What walkie talkies should you buy? There are so many options! Choosing the right walkie talkies for your needs can be tricky. Should I get walkie talkies for leisure or business? What features do walkie talkies offer that will fit my lifestyle and profession? We have compiled a list of questions to ask yourself when choosing walkie talkies, as well as our top picks in each category. Read on to find out what is best for you!
What Factors Should I consider to choose the Walkie Talkies?
Main walkie talkies avantages are portability, small size and low weight that makes them favourite option among users across the world. There are several things to consider when choosing walkie talkies. First, you need to think about your needs before buying walkie talkies for lesuire or busineess use. If you’re looking walkie talkies for business purpose then it is important that the radio has features like encryption and weather channels besides other factors. The walkie talkies should be lightweight because sometimes you may need to carry them while going on an adventure or sport activity. You can also need the walkie talkies that are waterproof when using it in the rain and snow or make sure they use same frequencies as your other radios.
Radio frequences – UHF or VHF?
Walkie talkies can use both UHF (ultra high frequency) and VHF (very high frequency) from electromagnetic spectrum. UHF walkie talkies have features like encryption, weather channels and remote kill. This is not to mention the walkie talkie has a range of up to 12 miles or more depending on terrain factors. Walkie talkies which are using UHF work well with your existing radios at home and in car.
On the other hand walkie talkies which use VHF (very high frequency) transmit and receive signal over long distances. They are best for camping, hunting or any outdoor activity that requires communicating with a large group of people across a wide area.
If you need walkie talkies for outdoor activities like hiking, hunting etc., then VHF walkie-talkies can be a better choice as they offer longer range than UHF.
Power – How much do I need?
Walkie talkies use radio signals to transmit information from one walkie talkie to another walkie talkie within a particular range. That’s why the wattage of walkie talkies is very important. The higher the walkie talkies’ wattage, the longer its range will be. For an example if you are using walkie talkies that have a power output of 5 watts then this would mean that their coverage area can extend up to 2 miles in open spaces with no obstructions around them.
FRS or GMRS Walkie Talkie?
FRS (Family Radio Service) walkie talkies are uselly used by family or group of friends. FRS walkie talkies are provided with 22 channels which you can use to communicate during your walk, but only channels 1-7 and 15-22 operate at 2 watts and the rest are limited to 0.5 watts.
The advantage of FRS is that it takes no licensing or training to be allowed to use. Its downside is that it is low powered compared to other options, and it has a lot of traffic in heavily populated areas.
GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) is a bit more powerful than FRS (up to 5 watts) but requires the user to get a license in the USA. GMRS would be a good option for the user that needs a bit more range than the FRS frequencies offer.
You also may use privacy codes to differentiate your radio traffic from other people, but keep in mind they do not really make your radio traffic private.
What Distance can Walkie Talkies communicate?
The walkie talkies use a variety of frequencies, which determine the range and distance they can go. For walkie-talkies to work at their best – you need them both on the same frequency, so make sure your walkie talkie has a long enough range for how far apart you’ll be from each other. If a person is going out into the jungle or desert then obviously their radio will have less range because it needs to travel through more obstructions such as trees and buildings that will dampen down signals – but if there’s two people standing next door to each other then don’t buy extra power just in case!
Many walkie talkies manufacturers claim the range of signal availability around 20 – 30 miles in ideal conditions. In real life every walkie talkie will face different obstacles such as buildings, trees, hills, weather conditions and even electromagnetic interference. An actual range figures for consumer radios are suggested to be much more less then on the product packaging. Use tips for encreasing the walkie talkies range described in our article How far can Walkie Talkie reach?
Other Important Walkie Talkies’ Features
Battery and Charging
Most modern walkie talkies come with rechargeable NiMH or Lithium Ion batteries but older models might take disposable alkaline AA or AAA batteries instead. You will need to consider the battery life in a long a walk. If you’re going on a trip that lasts longer then it’s probably worth packing an extra set of batteries. If your walkie-talkies is equipped with rechargeable batteries think of having power bank or portable solar charger for long trips. Some walkie talkies can even be used while charging which may be very useful if there are no other power sources around!
