While building a two-way radio requires some technical expertise, making a homemade walkie talkie really is a breeze! The methods to do this are numerous: you can use the classic cans attached to a string or use a smart phone with the push-to-talk function enabled. Over and out!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use Cans or Paper Cups
Step 1. Get what you need
For this simple project you will need: two aluminum cans or two paper cups, a 5-10 meter string, a hammer and a nail.
To prevent the string from tearing the bottom of the containers, it is better to use cans instead of glasses
Step 2. Pierce the bottom of the cans (or glasses) with the nail
The hole shouldn't be too big, but it should be big enough for the string to pass through.
Remember to pierce both containers and not just one
Step 3. Thread one end of the string into the hole in one of the bowls
Each can / glass will act as a receiver. Pass the string from underneath to then bring it inside the receiver.
Step 4. Tie the string inside the receiver
Make sure that the portion of string inside the container is long enough to make a nice knot. The knot must be large enough to prevent the twine from slipping off the receiver; if it is too small, tie an extra knot.
- If you use glasses instead of cans, you can tie the string to the nail and leave the nail inside the glass. In this way the string will remain inside the receiver without wearing out the bottom.
- Secure the twine to one of the receivers before dedicating yourself to the other: otherwise, fiddling with the second receiver you could pull the twine off the first.
Step 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the second receiver
Now that you have finished the first receiver, you will need to attach the string to the second. As explained above, if you use two paper cups you can leave a nail stuck in the cup to help secure the string.
Step 6. Tighten the twine
Sound is created by sound waves that travel within a substance; the same happens for the human voice and the sounds generated by the vibration of the strings of an instrument. As with the strings of a guitar, you will need to make sure that the string is taut in order for the sound waves to travel optimally.
Obviously you will have to be careful not to over-tighten the string to prevent it from breaking or detaching from the receivers. Make it tense enough to make it buzz by giving it a good pinch
Step 7. Talk to the person on the other side of the string
Now that you've finished your walkie talkie, use it to communicate. Talk to the person on the other end of the line and wait for his response.
Method 2 of 2: Turn your Smart Phone into a Walkie Talkie
Step 1. Get a smart phone
Although the push-to-talk function is not widely used by smart phone owners, some do use it: anyone can do it. Buying a smart phone just to use it as a walkie talkie is not convenient but, if you already own one, you can proceed as described in the following steps. Push-to-talk applications are available for most operating systems, including iOS, Android, and Windows.
Step 2. Download the application
Go to the App Store and search for the application that's right for you. HeyTell, Voxer, Zello, iPTT and TiKL are just some of the most used ones.
Many of these applications are completely free
Step 3. Install the application
You will need to install the application and create an account. Since these applications do not require the use of your phone number, nor do they count the minutes of conversation, opening an account will only serve to be found by other users who use the application.
Step 4. Invite friends to download the application
To take advantage of the application, the people you want to contact must have a smart phone with the same push-to-talk application installed that you want to use. Nowadays, with the spread of smart phones, it is much easier to ask friends and relatives to download an application than to give a walkie talkie to everyone.
Many push-to-talk applications allow you to create groups, and compared to traditional walkie talkies it is much easier to contact several people at the same time
Step 5. Use push-to-talk
After you and your friends have installed the application, open the contact list, select the person you want to talk to and press the "Talk" button.
- Since push-to-talk applications transmit little data, connection costs are minimal. If you have a wi-fi connection, you won't spend a cent.
- Since push-to-talk applications use the internet to connect, you can send messages around the world, overcoming the distances that can be reached with traditional walkie talkies.
- Push-to-talk applications are ideal when you don't want to spend a lot of time on the phone and feel that a text message would be too long to write and read.
Warnings
- If you have built your walkie talkies with cans, be very careful when putting your ear or mouth close to the edges of the receiver, it could be sharp!
- Do not pull too hard on the string that connects the walkie talkies, otherwise it could become detached from the receivers.
