Walkie Talkie recommendations?

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Asmodeus

1015 posts

Uber Geek

#205668 22-Nov-2016 14:46

I'd like to get my 4 year old nephew some walkie talkies for Xmas as he is mad into police/rescue/army stuff. Want something kid friendly (small and simple to use) with a solid range (but not the $19 crap from Kmart, etc). Would like to spend <$100

Any recommendations? Cheers :)

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341 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1675533 22-Nov-2016 14:59

I've used one's similar to these for school events.

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/80-channel-uhf-transceiver/p/DC1001

Might be able to find some at a local Jaycar branch?

I see the have a twin set for $59.90

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/transceiver-80ch-cb-mini-3aaa-pr-red-blu/p/DC1017

shk292

2858 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1675534 22-Nov-2016 14:59

My recommendation would be that anyone less than 10 years old shouldn't be using a two-way radio other than those bought at toy shops. There are strict rules about using any type of radio transmitter and I can't see how a 4-year old can be expected to follow these.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#1675535 22-Nov-2016 15:00

We bought these from jaycar, really good....

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/transceiver-80ch-cb-mini-3aaa-pr-red-blu/p/DC1017

Beat the uniden ones we bought which failed due to a design fault, although to be fair, uniden have probably correct that fault in newer models.

These ones have a recharging cradle which is probably worth the money and still in your budget...

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/0-5-watt-rechargeable-cb-radio-pair/p/DC1009

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#1675536 22-Nov-2016 15:02

shk292:

My recommendation would be that anyone less than 10 years old shouldn't be using a two-way radio other than those bought at toy shops. There are strict rules about using any type of radio transmitter and I can't see how a 4-year old can be expected to follow these.

As long as an adult sets the channel, tells the kid how to use , they'll be just fine.

I have a feeling that the important channels are locked out anyway. For the exact reasons you mention.

richms

28191 posts

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#1675539 22-Nov-2016 15:11

The UHF walkies are a cesspool of foulmouthed inbreads when I last tried one. Dont think I would want a kid playing on that.

Richard rich.ms

MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#1675564 22-Nov-2016 16:19

I've always had good service out of Uniden radios.

Mike

Oblivian

7302 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1675565 22-Nov-2016 16:19

richms:

The UHF walkies are a cesspool of foulmouthed inbreads when I last tried one. Dont think I would want a kid playing on that.

Depends on location and their intentions. Truckies predominantly use TeamTalk UHF (subscriber) and infrequently AM CB if others don't have TT. But for the most part the smaller range ones are fine (but may pick up some bad dudes if any)

In Aussie, the motorhome and trucks use UHF frequently, Hence the 80 channel expansion and no hiding.

Here in CHC are some dudes who can blast out 20-40W of said foul mouthery to the whole of canterbury if they aren't jamming up the popular channels with music to be a PITA and stop others using it. My 5W can do a fair distance if outside and on a higher gain antenna. Across city style.

But for the most part all is quiet 98% of the time.

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richms

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#1675577 22-Nov-2016 17:01

Oblivian:

In Aussie, the motorhome and trucks use UHF frequently, Hence the 80 channel expansion and no hiding.

But for the most part all is quiet 98% of the time.

No hiding?

Its quiet around here, till you go to use it and then someone always wants to talk back at you.

Richard rich.ms

SATTV

1648 posts

Uber Geek

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#1675611 22-Nov-2016 19:00

richms:

The UHF walkies are a cesspool of foulmouthed inbreads when I last tried one. Dont think I would want a kid playing on that.

I was going to get my nephews a set last chistmas or christmas before.

This was the exact reason I did not get them, they are very open and language that would make a sailor blush, you cant move channel as they find you and abuse you.

Maybe a hand held scanner so he can listen to fire/police (if they are not digital in your area)/ambulance etc.

I know enough to be dangerous

andrew027

1286 posts

Uber Geek

#1675717 22-Nov-2016 22:16

MikeAqua: I've always had good service out of Uniden radios.

Me too. I bought two two-packs of Uniden walkie talkies around eight years ago. The family used them to keep in touch when we went skiing, as we're all at different experience levels so are often in different places on the mountain. We've used them when bush walking too. They have good range and are pretty clear, so long as you hold them a few inches from your mouth when talking.

The sets I bought cost about $150 back then, but you can get some for well under $100 now, e.g.: Uniden UH405SX-2NB UHF Twin Pack for $75 at Leeming's.

jonathan18

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#1675811 23-Nov-2016 08:45

SATTV:

richms:

The UHF walkies are a cesspool of foulmouthed inbreads when I last tried one. Dont think I would want a kid playing on that.

I was going to get my nephews a set last chistmas or christmas before.

