Walkie-Talkie Buying Guide

Walkie-talkies are an efficient and quick way of communicating with others on the same frequency. They are easy to use and very handy for work environments or outdoor leisure use where a mobile phone would not be suitable. As they are available in a variety of models, we have put together a few questions to help you decide which one is most suitable for you.

1. What will I be using the walkie-talkie for?

For use in environments such as construction, hotels & restaurants, security, schools, or retail, we offer a range of professionally licensed radios. If you are using the radio for activities such as hiking, skiing, camping, or golfing we have many unlicensed leisure radios for you to choose from.

2. What range do I need?

This will depend on whether you intend to use the walkie-talkie indoors or outdoors. Unlicensed radios will transmit up to 2km*, whereas a licensed radio will give you a longer range of up to 10km*. *Any objects that obstruct the signal will reduce these distances.

3. What features do I need to consider when buying a walkie-talkie?

When buying a walkie-talkie you should look out for the following features:
· License Free or Licensed radio
· Frequency (UHF or VHF)
· Range of transmission
· IP rating
· Shockproof for extreme environments
· PTT and VOX for easy communication
· Rechargeable battery
· Scanning

4. What is the difference between VHF and UHF frequencies?

VHF frequencies (very high frequency) range from 150MHz-175MHz and need a clear line of sight free from obstruction. In contrast, UHF frequencies (ultra-high frequency) range from 400MHz-475MHz and are more effective in built-up areas.

Check out our blog article to understand the difference in frequencies and which one to choose.

5. What environmental conditions will the walkie-talkie be exposed to?

You should consider these conditions when selecting your walkie-talkie as you may need a robust, water-resistant walkie-talkie for wet or tough environments such as a construction site or within the agricultural industry. You might also want to consider whether or not you need a walkie-talkie that is fully waterproof and dust resistant if the environment is particularly harsh.

DOWNLOAD ONEDIRECT´S GUIDE