Post deleted by Presumed_Lost

I don't know about the radio's as I've never tried, but I was on a cruise this past summer. They do have some security, although I found it nothing like what I expected. Yes they have metal detectors, but only at the ports in the US. If you dock and go landside for a day, there's usually nothing more than a boarding ramp to get back on. Carry whatever you (reasonably) want, just make sure you place it in your "checked" luggage. You can pick it up again when your luggage is delivered to your room.

If you call the cruise line they will be happy to tell you everything you need to know. You could also probably check their website.

As for the drinking, I would just advise not to drink anything that you didn't see get opened. Good advice for tavel abroad no matter where you're going.

Luke

I suspect FRS would be problematic. They are probibly prohibited as they can interfere with staff/crew communications. The scout camps I've been to prohibit them becasue they step on staff's FM radio communicatios. If they are allowed, then you're likely to encounter a lot of "noise" from all of the other FRS radios on board.

As far as the legality of FRS radios...

Cruise ships are usually of foreign registry, so while on board, you are subject to the laws of that country (and the country is seldom the US). FRS radios will probably not be legal in that country, and if so, they would be illegal on that ship. If your ship is registered in Europe, Europe has a radio service similar to FRS, but would require buying those radios, which would then be illegal to use in the US. In short, probably not worth the bother.

Maybe now would be a good time to get an amateur radio license <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Only $12 for the test (plus $20 or so for the study book). Then you can get a 5-watt radio which should be legal anywhere (provided that you get the permits from the registlry country ahead of time).

Willie,

It's interesting that the FRS radios are actually prohibited in the scout camps in your area. So far the only limitations we have encountered (S. CA) re radios has been a restriction of certain channels/frequencies to the staff or for emergency calls. In fact, they were very useful at our last OA camp. Many troops were using them. Yes, I know they're not traditional scout camps. But, for whatever the reason, I haven't felt the need to use them at some of our other camps, such as long term camp. However, I do expect to be using them more often based on our good experience. I hope you get a little more freedom to use them.

Good luck,

John

Sometimes rules are made to treat the symptom and not the desease. We use them in our cars while traveling on outings. I find them annoying with uneccesary chatter, even from a few leaders. No big deal so it's not an issue I'd even consider addressing. Two years ago, as we neared a camp we've never been to before, we started to hear all sorts of chatter on multiple channels, mostly scouts yakin' away. If we were relying upon the radios solely to navigate the last few turns, it could have confused a few folks. We each had maps and it was not that difficult to find, but I was annoyed that we spent the last 10 minutes of the drive switching between channels to try to find one that was clear. Again, no big deal, but I could have easily gone without the FRS.

That evening at the openning campfire, the staff announced the policy of no FRS radios as it interferes with their communications. I don't know if this true or just an excuse they use to help enforce the rule. Ours are intended for travfel only do they were already stashed. Plus scouts don't need any electronic devises at camp.

At the Wilderness Survival (St. John Ambulance) camp we did last year, we brought 6 FRS radios. The first day, yeah, everybody was yaking away wasting bandwidth. But our reason for bringing them was to teach the Radio Proficiency (proficiency = BSA Merit Badge). With very little instruction (and a clear acceptable use policy laid out), we combined this with a map-reading exercise, where cadets were required to report in every time they reached one of their objectives. For that exercise, at least, they exhibited very good radio discipline and etiquette. Partly due to the fact that they'd "gotten it out of their systems" the day before by playing around with the FRS units, and partly because they were given a specific tasking for the radios, so they knew when to speak and when not to speak.

If the radios are being used for a specific purpose (teaching or otherwise) I don't think there should be a problem; the real problem is giving them "toys" with no instructions on when, where, how and why to use them.

There are no bad hammers, only bad carpenters ;-)

The first thing taught in the process of getting your HAM lisence is proper operation protocol. It is very important to know how to use your airwave priviledges without becomming a problem to others sharing the resource. If you are teaching any kind of airwave use it may be helpful to teach the basics of the Ham operations protocol. This will not only provide them with well codified rules for using radio comm.'s but will also give them a leg up on their Ham lisence.

Is there a link to an online sheet?

it's a little more info then would fit on a "Cheat sheet". Check out www.arrl.org and look up operations. The "ARRL Operating Manual" that a ham uses is probably a bit more rigid and structured and even more elaborate than needed for FRS but the feeling and intent definately translates and many of the operations guidelines will apply directly. The Ham operators in your area probably are involved in JOTA - Jamboree on the air with the scouts already and you could certainly find a local ham to come in and give a 1/2 hour introduction into proper operations techniques with a small 1 page handout of guidelines applicable for the audience and intended usage.