How to choose long range walkie talkies?

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Many people prefer a long range walkie talkie and ask the seller for it. However, do you really know the communication distance you need? What walkie talkie can be qualified as a “long range radio”?

When we say the radio is a long range 2 way radio or short-range, they both need a reference for comparison. So we can compare whether the distance is long or short. For example, comparing 5 km to 1km, 5 km is a long range. But when compared to 15km, 5km becomes short-range communication.tc368plus-long-range-radio

TC368PLUS 10 Watt Long Range Walkie Talkie

The FIRST thing is to know how far distance you need for communication before purchasing walkie talkies. By the way, the communication range of walkie-talkies is not fixed, which is often influenced by environmental factors. The same walkie-talkie might have a shorter communication range in areas with obstacles but a longer range in open areas.

Walkie Talkie Categories Vary Communication Range

Different categories of walkie-talkies have varying communication ranges. Generally speaking, analog walkie talkies generally support communication ranges below 15 kilometers. When they are paired with mini repeaters, some 10 watt walkie talkie can even reach 20 km or 25 km!  If you are in a really tight budget and still need long-range communication, you can opt for analog walkie talkie and mini repeater combo. 

PoC (Push-to-Talk Over Cellular) radios can reach a communication range of up to 5000 km! It needs a SIM card instead and works more like a mobilephone.

The talking distance of most walkie-talkies on the market is within the range mentioned above. But why we can still see that there are so many 2 watt walkie talkie that claim to be able to reach 10 km range? If you learn more about two way radios, they are likely false advertisements.

Output power Defines Talk Range

Output power is one of the main factors affecting the communication range of walkie talkies. Regardless of the brand or what price, the basic principle of two way radio is that the communication range is limited by power. Generally, higher power results in a longer communication range, while lower power leads to a shorter range. Many sellers (especially on Amazon) claim their walkie-talkies have extremely high power. Some of this is misleading advertising and illegal. By the way, certification is required to use high-powered walkie-talkies in most of countries. Chierda new arrival T168pro is a 15 watt high-powered walkie talkies and works well in basement.

If that is so, how can we stay alert amid the flood of exaggerated advertisements and possess basic discernment abilities when we as ordinary consumers? How do we choose long range 2 way radios that match our distance requirements?

Other Factors

The above is normal circumstances. In recent years, new technologies have emerged that can significantly extend walkie-talkie communication ranges, such as LoRa  technology. Walkie-talkies utilizing this technology have built-in repeater, enabling replying between devices without the need for external repeaters. Multi-hop can extend communication range. Take Chierda T158pro as an example, it supports up to 30 hop. 

Tips to Select Long Rang Walkie Talkies

  1. Output power is a good starting point. Common handheld walkie-talkies come in power levels like 0.5W, 2W, 5W, 8W, and 10W. A 0.5W walkie talkie typically only communicates a few hundred meters; a 2W one covers 1-3 km; a 5W unit spans 1-5 km; and a high-power 10W walkie talkie can reach 1-15 km.
  2. Consider the antenna. Generally, longer antennas lead to a greater communication range and better obstacle penetration. Additionally, you can opt for high-gain antennas to improve communication distance and audio quality.
  3. Choose the right frequency range. Select the appropriate frequency range based on your usage environment. UHF has stronger obstacle penetration capabilities, suitable for urban settings with numerous buildings. VHF has weaker obstacle penetration, making it suitable for open terrains like mountains, deserts, plains, or open waters.

These are just some common methods for selecting long-distance walkie-talkies. If you’re still uncertain, consider consulting the seller. A knowledgeable seller can offer professional advice and recommendations, helping you avoid wasteful purchases and saving money and time. If needed, you can contact Chierda. We are a Chinese manufacturer specializing in radio manufacturing for 38 years. We are confident and capable of being your helpful assistant, advisor, and reliable partner.

Conclusion

For those who need even longer distances (further than 15 km), options like base stations, poc radios, or portable repeaters can increase communication range. We are happy to receive your inquiries! Contact us now.

 

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