When starting your research into whether adding two-way radios to your team’s equipment is a good idea, there are many things to consider. This can include your location of your working environment, the wifi capabilities, the battery type and even the size of the hand-held radio.
One of the main questions we get asked is about how powerful two-way radios are and if they differ when it comes to this specification. In this article, we look at the power of both licenced and unlicensed radios.
What you need to know about Two-Way Radios
Two-way radios are ideal for job roles in which staying in constant contact with your team is essential. Roles such as emergency services, security services, the military, transportation industries and retail.
Walkie talkies can also be imperative for roles where individuals are working underground or on the open ocean. With these jobs, it’s a regular occurrence that workers will be unable to have access to Cellular signals or be in ‘dead call’ zones, where they will not be able to reach another’s mobile phone. Two-way radios are ideal for this situation as they offer clear communication and have no need to connect to signal towers, unlike a mobile phone.
In addition, two-way radios can also be used in a survival situation. Similar to more remote job roles, when in a dangerous situation, finding that you have no signal could be detrimental. A walkie talkie can be life-saving in events such as these and usually, as these pieces of equipment are fairly small, they can be taken with you on most occasions.
How Powerful Are Two-Way Radios?
When it comes to the power of a two-way radio, there is a difference between licensed handheld walkie talkies and non licensed models.
According to Ofcom, a licenced two-way radio can have up to 5 watts of power output whereas a ‘licence-free’ PMR446 radio can only have ½ watt power output. This means that overall, licenced radios will have a better range and be more powerful when in use.
Additionally, the licenced equipment will have a better signal penetration, which can help job roles such as security, as you may be communicating with your team from far away positions.
Looking at licensed radios in comparison to unlicensed ones is definitely one of the things you have to consider when purchasing or renting out this piece of equipment for your business.
What Else To Consider When Choosing a Two-Way Radio?
Range and power come in hand in hand when discussing two-way radios. The more ‘power’ a radio has, the further a field it can reach, within Ofcom’s guidelines of course.
When looking into range, there are many things to consider before purchasing your two-way radio. Firstly, is your environment in which you will be using your radio in. The range can vary by a few hundred metres up to a number of miles. Depending on your working environment, it could really affect how far your radio range is. For example, communicating through dense or solid objects can dramatically reduce the reachability of your two-way radio.
As well as power and range, you have to consider other factors such as whether your equipment needs to be shock proof. If you work in the construction industry, you could find that your job environment is not fit for a mobile phone, as you could risk getting it dirty or broken. Having a shock-proof radio will prevent the equipment being broken when it’s knocked or dropped. This is particularly good for more dangerous or more hands-on working environments.
Emergency calling can be another additional thing to consider. If you know that emergency calling may be necessary in a job role, it’s always best to be safe than sorry. Check that the model you are looking at can dial for emergency services, or even automatically dial in a dangerous situation.
There are many things to consider other than the power of your radio when purchasing this equipment for your business. Here at Wall To Wall Communications, our team can help you decide which model is best for you. WIth our services, you can try the equipment before purchasing it or even renting out our two-way radios. In addition, we also offer training which helps yourself and your team use your new pieces of technology to the best of its ability.
Here at Wall to Wall Communication, we specialise in two-way radio hire as well as sales, repairs, system design and overall installation. We are currently the most experienced provider of wireless communications, offering complete training and a full research and bespoke development service. So, when it comes to two-ways radios, we can give you all the essential information you will need about this piece of vital equipment, including how far two-way radios can communicate. Two-way radios are used in many different industries in this modern day, including construction companies, hospitality, plumbers, contractors, schools and security professionals.
One of the primary FAQs we get about our equipment is, how far can two way radios communicate?
Using a walkie-talkie is imperative for most industries. For example, employees may need to keep in continuous voice communication. Another good reason for utilising a two-way radio is that it allows one person to call an entire group at the same time within a simple press of a button.
In this article, we will be talking about the range of a walkie-talkie and what can effect their overall range within the work place.
