Walkie talkies are handheld, portable radios with microphones that allow you to communicate with others in your area. They’re ideal for situations where you need to be in touch with someone but can’t get a cell phone signal. The battery life on these devices is very long, so you can get up to 20 hours out of a single charge. However, they don’t have the same audio quality as a smartphone.
These radios can pick up other radio signals, including music and broadcast voices. It’s important to choose a frequency band that’s free of interference. When your walkie talkie starts picking up a signal, you’ll hear a hiss and static. This means that your conversation isn’t secure. You’ll have to switch channels to communicate with your friend.
Walkie talkies are designed to work on a specific frequency band. Depending on your needs, you may want to invest in a radio with CTCSS encoding, which will filter out unwanted signals.
You can purchase walkie talkies in a range of sizes and prices. The cheapest options are small and have limited features. More expensive models feature bigger batteries, ruggedized components, and water-resistance.
Some of the most useful walkie talkies have a monitor function. This allows you to track other people’s locations, including their movements and weather conditions. Other walkie talkies also have the ability to send text messages using their radio.
Walkie talkies use alkaline and rechargeable batteries. Batteries last longer if you don’t use them often. If you want a long-lasting device, look for a walkie talkie with a lithium-ion battery.