A Walkie Talkie headset can make a difference to the way you live your life.  Do you worry about where the kids are and what they’re getting up to?  Does your daughter constantly fail to tell you what she’s doing or who she’s with?  Is your son always locked in his bedroom?  Perhaps you simply want to keep in touch with your travelling companions?  A Walkie Talkie radio may be a new and easy way of keeping in touch and a Walkie Talkie headset will allow you to use your Walkie talkie hands free, giving you greater flexibility.

If you’re new to Walkie Talkies, you need to think about which system to choose.  FRS and GMRS radios work on different frequencies.  The former are generally for short range communication, (up to 2 miles), and usually operate on a single watt battery, or less.  GMRS are more expensive, more powerful, (up to 5 watts), will transmit up to 10 miles in clear, open countryside and require a licence, ($85), which you can download from the FCC.  GMRS radios are for serious communication and are used by the like of the Emergency Services.

Think About the Features of a Walkie Talkie Headset

When selecting a Walkie Talkie headset, the first thing you need to consider is comfort.  If you’re going to be wearing it for any period, it will need to fit well and not be a constant source of irritation.  You don’t want to be adjusting it every few minutes.

What is the sound quality like?  Do voices seem muffled or distorted?  How efficient is the volume control?

What about durability?  Does it look like it will survive in the environment you will be working in?  Does it need to be dustproof, shockproof and waterproof?  If so, be prepared to pay more.  Upgrading down the line is a false economy.  Get the best you can afford at the outset.

Are Walkie Talkie Accessories Available?

You may wish to add a Walkie Talkie battery charger, GPS, weather service, barometer, thermometer or whatever.  Some Walkie Talkie headsets are equipped with a voice activation facility, (VOX), allowing for hands free communication.  Speaker microphones which can be clipped near your ears, push-to-talk earbuds and boom microphones are also available for some models.

When considering a Walkie Talkie headset and other Walkie Talkie accessories, make sure that they are compatible with your Walkie Talkie radio and ask yourself the above questions to ensure that you get a hands free Walkie Talkie that is perfect for your needs.

Double Earmuff Headset with Noise Cancelling Mic $348.00 Motorola Business two-way radios can help you do even more with additional audio accessories, power devices, and carrying solutions. Enhance your Motorola radios to meet your specific needs. Features: Talk And Listen In Noisy Areas Covers Both Ears To Seal Out Ambient Noise Compatible with CLS Series, XTN Series, AX Series And DTR Series 2-Way Radios...

Headset with Swivel Boom Microphone $182.00 Motorola Business two-way radios can help you do even more with additional audio accessories, power devices, and carrying solutions. Enhance your Motorola radios to meet your specific needs. Features: Ideal For Noisy Work Areas Or To Avoid Disturbing Those Around You Convenient Way To Speak And Listen Without Having To Remove Radio From Holster Compatible with CLS Series, XTN Series, AX Seri...

Ultralight Headset With Microphone $108.00 Motorola Business two-way radios can help you do even more with additional audio accessories, power devices, and carrying solutions. Enhance your Motorola radios to meet your specific needs. Features: Ideal For Fast Paced Work Environments Enables Discreet Operation Compatible with CLS Series, XTN Series, AX Series And DTR Series 2-Way Radios...

Midland AVPH3 Transparent Security Headsets with PTT/VOX (Pair) $18.00 The Midland AVPH3 Transparent Security Headsets with PTT/VOX are ideal for those in the security industry or for hunters. A transparent behind-the-ear microphone fits directly into the ear. It includes both a push to talk and vox option. The pair of headsets work with all Midland GMRS/FRS radios. What's in the Box Two ear microphones and two push-to-talk buttons....

