Two-way radios are communications devices that give users the capability to quickly and effectively communicate with each other at a distance. These radios are often referred to as walkie-talkies or personal radios. There are different classes of two-way radios, those for personal use and those for commercial/professional use. If you have been wondering how to choose a two-way radio system, here are some tips for choosing the right one.
One of the most important things to consider is how you will be using the two-way radios? Do you need a simple push-to-talk solution for a small area? How many people will need to communicate? Are you interested in headsets, surveillance earpieces, or are you comfortable with simply holding the radio?
Starting at the beginning, what is their use? Are these for personal use such as camping, hiking, or skiing? If so, you will likely be able to use something like the Motorola Talkabout Radios. These are small, lightweight radios that do not require licensing to operate. They can be picked up at most outdoor supply stores or your local electronics store. Be aware that you run the risk of interference as the frequencies these transmit and receive on are open to the public.
If you are looking to operate more powerful radios, such as the Motorola CP200, an FCC license is required. In addition, these radios come with a heftier purchase price as these radios are up to 8x as powerful as the personal use radios we discussed above. With the extra power comes a much greater range, these professional two-way radios can easily penetrate walls, floors in buildings, and will cover many blocks in a densely populated city.
Cost is a large factor when deciding on a radio system and this is where walkie talkie rentals can make all the difference. Let’s say you manage a construction company and you have 50 workers on a site at any given time. You will want them to have a way to communicate, but purchasing and maintaining 50+ radios can be rather expensive (anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000) once you factor in batteries, chargers, and other accessories such as remote speaker microphones. FCC licensing is an additional fee and comes with a waiting period for approval that can take several weeks to several months. Construction walkie rentals are a cost-effective and convenient way to keep your workers connected without having the upfront cost of purchasing and implementing a new two-way radio system.
Since walkie talkie rental companies provide radios to a variety of different industries, they are well adapted to the needs of each type of customer. By discussing the direct needs of a customer, two-way radio rental companies are able to create a rental package specifically tailored for the end user’s needs.