I was just wondering if anyone has had any success sticking a new walkie talkie into an MT500 radio shell. I did see a great thread about disassembling a radio, but haven’t found anything about building a radio into the shell.
I’m contemplating making resin/plastic shells, but I’d like it to do something other than hang off of the belt.
I always thought it would be cool to take some audio from the movies and video game, such as quotes from the main characters-- just the types of things one would say over a walkie, and rig it so that pressing a button will play back a clip. You know, so I can have that imaginary conversation with the Ghostbusters that I’ve always wanted to have!
Someone did make it so their MT500 is a speaker to play certain lines from the movie, I believe.
Though I don’t think it’s a good idea placing a walkie talkie into it, since officers wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between one that does pick up police radio, and one that’s an average walkie. You might get questioned by police if that happens.
But that’s my two cents on the subject.
Just use a cellphone.
Easiest thing would be to just get some civilian band crystals.
I have one, as do several other of the Georgia fellas, its a battery powered speaker/amp that plugs into an mp3 player all put into a gutted MT500. One of our guys made a mp3 of some of the radio chatter so I either play that on a loop or add some of the soundtrack tunes.
I’ve never had a problem having my radio, nor have I ever come across a police officer while in costume (and seldom out of costume). Also, these radios were used outside of emergency services in Canada, as mine is from either CN or CP Rail (I can’t remember which).
I’ve read about having it spit out lines, but that isn’t what I’m looking for. Specifically, I’m looking for a way for group members to talk to each other when at events. My group will be at an event next month (I know I won’t be able to get these radios in time, but it’s an example), and will be separated for large parts of out volunteer work at the show. Radio communication is a must, as we all come from 3 different cities and thus it’s long distance for almost all of us. It would be nice to have “the” radio as the radio we use to call each other.
Looking through Coz_UK’s thread about dissecting it (GBFans.com), it doesn’t look like it would be too difficult. The biggest problem I foresee though are the digial displays and channel buttons on modern walkie talkies. The MT has analogue knobs, and I’m not sure how one would kitbash that.
I suppose if anyone wants to part with a radio and modern walkie (wink wink), I’d be willing to try this out.
i agree this would be awesome-sauce. like if there was a “standard” channel GBfans people used, then when going to cons or something you can see if other Ghostbusters are in the area.
pOOpTarT from our Tucson Team put a bluetooth unit in his radio to take phone calls with it at events. He has an instructables on it here: Ghostbusters MT500 Radio With Bluetooth Upgrade : 7 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables
The only problem that I can foresee regarding channels are the ones that the event’s staff use. The radio would have to be on a different frequency to ensure that you aren’t dropping in on calls you shouldn’t be hearing. That should be pretty easy to accomplish, assuming that one can find out what frequency rental radio use.
so i stumbled across this dudes website who apparently used to work for Motorola, and he sells MT500’s and will change them over to a civilian frequency. i’ve been sending emails with him back and forth and am waiting to hear back from him if he will refit a radio i provide him with.
Where you ever able to get your radio retrofit with civilian frequencies. I been looking into this issue. I would like to be able to use the radios at events for the group to keep in touch also. I found that some MT500 radios have GMRS frequencies which you can use but it requires you to have a FCC Licience. Which cost $85 for 5 years.
I have seen at least one thread on the forums, where someone put one of those little walk about family walkie talkies inside. The volume and speaker were wired to the MT -500 shell, and it was accessed through the back battery panel. Very cool, but out of my skill range. Use the search and you may be able to locate it…
I did modify my mt500 with a new walkie. I was able to have the push to talk button work as well as volume and channel change with the original buttons. It works great but it was a bit of a challenge.