duplex comms for entertainment and theatre are the norm, and for wirless solutions, we tend to use duplex wireless comms - The obvious Clearcom, but here in the UK, we have more tecpro wired systems and these too can have radio comms added. Connection to radios, the usual simplex or semi-duplex ones is possible with a 4 wire adaptor, but it is a real faff - and there is no comparison to proper duplex wireless where you can listen AND speak. For cues, this is really vital. As I have loads of ordinary comms gear, I have linkd the two. There is a Kenwood repeater, and all the comms chat is sent out on frequency A - all the walkie talkie users hear the comms ring. If they need to speak, then their walkie talkie transmits on frequency B, and gets injected into the ring. Everyone knows it’s a radio user because the audio sounds so different - 300-3K being typical. It does mean that it’s useless for some theatre tasks - because it needs a hand to press the PTT. Vox is useless as loud music triggers it. For me, with a radio, I can go anywhere and hear what is happening and can talk back if I need to. The problem is that while I am pressing my button, I cannot hear the person desperately trying to alert me to a problem - imagine me going 5-4-3-2-1-GO when on 4 somebody is frantically yelling - STOP STOP they’re under the cloth. If safety conversations of any kind happen, rather than chit chat, then for schools and colleges duplex is essential. People like greengo now are very popular in Australia for TV and theatre - their wireless units are pretty good.
There is also something else to consider. Digital Radio. These can interfere with our typical sound gear, and on occasions, crash them. try a DMR radio next to your computer - as in sitting in a control room. Zapping windows is unwelcome, and that nasty motorboat noise can easily get into many audio mixers.
For me - trying to use PTT buttons for cueing is a disaster area. I happily give wardrobe, and the house LX people walkie-talkies when they’re doing their own things, but the actual comms ring with many contributor thing for running a show is a good example of where two way radios do a very poor job. In fairness, that’s why there are people spending lots of money on dedicated products. Personally - what brand of wired comms you have - go to them and see what mobile products they have. We hire in the radio comms for our big budget productions - think ten week runs and 1.5 million in box office receipts. We do NOT buy them. For once, cable is king!
PS - and the elephant in the room? Battery charging regimes. I have never found one that works with students.
