What Exactly is a CB Radio?

The Citizens Band (CB) radio is an open radio communication system that allows people to communicate with one another over radio-waves. It is a completely open system, and used for both business and personal use. In the United States, there are 40 different radio channels for those who wish to chat over the air.

You may sometimes see CB referred to as a ‘Land Mobile Radio System’, or LMRS for short. That doesn’t mean anything technical. But to clarify, LMRS refers to any two way radio system that is set up for communication between people. This means that the radios can both send and receive audio communication. Devices that are one-way, allowing you only to listen in such as a police scanner, would not fall under the LMRS umbrella.

Since the CB is an open system, one is permitted to broadcast on the radio-waves, assuming they have the right equipment to do so. However, certain radio frequencies are often used for specific purposes which we will cover shortly.

The History of CB Radios

In the 1940s, the FCC started to designate certain radio frequencies for public communications. The Citizens Radio Corporation, was founded by the inventor of the CB radio, Al Gross. The Citizens Radio Corporation went on to sell over 100,000 radios, primarily to farmers and the US Coast Guard. CB radio technology in general began to grow out of being used among the public communication sector. At the time, if you wanted to use these radio frequencies, you would need to obtain a license. However, this requirement was soon dropped. Anybody could then broadcast on the CB radio channels, assuming they stick to FCC rules regarding range and equipment types.

In its earlier days, while CB was a bit more affordable than other types of tech, it didn’t really take off outside the world of hobbyists. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the technology started to really take hold. Around this time, truckers really began installing and using CB radios into their vehicles, which quickly became the norm. It allowed the truckers to communicate with others on the road better, which helped to up their productivity and keep them safe. The popularity of CB world really took off at that point and is still used all around the world today.

CB Radio Frequencies (Channels)

Each country has different frequencies for CB radio. In the United States, CB radio operates between 26.965 Mhz and 27.405 Mhz. You do not need to know the specific frequencies unless you have an ‘old’ radio. Most modern radio options on the market will, instead, have a channel list instead. Each channel will be tied to a specific frequency. There will be 40 channels in all.

Most of the CB radio channels are going to be empty. This means that you are free to transmit on them to your heart’s content. In fact, you are free to do that with all the channels bar one (Channel 9). However, it is worth noting that specific channels have evolved to really only be focused on one type of discussion. We want to run you through these channels now. It is these channels where you will likely find the most activity:

Channel List

• Channel 1 (26.965 Mhz): truckers in the east of the USA use this channel frequently. However, it is more suited for those close to the Canadian border, as it often broadcasts maritime discussions.
• Channel 4 (27.005 Mhz): this is for off-road vehicles.
• Channel 6 (27.025 Mhz): no specific purpose, but a LOT of people will talk here in major towns and cities. It is a general-purpose channel.
• Channel 9 (27.065 Mhz): this is for emergency service broadcasts only. You are free to use this channel in an emergency ONLY.
• Channel 10 (27.075 Mhz): this is for discussions while traveling on regional roads.
• Channel 13 (27.115 Mhz): this is, mostly, for maritime traffic. However, in certain regions, you may find it is used by RV owners.
• Channel 14 (27.125 Mhz): this is used by old-school walkie talkies. Not much traffic on these channels nowadays, sadly.
• Channel 17 (27.165 Mhz): truckers traveling on north or southbound roads
• Channel 19 (27.185 Mhz): truckers traveling east or west.

Generally speaking, these are all the channels you really need to know. Any other channel is going to be fairly empty most of the time. If you are a trucker that wants access to the most conversations, then Channel 19 is where most of it happens. However, you may also wish to scan Channel 10 and 17 for maximum coverage.

CB Radio Range

A CB radio will have a maximum range of about 30-miles. However, this is going to be in absolutely perfect conditions. In most cases, you can expect there to be a range of somewhere between 3-miles and 10-miles. In extremely rare cases, you may be able to get slightly over 30-miles, but it wouldn’t be that much over.

To achieve the absolute best range on your CB radio, you need to purchase a quality antenna and spend some time setting it up the antenna i.e. ensuring it is in the best possible place for the best possible signal. In most cases, this is going to be as high up as possible. This will ensure that there is a minimum amount of signal interference.

When you are setting up your radio to ensure the optimal range and signal quality of your radio, you will need to use a gadget known as an SWR meter. Without going into too much detail on the technical use of an SWR meter, the purpose of this device is to ensure that the position of the antenna, as well as the length of the antenna, matches the received signals perfectly. With an SWR meter, you are trying to ensure that everything is in line.

