Hey everyone! I'm trying to find a long-range walkie-talkie or two-way radio solution for an upcoming winter conference my company is attending. I coordinate the event with a coworker, and we need a reliable way to communicate from the main entrance on the ground floor to our suite on the 20th floor. We usually text each other about when rooms are ready, but this year I'd like to explore walkie-talkie options. Ideally, we need something that has a decent range, can work with a wired headphone/mic setup so we aren't broadcasting to everyone, and is in the few hundred dollar range. Any advice on what I should consider while shopping? Thanks!
4 Answers
I'd recommend the Motorola Talkabout FRS with some wired earpieces. They should meet your needs without any issues!
Also, keep in mind that FRS isn't technically licensed for business use, although I've heard plenty of people using it for that anyway.
What country are you in? It greatly affects the kind of handheld radios you can use. For instance, New Zealand has UHF CB band that allows up to 5 watts and around 5km range. In the US, you've got GMRS and FRS options. But, inside buildings, your range will definitely be impacted by walls, so renting higher-powered licensed units might be worth considering. While two-way radios are usually the best bet, mobile apps can work too, but they do have their drawbacks like delays.
Look for a walkie-talkie that specifies 2W FRS. That's a solid option without needing a license. If you want more power, consider applying for a GMRS license, which is easy and costs about $40. You can get up to 5W of power that way, and there are no tests involved! Just make sure to use your call sign when transmitting. You could also go for a phone app if walkie-talkies aren't a fit.
Why not just use a walkie-talkie app on your phones? It could be a simple solution and save you some hassle.
I’m not sure about relying on FRS for 20 floors in a building, though. If you have good Wi-Fi or cellular service, there are smartphone apps like Zello that can work as walkie-talkies.