Midland AVPH2 Closed Face Helment Headset for Midland GMRS $28.49 Open highway communications! Midland Helmet Mic for LXT/GXT radios! HUGE SAVINGS! You supply the Midland LXT or GXT series Radio available... and here's the Microphone that turns your helmet into a "communications center!" Each is an adjustable boom Mic, with handlebar mount push-to-talk button. They install easy with double-sided tape, no drilling or other modification. Roll on down the road with...

Midland AVPH1 Open Face Helment Headset for Midland GMRS $28.23 Open highway communications! Midland Helmet Mic for LXT/GXT radios! HUGE SAVINGS! You supply the Midland LXT or GXT series Radio available... and here's the Microphone that turns your helmet into a "communications center!" Each is an adjustable boom Mic, with handlebar mount push-to-talk button. They install easy with double-sided tape, no drilling or other modification. Roll on down the road with...

Walkie Talkie Headset

Not so long ago, GMRS Walkie Talkies, which is what you need if you’re thinking long range Walkie Talkies, were relatively expensive compared to FRS Walkie Talkies.  Today, with the increased demand, they cost about twice as much, so expect to pay around 80 dollars to start off with.

Look in the sporting goods shops, electrical stores and check out the camping, shooting and fishing outlets.  These are great places to try different long range Walkie Talkies, but then you should shop around as you can often get a better deal online.  Reliable names include Audiovox, Cobra, Icom, Uniden, Garmin, Motorola and Kenwood.

What is it that makes a Walkie Talkie system long range?

It’s to do with the power of the set.  FRS systems generally are 1 watt or less.  GMRS may go up to 5 watts, offering a 10 mile range in open country, but less indoors or in built up areas.

GMRS long range Walkie Talkies is the system for you if you’re a serious user of Walkie Talkies or need a reliable communication system for your business.  This is what is used by the Fire Brigade, Search and Rescue operatives and anyone who needs a Walkie Talkie radio that they can rely on in a serious situation.

Extras include enhanced voice capabilities, allowing users to be heard above sirens, storms or fires.  Many are waterproof and dustproof.  You can add weather services, GPS, barometers, thermometers, chargers and all sorts of extras to your heart’s content.  Whatever you do buy, make sure it’s sturdy, has a volume control and, if you want to talk to different receivers in seclusion, for example, talk to your foreman without talking to security, you will need multiple channels.

If you use a GMRS Walkie Talkie radio, you do need to download a licence from the FCC which will cost you about $85.  They operate on the UHF-FM band between 450 and 470 MHz where there are 23 channels available.
Combination FRS/GMRS Walkie Talkie systems are available, for which you still require a licence.

Do make a point of trying out long range Walkie Talkies before you buy.  Consider what you need it for and what range you need to cover.  There’s no point in saving money if the system doesn’t do what it’s meant to do.  It could make a huge difference to your business and could mean the difference between life and death in the certain situations.

Kawasaki 2000ft Long Range Walkie Talkie $17.99 Kawasaki 2000ft Long Range Walkie Talkies have 4 transistors, 2 carry cases, belt clip and morse code signal button...

Cobra PR 4000 GMRS 2-Way Radios (Pair) $119.95 UHF/FM reception. X3 power technology. Switchable power output. 22 channels. 38 privacy codes. Digital compass. Clock/alarm and stopwatch. 10 NOAA channels. NOAA All Hazards alert radio. VOX. 10 channel memory. Earbud microphone. VibrAlert(R). Battery saver circuitry. Scan feature. Water resistant. Key lock. 10 call tones. Roger beep tone (selectable). Auto squelch. Maximum ran...

Star Wars Attack of the Clones Walkie Talkies Clone Trooper & Jango Fett Made by Tiger Electronics (Hasbro). Ten years after the fight to save Naboo from invasion, the galaxy is on teh brink of civil war. Walkie Talkies Clone Trooper & Jango Fett can send and receive transmission with these high tech communicators. Each unit features an authentic Star Wars character design, 100 ft outdoor range, and a soft, flexible safety antenna. Communicate in your galaxy!...

