Walkie Talkie App

[chrisjako]

We are looking to replace our aging walkie talkies and saw MS Teams does and app, however its not compatible with IOS

 

is anyone using a likewise solution or can recommend an alternative to walkies?

[psydii]

Yeah. No.

 

Our analogue Motorola's have lasted 10-15 years and we are only now phasing them out with Motorola's modern digital version.

 

They have a function as part of the various emergency procedures and so need operational independence from other communication and power systems.

 

We have a UPS backed wifi network. But various things have occasionally taken it offline over the last ten years. The 2-way radios *ALWAYS* work.

[SamanthaD]

^ This.

 

Also consider are the radios used on playing fields, away from WiFi coverage? Stick with the 2 way technology if I were you.

[MartinT]

We are looking to replace our aging walkie talkies and saw MS Teams does and app, however its not compatible with IOS

 

There is an app for MS Teams for iOS, as well as Android.

[rich_jewell]

Hi Chris - I will PM you - but have an idea for you on this.

[mavhc]

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/walkie-talkie is the app in question. Why are people assuming wifi anyway? Cell network. So check https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/ for requests for iOS

 

https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/555103-public/suggestions/41061613-walkie-talkie-feature-on-ios

 

Zello is the main stand alone system https://support.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/230749047-Zello-Android-User-s-Guide-#h_8871128935511539466611452 you can create private channels, so better than normal radios which are public and anyone can listen in.

[MatthewL]

I'd go down the Motorola radio route (other suppliers exist) work regardless so great if internet is down or even cellular data.

[TechMonkey]

Zello is the main stand alone system https://support.zello.com/hc/en-us/articles/230749047-Zello-Android-User-s-Guide-#h_8871128935511539466611452 you can create private channels, so better than normal radios which are public and anyone can listen in.

 

Radios can have private channels as well. Some of the systems you can create party calls, so it selectively sends to only certain handsets.

 

Concern with no wifi would be down to data plans, are the school handing out mobile phones? If not then the member of staff is using their own data plan and what if they have run out that month? Also can you guarantee all staff have mobile signal on site? Add to that in the event of a power outage your local mobile tower could be down also.

 

Someone covering? Just hand them a radio and they are ready. If you use an app, you have to get them to download the app, probably sign up, show them how to use it.

 

App is a nice low cost method that I can see working in certain defined uses, but I wouldn't like to rely on it.

[chazzy2501]

All ios devices can create a mesh network (used to last time I looked) and there was an app called I think firechat that was made for festivals and the like with no connectivity available.

[mavhc]

Radios can have private channels as well. Some of the systems you can create party calls, so it selectively sends to only certain handsets.

 

Concern with no wifi would be down to data plans, are the school handing out mobile phones? If not then the member of staff is using their own data plan and what if they have run out that month? Also can you guarantee all staff have mobile signal on site? Add to that in the event of a power outage your local mobile tower could be down also.

 

Someone covering? Just hand them a radio and they are ready. If you use an app, you have to get them to download the app, probably sign up, show them how to use it.

 

App is a nice low cost method that I can see working in certain defined uses, but I wouldn't like to rely on it.

 

A radio with encryption is very expensive, phones would be cheaper. Cell towers have backup batteries, I'd trust their signal more than a tiny radio. Which is going to be more reliable, a million pound cell tower, or a hundred pound radio?

[MatthewL]

If you get a decent branded not a cheap Baofeng you will have no issues, you get what you pay for with them. My choice would be Motorola personally, look at the DMR ones, speak to your local radio supplier there will be one.

[chazzy2501]

I think that walkie talkies have an unmatched robustness and are dedicated to their task, this makes them unrivalled in trust.

 

I've seen strange outages on mobile networks updates that break apps, maybe that you were unaware of until you needed it.

 

if my life was on the line I'd take a walkie talkie.

[mavhc]

What's the chance your life is on the line while working at a school though? Then multiply that by the chance the network millions of people use every day is down. Now compare to the cost of buying how many expensive devices, and keeping them charged and batteries replaced.

 

What's the risk, what's the cost, what else could you use the same money for. Same question you ask for any purchase.

[Andrew_C]

The chance of anyone around here having a mobile signal? Next to nil unless you hang out of a window, or walk up a hill. Chance of a walkie-talkie working? Pretty damned good.

[TechMonkey]

What's the chance your life is on the line while working at a school though? Then multiply that by the chance the network millions of people use every day is down. Now compare to the cost of buying how many expensive devices, and keeping them charged and batteries replaced.

 

What's the risk, what's the cost, what else could you use the same money for. Same question you ask for any purchase.

 

What's the chance someone else's life is on the line? If they are being used by first aiders very possible. In a stressful high pressure moment do you want to try and work an app and hope signal is OK or do you want to press a button and know it is going to work? If it is used in emergency procedures you need to plan on that chance in a million as when it all goes TU things tend to all go wrong and that is when things just need to work. Did you never watch London's Burning?

 

If keeping things charged and replacing batteries is your concern then mobile phones, especially cheap ones, are not the answer.

[Roberto]

What's the chance someone else's life is on the line? If they are being used by first aiders very possible. In a stressful high pressure moment do you want to try and work an app and hope signal is OK or do you want to press a button and know it is going to work? If it is used in emergency procedures you need to plan on that chance in a million as when it all goes TU things tend to all go wrong and that is when things just need to work. Did you never watch London's Burning?

 

If keeping things charged and replacing batteries is your concern then mobile phones, especially cheap ones, are not the answer.

 

Good point well made.

Edugeek in numerous BTRD threads : "Other people in my school are too dumb to use computers/mobiles/tablets properly."

Also Edugeek in this thread : "Other people in my school will be fine using an app on a computer/mobile/tablet while under the additional stress of dealing with an emergency."

 

Doesn't really stack up, does it?

Edited December 8, 2020 by Roberto