GMRS, MURS and DTR Digital at Disney World

[KD8DVR]

Went to Disney again this year.. I got well over a mile in the Magic Kingdom again with my TriSquares. Oddly enough, in our condo complex, we had to switch to MURS, as eXRS didn't have the range from our building, to the building to the laundry area, about a city block and a half away.

 

[cdesigns]

I picked up some DTR's with the removable antennas and took them along aboard the Carnival Sensation late last year. They yielded full ship coverage and complete privacy. Very impressed.

Note: i did a range test of the DTR compared to the i355 and the range was practically the same. The DTR's with the 900Mhz 6" antennas only got another 100 or so feet before the user not available came up. i 355's are also MUCH cheaper. look on EBAY.

I have 4 i355's the only thing I dont like is that you cant turn off the ready beep each time you press the talk button is anoying, specially if you have to raise the volume to hear the other person, you also raise the beep volume at the same time

 

[matt131]

MURS or GMRS at Disney World

I know that MURS and GMRS which is better at Disney World has been discussed here. I myself started on of the threads. My question is given the choice of using MURS or GMRS at Disney World which is better? I know that there is a lot to take into consideration, buildings, electromagnetic interference etc. Thanks,

 

[DaveNF2G]

I would first find out whether Disney World even allows visitors to carry two-way radios. Interference with their in-house systems could be a major concern.

 

[ecps92]

99.9% OF Disney Parks are now Nextel Iden.

Very little on UHF / 800 TRS anymore.
You might still find a few straglers [vendors] or certain rides

Disney doesn't know an FRS/GMRS radio to keep track of the wife/kids from an Amateur Radio/Scanner during the search of the bags.

You should have no problems, and if using a Scanner, just use an ear-peice.

I would first find out whether Disney World even allows visitors to carry two-way radios. Interference with their in-house systems could be a major concern.

 

[pickles37]

So is there a consensus on the best radios to take to Disney World? From previous posts, it seems that DTRs or i355's on DT are the best (if you avoid the channels used by Disney and can cope with the annoying PTT beeps). Does anyone know exactly which iDen DT channels/codes are used by Disney and for what? Also, is GMRS too crowded to be useful or is it still a viable option?

David

 

[JASII]

GMRS, MURS And DTR Digital At Disney World

When I have been there it seemed as if staff was on Direct Connect NOT Direct Talk, so I think any iDen DT channel/code combination will be just fine. In the unlikely event you run across other users, then you can simply switch. As far as GMRS goes, my experience has not been good at the usual touristy places. I guess it all depends on what you want, though. All I ever seem to hear of those channels is kids constantly using whatever type of alert tone they might have and then asking one another to repeat constantly. If you have a good commercial grade UHF transceiver on a GMRS frequency and select a discreet DPL, you probably would be okay. Needless to say, the i355s are a pretty inexpensive way to go, but range is limited. My experience is about 1/2 mile, but as they say your mileage may vary. For many purposes as Disney that would be just fine. The good quality UHF radios would be more expensive, but would offer better range.

 

[Nate00]

When I was in disney in Fla about four years ago I just used my nextel "off network" which i think is FRS and had no problems. I even scanned and only found one other group using them. Ofcourse that was a few years ago when these radios were still getting popular.

 

[exkalibur]

NexTEL's "Off Network" isn't iDEN... it's 900MHz SMR.

 

[wyomingmedic]

The Disney parks themselves are not that big. Just a few hundred acres each. So the area does not seem to make a difference between VHF or UHF. The deciding factor in my mind is the buildings.

Buildings and such EVERYWHERE. And VHF (murs) does not have the same building penetration capability as UHF (GMRS) based purely on wavelength.

I would focus on GMRS if I were you.

Have fun,

WM

 

[Ensnared]

GMRS is my vote.

 

[JASII]

GMRS, MURS And DTR Digital At Disney World

I agree with the post about Direct Talk. It worked very well for my family and I when we visited most recently. Anyway, given the choices it probably doesn't matter that much, just remember to use PL or DPL. (CTCSS or DCS is your friend out there!)

 

[DaveNF2G]

Beware! If you use a two-way radio inside an attraction (like a ride), someone might require you to surrender it until you leave the park.

 

[rescuecomm]

That is why Directalk or Mototalk is the way to go. Essentially you are using a cell phone and they don't take those away.

Bob

 

[JASII]

GMRS, MURS And DTR Digital At Disney World

Bob beat me to the punch (or post that it). I was just going to state the very same thing. If people see someone talking on a conventional transceiver it is more noticeable to many people than someone that appears to be just talking on a cell phone.

 

[slalomkayaker1]

I hate to be the one to say this but why wouldnt you just use a cell phone? I mean its more convenient and works a hell of a lot better.

 

[62Truck]

Beware! If you use a two-way radio inside an attraction (like a ride), someone might require you to surrender it until you leave the park.

I've never had any problems but then again out of common sense I wouldn't use the radio while on a ride. Disney actually has a Ham Repeater set up. A few years ago when I went, I went on one of them water rides they held my radio for me so it didn't get damaged.

 

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

I hate to be the one to say this but why wouldnt you just use a cell phone? I mean its more convenient and works a hell of a lot better.

You are making too much sense. Stop it.

People look for reasons to play with radios sometimes, myself included.

 

[instrumentphilip]

You are making too much sense. Stop it.

People look for reasons to play with radios sometimes, myself included.

I laughed so hard when I read that. . . Sad, but true. And I am also one of those people.

 

[ecps92]

Because I have better coverage on my HT than my Cellphone

I hate to be the one to say this but why wouldnt you just use a cell phone? I mean its more convenient and works a hell of a lot better.