What Is the Furthest Range For Walkie Talkies?
How far a two-way radio can communicate is an imperative decision that you will have to make when purchasing one.
The maximum range of a 446 radio is around 2 miles, or 3 kilometres. All PMR446 radios are legally limited to 500mW transmission power, this means that all brands will have around the same range. Business radios which work at much higher power outputs can achieve 3-5 miles in ideal conditions.
However, there are a few instances where your range may be affected. For example, if you are communicating through buildings. Talking on the radios through solid objects could reduce your range to as little as 1 / 4 mile. Of course, this is all dependent on the thickness and density of the material in question, but this is something to consider when using your radio inside.
There are even ways to improve your reachability. Business radios can transmit well over 2 miles when added antennas and repeaters are used.
Unfortunately, we can’t give a definite answer about personal and particular situations, such as ‘will these radios work on my busy building site?’. The best way to ensure your radio works in your environment is to try them out on-site. Which here at Wall to Wall, we can help with! With our services, you can try before you buy. We have a bespoke hiring service which allows our customers to test all the equipment before deciding to purchase it.
How Two Way Radios Can Benefit Your Business
If you’re working in a field that utilizes a two-way radio often such as private security, construction site, retail, teaching, travelling companies, or even multi-site industries, then adding this essential tool to your team’s kits could be a real benefit.
So, what are some of the pros that come with hiring, renting or buying two-way radios?
Firstly, there is unlimited communication between yourself and others. Unlike mobile phones or landlines, this adds up to no additional cost, meaning it really is unlimited! You can also get in touch by the press of a button. Again, unlike a phone, you don’t have to dial a number or add a new contact. You can effortlessly press a button and communicate directly with whomever you want.
Finally, they are super simple to use and set up. Of course, our team is on hand if you have any questions regarding the over management and installation of your device. However, once all of this is complete, you can begin using your two-way radio with ease.
Obstacles That Affect The Range Of Two-Way Radio Communication
As we’ve said previously, communicating through dense or solid objects can reduce the reachability of your two-way radios. However, there are few other work environments which you may need to consider your communication being limited in.
For example, when using radios whilst working underground and tunnel environments, the obstacles can really affect the range of your communication. In this instance, where the ‘line of sight’ is very short, it can become difficult to achieve full signal penetration around the curved sections of the tunnel.
However, a good solution to this is to use Radiating cable otherwise known as Leaky Feeder cable instead of more traditional types of antenna which can be installed in runs throughout a tunnel network to give reliable signal in all areas.
Do not hesitate to call us on 0208 770 1007, email us at c or fill out the form on our website.
A two-way radio is a communication device that allows users to both transmit and receive radio waves. Here at Wall 2 Wall Communications, we provide these advanced pieces of technology, which act as an audio transceiver, a receiver and a transmitter all in one, compact and portable unit. Generally, license-free two-way radios are used for bidirectional communication between person-to-person and requires the other individual to also have a similar radio device.
Two-way radios were originally developed in Australia in 1923 and developed further during World War 2, these hand-held devices or ‘walkie-talkies’ were used by the ground and air force troops to remain in contact with one another. Harkening back to those times, we now use them in many lines of contemporary work, such as construction, military, taxis, cruise ships and security. All of these workforces use either a licensed or license-free radio system.
Continuing the development of these spectacular inventions, our team at Wall 2 Wall have over 40 years of experience in the communications field and have been pioneers of the ever-growing popularity surrounding these two-way devices. Specialising in the training, hiring and buying of all communications equipment including license-free radios.
In this article, we will be looking in depth at the legality surrounding license-free radios, if they can be used across Europe and how we can help you with all your communication needs.
What is a licence-free radio?
A license-free radio is a type of device which works out of the box and you don’t need a license in order to operate one. In addition, any programming that a two-way license-free radio may need, will be straightforward and requires little effort to set up and use, making it accessible to all workers.
