Best push-to-talk app
August 18, 2015 9:23 AM Subscribe
My girlfriend is an event planner, and is interested in push-to-talk/walkie-talkie apps to use during a big convention. I have no experience with such things, and have found only a few older review articles. Any suggestions? I'm unsure about the OS, so give me what you got.
Not sure about "best", but I've used HeyTell (available for IPhone and Android) and it works as advertised.
posted by monospace at 9:46 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by monospace at 9:46 AM on August 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Totally agree with Alterscape. I would not rely on cell/wifi coverage inside a large convention center. I don't know if there is a budget to get actual radios, but I've used these and they are great and pretty cheap.
posted by Betelgeuse at 9:50 AM on August 18, 2015
posted by Betelgeuse at 9:50 AM on August 18, 2015
N-th'ing the stuff upthread about FRS radios (assuming you're in the US; don't know about elsewhere).
Caveats: While business use is OK on FRS, you do not have the exclusive use of any particular frequency. This is rarely a problem in practice, but have a plan for what alternate channel(s) to change to if other users are interfering. (That plan should *not* involve announcing the new channel over the air.)
Many radios (such as the ones linked to by Betelgeuse) are approved for both FRS and GMRS. Using GMRS requires an FCC license ($90 for five years; no exam). Either get that license, or make sure you stay within the FRS rules.
That means stay on FRS frequencies *and* make sure your effective radiated power is under the the FRS limit (500mW). If you don't know what any of that means, get an FRS-only radio and you'll be OK.
(de NF3H)
posted by sourcequench at 11:19 AM on August 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Caveats: While business use is OK on FRS, you do not have the exclusive use of any particular frequency. This is rarely a problem in practice, but have a plan for what alternate channel(s) to change to if other users are interfering. (That plan should *not* involve announcing the new channel over the air.)
Many radios (such as the ones linked to by Betelgeuse) are approved for both FRS and GMRS. Using GMRS requires an FCC license ($90 for five years; no exam). Either get that license, or make sure you stay within the FRS rules.
That means stay on FRS frequencies *and* make sure your effective radiated power is under the the FRS limit (500mW). If you don't know what any of that means, get an FRS-only radio and you'll be OK.
(de NF3H)
posted by sourcequench at 11:19 AM on August 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Plus - many apps that allow you to talk/call from within them are battery killers for phones. Definitely would not recommend them for an actual group of staff within a convention center!
posted by barnone at 12:04 PM on August 18, 2015
posted by barnone at 12:04 PM on August 18, 2015
Seconding Voxer.
posted by concertedchaos at 2:32 PM on August 18, 2015
posted by concertedchaos at 2:32 PM on August 18, 2015
I also use Zello for this. Works flawlessly on both android and iOS. When I use it there are typically around 10-15 people in a group chat, so I'm not sure how well it scales beyond that.
posted by nixxon at 4:17 PM on August 18, 2015
posted by nixxon at 4:17 PM on August 18, 2015
Nthing Voxer. LOVE it. Super easy to use, and exactly what you need. You do need a premium account to add members to groups of more than (I think?) 10, but you can sign up for one month, make your chat, and go back to regular.
posted by guster4lovers at 11:08 PM on August 18, 2015
posted by guster4lovers at 11:08 PM on August 18, 2015
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posted by Alterscape at 9:40 AM on August 18, 2015 [8 favorites]