Amazon Walkie Talkies?

[Martial Fartist]

I have these amazon walkie talkies from my kiddo.
They seem to have a bunch of channels and some settings (Ro & To) that I have no clue about.

When I was a kid, walkie talkies had one red button.

I know I can use them if I went out with just one person and gave them the other walkie talkie. But what about big groups?
Will these work with GMRS radios everyone seems to recommend using or are they compatible with anything you use when headed out in groups?

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[bjm00se]

Looks like an FRS/GMRS radio to me. To use them in a group, you agree on a "channel" and a "privacy code." I prefer "none" for privacy code, since all it'll do is keep you from hearing other folks on the same channel. That sounds great until you realize you're then likely to be transmitting at the same time as someone else is talking, and that'll end up creating interference for both of you.

New fancy GMRS radios can work with GMRS repeaters, but I haven't yet met any groups using one of those. We're always just talking "point-to-point."

Make sure it's fully charged or has fresh batteries at the start of each day. Otherwise, you'll "disappear from the group" somewhere along the trail.

 

[FireAnt21]

I watched this video. Informative albeit funny.

covered the basics I guess. I don’t know anything about gmrs but gave me some info

 

[tomk62]

I have these amazon walkie talkies from my kiddo.
They seem to have a bunch of channels and some settings (Ro & To) that I have no clue about.

When I was a kid, walkie talkies had one red button.

I know I can use them if I went out with just one person and gave them the other walkie talkie. But what about big groups?
Will these work with GMRS radios everyone seems to recommend using or are they compatible with anything you use when headed out in groups?

FRS and GMRS are not the same thing. These UOKOO walkie talkies are likely FRS radios with limited function (as best I can tell) and seem to be marketed for children. (that was a kind way for me to say they are toys)

FRS is essentially a subset of GMRS (they share common frequencies/channels - GMRS has more frequencies/channels) and FRS does not require a license. FRS radios are low power only.

GMRS has more frequencies, requires an FCC license ($35 for 10 years, covers your entire family, and no exam), and the hand held radios generally go up to 5 watts and have more "fars". (as notarubicon says )

Yes, you can use your radios as you describe, and they will partially work with GMRS radios for the channels they share, but you may find it more satisfying to get a GMRS license and upgrade to a GMRS radio. Give those radios a shot but they may offer less than desirable performance, or they may meet your needs. YMMV.

As referenced by @FireAnt21 I highly recommend watching the notarubicon videos on youtube to learn more about GMRS. While his sense of humor is not for "some people", his information is factually accurate and highly practical.

 

[Mark75H]

Yes, FRS. MURS only has 4 channels, FRS has 22.

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