Coming from the UK: Considering 2 way radios

[RogueHabit]

For our next trip, it has occurred to us that our kids are now old enough (15 & 10), that they might want to take off around the park together without us.

With this is mind I am considering buying some 2-way radios to keep in touch and I was wondering what people recommend? We would like to but them in the UK, rather than wasting a day looking for them when we get there. Are there any restictions? Do we need to look for USA approved handsets?

We only ever intend for these to be used within the same park; they may be older, but they're not old enough that we would be happy with them being in a completely different area of the property. In fact, this is more for situations where perhaps they want to ride ToT and we want to go on Rockin Rollercoaster; that sort of thing. They do need to be able to talk across the largest parks, wiothout having to worry about loosing signal.

Any advise gladly received.

 

[zurgandfriend]

On our last trip I let my DS go off by himself he was 12 at the time. We just used our cell phones to keep in touch, I recommend having phones set to vibrate, you might not hear it due to noise and also on vibrate it doesn't bother anyone else.

 

[mickeysshoes]

We tried 2-way radios back in 2006, before our kids had cell phone, and i found they were more trouble than they were worth. I was always picking up others conversations and could never reach MY kids with them. The range was not great. Seeing how you are from the UK I would suggest that you contact your cell phone company and see what it would cost to rent a phone for the time your here and just give the oldest the phone when they want to split up from mom and dad. Good Luck!!! :xmas:

 

[Master Yoda]

Mickeyshoes is correct. Unless you are dealing with very high end 2 way radios they will be more trouble than they are worth. Their range is very limited and you will pick up every errant signal imaginable.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

We used these back when cell phones weren't as prevalent and per minute usage was much more expensive. I have to say I am glad phones are now available, since the radios were terrible. Even on a 15 channel radio, it was so difficult finding our party in order to get in touch with them. I guess things haven't changed much based on what people are saying...I would have thought their usage would have slowed a little since so many people have cell phones now.

 

[Daddio]

Check out net10.com. You can buy a phone for as little as $14.99 and activate 1 month at a time for $15.00, giving you 150 minutes of time.

We use one all the time and only activate it from th ephone when we get to Orlando.

David

 

[rsoxguy]

I will chime in with the others in order to agree that two-way radios are not worth the expense, unless you're playing a spy game with the kids nearby. I own a set, and they have sat idly in a closet for several years. The reception is not good, and the range differs, depending on the amount of interference in the area. Choose a cheap cellphone, as suggested above, and you'll be much more satisfied.

 

[dreamfinder]

Will you use either again in the future? If you have a valid need for 2 way radios then get those as they will work. But as PP's said, you will pick up conversations from anyone else on that same channel, and may very well get some interference. You can pick up pre-paid cell phones for fairly cheap. And if you have a unlocked phone from Europe, you should be able to just buy a US SIM with pre paid minutes and use that. (Depends on the phone and the US provider of course) Or as mentioned, you can get a new phone for a prepaid network for around 20 bucks with another 20 bucks or so for minutes. OR, look into simply adding roaming on your existing cell phones. You may be able to enable roaming for next to nothing, and then pay just for the minutes you actually use. It may be expensive per minute, but if you only use it to say "Mom, I'm here, meet you in 10 minutes" once a day you could end up getting out cheaper.

 

[RogueHabit]

I think we would use them again; we are regular visitors to WDW, plus I am sure were would find other uses for them.

The Cellphone idea isn't great as we have phones locked to our provider and the cost is £1.40 (about $2) per minute or part minute. Can't puit another SIM in them.

My concern was the frequency. Didn't want to by radios in the UK and then find that they are illegal in the US because they use a US police band or something.

For £25 a pair for Binetone 550 something or others I don't see that we can really go wrong; it's just the frequency issue.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I think we would use them again; we are regular visitors to WDW, plus I am sure were would find other uses for them.

The Cellphone idea isn't great as we have phones locked to our provider and the cost is £1.40 (about $2) per minute or part minute. Can't puit another SIM in them.

My concern was the frequency. Didn't want to by radios in the UK and then find that they are illegal in the US because they use a US police band or something.

For £25 a pair for Binetone 550 something or others I don't see that we can really go wrong; it's just the frequency issue.

I suggest looking at something like David (Daddio) mentioned in his post. The cost will be about the same and you will have the peace of mind knowing that you will always be able to contact one another.

 

[MaryJaneP]

I understand the cell phone concerns you have, but really, they are much better than 2-ways (I've used both, 2-way way worse). See if the Wal-Mart outside DTD has TracFones. They are basically throw-away phones. The price was so cheap, I've kept mine as my primary cell phone (only use it in emergencies) for years. They actually had to send me a new phone when they went from analog to digital. The activation was easy. Check out their website (www.tracfone.com). It may be a great solution to your problem.