Walkie Talkie Reviews

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.

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Uniden PRO520XL 40-Channel CB Radio $59.99 The Pro520XL CB radio offers full 40-channel operation, plenty of performance, and a compact size for mobility. This model operates on any of the 40 AM frequencies authorized by the FCC, with an S/RF meter and red-lit LED indicators help you monitor activity at a glance. A built-in noise limiter and ANL switch fine-tune performance, and the front-positioned microphone has an extra-long, coiled c...

Dakota Alert Long Range Alert System Kit $165.60 - Dakota Alert long range alert system kit- Includes one WMT-3000 wireless motion alert MURS transmitter and one M538-BS base station transceiver- Ideal for use in fixed locations such as homes, shops or offices- BlackDKMURSBSKIT...

Dakota Alert - ONE MAT AND ONE M538-HT $181.20 Dakota Alert - ONE MAT AND ONE M538-HT...

Motorola MH230R 23-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) $59.99 The Motorola Talkabout MH230 is a great choice for nearly any outdoor enthusiast. With a powerful range of up to 23 miles, this radio is perfect for family and friends to stay in touch, whether you're tackling a back country trail or trying to brave a crowded shopping mall. The MH230 has more than exceptional range. Tune into one of 7 NOAA channels (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)...

Long range Walkie Talkie clipped to belt

Photograph by evilerin

1 Comment » Posted by Bradley / Walkie Talkies

Have You Ever Wondered How Do Walkie Talkies Work?

Walkie Talkies, or Walkie Talkie radios, employ a radio band to transmit audio signals between radios.  The Family Radio Service, commonly known as the FRS, makes available 14 channels in the 462-467 MHz range, for use by two way radios. This range is set by the Federal Communications Commission or FCC.

What Are FRS Walkie Talkies?

Independent of the brand you use, these are the wavelengths you will be using.  In essence, FRS is a singular radio service that utilizes frequencies in the UHF band and therefore has nothing to do with phones, baby monitors or CB radios.  They employ FM instead of AM and you don’t need a license.

A wide range of brand names are available: Midland, Cobra, Audiovox, Sylvania, Motorola and Cherokee to name a few.  They do not require a lot of power and are useful in any situation where you want to keep in touch.  They are very popular with hunters, campers, people with big gardens who want to stay in touch with the kids, bikers, construction workers, walkers and so on.  Range can be anything up to two miles.

What Are GMRS Walkie Talkies?

Alternately, GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios utilize specific frequencies in the 462 MHz range provided by the FCC.   These radios are larger, have a greater range, (up to 5 miles) and do require a license from the FCC, so are slightly more serious and are generally used for serious communications like those in a business environment.

As regards power, FRS radios have a limit of 0.5 watts and GMRS radios are usually limited to 2 watts.   Rechargeable 2 way Walkie Talkies are available so you don’t always have to rely on batteries.  Some Walkie Talkie headsets have a scrambler so that you can keep conversations private.

Why Use a Walkie Talkie When You Have a Cell Phone?

We are all familiar with phone ‘black spots’ where you can’t get a good signal.  Two way Walkie Talkies will work in situations where your cell phone can’t get a signal.  Unlike cell phones, there are no ongoing costs once you have purchased your 2 way radio.  They are also useful if you need to communicate with a group of people at the same time.  All you need to do is make sure that the settings on your radios are the same and you can contact your entire group simultaneously.  If the signal is strong enough, there is no limit to the number of your group.

In reality the Walkie Talkie represents a serious alternative to the cell phone in certain situations.  They are cheap, convenient, fun and very simple to use.

Kenwood TK3300U16P ProTalk 16-Channel Compact UHF FM Portable Radio $215.00 89 UHF pre-programmed frequencies. 450-470MHz frequency range. QT/DQT encode/decode, wireless cloning, audio companding and channel confirmation mode. Temporary nuisance delete. Selected/fixed priority channel and channel voice announcement. Voice scrambler and internal VOX by channel. IP 54/55. 2-year warranty....

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Eddie Bauer FRS Radio Set - 2 Units $49.99 Stay connected with friends and family during your outdoor recreational activities. The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a Citizens Band Radio service with No License required. You may operate your FRS Eddie Bauer Radios anywhere within the territorial limits of the U.S....

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Kenwood TK3230K 2 Channel UHF Hand Held Radio $163.99 The Kenwood ProTalk TK-3230 Two-Way UHF Radio is just what you need if you are at a work site, handling hospitality, or a contractor who needs to be constantly in touch with his workers. This reliable and easy-to-use radio delivers just what it promises - first-rate, two-channel UHF capability. The 56 programmable pre-stored frequencies give you enough leeway to converse without interference. Thi...

Modern Walkie Talkie Radio

Photograph by kylemay

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