| Cell phones are big--almost everybody has | | | | IBRP licensees must purchase sets of radios on |
| one--but two-way radios remain popular for work | | | | matching frequencies. |
| and play. Walkie-talkies are part of every smart | | | | Digital two-way radio (DTR) is a new business |
| outdoorsman's camping kit and radios continue to | | | | radio idea that's catching on fast. DTR |
| be valuable on jobsites and other places, especially | | | | walkie-talkies operate at 2.4GHz and do not |
| when you need to talk to several people at once. | | | | require a license. Being digital, these UHF |
| "Breaker one-nine, good buddy, old Smokey's got | | | | communicators offer enhanced privacy, greater |
| his eyes open, so keep it at the double nickel near | | | | range, longer battery life and higher audio quality. |
| milepost 215!" | | | | They will, undoubtedly, soon work their way into |
| Those old enough to remember the CB-radio | | | | the private use market. |
| craze of the late '70s might also remember their | | | | How to buy a two-way radio: |
| colorful broadcast lingo. For most people, 2-way | | | | Two-way radios come in three basic types: |
| radios are more than just the way for truckers | | | | - Base stations are two-way radios that sit on |
| on Citizens' Band channel 19 to avoid highway | | | | the table or desk; plug into the wall and operate |
| patrolmen using radar guns to catch speeders. To | | | | through a tower antenna. |
| get the right radio for your situation, you'll need to | | | | - Mobile stations are radios mounted in a |
| know a few important terms: | | | | vehicle--they may be designed specifically for |
| FCC: Federal Communications Commission--the | | | | vehicle use or for both home and auto. |
| federal agency that oversees public airwaves. The | | | | - Handhelds is the proper term for self-contained, |
| FCC licenses users, sets rules for use and fines | | | | battery-operated radio units commonly called |
| for misuse and abuse of all radio communications. | | | | walkie-talkies. |
| Pirates: Those who put illegal radio traffic on the | | | | Before considering which 2-way to buy, consider |
| air; the FCC won't hang you from the highest | | | | how you will use it. Will it be used occasionally |
| yardarm, but if they notice you running without a | | | | around the neighborhood, campground or mall? Will |
| license when you need one, you will notice the | | | | it be used every day to keep the office in touch |
| fines. | | | | with the jobsite? Will it be used on the Great |
| VHF: Very High Frequency radio waves--those | | | | Plains or the Rocky Mountains? How far apart will |
| operating at 30MHz to 300MHz. Range is | | | | users usually be? |
| approximately line-of-sight, meaning if the | | | | The half-watt FRS two-way radios are the least |
| transmitter can see the receiver, the receiver can | | | | expensive and have the shortest range. Within |
| hear the transmitter. In relatively open ground like | | | | these limits, they are very good radios. |
| suburbs, VHF has better range than UHF. Among | | | | MURS-type radios have greater power and range |
| common VHF uses are FM radio and television | | | | than FRS. A GMRS radio is the best choice for |
| stations 2-13. | | | | areas with more interference problems (cities, hills, |
| UHF: Ultra High Frequency radio waves--those | | | | forests) or for those who need to talk over |
| operating at 300MHz to 3GHz. UHF frequencies | | | | longer ranges. If you can afford the hardware and |
| operate well with very small antennae and pass | | | | you can get the license, DTR is the best |
| through buildings better than VHF, making these | | | | technology available. |
| superior for city use. Low-power UHF transmits | | | | Generally speaking, you get what you pay for in |
| very short ranges so many UHF devices (cordless | | | | walkie-talkies, mobiles or base stations. To use |
| phones, baby monitors, Wi-Fi Internet, etc.) can | | | | GMRS or DTR channels, you need the same type |
| be used in proximity without annoying each other. | | | | of radio that police and fire departments, road |
| Some television stations still broadcast in the UHF | | | | crews and commercial businesses use. This means |
| range. | | | | you're buying professional grade electronics, higher |
| Citizens Band (CB) operates at 27MHz (below the | | | | in price than what you find in the local hobby |
| VHF band). Set aside for public use in the 1950s, it | | | | shop, but better gear overall. |
