Two-Way Radio Buyer's Guide

Whether you’re looking for a two-way radio for personal use or business, we break down the ins and outs of what to consider and how to choose a two-way radio for any situation.

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What Is a Two-Way Radio?

A two-way radio is a radio that is capable of both transmitting and receiving wireless communications. There are three main types of two-way radios: handheld (walkie talkie), mobile (fixed mount), and base stations. In this article, we’ll review the different types of handheld walkie talkies and features you should look for when considering a purchase.

How do walkie talkies work?

Walkie talkies are battery-powered and have a transmitter/receiver and an antenna that sends and receives information over radio waves. They are used for bidirectional communications with other users on the same channel/frequency.

For walkie talkies to work at their best, it’s important to consider what affects a two-way radios range. Here are some ways you can ensure that you’re getting the best experience when using your walkie talkie:

• Make sure you use fully charged batteries
• When transmitting a message, speak loudly and clearly into the microphone
• Obstacles and terrain can limit range, so finding higher ground can improve the range and clarity of your message
• Be aware that if you’re using your walkie talkie in residential areas or cities, buildings can reduce range performance

If you’re looking for walkie talkies to be used in business settings such as in a warehouse, for retail, hospitality, or a restaurant environment, consider opting for business-specific two-way radios that can accommodate for indoor use over multiple floors and built-up areas.

Do I Need a License to Use a Walkie Talkie?

Cobra walkie talkies operate on the Family Radio Service (FRS) frequencies and don’t require a walkie talkie license, whether you’re using them for business or personal use. Many people aren’t aware that the Federal Communications Commission or FCC requires a license to use a two-way radio operating on the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) system if your radio is above 2 Watts. Licensing for GMRS for a family allows any family member, regardless of age, the ability to operate GMRS stations within the licensed system.

Can different two-way radios communicate?

Yes, regardless of brand, provided the radios support FRS and/or GMRS and use the same frequencies and squelch tones/codes. As long as all walkie talkies are set to the same channel number and squelch, they’ll be able to communicate.

Two-Way Radios for Business

Business walkie talkies are great for communicating on the job whether you’re in a warehouse, office, or work in hospitality, retail, or food and beverage industries. Clear communication is essential, so you’ll need a two-way radio that is professional and discreet, but also can cover the area you’ll be working in. The Cobra PX650 is designed for use up to 300,000 sq feet or a 25-floor range. They have an excellent runtime of up to 18 hours, they’re waterproof, and they have a voice-activated transmission which means you can start speaking and your walkie talkie will automatically transmit without the need to press a button.

If you’re looking to equip employees with a clear method of communication, look for the following features:

• Long distance range – There’s no use in having a method of communication that won’t cover your team member’s location. Invest in walkie talkies that have more range than you need to avoid lost communication.
• Long battery life – You don’t need a walkie talkie losing charge in the middle of a shift, so make sure you choose a product with a long life span and rechargeable batteries.
• Professional design and holster – Discretion and ease of use is important for employees who are on their feet and need to be mobile.
• Privacy code capabilities on channels – Keep your conversations secure and allow teams to operate on separate channels to keep communication clear.
• VOX – Voice activated transmission means your employees can activate their device when their hands are full, for ultimate flexibility.

Personal Use Walkie Talkies

Outdoor walkie talkies are a necessity for adventurers. Whether you're boating, biking, hiking, or paddling, walkie talkies are an excellent way to stay in touch in areas that have poor cell service, or if you simply don’t want to bring your with you. They’re also a necessity for emergencies as a backup communication option, especially if you’re in a low coverage area, even if you do have your cell with you. Here are the most important features to look for:

• Durability and compact design – Look for a walkie talkie that is lightweight, doesn’t take up too much space, and can withstand the terrain in case of a fall. A robust two-way radio is a great alternative to potentially damaging an expensive on an adventure.
• Waterproof features – The last thing you need when you’re trying to enjoy nature is to lose or ruin your device on the water. If you’re planning to be paddling or boating, a waterproof and floating option, like the Cobra ACXT645, offers is essential. Water-resistance is also a good feature to have in case you’re caught in the rain.
• Long range – Since cell service is usually poor in remote areas, make sure you can stay in touch with others, even if they’re miles away. A long range is particularly helpful during off-roading excursions and backwoods camping. Accidents can occur at any time, and if your cell service is poor, you’ll need a reliable way to contact someone for help if it’s needed.
• Weather channels – Make sure you can monitor the weather with access to NOAA weather alerts so you can always be prepared, especially in high-altitude areas, low areas that are susceptible to flash floods, or out on the water. When the weather can change quickly and without much warning, weather channels can help alert you to a potentially dangerous situation.
• Emergency alerts - Having a walkie talkie with you in case of an emergency is essential when you can’t depend on your cell or are in a situation where you have limited capabilities and need to rely on the quick press of an emergency button.