Superman (TM) Long Range Heat Vision Headset Walkie Talkie $29.95 Superman Returns Longe Range Heat Vision Headset Walkie Talkies. Duplex Technology, lets you Talk and Listen at the same time. Includes real light and viewing scope for night vision secret missions. Uses 2 X "9V" size batteries (Not Included)...

Long Range Walkie Talkies - 1.5 Mile Range ...

Long range Walkie Talkie clipped to belt

Photograph by evilerin

Not so long ago, before cell phones were just about everywhere, kids Walkie Talkies allowed children to pretend to be in covert contact with their friends.  Think of all the secret agents who could talk to each other by the simple flick of a switch on their 2 way radio, cunningly concealed in a watch or a pen.  Today, these games are just as popular as they were and Walkie Talkies for kids at Christmas is a perfect surprise present.

Whatever your age, Walkie Talkies are a lot of fun.  If you’re in the garden, hiking or simply out shopping, it’s a handy way to keep in touch with the family over a short distance.

Younger children love to play hide and seek.  What could be more fun than hiding in the garden or park and being able to contact your friends in an instant?  With multiple kids Walkie Talkies, individuals can contact the whole gang at the same time.

If you have older children, a Walkie Talkie radio offers a welcome alternative to shouting up the stairs.  In some households, they have been known to make a significant difference to the relationship between parents and their children.  We all know how distant and difficult some teenagers can be.  A Walkie Talkie gives them privacy but reassures you that they’re all right.  Being able to contact them at the push of a button can be both convenient and stress free.

Kids Walkie Talkies can be very useful on holiday for keeping in touch with the family and friends.  Your cell phones probably won’t work on a Cruise ship on open water or in the mountains.  Two way Walkie Talkies will.

The more basic Walkie Talkie radios do not require a license and can be powered by batteries since they operate using a specific frequency range.  Parts are simple, on many models the microphone and speaker is a single component.  Many kids Walkie Talkies include a Morse code button for coded messages.

Kids Walkie Talkies at Christmas are always popular, despite the invention of the cell phone. These toys are timeless and allow your child to exercise their minds and bodies by getting off the computer and out into the fresh air with their friends.  Walkie Talkies for your Kids should be at the top of your Christmas shopping list.

Camouflage Single Light Switch Plate $7.99 This camouflaged Walkie Talkie light switch cover will add the finishing touch to your little soldier's wall decor. 6.5" H x 3.5" W Made of sculpted resin Features painted Bronze Star in center 2 painted bronze mounting screws included Designed for a single toggle switch...

Crest Spinbrush for Kids, Walkie Talkie - 1 ea $5.99 Camouflage pattern. Batteries Included Brush Head is not replaceable....

Kids Transistor Walkie Talkies Plastic Walkie Talkies. Includes two transistor walkie talkies with Morse code capability.WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years....

Motorola FV200AA 5-Mile 2-Way Talkabout Radios - Pair $22.95 MOTOROLA FV200AA 5-Mile FRS/GMRS Radios (2-pk of radios) 5-mile range ; 22 FRS/GMRS channels ; 10 call tones ; Time-Out Timer ; Auto power off; Scan, Nuisance Delete, Monitor & Auto Squelch functions ; Talk confirmation tone ; Roger beep; Audible low battery alert ; Battery/power ;save function ; Digital 16-level volume control ; LCD battery meter ; Accessory connector input ; Compatible with rec...

Sakar International Matrix Zone Scret Service Walkie Talkies $14.99 With the Secret Service Walkie Talkies You can secretly communicate with your friends in the same way the CIA does. That's Right! A Secret walkie talkie that's built in to a hidden device that wraps secretly around your finger. Use the highly advanced undercover earpiece to hear your friend while wearing the included sleek sunglasses to give off that slick undercover look!! Communicate covertly li...

