Walkie Talkies FAQ

Q: Which radio band is right for me?
A: FRS Walkie Talkies are ideal for folks who generally wish to use these for outdoor purposes such as when hunting, fishing or camping. They are free of interference from business and government agencies and don't require you to have a license. GMRS have a much broader range for talk, extending up to five miles. These aren't intended for hobby use, rather they're meant for purposeful communications such as business or commercial activity. You must obtain a license from the FCC in order to operate in this band.

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Q: What's the advantage of GPS-enabled Walkie Talkies?
A: GPS units are equipped to map out your route, location and destination. These are ideal for the great outdoors to ensure your safety and prevent you from getting lost.

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Q: What's the advantage of weather-alert enabled Walkie Talkies?
A: Weather-alert Walkie Talkies can provide you with advanced warning of severe weather to come. With an advanced signal to notify you of approaching storms, you can take the necessary precautions to make sure you and your family are safe.

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Q: What brands manufacture Walkie Talkies?
A: There are a variety of brands on the market today. Here, on WalkieTalkies.com, we'll be carrying brands such as Audiovox, Cobra, Kenwood, Cherokee, Garmin Rino, Uniden, Midland and Sylvania.

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Q: How do I know how what distance capability I'll need?
A: People who plan to use these for general outdoor activities such as walking or biking usually only need 2 or 5-mile capabilities. Same probably goes for business people who might use these at trade shows or the like. However, if the planned use is for greater distance activities such as hunting, hiking or camping, greater capabilities might be preferred to ensure safety and effective communication.

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Q: What's the difference in channels?
A: Channels 1-7 are solely for use with the FRS/GMRS system. Channels 8-14 are solely for FRS and 15-22 is for GMRS. Some radios will only give you one Channel option where some will give you seven. Consider a 14-channel unit if you plan to use your radio in a large, urban environment where GMRS is already popular.

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Walkie Talkie Distances

Size doesn't matter, right? Well, perhaps. But when comparing distance capabilities in walkie-talkies it sure does! There's the more common 2-mile and 5-mile units. And then theres the less common like the 7-mile, 8-mile or even 10-mile units. Your range of service needed really just depends on what your use will be. Hikers, for example, might prefer a greater range of distance.

 

The important thing to keep in mind when considering distance is that buildings, hills and other tall, solid structures can very easily get in the way of your transmitted signal. Distance is especially an issue with hunters, hikers and campers. FRS radios can grant you a range of up to 2 miles, whereas GRMS units can typically take you up to 5 miles. Just remember that the height of the antennae may be more important than the level of your radio's output power.

The greater distance units, like the 7-mile, 8-mile or 10-mile radios, may be more ideal for folks who generally do a lot of caravanning on road trips. The walkie-talkies would be great for outdoorsmen or hunters when they catch their target so they could buzz their buddies into helping them carry the large animal back to their vehicle.

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Whatever the case may be, it's free two-way communications, where you don't have to rely on a cell-phone tower to get signal. With just the push of a button, you can easily get the attention of your friends, family and coworkers and get your message across. And you can do it knowing that in this case; when it comes to two-way radio distance range, size does matter.

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Walkie Talkie Channels

How many channels do I need? Just like your radio or TV at home, walkie-talkies utilize channels to obtain their signal. FRS radios typically have either seven or 14 channels. Though, in most cases, the manufacturer will give you 38 possible CTCSS tones to use in the receiving and transmitting of your handheld radio. This means that, with a 14-channel radio, you could have up to 532 separate channel configurations or frequencies. GMRS units provide you up to 22 channels.

However, please note that when in a well-populated area, anyone with CTCSS disabled on their walkie-talkie will be able to hear your radio transmission on their radio. The tones, sometimes called interference or squelch codes, are meant to help prevent this. They help filter out static, noise and unwanted chatter on the two-way radio channels. Just select a predetermined channel and code, and you can communicate only with someone using the exact same channel and code. Just remember that your conversation may be semi-private and that privacy is not guaranteed.

          

Channels 1-7 are solely for use with the FRS/GMRS system; including the more common 2 channels and 4 channels. Eight through 14 channels are solely for FRS, and GMRS gives you between 15 channels and 22 channels for a wide range of communication options. Even though FRS offers 14 channels, some radios come with only one channel and some with only seven. These radios can cost half as much and, for most people, be completely adequate. The sturdy single channel radios are good for business use. Other cheaper models with one channel are just toys. The one and seven channel radios generally have the GMRS interstitial frequencies and not the FRS-only channels. Consider a 14-channel unit if you plan to use your radio in a large urban environment where GMRS is already popular.

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Having a 15-channel or more GMRS unit definitely provides you with more choices for your business communications. Though, if you're on an FRS/GMRS system, having 2 channels or 4 channels might suit you just fine. Be sure to determine your use and functionality before making your final selection.

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Walkie Talkie

Welcome to the best source for Walkie Talkie Information!

Here, you'll find all sorts of information on Walkie Talkies. You'll learn about different scenarios in which one would need or want a hand-held radio. And you'll discover that there are plenty of options to choose from. Learn the difference between FRS and FRS/GMRS. Learn about GPS-enabled and weather-alert enabled units. And learn how distance and channels play a major role. Want to explore price, brand and accessories? That's all here, too & all at the click of a button. So, come on in. Take a look around. And educate yourself on the Walkie Talkie.

Walkie Talkies Information

• Different types of Walkie Talkies
• Accessory options for your handheld radio
• Available brands on the market
• The distance dilemma in choosing a Walkie Talkie
• Different channels for FRS and GRMS units
• You get what you pay for

WalkieTalkies.com is your one stop shop for useful information on two-way hand-held radios. Find helpful commentary to assist you in your education of Walkie Talkies.

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How to Choose the Right Walkie Talkies

Selecting the right Walkie Talkie for your needs is going to take some research. Things to consider include:

• What will your purpose be?
• Where do you plan on using the unit(s)?
• Will you need any additional accessories?

Check out the articles on this site to help you determine which type is right for you.

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