Using cellular networks to keep in touch is not always a reliable option in situations where fast and efficient coordination is required. This can make talking with the rest of your group — not to mention friends and family — a real challenge.
For those few adventurers who literally go to the ends of the world, a satellite phone overcomes these difficulties. But for the rest of us, the good old two-way radio stations (walkie-talkies) remain an effective and affordable option for autonomous communication.
In our walkie-talkie rating, 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 CB or “civilian” 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) band, and for those who pass the third category, they are allowed to work in the 430-440 MHz ultra-high-frequency (UHF) band. The higher the frequency, the less the walkie-talkie is susceptible to electromagnetic interference.
Other ranges are reserved for airplanes, police, maritime services and other government and commercial organizations.
If you need a walkie-talkie for urban conditions, choose a radio operating in the UHF band. Outside the city and during fast movement along the highway, it is of little use due to the fast attenuation of the signal.
If you plan to use the device on rough terrain, especially covered with deciduous forest, VHF or CBS is best.
The best walkie talkie - operating in the range of 27 MHz and having support for amplitude modulation (AM). Currently, truckers have remained almost 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 options:
- Moisture and dustproof. It is important if you are looking for a good walkie-talkie for a tourist, hunter or fisherman. Reliable protection is provided by IP5X or IP6X rated models.
- Battery Life Important for users with unstable access to charging stations. This means that tourists, fishermen and hunters, most likely, will prefer "long-playing" radios with a Li-ion battery of 1500 mAh or more, as well as the ability to connect a charger. If you use the radio in the workplace or in the house, the power from AA or AAA batteries is quite enough. Some models support both battery and battery operation.
- Power. Most models have a power of 5 watts or less, a minimum of 2 watts. At the same time, they have a menu item or button that puts the device in low power mode, within the limits of what is permissible in Russia. Of course, you can not press it, but at your own peril and risk. It makes no sense to pursue high power, since doubling the range will require a four-fold increase in power. Sometimes it’s easier to install a longer antenna.
- Single or dual band walkie-talkie. The second option is better, because if necessary, you can switch to the desired range.
- Voice activation function through the headset (VOX). Thanks to her, the walkie-talkie can go on the air as soon as he hears your voice, if the voice is gone then the walkie-talkie stops broadcasting.
What kind of walkie-talkie for truckers to choose by price and reviews
3. Midland Alan 42
The average price is 7,190 rubles
Specifications:
- walkie talkie CB
- transmitter power 4 W
- 8xAA power
- weight 190 g
- number of channels 40
- headset connection
Which walkie-talkie is better for truckers? The one that is easy to use, has clear sound transmission and supports AM / FM modulation, like the Alan 42 walkie-talkie.
This model is one of the few portable portable radios on the market that you can carry with you and use as a car. You can connect a headset to it, which is convenient for car drivers.
Alan 42 has a frequency scanning function, as well as a tracking mode immediately after two channels.
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 equipment, easy to install and use, can work on cigarette lighter and on batteries, there are headphone and microphone jacks, as well as a standard BNC jack.
Minuses: manual noise reduction, overpriced.
2. President RANDY II
The average price is 14 690 rubles
Specifications:
- walkie talkie CB
- transmitter power 4 W
- AM / FM Modulation
- powered by Li-ion battery
- weight 320 g
- number of channels 40
A well-assembled radio station has a nice classic design, an LCD screen, and can be used as a car or walkie-talkie.
It boasts good noise reduction, the ability to scan two channels at once and a large loudspeaker power of 2000 mW.
pros: large 2100 mAh battery,
Minuses: overcharge.
1. Midland ALAN 100 Plus
The average price is 3070 rubles
Specifications:
- walkie talkie CB
- transmitter power 5 W
- AM / FM Modulation
- powered by 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 more, turned on and it worked.
The model from a renowned manufacturer has a minimum number of adjustments, allows you to connect a tangent with a condenser microphone and power via a 12V cigarette lighter (but you need a voltage converter).
Only one frequency grid of 40 channels is available, covering the frequency range 26.965 - 27.405 MHz. But truckers usually don’t need more.
The communication range of the walkie-talkie is quite decent - up to 8 kilometers in open areas and 4-5 kilometers in the city.
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
The average price is 1 890 rubles
Specifications:
- walkie talkie PMR
- 2 radios included
- transmitter power 0.5 W
- range 4 km
- 3xAAA nutrition
- weight 79 g
- number of channels 8
A good and inexpensive option if you need two unlicensed walkie-talkies 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 a wooded area and up to 500 meters in urban areas) and is equipped with a frequency scanner to switch to active channels.
Even a beginner can easily figure it out with its menu, and locking the buttons will save settings from tenacious children's hands.
pros: there is a display, there is a charge indicator, it works on 3 AAA batteries.
Minuses: no moisture protection, no batteries included.
2. MIDLAND G5
The average price is 1 315 rubles
Specifications:
- walkie talkie PMR
- 2 radios included
- transmitter power 0.5 W
- range 5 km
- 3xAAA nutrition
- weight 63 g
- number of channels 8
- CTCSS encoding
- headset connection
Midland has been manufacturing walkie-talkies for decades, and its products are well-respected for their high quality and low cost. And her G-5 kit is an ideal option for a beginner “walk-through”.
The kit immediately includes two small and light walkie-talkies that do not need to be registered with the authorities of Rossvyaznadzor.
Walkie-talkies have an intuitive menu, equipped with a backlit display and a fixed 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’s better to choose a good baby monitor with a camera.
pros: compact, high-quality assembly, the set includes charging and 6 AAA batteries, there is a keypad and VOX lock.
