Using cellular networks to maintain communications is not always a reliable option in situations where fast and efficient coordination is required. It can make connecting with the rest of your group - not to mention friends and family - a real challenge.
For those few adventurers who literally travel to the ends of the earth, a satellite phone overcomes these difficulties. But for the rest of us, good old two-way radios (walkie-talkies) remain an effective and affordable option for standalone communication.
In our ranking of walkie-talkies, we have collected the best models currently available.
How to choose a walkie-talkie: what to look for when buying
Let's start with a small educational program: without a license in Russia, it is allowed to use three ranges:
- CB (aka C-Bi or "civil" band) (26-27 MHz).
- LPD (433-434 MHz).
- PMR (446 MHz).
Those who passed the exam for the fourth amateur radio category are allowed to work in the 144-146 MHz high-frequency (VHF) range, and for those who passed the third category, work in the 430-440 MHz ultra-high-frequency (UHF) range is allowed. The higher the frequency, the less the walkie-talkie is susceptible to electromagnetic interference.
Other bands are reserved for aircraft, police, maritime services and other government and commercial organizations.
If you need a walkie-talkie for urban conditions, choose a radio that works in the UHF band. Outside the city and during fast movement along the highway, it is of little use due to the rapid attenuation of the signal.
If you plan to use the device on rough terrainespecially those covered with deciduous forest, VHF or CB is better suited.
Best walkie talkie for truckers - operating in the 27 MHz range and supporting amplitude modulation (AM). Currently, truckers are practically the only users of AM modulation, while motorists and taxi services have switched to FM (frequency modulation) due to its high range and greater intelligibility of radio communications.
When choosing a walkie-talkie, pay attention to the following features:
- Moisture and dustproof. It is essential if you are looking for a good walkie-talkie for a tourist, hunter or fisherman. Reliable protection is provided by models with an IP5X or IP6X rating.
- Battery life. Important for users with unstable access to charging stations. This means that tourists, fishermen and hunters, most likely, will give preference to "long-playing" radios with a Li-ion battery of 1500 mAh or more, as well as the ability to connect a charger. If you are using the radio in your workplace or home, AA or AAA batteries are sufficient. Some models support both battery and battery operation.
- Power. Most models have a power of 5 W, the required minimum is 2 W. At the same time, they have a menu item or a button that puts the device into low-power mode, within the framework of what is allowed in Russia. You, of course, can not press it, but at your own peril and risk.There is no point in chasing high power, since doubling the range will require a fourfold increase in power. Sometimes it is easier to install a longer antenna.
- Single or dual band radio. The second option is better, since you can switch to the desired range if necessary.
- Voice activation via headset (VOX). Thanks to her, the walkie-talkie can go on the air as soon as it hears your voice, if the voice is gone, then the radio stops broadcasting.
Which walkie-talkie for truckers to choose by price and reviews
3. Midland Alan 42
Average price - 7 190 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie CB
- transmitter power 4 W
- food 8xAA
- weight 190 g
- number of channels 40
- headset connection
Which walkie-talkie is best for truckers? The one that is easy to use, has clear sound transmission and supports AM / FM modulation, like the Alan 42 radio.
This model is one of the few portable CB radios left on the market that can be carried with you and used as a car radio. You can connect a headset to it, which is convenient for car drivers.
Alan 42 has a frequency scan function, as well as a tracking mode for two channels at once.
According to motorists, the native antenna of this model is no good. It is better to replace it immediately, for example, with SUPERFLEX NEW. Then the range increases to 1-3 kilometers in urban conditions, and on the highway - up to 7 km for reception and up to 5 km for transmission.
pros: rich package, easy to install and use, can be powered by a cigarette lighter or batteries, there are headphone and microphone jacks, as well as a standard BNC jack.
Minuses: manual noise reduction, overpriced.
2. President RANDY II
Average price - 14 690 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie CB
- transmitter power 4 W
- AM / FM modulation
- power supply Li-Ion battery
- weight 320 g
- number of channels 40
A well-assembled radio station has a nice classic design, LCD screen, and can be used as a car or portable radio.
It boasts good noise cancellation, the ability to scan two channels at once and a large speaker power - 2000 mW.
pros: large 2100 mAh battery,
Minuses: overcharge.