There are some situations where no matter what you do, the range of your radio is going to be limited. Obviously, for the absolute best range, you need to be in an area with absolutely no obstacles. Every obstacle, whether it is a vehicle, hills, buildings, or trees will reduce the range of your radio a little bit. This is why you should never expect full range with your radio. It is nigh on impossible to find an area that is completely free of obstacles.

CB Radio Amplifier

The purpose of an amplifier is to increase the range of your CB radio, often by a considerable amount.

It is illegal to operate a CB amplifier in the United States, and you could be subject to fines from the FCC if you are caught using one. They may even provide you with a ban from being able to communicate via CB. Yes. We know that there are some stores in the US that sell amplifiers, but you are encouraged not to use one.

Some people may also encourage you to use a process known as ‘skip’, which, if done properly, can offer you a virtually limitless range on your CB radio. While we are not going to go into depth on this process, ‘working skip’ involves bouncing your radio signals off of the Earth’s atmosphere. If this is done correctly, you could feasibly talk to people thousands and thousands of miles away. However, do bear in mind that other countries will have different rules about CB radio operation, and you are really just going to be interrupting people who are trying to communicate within their local area.

CB Radio ‘Skip’

Just like with amplifiers, it is illegal to ‘skip’ with a radio. Again, if you are caught doing it, the FCC has the ability to fine you and to ban you from using CB. Granted, it is going to be difficult to catch you doing it, but a lot of people have reported being reprimanded. There are other ways to communicate with people over long distances, so it is best if you use those.

Long story short; you are not allowed to do anything that will increase the range of your CB radio, outside of using a quality transceiver and antenna. There is a range limit in place for a reason. CB has only ever been designed for communicating with people within the local area. Nothing more. Obviously, the FCC knows that there are some situations that radio will transmit signals further than intended. This is why they have a maximum limit of 160-miles before they take action. If you go beyond that, then you are running the risk of having to deal with some legal consequences.

CB Radios in Trucking

Nowadays, the most popular users of CB radios are truckers. While there is better ‘tech’ out there for communicating on the roads, most truckers will never shake the use of CB radio. It is something that they have grown up with. Nearly every trucker on the road will have a CB radio built into their vehicle. If you are a trucker without one, then you are going to be missing out on a lot of important road conversations.

For truckers, most radio communication is designed for keeping other truckers up to date on road activity i.e. if there is any traffic, whether there are police or other emergency services, etc. They are pretty brilliant at sharing this information too. This is why many people who are planning long haul trips, particularly those in an RV, may also have a CB radio installed in their vehicle. It allows them to keep ‘up to date’ with road conditions.

It is important to note that truck radio channels are not exactly the ‘cleanest’ channels ever. A lot of the discussions can get pretty filthy. So, if you are not a fan of extensive swearing or discussions about whether to find the closest brothel, then you may not want to be listening in too much. Although, to be honest, a lot of truckers have cut back on this sort of chatter in recent years, and a lot of areas just have people talking about road conditions and nothing more.

Any portable CB radio will be great for use in a truck. Just make sure that you purchase a quality antenna for the best signal quality.

Marine CB Radios

For a while, the main way to communicate with marine vessels in the immediate vicinity was via a CB radio installed on a boat. This was mostly due to the fact that CBs being far more affordable solution than VHF radios. The popularity of CB radios has declined somewhat in the marine environment, there are still many boaters still using it as their primary communication method. Many coast guards in the United States still monitor these CB frequencies.

If you have a boat and haven’t installed a radio yet, understanding the differences between CB vs VHF radios could be helpful. Both are affordable solutions nowadays, and they will provide you with multiple ways in which you can keep in touch with people in the immediate area. However, do bear in mind that as of this writing, VHF radios are becoming the more common choice when equipping marine vessels.

CB Radio Use on Tractors

Much of the farm land within the United States is miles away from the nearest cell phone tower. Installing a CB radio on a tractor makes for a simple communication method to the family and other workers on the land. Most tractors and combine harvesters already have 12-volt wiring, so the only real requirement is finding a good spot for it. While most farm equipment spend the bulk of their time outdoors, there are important features to consider like general ruggedness and being able to handle exposure to the elements.

How to Use a CB Radio

Honestly, using a CB radio isn’t all that difficult once you have switched it on. If you have done everything properly, it should start to receive signals right away, and you can listen in to your heart’s content. If you can’t hear anything, then switch to one of the main channels that we mentioned under the CB Radio Frequencies section to see which channels are going to be the most bustling with activity. We suggest that you only listen in on conversations to begin with. It will get you familiar with how everything works.