Minuses: there is no charge indicator, during charging the microphone and speaker do not work, you can not put it vertically.
1. Baofeng UV-5R
The average price is 1,590 rubles
Specifications:
- Walkie Talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 5 W
- range 10 km
- powered by Li-ion battery
- weight 250 g
- number of channels 128
- CTCSS, DCS, DTMF encoding
- 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.
It has a built-in flashlight and a monochrome LCD screen with different backlight colors so you can easily control the transmission and reception frequency range. You can quickly switch between operating frequencies and preset channels. Baofeng UV-5R also supports computer programming, has a key lock and VOX activation.
A 5 W transmitter provides reliable reception of up to 3 kilometers in urban environments and up to 5 km (with a special antenna).
pros: a removable Li-Ion battery, there is support for the FM band, you can buy an adapter for working on batteries, the headset is included.
Minuses: This model is not protected against moisture and dust.
Rating walkie-talkies for hunting and fishing
3. Motorola TLKR-T92 H2O
The average price is 5,467 rubles
Specifications:
- walkie talkie PMR
- 2 radios included
- transmitter power 0.5 W
- range 10 km
- power Ni-MH battery
- weight 233 g
- number of channels 8
- CTCSS, DCS encoding
- headset connection
If you are looking for a walkie-talkie for fishing or boating, then pay attention to the Motorola TLKR-T92. Its rugged and reliable housing is IPX7 waterproof and can withstand heavy rains or immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
This model is equipped with a 800 mAh battery, which can work without recharging for about 16 hours, has a backlit display, and voice activation with a headset (VOX), as well as without a headset (iVOX). In addition, instead of the native battery, you can install 3 finger batteries. Other useful features include a bright flashlight with a good diffusion angle.
There are also standard features for a good walkie-talkie: channel scanning and monitoring, keypad lock, talk timer and end call signal.
pros: Includes two walkie-talkies and a case, convenient control and menu, USB port 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
The average price is 3 950 rubles
Specifications:
- Walkie Talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 5 W
- range 10 km
- powered by Li-ion battery
- weight 215 g
- number of channels 128
- CTCSS, DCS, DTMF encoding
- headset connection
This two-channel walkie-talkie with a removable antenna and an LCD display in large print can withstand heavy rain and fall into a dirty puddle, thanks to the waterproof standard IPX4.
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: sturdy case, there is a VOX and a key lock, there is an FM radio.
Minuses: not.
1. Baofeng BF-A58
The average price is 2 040 rubles
Specifications:
- Walkie Talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 5 W
- powered by Li-ion battery
- weight 300 g
- number of channels 128
- CTCSS, DCS encoding
- headset connection
This sturdy, solidly 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 without consequences will withstand the adhering dirt, rain and fall into a puddle, and even rinsing in clean water.
It comes with a charging station, a headset, an antenna, a belt clip and a charging stand, it has a charge indicator and energy conservation mode.
pros: There is a VOX and FM radio, a flexible antenna, a large battery capacity (1800 mAh).
Minuses: heavy.
The best professional walkie-talkies
3. Yaesu VX-8DR
Average price - 27 365 rubles
Specifications:
- Walkie Talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 5 W
- powered by Li-ion battery
- weight 240 g
- number of channels 1267
- CTCSS, DCS, DTMF encoding
- headset connection
This is not just a walkie-talkie, but an entire all-in-one combine. Here you have a huge number of channels - 1267, and an FM radio and APRS (a special amateur radio protocol), and a Bluetooth radio beacon, and even access to the WIRES II Internet connection system. You can even copy settings between the radios.
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 W). There are three channels for reception, for reception and transmission - 2 channels plus FM radio.
All this is packed in a durable rubberized and waterproof case.
According to the owners reviews, the walkie-talkie allows you to listen to frequencies from 500 KHz to 1.790 MHz.
pros: GPS, several noise canceling options, a 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 quickly erasable coating, not too powerful 1100 mAh battery, non-switching backlight.
2. Motorola DP4801
The average price is 48 792 rubles
Specifications:
- Walkie Talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 5 W
- powered by Li-ion battery
- weight 356 g
- number of channels 1000
- DTMF encoding
- headset connection
The weighty walkie-talkie pleases the eye of both fans of the military-style and lovers of functionality. It is equipped with a small LCD screen with day and night modes, a comfortable keyboard, and has an IPX7 class waterproof housing.
Although the number of programmable channels in this model is smaller 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 support for Bluetooth and IP Site Connect.
pros: GPS, VOX activation, included impres charger.
Minuses: high price, little documentation in Russian, tight upper channel switch.
1. TEREK RK-322
The average price is 7 900 rubles
Specifications:
- Walkie Talkie VHF / UHF
- transmitter power 10 W
- range 15 km
- Powered Li-Pol Battery
- weight 286 g
- number of channels 999
- CTCSS, DCS, DTMF encoding
- headset connection
If you need a camera with a powerful battery and a large radius of action, then better than TEREK RK-322 options are not found. It is equipped with a 3270 mAh removable battery, has a large display that does not glare in the sun, and is protected in a shockproof case.
All this makes the walkie-talkie a good companion for extreme tourists, climbers, skiers, rescuers and other people who need an unpretentious, reliable and long-lived device without recharging.
pros: conveniently lies in the hand, a wide range of action, does not creak and does not play, works well even in difficult weather conditions.
Minuses: not.