This was the exact reason I did not get them, they are very open and language that would make a sailor blush, you cant move channel as they find you and abuse you.

Maybe a hand held scanner so he can listen to fire/police (if they are not digital in your area)/ambulance etc.

Perhaps this is a big smoke phenomenon?!

I gave my son a set of cheap-ish non-kids ones from Repco a few years ago; here in the provinces (PN) I've never once heard anyone else on it while my boys have been using them.

shk292:

My recommendation would be that anyone less than 10 years old shouldn't be using a two-way radio other than those bought at toy shops. There are strict rules about using any type of radio transmitter and I can't see how a 4-year old can be expected to follow these.

And where does one find these rules?

Oblivian

7302 posts

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#1675819 23-Nov-2016 09:01

jonathan18:

SATTV:

richms:

The UHF walkies are a cesspool of foulmouthed inbreads when I last tried one. Dont think I would want a kid playing on that.

I was going to get my nephews a set last chistmas or christmas before.

This was the exact reason I did not get them, they are very open and language that would make a sailor blush, you cant move channel as they find you and abuse you.

Maybe a hand held scanner so he can listen to fire/police (if they are not digital in your area)/ambulance etc.

Perhaps this is a big smoke phenomenon?!

I gave my son a set of cheap-ish non-kids ones from Repco a few years ago; here in the provinces (PN) I've never once heard anyone else on it while my boys have been using them.

That was my hinting re 'no hiding'. In australia or well established areas you may find lots of people using it with no free airtime, or sitting back with their pen watching ads for BSA complaints with a radio beside them to annoy you in between :)

jonathan18:

shk292:

My recommendation would be that anyone less than 10 years old shouldn't be using a two-way radio other than those bought at toy shops. There are strict rules about using any type of radio transmitter and I can't see how a 4-year old can be expected to follow these.

And where does one find these rules?

About here, very few however as it is 'citizens band'. Ala open for all. And RSM will only act on official lodgement of complaints (which incurs a fee and time to investigate) https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2011-go3629?year=2011&noticeNumber=3629

jonathan18

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#1675828 23-Nov-2016 09:13

Oblivian:

About here, very few however as it is 'citizens band'. Ala open for all. And RSM will only act on official lodgement of complaints (which incurs a fee and time to investigate) https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2011-go3629?year=2011&noticeNumber=3629

Thanks!

My plan is to replace my son's nightly practice of his times tables with learning these by rote:

(2) The permitted emissions are: 16K0F3EJN, 16K0G3EJN.
(3) The permitted emissions are: 16K0F2DXN, 16K0G2DXN, 8K50F2DXN, 8K50G2DXN.
(4) The permitted emissions are: 8K50F3EJN, 8K50G3EJN. etc...

Is there no plain English explanation as to the rules? I'd have thought this would encourage compliance more than the regs themselves!

Oblivian

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#1675888 23-Nov-2016 10:53

jonathan18:

Oblivian:

About here, very few however as it is 'citizens band'. Ala open for all. And RSM will only act on official lodgement of complaints (which incurs a fee and time to investigate) https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2011-go3629?year=2011&noticeNumber=3629

Thanks!

My plan is to replace my son's nightly practice of his times tables with learning these by rote:

(2) The permitted emissions are: 16K0F3EJN, 16K0G3EJN.
(3) The permitted emissions are: 16K0F2DXN, 16K0G2DXN, 8K50F2DXN, 8K50G2DXN.
(4) The permitted emissions are: 8K50F3EJN, 8K50G3EJN. etc...

Is there no plain English explanation as to the rules? I'd have thought this would encourage compliance more than the regs themselves!

Don't panic over those. They are the special conditions. And commercial radio users know their reference :) It more or less refers to use your voice. Or only send data of certain types (to not block up the airwaves constantly)

8K50F3EJN in particular is a Telephony modulation frequency, 8.5 kHz bandwidth, quality commercial sound

Certified PRS devices will comply, its more for programming advanced tranceivers.

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Emission_Designator

More reading among the older PRS threads too. http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=48&topicid=138135

In short, CB is citizen based. You cant rely on it for commercial use, or stop others from using it. Identify yourself. And don't peeve others off or send radio stations down it etc.

But the bad guys all ignore those.

MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#1675927 23-Nov-2016 11:07

If it's just for couple of kids to play with .... I have a pair of these. We keep them in the car so She can easily provide guidance when I am backing the boat trailer/caravan into a difficult spot. I have never heard any other user on them.

Also give one to the kids for communication around a camp-ground we stay at. They worked over ~500m.

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/transceiver-80ch-cb-mini-3aaa-pr-red-blu/p/DC1017

Mike

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