1. Midland ALAN 100 Plus
Average price - 3070 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie CB
- transmitter power 5 W
- AM / FM modulation
- power supply Li-Ion battery
- weight 1000 g
- number of channels 40
Perhaps this is the best walkie-talkie for truckers who need a device from the category: nothing superfluous, turned it on and everything worked.
A model from a renowned manufacturer has a minimum number of adjustments, allows you to connect a push-button with a condenser microphone and power supply via a 12V cigarette lighter (but a voltage converter is required).
Only one 40-channel frequency grid is available, covering the frequency range 26.965 - 27.405 MHz. But truck drivers usually don't need more.
The communication range of the radio is quite decent - up to 8 kilometers in open areas and 4-5 kilometers in urban areas.
pros: high-quality assembly, there is an indication of the modes of reception and transmission.
Minuses: no automatic noise reduction, will have to be adjusted manually.
The best budget walkie-talkies
3. Motorola Talkabout T42 Twin Pack
Average price - 1,890 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie PMR
- 2 radios included
- transmitter power 0.5 W
- range of 4 km
- power supply 3xAAA
- weight 79 g
- number of channels 8
A good and inexpensive option if you need two unlicensed radios for the price of one.
As befits the products of a well-known brand, Talkabout T42 is well assembled, has a good range (from 1 to 4 km in wooded areas and up to 500 meters in urban areas) and is equipped with a frequency scanner for switching to active channels.
Even a beginner can easily figure out its menu, and locking the buttons will protect the settings from tenacious children's hands.
pros: there is a display, there is a charge indicator, runs on 3 AAA batteries.
Minuses: no waterproof, no batteries included.
2. MIDLAND G5
Average price - 1,315 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie PMR
- 2 radios included
- transmitter power 0.5 W
- range of 5 km
- power supply 3xAAA
- weight 63 g
- number of channels 8
- CTCSS coding
- headset connection
Midland has been making walkie-talkies for decades and is well respected for its quality and value. And her G-5 kit is an ideal option for a beginner "walker".
The kit includes two small and lightweight radios at once, which do not need to be registered with the Rossvyaznadzor authorities.
The radios have an intuitive menu, a backlit display and a non-removable antenna. Provide reliable reception and transmission in urban environments at a distance of up to 500 meters. And if necessary, they can be used as a baby monitor, although it is still better to choose good babysitter with camera.
pros: compactness, high-quality assembly, the set includes a charger and 6 AAA batteries, there is a keypad lock and VOX.
Minuses: no charge indicator, microphone and speaker do not work while charging, cannot be placed vertically.
1. Baofeng UV-5R
Average price - 1,590 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 5 W
- range of 10 km
- power supply Li-Ion battery
- weight 250 g
- number of channels 128
- CTCSS, DCS, DTMF coding
- headset connection
The products of the Chinese company Baofeng have long been known in the Russian market for their good workmanship and low price. And one of the best Baofeng walkie-talkies is the UV-5R model.
It is equipped with a built-in flashlight and monochrome LCD screen with different backlight colors so that you can easily control the transmission and reception frequency range. There is a possibility of fast switching by operating frequencies and pre-configured channels. Baofeng UV-5R also supports PC programming, keyboard lock and VOX activation.
And the 5 W transmitter provides reliable reception up to 3 kilometers in urban conditions and up to 5 km (with a special antenna).
pros: removable Li-Ion battery, FM band support, you can buy a battery-operated adapter, a headset is included.
Minuses: This model is not waterproof and dustproof.
Rating of radios for hunting and fishing
3. Motorola TLKR-T92 H2O
Average price - 5 467 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie PMR
- 2 radios included
- transmitter power 0.5 W
- range of 10 km
- Ni-MH battery powered
- weight 233 g
- number of channels 8
- CTCSS, DCS coding
- headset connection
If you are looking for a walkie-talkie for fishing or boating, then take a look at the Motorola TLKR-T92. Its robust and reliable housing is waterproof to IPX7 and can withstand heavy rainfall or submersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
This model is equipped with an 800 mAh battery, which can work without recharging for about 16 hours, has a backlit display, and voice activation with a headset (VOX) and without a headset (iVOX). In addition, instead of a native battery, you can install 3 AA batteries. Other useful features include a bright flashlight with a good dispersion angle.