Boy playing with his 2 way Walkie Talkie

Photograph by meddygarnet

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So, you’re in the process of deciding which 2 way Walkie Talkie is for you!

What 2 Way Walkie Talkie Features Do You Need?

Two way Walkie Talkies need to be simple.  You don’t want to spend all your time selecting variable features and messing about with awkward, fiddly knobs.  Keep it straightforward.

You may decide to select a 2 way Walkie Talkie radio with both GMRS and FRS channels.  It’s worth thinking about, especially if other users are in the same area.  The latter will result in less interference.

Try out a selection of two way Walkie Talkies to see what you like and what you don’t like.  For instance, the Cobra PR100 has a belt clip which you might like, until you find that it needs to be removed if you are to access the batteries.  Do you need to clip a Walkie Talkie radio to your belt when it fits easily into a shirt pocket?  On the plus side it has both GMRS and FRS channels.

Consider the power supply.  If you’re using it on a building site or anywhere where you can recharge it after a day’s work, then a rechargeable one may save you money, but if you’re wandering about in the vast unknown of the outback for long periods of time, you may want to consider the alternative.

What Radio Frequency is Right for You?

FRS is fine for hunting, walking, fishing or camping.  You won’t get interference and you don’t need a license.  For those of you who need a broader range, (up to 5 miles), and will be using your Walkie Talkie radio for more serious business communication, then GMRS is probably for you.
Then there are GPS-enabled Walkie Talkies.  They are ideal if you’re one for the wide open spaces.  They will map your location, your route and your destination.

Another alternative is the weather-alert enabled Walkie Talkies.  As the name implies, it will give you advance warning of adverse weather conditions.

When considering the range required, you need to think about what you’ll be using the 2 way radio for.  If you’re walking or cycling, then 2-5 miles will probably suffice.  Hunters, campers or hikers may opt for a greater range depending on the scale of the journey.

As for selecting channels, FRS and GMRS systems utilize channels 1-7.  Channels 8-14 are for use only by FRS.  Channels 15-22 are solely for GMRS.  Models vary as to how many channel options are available.  If you plan to use it in the city, where GMRS is the preferred option, you may wish to consider purchasing a 14-channel unit.

Which is the Best Walkie Talkie Brand?  Let’s look at a few.

Audiovox have some interesting features such as earbud microphones and a built in torch.  Some Garmin Rino Walkie Talkies boast a compass, a barometer, a weather receiver and an extensive memory.

Cobras are noted for their quality.  Kenwood also have a good name.  Midland Walkie Talkies offer an extensive range to choose from.  Sylvania boasts good audio input and Uniden also have a good reputation in that respect.  And, of course, Motorola, who have been making Walkie Talkies for decades, offers Walkie Talkie radios to suit every budget. that are well built and well designed.

In short, you need to think about what you will use your 2 way Walkie Talkie for and what you expect from it.  There’s a huge range available so take your time in selecting the appropriate Walkie Talkie for your own particular needs.

1 Hour Rapid Charger For DTR Series $108.00 The 1 Hour Rapid Charger For DTR Series 2-Way Radios enables you to fully charge your DTR Series radio in 1 hour....

10 Hour Plug-In Wall Charger For XTN Series $88.00 This 10 Hour Plug-In Wall Charger For XTN Series 2-Way Radios lets on-the-move users keep a spare charger handy....

2 Hour Desktop Rapid Charger For XTN Series $208.00 This 2 Hour Desktop Rapid Charger For XTN Series 2-Way Radios is easy to use, simply drop the radio or battery into tray and be fully charged and ready to go in 2 hours....

New Motorola ic402 Sprint Nextel Hybrid Cell Phone $39.99 New Motorola ic402 Sprint Nextel Hybrid Cell Phone...