The one thing that we do want to point out is that each CB radio will only allow one person to transmit on a channel at any one time. This means that you should not ‘hog’ the radio waves. Say your message and be quiet. If you don’t, somebody might tell you that you are talking too much. Unless you are on a channel that you know is empty, you should not be having full-blown conversations. Just share short, snappy messages. This is especially important on dedicated trucker channels. Those guys can be pretty mean if you are interrupting their important communications.

It is also important to note that unlike other types of radio, there is no way to make your conversation private. So bear in mind that everything you communicate over CB radio is public. Even if you think nobody is listening in on your conversations, assume that they are. There isn’t really any way to tell. So, never communicate private information over a radio.

Do You Need a License to Operate a CB Radio?

One of the main benefits of a Citizens Band radio is the fact that you do not need a license to operate one. It is also a simple technology to use. For the most part, you pick yourself up a radio at a quality online retail store, switch it on, and you will be able to communicate with people effectively. Just make sure that you pay attention to general etiquette when operating your radio. Nobody really wants you to be clogging the radio waves with pointless comments when CB is still an important communication method for many people.

It is worth noting that while there is no license required to operate the radio in your vehicle, the same rules for operating a cellphone in your vehicle apply to the operation of a CB radio. So, in some states, you may not be allowed to hold the microphone when you are driving. Instead, you will need to look into some sort of hands-free operation. This to help ensure that you stay as safe as possible on the roads. There is nothing that says you can’t listen in on conversations, as long as you are not directly interacting with the CB radio.

CB Radio Codes

When you use a CB radio for the first time, you will often notice that there is a lot of lingo happening on the radiowaves that you just do not understand. CB radio operators tend to try and limit the amount they are speaking. This is partly to ensure that the radiowaves are kept open. Remember; only one person can chat on a channel at once. The second reason is to ensure that their message is received properly. The more words you use in a message, the more chance that something will get lost in translation.

Before you talk on a CB radio, we suggest that you listen in for a short while. This will allow you to get a rough idea about how people tend to communicate in your area. It will allow you to learn general etiquette. It is important to note that there may be differences based upon where you are using the radio. This is why it is important that you always get a feel for local etiquette and what is being discussed on certain channels. Yes. There is a little bit of an overlap between locations, but it is still worth learning the local nuances. It will make communicating via radio so much better!

There are some general two-way radio communication codes that you may find used all over the United States. It is worth learning a few of these codes, as it will make communication a little bit easier for you. It will also make it a little bit easier for you to understand what is going on. This is not a complete set of CB radio codes by any stretch of the imagination, but they are certainly the ones that you are going to be hearing the most:

Discussing the Quality of Transmissions

When you talk on CB radio, it is generally a good practice to ask if your message can be heard. This will help you to identify any issues with your signal quality. When you ask, you may be greeted with one of these radio codes as a response. Some of these you may have heard of:

• 10-4: this means that you can be heard clearly or that your message has been received properly and has been understood.
• 10-1: people cannot hear you clearly
• 10-2: your signal quality is good
• 10-11: your signal quality is good, but you may be talking a little bit too fast for people, and thus they cannot fully understand you.

General Language

You may also find certain words that seem a little bit out of place. These words are really just ‘slang’ words, initially designed to obscure what people were talking about, but the codes are so well-known now that it doesn’t really obscure anything. These codes include:

• Brake check: this indicates that there is heavy traffic in the local area.
• Advertising: there are police in the area. This mostly means they have their sirens on.
• Band-aid buggy: there is either an ambulance in the area, or somebody needs an ambulance.
• Chicken coop: this is a trucker-only term that indicates that there is a weigh station in the area.
• Drop the hammer: you can go fast. There is no traffic. Just clear roads.
• Kojak with a Kodak: slow down. the police are using radar guns to check speeds in the area.

You may find that there are even more codes for your local area. The best thing you can do is just listen in and see what people are talking about! Yes. We know some may seem a little bit odd to you, but this is part of the charm of using a CB radio. The sense of culture.

In larger towns and cities, you may actually find that there are courses for CB radio operators. These will teach you the basics of using a CB radio, and thus if this is something that you are planning on taking seriously, it may be worth looking into one of these courses. The fee shouldn’t be that high, most of the courses will only last a day or two. However, at the end of them, you will be armed with the knowledge that you need to communicate via CB radio confidentially.

