My daughter (3) and her cousin (5) live 700km apart, they had a great time last time they were together they had fun using walkie-talkies and are disappointed they can't continue to do so.
Is there a cheap set that would just work over wifi? All I can find want a sim card and use zello
Wilco. Read you loud and clear. Roger that. Over and out.
Is this a Crawford Production, Gary? Over
Cop Shop vibes for sure.
Roger Roger
Poor Roger
.
700kms apart?
(1) Find a free telstra phone box close to each end of the destinations.
(2) Get them to use phones, close eyes and pretend.
(3) This is the time for getting 2 empty cans and finally deciding 'how long a piece of string' is.
Depends on your budget and time and how much effort you want to invest.
The problem with WiFi radio is that you would need some kind of "RoIP" server set up. It would need a central hub for them to connect to. It wouldn't be necessarily a radio to radio setup, so that would be where something like Zello could come in handy. I know ICom do WiFi RoIP radios, but I am pretty sure they need a base station to connect to and are not radio to radio. However, you should be able to get a Zello compatible radio that does WiFi without having to use 4G networks to make it work.
Another option could be to get them into HAM radio, BUT that requires very specific equipment with a very steep learning curve. You need to get a license and may even require a course. A lot of outlay and effort for a 3yo kid.
Another option is an old mobile phone that only connects to WiFi and you may be able to install an app where they can chat with each other, like a PTT app that would work similar to a 2 way and if you had some old phones laying about, it would be easy to set up
Whatsapp Talkies.
Two older android or iphones, locked down to one or two apps only. Press to talk walkie talkie app. https://talker.network/5-best-push-to-talk-apps-for-ios-and-… But needs research because like UHF CB, some or most of these apps can connect to anyone. You'd want it limited to the two stations only.
How about a webcam on your TV with Zoom or Google Meet or similar, and just have that running so they can play together while being able to see and talk to each other?
Actual UHF CB repeaters to IP networks are a thing, but way out of what you'd want to pay or set up.
Should have thought about that before moving apart
Try baby monitor, it works on wifi.
Why not get two low-cost mobile handsets and Google Chat or FaceTime over wifi?
This is 2025, get a google nest hub lol
They are called phones.
OP is mixing 2 different types of communication …
walkie-talkie == either UHF or VHF comms … but then OP discussing something that uses internet (/WIFI).
aint no CB radio going to work over 700km (out of the box) … which is designed for 3-5 year old children as end user.
Acouple of posts above may also help OP … but in the end, it won't be what OP had originally in their mind.
I feel like you're mixed up. OP wants something that's like a walkie-talkie (in that you can push a button to talk), but that can work over wifi instead of UHF/VHF.
Is there a cheap set that would just work over wifi?
There are solutions, but they aren't cheap and/or require licensing.
There is a great solution in the Amateur Radio space called DMR. You use a handheld radio with a Raspberry Pi (various are available; I use a Pi-Zero), and then that connects to WiFi/Internet and then routes through to call groups to an existing network. It's brilliant. I have one in my car connected to Starlink and one at Home. I can walk around the house and talk to anyone on the network. I often use it to talk to my Dad when we cannot/do not want to use conventional analogue repeaters/simplex, etc.
I know everyone is like "its called Google Meet, Zoom or a Phone" or "its 2025, use x y z". Honestly…… sometimes nothing beats using a radio the old style and have a good conversion. You have your say, and no one can interrupt it like a phone call.
So perhaps one of these if the OP is not into building their own with Pi hats? https://www.sharkrf.com/products/openspot4/learn-more/ Would still be towards $1K plus getting DMR UHF radios, which the kids versions probably don't have DMR. Plus programming DMR channels and the backhaul over the Internet, then keeping it running.
Yes and then the licensing element you need to add into that as well.
Apple Watch has a walkie talkie functionality
These work fine as two way communicators around the house. Don't need WiFi. They each have a charging station.
Wireless Intercom Doorbell, Super… https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C5M9JBZH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_s…
【LONG DISTANCE】the transmission distance of the voice intercom device can reach 1000 meters in the open area and 20 to 50 meters through the wall, which is highly practical. Widely used in home, office, laboratory environment, medical, etc.
Even at the most optimistic, still 699km too short.
Skype?
Thanks for some of the suggestions but the reason I haven't just gone with the phones and apps is to reduce screen time, they are already getting too much but they already get to video chat almost daily
UHF handhelds (Walkie Talkies) are open air so not private and there are quite a few idiots out there(Bad language etc).
They are often used by Road Traffic Controllers, Trucks, farmers, 4wd and other industrys and really shouldnt be used for idle chit chat as confusion can occur. In my area i can hear coversations up to 60 klms away but can only transmit maybe 10 klms under best conditions with my handheld being just a basic uniden model.
Not really suitable for kids.
Just use kids Messenger on any wifi device that can use an app like a Tablet, Phone, PC, Ipad and such
Well yeah, coz walkie talkies are designed for outdoors etc, away from the wifi of buildings