Typically, these pieces of equipment are used for short-range communication with a maximum range being around 2 miles or 3 kilometres. All of our PMR446 radios are legally limited to 500mW transmission power. However, the distance of one of our radios is all dependent on the thickness and density of the materials making up the obstruction between the transmitting and receiving of the radio signals.
These two-way radios are a very important piece of equipment for a number of users and we have recently been asked whether they can be used aboard. In this article, we will look at the licensing and how possible it is to take your two-way radio across Europe.
Do You Need A Licence For Walkie Talkies?
For a number of industries, having a two-way radio on hand is imperative. For example, retailers and shopping centres will use this technology to have instant communication with their staff or any warehouses. This allows for better results when it comes to pleasing their customers and boosting their productivity in store. Another popular reason to have a radio present is safety. In the bar, pub and restaurant industry, two-way radios will be used amongst security personnel and even with other networking establishments to ensure the well-being of their staff and customers.
However, when using these radios, no matter the reason, it is always best to consider the licensing issues and how OFCOM might factor into your purchase.
Firstly, as established before, the ‘license-free’ two-way radios, are one of the few exceptions. You can buy these pieces of technology off the shelf and use them instantly, they have a small range and have a low output of 0.5 watts. These radios do not interfere with the UK’s main radio waves and therefore, do not encounter OFCOM radio.
Next, there are the licensed radios. These do encounter OFCOM and have higher purchasing costs in comparison. With a high power output, the signal coverage is a lot better and also allows for increased range. The radios are required if your business is looking for a dedicated frequency and you are communicating across a further distance.
OFCOM governs all radio and television licenses in the UK and when it comes to registering your ‘walkie-talkie’, it’s important that you think about the additional costs that may come with your purchase also, which license you will be needing.
If you need any help finding out which license you need or any of the costs associated with buying or hiring your own two-way radios, we are happy to help. Contact us now through the form on our website.
Can I Use My License-Free Radio In Europe?
Whilst your radio set could possibly work anywhere in the world, it doesn’t mean they should be legally used. It’s important to check the legality of your two-way radio before taking it to different parts of the globe.
The ‘PMR446’, standing for Private Mobile Radio, 446 MHz, is a European Union standard when it comes to approved radios in use in the UK and the European Union. With a maximum range of around 2 miles in open country, these are legal and are compliant with the laws.
If your business operates across multiple European countries, it’s worth contacting our team to find out more about how we can help and ensure you get the most out of your technology.
Are Walkie Talkies Legal In Europe?
Most countries have a regulating body, similar to OFCOM, which looks at the use of radios in their location. For example, for the USA, The Federal Communications Commission is in charge of all interstate and international communications made via the radio, wire, satellite, television or cable. They are responsible for this across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and any other U.S territories.
Unfortunately, there is currently no radio on the market that can be licenced for every location in the world. This is due to the fact that every standard is completely different and allows (or disallows) many varying factors when it comes to two-way radios.
In addition to this, a main barrier that users face when it comes to communicating with their two-way radios is the fact that these cannot be modified to transmit on different frequencies in other countries.
Your PMR446 two-way radio can be used freely in the European Union and can even be taken to countries like India and Vietnam. However, in places like Australia, the USA and Canada, the frequency band is reserved for the military radar systems, which means that they allow no chance of interception or disruption. In addition, New Zealand, Valuato and Malaysia also do not accept the PMR446.
Here at Wall to Wall Communications, we have over 40 years of experience in the field, offering the latest technology, including body cameras, two-way radios and training on how to use it.
For this article, we looked further into the costing of a body camera and what to consider when purchasing or hiring one out.
A body camera can come by many different names, including a bodycam, body worn video or a body-worn camera. No matter what they are called, a body camera is a wearable device that records audio and video.
Our team is here to help you decipher the technological jargon and get you fitted with a piece of equipment you can comfortably use and get the most out of.
All About The Budget
When looking to purchase a body camera, you need to firstly think about your budget.