Kid-friendly Walkie Talkies

Walkie talkies can be fun and practical for families with children. A set of kid-friendly walkie talkies can provide hours of entertainment during sleepovers, pretend play, or on vacations. They’re also a great way to keep in touch with family members while you do different activities.

How to Operate a Walkie-Talkie

To understand how to operate a walkie-talkie with another person, you should know that it is pretty simple and straightforward. Here is how you do it.

• Start by turning on the power button on your walkie-talkie.
• Since walkie-talkies have multiple channels, choose a channel that you and your partner will use. This ensures that you’re on the same frequency level.
• To get messages across, press and hold the talk button.
• Speak directly into the microphone for better communication. 
• Release the talk button once you’re done speaking to allow the other person to respond. 

If you’re not receiving a signal, ensure that you and your partner are on the same frequency. Also make sure you are in the operating range of the walkie-talkie. If the sound through the walkie-talkie is distorted, adjust the volume and check for any obstructions. Make sure to replace or recharge the batteries when necessary.

Walkie-Talkie Uses

The uses of walkie-talkies can extend to a variety of settings. Whether it’s for work or recreation, walkie-talkies are a practical device to own.

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• One of the popular uses of walkie-talkies is related to outdoor activities like hiking and camping. You can stay connected with your group and alert them in case of emergencies.
• Not just for fun, the uses of walkie-talkie can be applied to work as well. If you work on a construction site, you can coordinate tasks and report any safety issues. In the security field, a walkie-talkie can be used to monitor activities and respond to emergencies.
• Walkie-talkies are essential for emergency responders during natural disasters and medical emergencies.
• Aside from these, you can use walkie-talkies with your friends and families on trips. You can make sure everyone is accounted for and coordinate activities.

Walkie-talkies have become popular due to benefits like instant communication, no need for cellular service, group communication and the guarantee for privacy.

Types of Walkie-Talkies

The right type of walkie talkie for you depends on the purpose you intend to use it for.

Basic

A basic walkie-talkie is commonly used for casual settings and short-range communication. It’s defined by its simple design, limited range and consists of essential features. It’s ideal for people who are on a budget and need to use it for hiking or family outings.

Long-Range

A long-range walkie-talkie can be used for outdoor activities over long distances. It can also be used in areas with poor cellular service. It consists of features like weather resistance and noise cancellation. It’s ideal for activities like hunting, fishing and exploring remote areas.

Professional

This type of walkie-talkie is specifically designed for businesses and emergency services. It has a sturdy construction, multiple channels and specialized features like GPS. A professional walkie-talkie is a valuable asset for reliable communication in critical situations.

Two-Way Radios

Two-way radios are used for industries like construction, manufacturing and security. They’re heavy-duty, have a long battery life and advanced features. They consist of multiple channels for group calls and voice encryption for added privacy.

Factors to Consider To Find the Right Type of Walkie Talkie

To find the right walkie-talkie, you will need to look at some key factors to narrow your choices.

Price and Durability

When buying a walkie-talkie, set your budget by deciding on the features you need. Also, consider how often you will use the device. Once you have a budget set, you can choose a walkie-talkie that fits within that price range. The price of walkie-talkies generally range from $100 to $800. Models with sturdy cases, weather resistance and shock proof features ensure its longevity.

Number of Channels

Make sure to get a walkie-talkie with the number of channels you need. This can determine how many different groups can communicate at the same time. A higher number of channels allows multiple groups to communicate. They can also prevent unnecessary interference. The typical walkie-talkie can have from 4 to 22 channels.

Operating Range

The operating range of a walkie-talkie determines the distance over which you can communicate with the other person. This is also influenced by the terrain, weather conditions and the power output of the walkie-talkie. Choose a model with an appropriate range based on your needs. This can range from 1 mile to 60 miles.

Battery Life

The battery life is important if you intend to use the walkie-talkie for long periods without access to a power source. You can look for models with long-lasting batteries. The battery life in hours can range from 10 to 18 hours. Based on your needs, some models are available with the charger included while some are not. Make your choice depending on whether you require the charger or already have one.

Walkie-Talkie Frequency

Now that you know how to operate a walkie-talkie, it’s important to learn about walkie-talkie frequency.

Walkie-talkies typically operate on radio frequencies and these determine the channel used for communication. Knowing which frequencies your walkie-talkie uses helps you with compatibility and prevents interference.

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