Two-Way Radios for Walking and Skiing

Buyers’ Guide to Choosing a Two-Way Radio for Skiing or Walking

Two-Way Radios can provide a convenient means of communication with family, friends or colleagues over short distances such as whilst hill-walking, skiing, cycling or on the beach.

Whilst known affectionately as walkie talkies, two-way radios should not be confused with the children’s toy of the same name.

Commercial portable two-way radios are robust, engineered to a high standard, and capable of communication over distances of around 5 miles, depending on the type of radio and the nature of the surrounding terrain – the Motorola T7, for example, has a range of over 6 miles or 10 km.

Unlike mobile phones, two-way radios require no line rental, and there no are no calls charges; apart from the radio handsets, themselves, and replacement disposable, or rechargeable, batteries, the service is free.

Two-Way Radios for Outdoor Use – Skiing, Cycling, Walking, Holidays

The majority of two-way radios, nowadays, are capable of operating on, at least 6, and possibly up to 10, or more, channel frequencies. The more channel frequencies the better, because this gives you the opportunity to change channels to obtain the best possible reception in the area in which you are operating, without causing interference to, or being caused interference by, other radio users in the vicinity. This can be particularly useful if you intend to use a two-way radio in an area such as a city centre, or, say, a popular ski resort, where the airwaves are likely to be crammed with two-way radio traffic.

More sophisticated two-way radios may include privacy, or CTCSS – Continuous Tone Controlled Signalling System – codes, which allow a radio to receive only those transmissions intended for it, or direct call systems, which allow you to dial a specific radio handset, directly, akin to the operation of a mobile phone. Extra channels, and extra functionality, unsurprisingly, come at a premium.

If you are intending to use a two-way radio outdoors for any length of time, the life of it batteries becomes an issue. Two-way radios are typically capable of operating on standard, alkaline, disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries of one form or another. It is worthwhile to seek out a model that is capable of both, so that you can carry a spare set of inexpensive, disposable batteries for use in emergencies; the chances of recharging batteries are likely to be slim to non-existent if you are “off the beaten track”, and spare rechargeable batteries can be heavy – especially if you’re deliberately travelling “light” – and expensive.

Rechargeable batteries are likely to prove more economical in the long term, however, and battery technology has improved in leaps and bounds in recent years. The latest Li-Ion – Lithium Ion – batteries, for example, are capable of holding up to 40% more energy on a single charge than their NiCd – Nickel Cadmium – or NiMH – Nickel Metal Hydride – predecessors; they are also considerably easier to handle, store, charge and dispose of than nickel-based batteries.

Do be careful when comparing the claims of different manufacturers with regard to battery life; some may specifically quotes figures for talk time and standby time, but others may bundle the two figures together, assuming that the two-way radio spends 80%, or 90%, of its life in standby mode. This latter figure can therefore be misleading is a radio is to be used heavily on an everyday basis. Whichever type of batteries you opt for, try to find a two-way radio with a low battery warning – visible, audible, or both – so that you know, immediately, when batteries need to be replaced, or recharged.

The range of a two-radio – that is, the distance over which it can transmit, or receive, radio signals – is directly proportional to its output power, so it is important to understand the difference between “peak” power output, and “constant” power output. Either, or both, figures may be quoted in the specification of a portable two-way radio, but constant power output represents the output that you can expect over a protracted period, under normal operating conditions, and is, by far, the more reliable figure. Peak output power, conversely, is an unrealistic, theoretical figure, based on ideal conditions that may only be possible in a laboratory.

With regard to range, a constant output of 1 watt typically corresponds to a range of 1 mile approximately, across a flat landscape, with no intervening buildings, trees, etc., and doubling the output power typically increases the range by one third. Once again, some kind of warning that you are moving beyond the effective range of a two-way radio is a wise precaution.

Best Prices – Motorola T7

• Motorola T7

Best Prices – Motorola T5

• Motorola T5

Best Prices – Motorola T3

• Motorola T3

Copyright Gadget Heaven™ 2008

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