the radio makes it work better, similar to those that yell into cell phones in public spaces. I would expect that the metal decks cut down on reception.

As to violating broadcast bands in foreign countries, (by the way the Caribbean countries are not part of the US for those who didn't realize) the typical American wouldn't even stop to think of it.

My goodness, WT's are now needed for children's security on a ship; how did we ever survive without cell phones and WT's? By the way Cruisenut 480, I am a HAM radio operator and it was a line of BS.

[dakrewser]

In todays' world,
The dangers are no worse than they were 50 years ago. We just read and hear abouth them more. And having a walkie-talkie on board a ship won't make you safer.

[Randyk47]

Cruzincurt - I forgot to mention your earlier post in this thread....I thought it was quite funny myself. Right up there with folks speaking English with an accent in a foreign country in hopes it will make them more understandable. Or pushing the call button on an elevator even though it's already lite because that'll make it come faster. :rolleyes:

[Roboat]

The dangers are no worse than they were 50 years ago. We just read and hear abouth them more. And having a walkie-talkie on board a ship won't make you safer.
I have to agree with you. There is danger in having a false sense of security. The other one that bothers me is "Women's Self Defense Classes". I shudder to think how many women are mislead into thinking they have a chance against a determined male attacker and therefore take fewer sensible precautions.

[Grumpy1]

By the way Cruisenut 480, I am a HAM radio operator and it was a line of BS.
..../../_.././_._/_ _ _../._/ ._ _ _/_ _.:)

[Orcrone]

.... .. _.. . _._ _ _ _.. ._ ._ _ _ _ _.:)Good one. I actually hit 'refresh' because I didn't think the page finished loading.:)

[jazzsea]

We don't use our walkie talkies on the ship but have them with us when we go in to port.

[Bill S]

Good to see the hams coming out! :)

de ._ _ / ...._ / .... / _ _ / ..._


PS: Curt-I had to read your original post 2x before realizing you were joking! But it is a common misconception that louder you yell into the radio the stonger the signal you will generate or the further the transmission will go.

Also, TomC is one of us! :eek:

And, it is a valid comment that while FRS radios may be legal in the States and US Territories, they MAY not be legal in other countries. So it is best that if folks are going to use the FRS walkies off-ship in other countries, that they be used with some discretion.

[cruzincurt]

Hi Grumpy1 and Bill S, Wonder if you could get a QSL card from the ships radio officer? Once saw a ham with his rig up on the top deck.

.... .. ..-. . .-.. .-.. --- .... .- -- ...

[a1moty]

The world population has more than doubled in the past 50 years--so it stands to reason that there are more than twice as many phedophiles out there as well.
And thank goodness that it is talked about now! I do agree with you that a WT
won't keep you safe--but it is better than nothing.

[cruzincurt]

A1Moty, You just lost me. What does that have to do with using WT's on a cruise ship? A cruise ship being a closed environment should be safer than most other places. When docked, the kiddos should be with you. After all, you took them along for a "family" vacation.

[a1moty]

My response was to:
"The dangers are no worse than they were 50 years ago. We just read and hear abouth them more. And having a walkie-talkie on board a ship won't make you safer." (post #19)

Agreed that a cruise ship is a safer, closed enviroment but there are no guarantees---and of course, in port the family is together. I still stand by safety first.

I realize that everyone has their own little soapbox---and protecting children is mine.

[dewhit6959]

After reading the posts about the villians doubling on cruise ships, I think I will bring my boot derringer and my short barrel pig iron. I know they are illegal, but all this treachery on the high seas has me worried. Should I hide my weapons in my luggage or strap them on under a raincoat. I guess I could wrap my bullets in the ziploc bag we will use for smuggling food off the ship, and stuff them in the bottom of the mouthwash bottle full of hootch. By the way, is it illegal to brew your own beer in your own cabin? That would really save some money. I don't use walkie talkie's since I have a bullhorn I can use off the veranda.
Bye, got to go make sure the doors are bolted.

[superstein61]

We used them when cruising with our ten year old grandson. Provided a sense of security to be able to keep in contact with him. They do not cause any interference with other electronic gear. From your description, yours are probably multi-channel which helps with isolation from other walkie talkies. By all means, take them along. There are a group of people on message boards who instinctively find it their imperative to admonish others to not interfere with their "enjoyment of the cruise" with their infernal machines. Just ignore them. Or if you wish, remind them that you are adults, know how to behave in public, and don't require lectures from strangers.

Enjoy your trip.:)
WISE WORDS INDEED !!!