How to set up kid’s walkie talkies
Discussion
I have been given the joyous task of getting a pair of these set up for use
However, since they were purchased I have never successfully made them talk to one another.
I have tried a few different channels and interference eliminator codes (both devices the same obviously) but upon pushing the push to talk button and talking into one unit, nothing happens on the other unit- not on the screen, no sound etc etc. Nothing.
Help..?
However, since they were purchased I have never successfully made them talk to one another.
I have tried a few different channels and interference eliminator codes (both devices the same obviously) but upon pushing the push to talk button and talking into one unit, nothing happens on the other unit- not on the screen, no sound etc etc. Nothing.
Help..?
Murph7355 said:
You have both units on the same channel and "sub-channel" (for want of a better word)?
There's no mute setting on the handsets?
These things are pretty simple. If you've done the basics then the units could well be faulty.
That's one possibility. They are very naff indeed.There's no mute setting on the handsets?
These things are pretty simple. If you've done the basics then the units could well be faulty.
Does anybody on the day shift have any suggestions?
I'm fairly well versed in 'radio stuff' and will try to help.
But first, I must point out to you that those radios you have purchased are totally illegal to use in the UK and could result in prosecution and a hefty fine. They operate on 462-467Mhz range, which in the UK, is reserved for emergency services.
The legal licence free radios that you see everywhere in the UK operate on the 446Mhz frequency.
It is reasonably unlikely that you will get caught, but OFCOM does now have various fully automated scanning systems located around the country to automatically detect, triangulate, and record illegal for unauthorised transmissions, especially within the restricted bands.
Personally, for the cost of buying UK legal licence free walkie talkies, £20-30 or so for a pair, I would bin those and buy some proper ones from Argos or suchlike or Amazon etc. Just not worth using illegal ones if you can buy legal ones for £30.
But if you want to use those ones, make sure the same channel, and also 'sub channel' is displayed on each radio exactly the same. The sub channel is just a CTCSS system, which basically means that the radios listen for a tone in the audio before they will 'hear' the other radio transmitting.
If you have set the same channel and sub-channel on both radios, key the mic, and still get nothing then they are clearly just defective.
But first, I must point out to you that those radios you have purchased are totally illegal to use in the UK and could result in prosecution and a hefty fine. They operate on 462-467Mhz range, which in the UK, is reserved for emergency services.
The legal licence free radios that you see everywhere in the UK operate on the 446Mhz frequency.
It is reasonably unlikely that you will get caught, but OFCOM does now have various fully automated scanning systems located around the country to automatically detect, triangulate, and record illegal for unauthorised transmissions, especially within the restricted bands.
Personally, for the cost of buying UK legal licence free walkie talkies, £20-30 or so for a pair, I would bin those and buy some proper ones from Argos or suchlike or Amazon etc. Just not worth using illegal ones if you can buy legal ones for £30.
But if you want to use those ones, make sure the same channel, and also 'sub channel' is displayed on each radio exactly the same. The sub channel is just a CTCSS system, which basically means that the radios listen for a tone in the audio before they will 'hear' the other radio transmitting.
If you have set the same channel and sub-channel on both radios, key the mic, and still get nothing then they are clearly just defective.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 21st February 14:16
Jenny Tailor said:
What make , what model?
A manual must be online somewhere - albeit in some language.
Here is the manual. Didn't help me though!A manual must be online somewhere - albeit in some language.
hyphen said:
+1
I had a look at kids walkie talkies last year, but reviews were very mixed. If there are any that actually work I would buy them too.
You can safely rule out these ones.I had a look at kids walkie talkies last year, but reviews were very mixed. If there are any that actually work I would buy them too.
Lord Marylebone said:
I'm fairly well versed in 'radio stuff' and will try to help.
But first, I must point out to you that those radios you have purchased are totally illegal to use in the UK and could result in prosecution and a hefty fine. They operate on 462-467Mhz range, which in the UK, is reserved for emergency services.
The legal licence free radios that you see everywhere in the UK operate on the 446Mhz frequency.
It is reasonably unlikely that you will get caught, but OFCOM does now have various fully automated scanning systems located around the country to automatically detect, triangulate, and record illegal for unauthorised transmissions, especially within the restricted bands.
