Old Walkie Talkie

I am not talking about the technology that is used for Nextel push to talk but just plain old peer to peer walkie talkie. My phone has a camera and mp3 player and I could see a need to be able to communicate via walkie talkie to other cars during road trips or to my wife while in different parts of a store without using cell minutes.

Most of Nextel's rate plans include unlimited walkie-talkie minutes, so you really don't need to worry about using walkie-talkie minutes. And, most plans also include free mobile-to-mobile cellular calls (between any Sprint and/or Nextel phone) for an additional $5 for Nextel phones. For Sprint phones, mobile-to-mobile is free, but you don't have the walkie-talkie feature (except on hybrid ic502 phone, which uses Sprint cellular and Nextel walkie-talkie).

But, to answer your question - some of the newer Nextel phones have a feature called "Direct Talk". Direct Talk is just like a regular off-the-shelf walkie-talkie - it doesn't use minutes. But, you have to switch to Direct Talk mode to use it, and you cannot receive cellular or Nextel Nationwide Walkie-Talkie calls while you are in Direct Talk mode. However, your phone calls will go to voicemail.

Nextel's web site states that Direct Talk only works with the i315, i325 or i325 IS, but it is also available on the i560, i580, i355, i670, i760, i850, i870 and i880.

And, the effective range is usually 1-2 miles in town, and 5-6 out in the country - as long as you aren't in the mountains. Direct Talks works really well.

See the link for more information - here is the Nextel explanation about Direct Talk.

Direct Talk is an all-digital off-network walkie-talkie service that works between compatible phones within a range of up to 6 miles. Terrain, weather, foliage and man-made structures (such as buildings), among other things, may impact range availability. Direct Talk operates on the 900 MHz ISM public frequency and provides group and private walkie-talkie capability. This valuable service is ideal for use in remote locations, as a back up for emergency situations, or when network coverage may not be available.

2006-12-17 18:54:47 by Bryan

are you walkie and talkie!?!!!

i have an old 14 channel walkie talkie,and 2 22 channel walkie talkies. is it possible to talk on all channels on ether of them?

yeah, it depends on the talike

2009-02-09 12:51:00 by tylerthecrazyguy

Ive got two old cell phones and they arent really worth anything. Ive got a bunch more but i wanted to make these two cell phones into walkie talkies for my brother and i. They are the same exact thing. How would i be able to do this wireless?

huh, sounds interesting. Google it.
but i guess you would have to buy new radios for the phones.

2009-04-06 16:03:46 by The MisUnderstood

Price: $24.99

One channel
Talk up to 1 mile away
Volume control
Easy to use - one push/talk button

Part of it depends on where you live! I live in a very small town in Texas; the road I live on is very quiet. In fact, theres only two little two block roads right here so I let my 11 year old, two 9 year olds, and 8 year old ride their bikes and walk the dogs around the block all the time. But if your child is pretty responsible, and has a walkie talkie then I would say around 8-10 years old DEPENDING on how responsible they are! And only you know that.

2007-01-22 07:52:10 by happy

My mom and I were in charge of buying a Christmas gift for a boy in a childrens home. We know nothing about him other than the fact that he is 16 years of age. She went and bought walkie talkies, is that alright?

If you kept the receipt you might want to return it. Walkie talkies are mostly for children under age 12.
16 year old boys like hoodie jackets, sports equipment footballs,basketballs,soccer balls etc..,
they love music and video games and even DVD's.
He's in a children's home so he would probably appreciate something that is personal for himself that doesn't have to be shared with others.

2008-12-11 11:43:44 by jmuffin