These pieces of kit can range in price, so setting yourself a limit on how much you are willing to spend will allow you to narrow down your choices.
Spending over your budget, doesn’t guarantee you a better, more suited product. So, having a top monetary goal in mind, will ensure you don’t go over your allocated allowance.
If your budget is down the lower-end, or you are unsure of how much you would like to spend, hiring out your body cameras could be the best option.
When it comes to purchasing a body camera, our starting price is around £250 and goes up to around £500, depending on the specs and the memory capacity the device holds.
What do you need from your Body Camera?
The next prospect to consider is what you need your camera for. In our blog post Body Cameras: Which One is Right For you?, we discussed the difference between the cameras in our range.
Knowing how you’re going to use your equipment is imperative when it comes to purchasing a piece long-term. Under our product page, we go into detail about each body camera we carry, including information about the video quality, the lens they have and which applications the model is compatible with.
Asking yourself key questions such as, what storage capacity do I need? Do I need motion detection or night vision features on my body camera? What applications will I be using alongside this technology, do I need it to be connected via Bluetooth or WiFi?
By researching further into these topics, you will be able to narrow down what type of body camera you will be looking for.
Our team is also happy to help if you have any further questions or need any help picking out what equipment is best suited for your and your team’s needs.
What Are The Additional Costs of Your Body Camera?
Finally, are the additional costs to consider when it comes to purchasing your body camera.
At the time of buying equipment for your team, having a firm understanding of how much you’re willing to spend on pieces of kit is essential, but what an added consideration should be is the future costs.
For example, does your team know how to use body cameras? This could be an additional cost which you could need to incorporate into your budgeting plan.
Here at Wall to Wall, our team offers training on all our products, including our radios, body cameras, our mobiles and repeaters. If your team does need more information surrounding this, feel free to contact us and we can walk you through your new equipment.
A two-way radio is an important tool for blue light services and private security companies because they provide a vital line of communication between operatives and headquarters. At Wall to Wall Communications, we’ve been providing the public and private sectors with two-way radios for 40 years and we have advised many businesses on the right radio systems to suit their needs.
As a business, you need to ensure that your data is not exposed. We previously discussed the frequently asked question: Are two way radios secure? Keeping on the same topic, we want to explore the issue of can a two way radio be traced? Two-way radios offer closed communication networks and these networks are known to be difficult for hackers to access. The networks rely on radio frequency, not an internet connection and radio frequencies can be hard to trace through GPS but it’s not impossible. Two-way radios traceability can be seen as a negative, but it also can be used to a company’s advantage to allow you to trace your employees whereabouts.
Can You Trace Two Way Radio Transmissions?
Tracing radio signals can be tricky because they aren’t as strong as a WIFI transmission, which makes it difficult to pick up a signal using GPS. Radio transmissions can be detected but they do have to be traced while an operative is using the device. There are several ways you can locate a radio signal which includes:
Triangulation
How triangulation works is that it measures the direction of radio waves from two to three points to locate the radio signal. The benefit of using triangulation to trace a two way radio transmission is that it only needs to measure the radio transmitters to pinpoint a location.
Trilateration
Trilateration is very similar to triangulation in tracing two way radio transmission but instead of measuring distance of the location of a radio signal, this method measures the time that it takes for radio waves to be transmitted between radios.
Can You Track Someone With A Walkie Talkie?
It is possible to track an operative using a walkie talkie, but it’s not always a bad thing. Many of our digital two-way radios include our unique trackitt software that gives real-time status updates from radio users. The application collects geographical information and stores it safely in the Cloud. The integration of trackitt into our digital walkie talkie allows businesses to build a picture of how well their radio operators are performing in their roles and to identify areas that need improving. Some more benefits of trackitt are:
Here at Wall to Wall Communications, we have over 40 years of experience in the field, offering the latest technology, including body cameras, two-way radios and 
The next prospect to consider is what you need your camera for. In our blog post 