Waterproof and Durability
t’s a walkie talkies’ durability that determines whether you can run with it or take it on the go with no worry. Some walkie-talkies have more durable design and materials than others, but even the most fragile ones are suitable for indoor use such as business meetings etc. Outdoor walkie-talkies should be built to last; they need to work in harsh conditions without breaking down too quickly. Look for radios which come with rubber coating and water protection – if possible check them yourself: shake your walkie talkiess around by its antennae and try submerging them under water (if applicable) – see how well they hold up!
The walkie talkies may include the variety of special functions like SOS signal, LED flashlight, noise-cancellingmicrophones and headphones, hands-free accessories, keypad lock, weather alerts, gps unit, battery life extender etc. The specifications depend on the walkie talkie model you will choose.
FAQ about Walkie Talkies
Can I use Walkie Talkie for Babies and Children?
In principle, a walkie talkie can be utilized as a baby monitor. A walkie-talkie with baby monitor capabilities has a wider range than a regular baby monitor.
Walkie talkies is a good choice for children. The radio can help you to stay connected with your your children in outdoor activities and games. In addition, you can monitor your children when you’re not around. If they get lost, then walkie talkies would be a lifesaver because it will allow them to communicate with their parents who could guide them home safely. Walkie talkies also have adjustable volume controls so both parties don’t have to shout. As a rule, children’s walkie talkies feture the attractive kiddy’s design, have different ringtones and big buttons and could be a great gift!
Do Builders need the Walkie Talkie?
Walkie talkies for builders are great because walkie talkies have a sturdy design that makes them able to bear accidental drops. What’s more, walkie talkies can be attached to your belt or clothes so you don’t have any trouble carrying it around with you. They’re also weatherproof and dust resistant which means they’ll work well in dusty, windy and rainy conditions without having any problems.
You see the walkie talkie is perfect for all types of construction workers as operators can communicate from long distances using these walki talkis even if their hands are busy working on something else at the moment. This way, no one has to worry about being unheard when there’s an emergency.
How about Sports and Adventures?
A walkie talkie is an essential item in the gear list of sport enthusiasts, especially in the mountains. The walkie talkie allows you to stay in touch with your friends or family. It helps you overcome your fear of going alone into the mountains skiing or snowboarding while keeping you safe and informed. The same is actual to all kinds of serious outdoor adventure activities such as hiking, jeeping, mountain biking, kayaking, camping etc., especially in the remote wild nature when it is important to be in communication or to send an emergancy signal for a rescue command.
Are there any Walkie Talkie Advantages for Business?
Walkie talkies producers offer a range of modern solutions for businesses and companies. Walkie talkies changed business communication, eliminating the difficulties of missed calls and text chains into simple one-button contact. You can converse with your team from anywhere via a safe and secure network. You don’t have to buy pricey equipment. In addition, organizations no longer need to worry about who their employees are communicating with.
Can I use Walkie Talkie abroad?
Yes, walkie talkies are legal to use abroad because they operate on private radio frequencies. They’re not like mobile phones which can be charged in different countries but need international roaming services for them to work while walkie talkies don’t require any subscriptions or fees just as long as you have the right type of walkietalkies to use.
Prising
For everyday conversation, you can typically find a low-cost pair of walkie talkies for less than $20, but you could not expect them to be reliable enough for every situation. Depending on how robust or long-range you want them to be, you may expect to pay anything from $100 for higher-quality two-way radios. Walkie talkies for business usually feature more special functions and are more expensive.
Happy Walkie Talkie Shopping!
If you find yourself in the market for a new walkie talkies either for business or for leisure, keep these 5 things in mind:
- Radio Frequency (UHF/VHF),
- Power (wattage),
- Range (distance of communication),
- Licensing(FRS/GMRS),
- Durability (waterproofing/plastic details/fittings).
Choosing walkie talkie model don’t forget to compare other important features like battery life, channels, privacy codes (CODE), voice quality (VOX) and more. Take advantage of this resource today before making any purchase decisions – you won’t regret it!
These are the main considerations that need to be taken into account before purchasing your first or next set of walkie talkies, while details like design of the hands-free unit sometimes do matter. We hope this article has helped answer any questions or concerns you might have had about buying walkie talkies! Let us know if there’s anything else we can help with and Happy Shopping!