Proposal: PMR446 walkie talkie usage

[YulianaBoyle]

I guess most have seen those reasonably prices walkie talkies, called PMR446, usually sold in pairs. Actually all of them are compatible, there is no need to use the unit with its pair (although some may wrongly believe that) and in Europe these units don't need any license. In the USA there is a similar concept called "family radio".

PMR446 is the name of a standard, not a brand. These units are made by multiple vendors such as Motorola, Cobra, Midland, etc.

I am always surprised at how many birders usually rely on mobiles phones and Whatsapp to keep in touch, for example, if a group splits.

- The mobile is cumbersome if you are also using binoculars, spotting scope...

- Mobile phones don't like bad weather. Walkie talkies are much more robust and some are even submersible.

- Try to use a mobile phone with gloves.

- If you need reading glasses you will pull your hair out with the glasses-on-glasses-off ritual

- You can't operate the mobile phone while you are looking at anything else.

- If there is no cell phone coverage it's useless.

To make it worse, the mobile phone is a closed group communication tool. You can only communicate with people you already know who are on your contacts list. Sometimes it may be useful to hail other birders in the area in order to ask a question.

There is already an initiative in Spain to standardize the usage of channel 7 + subtone 7 for mountain emergencies.

In Spain it has been used successfully by the emergency services in order to coordinate volunteers helping in a difficult mountain search. Of course the emergency services have their own equipment in specifically authorized frequencies but they can use PMR446 in order to communicate with mountaineers in an area.

My proposal is to define a standard birding channel in order to hail other birders in the area, share observations, ask for tips, etc.

It can be channel 2 + subtone 2 given that the World Wetlands Day is the 2nd of February.

Beware, though. Always buy PMR446 equipment or, if travelling outside Europe, equipment authorized for the area being visited. Also, remember that the usage of radio transmitting equipment by civilians can raise suspicions in some countries. Avoid those cheap walkie talkies that advertise broad VHF and UHF frequency ranges. Those are not authorized and an unlicensed user can be fined.

What are the advantages of these units?

- First and foremost, they don't demand your full attention. You can speak and listen while you look at whatever you fancy. No need to stop looking through your optics. Also, no need to put on your reading glasses.

- These walkie talkies are robust. Some are even submersible. No weather problems.

- You can operate them with gloves of course.

- No cell coverage needed.

- Most use standard AA batteries available everywhere. You can of course AA NiMH rechargeables (Panasonic Eneloop Pros work very well).

- There are no privacy problems (no need to exchange telephone numbers) nor a need to prearrange anything. If these units get popular you can hail birders in an area.

What do you think? I wil begin carrying a walkie walkie turned on on 2-2 when birding.

[AriellaTerry]

What is the range? Based on that and the area in question, it can end up being completely dead or impossibly crowded

[Brave_Jan]

I had a similar experience on a group hike where we had trouble keeping in touch because of poor cell coverage. We ended up using Motorola walkie talkies, and they made a huge difference. They were durable, worked well in bad weather, and I could use them while looking through my binoculars.It’s cool that you’re thinking about setting up a birding channel. It could really help people connect and share info without the hassle of phones. For the best results, choose quality units and make sure they’re authorized for the area.