Personally, for the cost of buying UK legal licence free walkie talkies, £20-30 or so for a pair, I would bin those and buy some proper ones from Argos or suchlike or Amazon etc. Just not worth using illegal ones if you can buy legal ones for £30.
But if you want to use those ones, make sure the same channel, and also 'sub channel' is displayed on each radio exactly the same. The sub channel is just a CTCSS system, which basically means that the radios listen for a tone in the audio before they will 'hear' the other radio transmitting.
If you have set the same channel and sub-channel on both radios, key the mic, and still get nothing then they are clearly just defective.
I assure you I wouldn't buy such tat! Looks like they just don't work...But first, I must point out to you that those radios you have purchased are totally illegal to use in the UK and could result in prosecution and a hefty fine. They operate on 462-467Mhz range, which in the UK, is reserved for emergency services.
The legal licence free radios that you see everywhere in the UK operate on the 446Mhz frequency.
It is reasonably unlikely that you will get caught, but OFCOM does now have various fully automated scanning systems located around the country to automatically detect, triangulate, and record illegal for unauthorised transmissions, especially within the restricted bands.
Personally, for the cost of buying UK legal licence free walkie talkies, £20-30 or so for a pair, I would bin those and buy some proper ones from Argos or suchlike or Amazon etc. Just not worth using illegal ones if you can buy legal ones for £30.
But if you want to use those ones, make sure the same channel, and also 'sub channel' is displayed on each radio exactly the same. The sub channel is just a CTCSS system, which basically means that the radios listen for a tone in the audio before they will 'hear' the other radio transmitting.
If you have set the same channel and sub-channel on both radios, key the mic, and still get nothing then they are clearly just defective.
hyphen said:
Jenny Tailor said:
What make , what model?
+1I had a look at kids walkie talkies last year, but reviews were very mixed. If there are any that actually work I would buy them too.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334267321636?_trkparms=...
Illegal to use in the UK due to them being on the American FRS frequencies.
If you want to buy licence free legal walkie talkies for kids, then buy something by Motorola or Cobra, and they will work properly. You will get a mile or so of range out of them in the countryside, and a few hundred meters in a town.
Something like this:
https://www.onedirect.co.uk/motorola/motorola-talk...
https://www.onedirect.co.uk/motorola/motorola-talk...
If you want something that has a properly long range, as in up to about 20 miles outside and several miles in an urban area, then do what the whole world does and buy a Baofeng UV-5R and program it to the licence free channels:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393687122343?_trkparms=...
These are not legal to use without a licence, but if you stick to the 446mhz channels you won't bother or upset anyone, and OFCOM won't be interested. Excellent for car-to-car use when on a road trip in convoy with others.
Lord Marylebone said:
...
If you want to buy licence free legal walkie talkies for kids, then buy something by Motorola or Cobra, and they will work properly. You will get a mile or so of range out of them in the countryside, and a few hundred meters in a town.
Something like this:
https://www.onedirect.co.uk/motorola/motorola-talk...
https://www.onedirect.co.uk/motorola/motorola-talk...
If you want something that has a properly long range, as in up to about 20 miles outside and several miles in an urban area, then do what the whole world does and buy a Baofeng UV-5R and program it to the licence free channels:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393687122343?_trkparms=...
These are not legal to use without a licence, but if you stick to the 446mhz channels you won't bother or upset anyone, and OFCOM won't be interested. Excellent for car-to-car use when on a road trip in convoy with others.
Thank You, the t42 look cuter for kids, but the t62 are usb charging so better. Cobra also worth a look as you said.If you want to buy licence free legal walkie talkies for kids, then buy something by Motorola or Cobra, and they will work properly. You will get a mile or so of range out of them in the countryside, and a few hundred meters in a town.
Something like this:
https://www.onedirect.co.uk/motorola/motorola-talk...
https://www.onedirect.co.uk/motorola/motorola-talk...
If you want something that has a properly long range, as in up to about 20 miles outside and several miles in an urban area, then do what the whole world does and buy a Baofeng UV-5R and program it to the licence free channels:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393687122343?_trkparms=...
These are not legal to use without a licence, but if you stick to the 446mhz channels you won't bother or upset anyone, and OFCOM won't be interested. Excellent for car-to-car use when on a road trip in convoy with others.
Edited by hyphen on Monday 21st February 14:53
Lord Marylebone said:
HustleRussell said:
I assure you I wouldn't buy such tat! Looks like they just don't work...
