@mattblaze this reminds me of a conversation i had about FRS/GMRS 2-way radios with a friend that just got theirs. They have "privacy codes" but what they really do is filter out, on your radio only, someone talking that does not include the code. Anyone can still hear you talking if they have no privacy codes set.
If you want secure/private conversations. use Matrix, Signal or some other End-To-End encrypted communications app.