[Suggestion/question] Eye radio

So I like the idea of the ender eye working as a radio but I'm not sure how i feel about starting out with it. I realize you are still tweaking stuff and haven't made up your minds yet but I just thought I'd throw in my opinion.

To me, the whole point of local chat (which I love btw) was that you were unable to chat long distance, but if you start out with that ability anyway it renders local chat obsolete. It should be something you have to find, in a military camp or something. I'm just not of the mindset that you should have anything other than bare essentials when you begin.

I also think I noticed EYE chat even when I didn't have the eye in my hand. So is that something you changed? (I remember reading that you had to have it equipped to listen to it or to talk into it). I liked that better as well. It makes sense. You wouldn't want to have a radio on at all times, it would run out of juice, so it would be cool to have to check it periodically and find a safe spot to do so (since you have to put your weapon down).

Anyway I guess I like the original idea (reddit description by Highlife) of the EYE chat rather than what it is right now. So I'd just like to know where the devs stand on this, and if they have plans as to how they want it to work.

thanks =)