I can assure you they are illegal.Maybe just as well they don't work!
Bin them and buy some UK legal ones from a brand like Motorola!
Anything else you can suggest to try and get them working? Nothing I should try in the 'Scan' feature? are there any channels or bands which are known to work better than others?
HustleRussell said:
I have been given the joyous task of getting a pair of these set up for use
However, since they were purchased I have never successfully made them talk to one another.
I have tried a few different channels and interference eliminator codes (both devices the same obviously) but upon pushing the push to talk button and talking into one unit, nothing happens on the other unit- not on the screen, no sound etc etc. Nothing.
Help..?
Our children were given some walky talkies as a Christmas gift some years ago. At the point when we threw them away they had never worked properly.However, since they were purchased I have never successfully made them talk to one another.
I have tried a few different channels and interference eliminator codes (both devices the same obviously) but upon pushing the push to talk button and talking into one unit, nothing happens on the other unit- not on the screen, no sound etc etc. Nothing.
Help..?
HustleRussell said:
Instructions say that operate on 400-470MHz which obviously overlaps the illegal band- but can't they be legally used on certain frequencies?
Anything else you can suggest to try and get them working? Nothing I should try in the 'Scan' feature? are there any channels or bands which are known to work better than others?
No, the scan function won't help. All it does is scan through the frequencies to see if there are other people chatting, and as these are USA market radios, there won't be anyone chatting on them!Anything else you can suggest to try and get them working? Nothing I should try in the 'Scan' feature? are there any channels or bands which are known to work better than others?
The channels should all work the same as each other. As long as both radios display the same channel and sub-channel, they should work.
Just make sure they aren't set to VOX, which only transmits when it hears a loud enough voice. You want them set so they work when you press the PTT talk button.
As for the 400-470mhz claim, they won't operate on such a wide frequency band, and the instructions are being deliberately 'vague' I suspect.
I have located those exact walkie talkies you have and the more detailed information says they operate on 462.550-467.7125MHz which is smack in the middle of the prohibited UK refquencies.
It even says in the advert for them that they for use with the 'FRS' radio service, which is in the USA.
The FRS channels in the USA are:
Channel Frequency (MHz) FRS EIRP Restriction
1 462.5625 Up to 2 watt Up to 5 watts
2 462.5875 Up to 2 watt Up to 5 watts
3 462.6125 Up to 2 watt Up to 5 watts
4 462.6375 Up to 2 watt Up to 5 watts
5 462.6625 Up to 2 watt Up to 5 watts
6 462.6875 Up to 2 watt Up to 5 watts
7 462.7125 Up to 2 watt Up to 5 watts
8 467.5625 Up to 0.5 watt Up to 0.5 watt[6]
9 467.5875 Up to 0.5 watt Up to 0.5 watt[6]
10 467.6125 Up to 0.5 watt Up to 0.5 watt[6]
11 467.6375 Up to 0.5 watt Up to 0.5 watt[6]
12 467.6625 Up to 0.5 watt Up to 0.5 watt[6]
13 467.6875 Up to 0.5 watt Up to 0.5 watt[6]
14 467.7125 Up to 0.5 watt Up to 0.5 watt[6]
15 462.5500 Up to 2 watt Up to 50 watts
16 462.5750 Up to 2 watt Up to 50 watts
17 462.6000 Up to 2 watt Up to 50 watts
18 462.6250 Up to 2 watt Up to 50 watts
19 462.6500 Up to 2 watt Up to 50 watts
20 462.6750 Up to 2 watt Up to 50 watts
21 462.7000 Up to 2 watt Up to 50 watts
22 462.7250 Up to 2 watt Up to 50 watts
Have a look at the frequency range of your radios here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334267321636?_trkparms=...
Honestly, if I were you, I wouldn't use them. Not worth risking a £5000 fine or 2 years in prison for the sake of a £30 kids toy?
I'm obviously not saying that the Police will be round as soon as you press the talk button, and the chances of OFCOM being bothered enough to do anything are very slim, but given the massive range of cheap-as-chips legal walkie talkies you can buy, why take the risk?
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 21st February 15:25
Lord Marylebone said:
If you want something that has a properly long range, as in up to about 20 miles outside and several miles in an urban area, then do what the whole world does and buy a Baofeng UV-5R and program it to the licence free channels:
Have these and were an absolute pain to get working with others if you're not an experienced Ham or whatever it's called.Yes I've read the manual. Done the online stuff. Have had them hooked up to the PC and set all the channels that way as well as manually through the radio.
