Walkie Talkie FAQ

Usually what is the range these walkie-talkie radios can cover? How the outside obstacles create problem in the network?

The range is not fixed. Different manufacturer offers different transmitting ranges. It can vary according to the features and quality of the walkie-talkie radio. GMRS enabled radios usually offer longer range than the other walkie-talkie radios. These ranges are not static. It will drastically reduce whenever there are some obstacles like buildings or glass made things or even woods. It is said that these radios work well in especially mountain-draped area. You can never say the actually range without going to the place where you want the transmission to happen. Never get trapped in the false promises made by the manufacturer. Take your time to understand the feature and after that, purchase what you want.

How do these walkie-talkie radios work? I am planning to buy a new one, before that, I want to clear the conception so that I can get the best deal. Is there any difference between mobile phone and walkie-talkie radios? Alternatively, are both of them nearly same?

Many people have the same queries like you. Well, yes mobile phones and radios are different from each other. If you take two or multiple radios and set their frequency to same network then you can easily communicate between them. This is one inexpensive method of communication, but pretty much effective in limited area. There is a transmit button on the walkie-talkies. You can communicate by pressing the transmit button when you want to communicate with them. The best thing about walkie-talkie radio is - you need not pay any rental or charges after purchasing them. You can communicate in free of cost anytime within the range. There is no outside network; they work on their own signal. Whenever there are some problems in the network, noise and distractions starts. Another thing you must remember, in case of walkie-talkie radios both cannot talk at a time. You need to talk and listen once by one.

In a walkie-talkie radio, how many channels are there?

People seem to think that in different bands they can get different variety of channels. This idea is not true. All the products are PMR446 product. That means they must have got the same qualities in them. These qualities are not the features, but these are the channels. All the P M R446 radios have eight channels. In addition, all these walkie-talkie radios have 38 modules or popularly known as CTCSS 38 codes in them. Many people think these are sub channels, which is not correct. They actually screen out various radio messages when not all the radios are tuned in to same frequency. If you think there are 38x4= 304 channels then, that is wrong. The truth is there are 104 possible combination you can have in these walkie-talkie radios.

What is known as CTCSS?

Continuous Tone coding system is known as CTCSS. Many people know it as different name too. This is a subtle-audible tone, which is transmitted by the radio with the usual audible voice. If the voice does not contain the sub-tone, the receiver will not receive it at all. If other users of same frequency interrupt the transmission, the receiver automatically reject it because of the absence of the sub tone. If there is a group of users in same frequency, sub tone can actually stop them from intruding and hearing each other’s message. If you know it, you can utilize it for your own benefit.