A walkie talkie is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family. Whether you’re out exploring the wilderness or watching Stranger Things with your kids, walkie talkies provide a convenient and fun way to stay connected. But, before you buy and hit the push-to-talk button for the first time, it’s important to understand the lingo that comes with these devices.
For starters, there’s the privacy code. Without it, any radio that happens to be on the same channel as yours will hear your entire conversation. To prevent this, most walkie talkies feature a privacy code that requires users to precede their transmissions with a unique tone. This isn’t encryption, which is only available on military-grade radios, but it can keep you from accidentally broadcasting your private conversations to strangers.
There’s also the voice protocol to consider. Because only one person can speak at a time, it’s important to know how to communicate properly. By saying “over” or “out,” you’re telling other listeners that your transmission is finished and that you’re awaiting a reply. These protocols are necessary to avoid confusion or mistakes and are usually a matter of simple courtesy.
Finally, some walkie talkies allow you to send text messages instead of audio. This is especially helpful in noisy environments or if your hands are full. You can even find models that combine walkie talkies with GPS to help you navigate and locate your group in unfamiliar terrain.
Cobra 29 LTD Classic AM/FM Professional CB Radio - Easy to Operate, Emergency Radio, Instant Channel 9, 4-Watt Output, Full 40 Channels, Adjustable Receiver and SWR Calibration, Black
$149.95 (as of January 29, 2026 19:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Retevis RT68 Walkie Talkies with Earpiece, Portable FRS Two-Way Radios Rechargeable, with 6 Way Multi Unit Charger, Hands Free, Long Range, Rugged 2 Way Radios 6 Pack for Adults School Church
$120.00 (as of January 29, 2026 19:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Case of 10, Retevis Walkie Talkies Earpiece with Mic 2 Pin Acoustic Tube Headset, for RT22 RT21 RT68 H777, Compatible with Pxton Baofeng BF-888S BF-T26 Kenwood walkie talkie, Two Way Radio Earpiece
$49.99 (as of January 29, 2026 19:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Wishouse Walkie Talkies for Adults Long Range-Rechargeable 4 Pack 2 Way Radios, Hiking Accessories Camping Gear Xmas Birthday Gift for Kids Family with Lamp,SOS Siren,NOAA Weather Alert,Easy to Use
$59.77 (as of January 29, 2026 19:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
pxton Walkie Talkies Long Range for Adults with Earpieces,16 Channel Walky Talky Rechargeable Handheld Two Way Radios with Flashlight Li-ion Battery and Charger（4 Pack）
$37.99 (as of January 29, 2026 19:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Tactical Molle Radio Holster Holder Case Military Heavy Duty Pouch Bag for Two Ways Walkie Talkies Adjustable Storage with 1 Pack Patch
$11.99 (as of January 29, 2026 19:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
BAOFENG USB Programming Cable CH340 Chip Compatible UV-5R Mini BF-F8HP Pro 5RM UV-32 DM32 K5PLUS GMRS GM-15PRO UV-5G Plus GM21 AR-152 UV-21R Quansheng UV-K5 8 Ham Radio Accessories
$7.98 (as of January 29, 2026 19:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Retevis RT22 Walkie Talkies Rechargeable Hands Free 2 Way Radios Two-Way Radio(6 Pack) with 6 Way Multi Gang Charger
$110.00 (as of January 29, 2026 19:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
pxton Walkie Talkies Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpieces,2-Way Radios UHF Handheld Transceiver Walky Talky with Flashlight Li-ion Battery and Charger（2 Pack）
$20.99 (as of January 29, 2026 19:07 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)