Something to do with Squelch I think. Years since I've used them but I got to the point of hearing others on their basic PMR radios but they could not hear me.
Sat in the bottom of a drawer somewhere. When I did last resurrect them was pleased the battery was still strong.
Good radios but take quite some effort to get the things working whilst everyone else just uses PMR1.
Rick101 said:
Lord Marylebone said:
If you want something that has a properly long range, as in up to about 20 miles outside and several miles in an urban area, then do what the whole world does and buy a Baofeng UV-5R and program it to the licence free channels:
Have these and were an absolute pain to get working with others if you're not an experienced Ham or whatever it's called.Yes I've read the manual. Done the online stuff. Have had them hooked up to the PC and set all the channels that way as well as manually through the radio.
Something to do with Squelch I think. Years since I've used them but I got to the point of hearing others on their basic PMR radios but they could not hear me.
Sat in the bottom of a drawer somewhere. When I did last resurrect them was pleased the battery was still strong.
Good radios but take quite some effort to get the things working whilst everyone else just uses PMR1.
They are easiest to program using a PC as you found.
The reason that other PMR users wouldn't hear you is because they will have CTCSS squelch set. Which means your signal won't break through unless you have your CTCSS tone (or digital squelch) set to the same as them. It's so that several different conversations can share the same channel, and no now will hear or interfere with each other.
None of this matters if you just want to use them to talk to your mates in other cars or whatever. Just program them both for the same frequency, make sure CTCSS and tones are tuned off, and away you go.
They cant really be compared to PMR for range. It's 0.5 watt (PMR) versus 5 watt (Baofeng).
You will struggle to even reach another car a few hundred meters away with the PMR radios. With the 5 watt radios you can get a couple of miles from inside the car, and if you are outside a car such as out walking, then you could probably get 20 miles as long as there wasn't too many mountains or buildings in the way.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 21st February 15:12
We use these Motorola walki talkies for the kids when away camping etc and when at events with friends - originally bought for kids they are useful to have....
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorola-PNI-MTAT42-3-Por...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorola-PNI-MTAT42-3-Por...
Lord Marylebone said:
I'm obviously not saying that the Police will be round as soon as you press the talk button, and the chances of OFCOM being bothered enough to do anything are very slim, but given the massive range of cheap-as-chips legal walkie talkies you can buy, why take the risk?
It's worth it for the Daily Mail article with the sad face photo of the kids holding the radios. Lord Marylebone said:
They cant really be compared to PMR for range. It's 0.5 watt (PMR) versus 5 watt (Baofeng).
You will struggle to even reach another car a few hundred meters away with the PMR radios. With the 5 watt radios you can get a couple of miles from inside the car, and if you are outside a car such as out walking, then you could probably get 20 miles as long as there wasn't too many mountains or buildings in the way.
Running more than .5w on PMR is illegal too. Of course at least being on the right band is less bad than being on the wrong band.You will struggle to even reach another car a few hundred meters away with the PMR radios. With the 5 watt radios you can get a couple of miles from inside the car, and if you are outside a car such as out walking, then you could probably get 20 miles as long as there wasn't too many mountains or buildings in the way.
Edited by Lord Marylebone on Monday 21st February 15:12
But you can’t advise someone to ditch one radio because it’s illegal only to recommend another that’s illegal in another way.
eliot said:
Running more than .5w on PMR is illegal too. Of course at least being on the right band is less bad than being on the wrong band.
But you can’t advise someone to ditch one radio because it’s illegal only to recommend another that’s illegal in another way.
I did clearly state that using 5w was illegal without a the appropriate licence.But you can’t advise someone to ditch one radio because it’s illegal only to recommend another that’s illegal in another way.
I think it's fair to recommend anything as long as you state the positives, negatives, and legalities of the various options.
Bear in mind that getting a licence to legally use ham radios of up to 10w* (including the Baofeng) is pretty trivial, an embarrassingly easy technical exam and a few minutes trying out radios. But nevertheless interesting for anyone mildly curious about the technicalities.
- To be precise you can use any ham radio you like providing you use the right frequencies and don't set the power to more than 10w.
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