Walkie Talkie Reviews

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....

Motorola Tlkr T5 Walkie Talkie 2 Way Radio Motorola TLKR T5 Walkie Talkie 2 Way Radio Motorola TLKR T5 Walkie Talkie 2 Way Radio If you're a adventurous this device is for you, the MOTOTLKR T5 walkie talkie has a rechargeable NiMH battery, up to 6km range, and a built in room monitor and timer. The MOTOTLKR T5 walkie talkie: It's ultimate accessory for anyone serious about adventure and style. 2 Way Radio Features: Room Monitor Function A...

Motorola Tlkr T3 Walkie Talkie 2 Way Radio Motorola TLKR T3 Walkie Talkie 2 Way Radio Motorola TLKR T3 Walkie Talkie 2 Way Radio On the beach, out with your mates or at a festival with the girls, the MOTOTLKR T3 walkie talkie is a great way to keep in touch. With a range of up to 5km, a typical battery life of 20 hours and, best of all, no call charges. The MOTOTLKR T3 walkie talkie: Just hook it, hang it or clip it on. 2 Way Radio Feature...

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 22540 Headset Speaker with Boom Microphone $10.39 Rugged headset with adjustable band Switchable PTT/ Vox function Main FeaturesManufacturer: Midland Radio CorporationManufacturer Part Number: 22-540Manufacturer Website Address: www.midlandradio.comConnectivity Technology: Cable Design Type: Over-the-head Microphone Type: Boom...

Midland GXT1000VP4 50-Channel 36-Mile Waterproof 2-Way GMRS Radio with NOAA All Hazard /Weather Alert, Rechargeable Batteries, Dual Desktop charger 12 Volt Vehicle Adapter and 2 Headsets (Pair, Black/Silver) $61.47 Midland GXT1000VP4 5 50 Channel Waterproof GMRS Radios with NOAA Weather/All Hazard Alert. Includes Rechargeable Batteries, Dual Desktop Charger, Headsets and 12 volt Vehicle Adapter, Pair Packed. The GXT1000VP4 features the standard 22 GMRS Channels plus an additional 28 Channels. The GXT1000 meets the JIS4 Standard of exposure to water for 30 minutes and features the Maximum Power allowed for GM...

Walkie Talkies from a Vending Machine

Photograph by secretagentmoof

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The invention of the Walkie Talkie, also known as a 2 way radio or two way Walkie Talkie, has been attributed to several people.  The inventors were:

1)    Al Goss, who came to the attention of the OSS (soon to be the CIA) in 1938.  He was a high-school student and was recruited by the OSS and they went on to develop the walkie talkie for use by the military.

2)    The engineering team at the Galvin Manufacturing Company in 1940 (soon to become Motorola).  The team was made up of Dan Noble, Henryk Magnuski, Raymond Yoder, Lloyd Morris, Bill Vogel and Marion Bond.  They produced the Motorola SCR-300.

3)    Donald L Hings, who was a Canadian.

A Walkie Talkie radio is a hand-held, 2-way transceiver with an antenna and either an earpiece simply for the user to hear or a speaker allowing those in the immediate vicinity to hear.

Following the War, 2 way Walkie Talkies came into popular use by the public and by businesses.  Using the ‘push to talk’ system, (PTT), they were available at a wide range of prices, depending on whether they were to be used as a toy or as a serious means of communication in the workplace.  Unlike the original 2 way Walkie Talkies, some of which had to be carried in a backpack, modern units are small enough to fit into your pocket.  They may be shockproof, waterproof and contain a scrambling device for privacy.  Some kids Walkie Talkies boast a Morse code facility.

As a means of instant short-range communication, 2 way Walkie Talkies have proved an invaluable asset to the work carried out by security, law enforcement, military and construction workers.  It is also of great use to the general public for use when skiing, camping, hunting and for keeping in touch with our children, particularly in areas where there is no cell phone signal.

Etón VOICELINK FR1000 ECO Edition Clock Radio (Black) $100.00 Stay connected with the Voicelink FR-1000. This emergency crank radio combines two-way radio with GMRS technology, built-in flashlight, cell-phone charger and access to weather channels to prepare you for any emergency situation. Now with Bonus FRS walkie talkie included. Get prepared and get connected with the Voicelink FR-1000 today....

Etón VOICELINK FR1000 ECO Edition Clock Radio (White) $100.00 Stay connected with the Voicelink FR-1000. This emergency crank radio combines two-way radio with GMRS technology, built-in flashlight, cell-phone charger and access to weather channels to prepare you for any emergency situation. Now with Bonus FRS walkie talkie included. Get prepared and get connected with the Voicelink FR-1000 today....

Cobra Portable Handheld GMRS/FRS 2-Way Radios $39.99 Call AlertPower Saver CircuitryRoger BeepUp to 16 Mile Range22 ChannelsLCD DisplayKeystone Tone SignalBelt ClipAuto SquelchSpeaker/Microphone/Charger Jack...

Motorola MR350 35-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) $53.79 - Up to 35-mile range- iVOX hands-free communication- 11 NOAA weather channel with alert- PTT powerboost- Flashlight-Emergency alert button- Emergency preparedness checklist- Rechargeable- Battery save feature- Mini-USB charging port...

Motorola MH230R 23-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) $40.00 - Up to 23-mile range- iVOX hands-free communication- 11 NOAA weather channels with alerts-Quiet talk(TM) filter-10 call tones- Rechargeable- Battery save feature- Mini-USB charging port...

Motorola's First 2 Way Radio from 1962

Photograph by bhenak

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