Smart Wristwatch Walkie Talkie Two Way 2-Way Radio Watch with Wrist-operated Function $49.99 This new generation wrist watch walkie talkie has a BRAND NEW FUNCTION called Wristoperated, this wristoperated key located at the right bottomside of your device carries exactly the same functions as the PTT/Call key located on the face of the device. It can conveniently be operated by a simple and gentle upwardflex of your hand. (Make sure that the device is loosely worn, so that it can slide do...

Couple using 2 way Walkie Talkies

Photograph by oferiko

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Developed originally for use by the military, a Walkie Talkie radio is a portable bi-directional radio transceiver.  Each Walkie Talkie radio can transmit one at a time but the signal can be received by any number of handsets if the wattage is sufficient and the range is limited.

Today, 2 way Walkie Talkies are very popular with the police, emergency services and just about anyone who wants to keep in touch over a limited distance.  Hikers, hunters, campers and orienteering groups have found them to be an invaluable addition to their arsenal. They also seem to have been readily adopted by the construction industry as a simple and immediate way of maintaining contact with progress on site.

When considering your purchase of a Walkie Talkie radio, first think about what you want it for.  What sort of range will you need?  How much are you willing to pay?  It is important to ask yourself a few simple questions at the outset to ensure that you get the right two way radio for your needs.

Low power kids Walkie Talkies are popular as children’s toys.  Kids love to play hide and seek games with them and they’re a good way of keeping in touch with your children when you’re out around town together.

Walkie Talkie radios do not need a license if they employ the FRS range, (462-467MHz) and are available in most retail stores.  Some kids Walkie Talkies are very basic and may not even have a volume control.  In some models, the receiver’s speaker doubles as a microphone.

If you’re thinking about buying a 2 way Walkie Talkie radio, it’s well worth shopping around.  Consider contacting people who use them on a daily basis.  Their first hand experience should prove invaluable.  Online retailers are worth looking at and many provide customer Walkie Talkie reviews that you can read.  There are also specialist magazines which are good for finding out what’s happening today in the marketplace and what is on offer.  Local stores often offer a personal service and allow you to try different models before making your choice of which Walkie Talkie radio to buy.

New Midland Radio Desktop Charger Batteries Adapter For LXT330 LXT335 LXT440 LXT320 LXT420 $26.15 Desktop Charger, Batteries, AC & DC Adapter for LXT330, LXT335, LXT440, LXT320, LXT420....

New Midland Radio Dual Desktop Charger For Use With The GXT700 GXT710 GXT750 GXT600 GXT650 LXT210 $26.15 For use with the GXT700, GXT710, GXT750, GXT600, GXT650, LXT210, LXT310, 350, 410, GXT500, GXT550....

New Midland Radio GMRS Emergency Radio Dynamocrank Compatible With Other FRS/GMRS Radios $73.45 Combines the emergency power of a dynamo crank with GMRS 2-way radio technology. Ideal for hiking or camping enthusiasts as an essential precautionary tool for anyemergency situation. Compatible with other FRS/GMRS radios. 22 Channels. SignaMax 2-Way GMRS radio with mic (7 FRS/GMRS, 7 FRS, 8 GMRS). Dynamo crank power. NOAA all hazards weather alerts. 121 Privacy codes. eVox. Channel scan....

Midland 14 Channel FRS Two-Way Radios 14 channel hand-held radios are the smallest available! Tiny 3 3/8in. x 1 3/8in. radios have long 2 mile range. Features include easy voice activation, scan, backlit LCD and low battery indicator. Also come with flexible antennas and hand straps. Each use 3 AAA batteries (not included)....

Midland 22540 Headset Speaker with Boom Microphone $10.39 The Midland 22-540 headset speaker with boom microphone will make conversing on your Midland family radio easier and more convenient. Plug the headset into your radio and you are all set for hands-free operation. It's a great option when you are skiing, snowboarding, even doing garden work. It comes with an adjustable headband and a cushioned earpiece for added comfort and fit. Use the Midlan...

Walkie Talkies from a Vending Machine

Photograph by secretagentmoof

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