There are also standard features for a good walkie-talkie: scanning and monitoring channels, key lock, talk timer and end-of-call signal.
pros: includes two radios and a case at once, convenient control and menu, USB connector is compatible with most chargers.
Minuses: The battery is not Li-Ion, but Ni-MH, in a dense urban area, the range is about 300 meters.
2. UNION 4
Average price - 3 950 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 5 W
- range of 10 km
- power supply Li-Ion battery
- weight 215 g
- number of channels 128
- CTCSS, DCS, DTMF coding
- headset connection
This two-channel walkie-talkie with detachable antenna and large print LCD will withstand heavy rain and mud puddles thanks to its IPX4 waterproof rating.
In the forest, it provides reliable reception and transmission at a distance of 3 kilometers, and is equipped with a Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 1500 mAh. The kit includes a charger, antenna, strap, clip and headset. And the manufacturer did not stint and added a bright flashlight to the radio.
pros: solid body, VOX and key lock, FM radio.
Minuses: no.
1. Baofeng BF-A58
Average price - 2,040 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 5 W
- power supply Li-Ion battery
- weight 300 g
- number of channels 128
- CTCSS, DCS coding
- headset connection
This sturdy, well-made walkie-talkie has IP57 water and dust protection and a built-in flashlight. It is suitable not only for hunters and fishermen, but also for other experienced users who need good two-way radio communication up to 5 kilometers in the field. It will withstand adhering dirt, rain and falling into a puddle, and even rinsing in clean water without consequences.
It comes with a charging station, headset, antenna, belt clip and charging cradle, charge indicator and power save mode.
pros: there is VOX and FM radio, flexible antenna, large battery capacity (1800 mAh).
Minuses: heavy.
The best professional walkie-talkies
3. Yaesu VX-8DR
Average price - 27 365 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 5 W
- power supply Li-Ion battery
- weight 240 g
- number of channels 1267
- CTCSS, DCS, DTMF coding
- headset connection
This is not just a walkie-talkie, but an all-in-one combine. Here you have a huge number of channels - 1267, and an FM radio and APRS (a special protocol for amateur radio communication), and a Bluetooth radio beacon, and even access to the WIRES II Internet connection system. Even copying settings between radios is provided.
The Yaesu VX-8DR has 9 steps for adjusting the microphone sensitivity level, and 4 steps for adjusting the output power (from 0.02 to 5 watts). Three channels work for reception, for reception and transmission - 2 channels plus FM radio.
All of this is packaged in a durable rubberized and waterproof case.
According to the owners, the radio allows you to listen to frequencies from 500 KHz to 1.790 MHz.
pros: GPS, several options for the squelch, removable antenna, there is a clock with a timer, there is a "Messages" function (up to 30), you can connect a headset.
Minuses: tight buttons with a quickly erasable coating, not too powerful 1100 mAh battery, non-switchable backlight.
2. Motorola DP4801
Average price - 48 792 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 5 W
- power supply Li-Ion battery
- weight 356 g
- number of channels 1000
- DTMF coding
- headset connection
A weighty walkie-talkie pleases the eye of both military-style fans and connoisseurs of functionality. It is equipped with a small LCD screen with day and night modes, a comfortable keyboard, and has an IPX7 waterproof rating.
Although the number of programmable channels in this model is less than that of the Yaesu VX-8DR, the battery is more capacious - 2250 mAh.
The walkie talkie allows you to send text messages to a specific radio station or group, has Bluetooth and IP Site Connect support.
pros: GPS, VOX activation, impres charger included.
Minuses: high price, little documentation in Russian, tight upper channel selector.
1. TEREK RK-322
Average price - 7 900 rubles
Characteristics:
- walkie talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 10 W
- range of 15 km
- power supply Li-Pol battery
- weight 286 g
- number of channels 999
- CTCSS, DCS, DTMF coding
- headset connection
If you need a camera with a powerful battery and a long range, then there is no better option than TEREK RK-322. It is equipped with a removable 3270 mAh battery, has a large display that does not glare in the sun, and is protected in a shock-resistant case.
All this makes the radio a good companion for extreme tourists, climbers, skiers, rescuers and other people who need an unpretentious, reliable and long-lived device without recharging.
pros: fits comfortably in the hand, wide range of action, does not creak or play, works well even in difficult weather conditions.
Minuses: no.