| reached its height in the 1970s. Range is limited by | | | | Obviously, two-way radios with more power have |
| law to 5 miles. Other two-way radio technologies | | | | greater range. They also use more energy, so |
| are giving CB serious competition, but CB is still an | | | | batteries run dry faster (not a consideration with |
| inexpensive, easy, fun-to-use option, especially | | | | base stations, of course). If you use walkie-talkies |
| when "driving the boulevard" (the interstate | | | | frequently, rechargeable batteries will save you |
| highways). | | | | money in the long run. |
| Family Radio Service (FRS) operates at | | | | Solid state electronics means breaking your radio |
| 462-467MHz. Created in 1996 as a UHF | | | | is a much smaller problem than the vacuum tube |
| alternative to CB; these 2-way radios are limited | | | | days. Still, don't drop your radio--especially into the |
| to 14 channels and 0.5Watts power. No FCC | | | | water, as water and electricity don't mix nicely. |
| license is required because FRS was designed for | | | | Unless your walkie-talkie is designed and built for |
| private, short-distance, personal communications. | | | | rough weather or maritime use, keep it dry. Turn |
| It's great for casual use around the neighborhood | | | | it off when not in use. Clean it with a dry cloth or |
| or a public venue. | | | | canned air after use. Store it out of direct sunlight. |
| General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) also | | | | Buy a protective case in leather, nylon or plastic. |
| operates at 462-467MHz. Created in the 1960s as | | | | Handhelds, especially, will wear out but, if you use |
| "Class A Citizens Radio," anyone over 18 may | | | | common sense, you and your two-way will have |
| apply for a license, which also covers immediate | | | | years of fun together. |
| relatives and must be renewed every five years. | | | | If you're looking for a tough walkie-talkie that'll |
| GMRS uses 15 channels (7 of which they share | | | | stand up to hard use, look for "mil spec radio" in |
| with FRS) and are limited to 50Watts power. The | | | | the description. These radios meet Defense |
| walkie-talkies themselves are superior to CB or | | | | Logistics Agency guidelines to withstand the rough |
| FRS because the FCC sets higher technical | | | | and tumble things soldiers deal with regularly. If |
| standards for them. New combination 2-way | | | | you might use your radio around flammables, |
| radios are available featuring all FRS and GMRS | | | | Factory Mutual Global has set the "intrinsically |
| frequencies. Also designed for casual, private use, | | | | safe" standard for the industry; two-way radios |
| these radios are for the serious hobbyist. | | | | meeting this criterium do not produce sparks. |
| Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) operates at | | | | Why choose a radio instead of a cell phone? |
| 151-154MHz. Created in 2000 as a VHF citizens | | | | Several reasons: Good 2-way radios will reach into |
| band (license-free) band for personal or | | | | cell phone dead spots, especially in the great |
| short-range business use, MURS 2-way radios | | | | outdoors. Walkie talkies allow you to talk to |
| have five channels and are limited to 2Watts. | | | | everyone at once. Two-way radios usually have |
| MURS advantage is the lack of limits on external | | | | much better warranties (1-2 years vs. 90 days). |
| antennae for handhelds. This means, for example, | | | | Many new radio models have telephone |
| you can attach a good-sized antenna to your car, | | | | interconnect, selective calling and caller ID |
| plug your handheld into that antenna and get | | | | technology, just like cell phones. Walkie talkies |
| greater vehicle-to-vehicle range with MURS over | | | | don't require a monthly fee; buy the radio and the |
| FRS. | | | | license (if required) and you are good to go. A |
| Additionally, the Industrial/Business Radio Pool | | | | walkie talkie will often continue working when cell |
| (IBRP) includes several groups of channels | | | | or landline service is interrupted by disaster. Cell |
| operating at various frequencies in VHF and UHF | | | | phones have not entirely replaced radios, and |
| bands. It was designated in 1995 for business | | | | never will--in their particular spheres, each is a |
| operations--dispatching, coordinating equipment, | | | | great communications tool. |
| etc. Since many varied frequencies are available, | | | | |