CB Radio Shops

Sadly, CB radios are not used to the same extent that they were in the past. Trying to find a place where you can buy a CB radio can be difficult. It is a bit of tech that seems to be limited to truckers and hobbyists. This means that you will need to hunt around a little bit in order to find a reputable CB radio shop to purchase from. You will not really be able to find quality radios from your typical radio supply store, this is because most of them are trying to push more recent technology (e.g. VHF radios)

This is why we always recommend purchasing your radio from a supplier like Amazon. While they are a ‘general store’, they do have one of the larger ranges of radios on the market. This includes offerings from a lot of the bigger manufacturers out there. They also have a good range of accessories to boot. All of this will come in at an affordable price, which means you can get started with your brand new piece of kit sooner as opposed to later.

Remember; before you purchase any radio, you will always want to ensure that you read through reviews. The reviews that we have on this website are a great start because we have spent a lot of time working around CB technology. You can also use the user reviews on Amazon to supplement with a bit of extra information to ensure that you are getting the best radio for your needs.

CB Radio Base Station

Generally speaking, when we talk about a CB radio base station, we are talking about a radio that you will have permanently wired into your home. This is how a lot of hobbyists communicate via CB radio. Obviously, you will be unlikely to move this around, although some do provide you with the option of being able to power them from your vehicle. However, the sound and signal quality tends to be a little bit better on a base station. This is because you are not constantly ‘on the move’, and this will provide you with more of an opportunity to set things up properly.

In many cases, a radio base station is only there to interpret the signals it receives and code signals it sends out. This means that you may need to purchase the following bits of kit separately:

• Antenna
• Microphone
• Speaker

The benefit is that because a lot of these stations are not designed to be portable, they often boast a few more features. There are some models on the market, for instance, that may boast an SWR meter. Of course that would save you from having to purchase one separately. Although, as always, make sure that you read through reviews so you know exactly what you are getting for your money.

Portable CB Radios

Portable radios can fall into one of two categories:

• Vehicle radios
• Handheld CB radios

The second option isn’t as popular as the first. This is because CB technology is a bit more limited when you are out, wandering around. Remember; you cannot make your radio broadcasts private via CB. This means that it isn’t a great technology for being outdoors and exploring. It is also not a great technology to run your business on, or for running an event. Yes. There will likely be some open channels that you can broadcast on. There is always the chance that somebody could be ‘joining’ you on those channels. Handheld CB radios are more suited for those who just want something a bit more portable than your average radio.

Vehicle radios are, of course, exceedingly popular. Most of them will be permanently wired into your vehicle, so they will operate just like your typical base station. The only difference is that you are roaming the roads, so you will always be picking up on different broadcasts. Remember; the range of a CB radio is pretty small, so you could drive 30-minutes up the road, and you will be able to enjoy a completely different set of broadcasts. This is why CB is so fantastic. It means that you will always be able to keep up to date with very local information.

Accessories for CB Radios

If you pick up a CB radio, you are going to need to load yourself up with a few accessories at the same time. This is why it is important that you pick up your radio from a reputable store. It ensures that you will be able to get the right accessories for your bit of kit.

Even if your radio comes equipped with an antenna, it is still wise to purchase a separate one. Generally speaking, even the ‘high quality’ radios tend to have rather abysmal antennas. They are more there to ‘get you started’. Purchasing a separate antenna will offer you a larger range on your radio. It also provides you with better sound quality. The best part is that these antennas tend to be fairly affordable, even if you purchase one from a top manufacturer.

You may also wish to purchase a separate speaker for your radio. While most radios nowadays will come equipped with a speaker or headphone jack, the sound quality is never going to be perfect. Many people who are using a CB radio on a regular basis will purchase an external speaker that they can attach to their radio. This will ensure that you are able to hear absolutely everything that is broadcast.

Tuning A CB Radio

To get the best performance from a CB radio, you will want to tune it upon initial installation and whenever you suspect it may not be performing up to expectations. To do this, you will need to purchase an SWR meter for CB radios. The meter is there to ensure that you have set-up your antenna correctly. It is the only way to guarantee that you are getting the best signal quality with your radio. If you use your CB radio often, there are styles of SWR meters that are meant to be left plugged in. This way, you will have instant feedback if any adjustment is needed.

Other than this, there isn’t much extra you will need to purchase for your radio. Some people may purchase a separate microphone. Others may purchase a better power supply. However, generally speaking, pretty much everything that you need to operate your radio will be included in the box, with the exception of an antenna. However, it may be worth reading through some CB radio reviews to get an idea as to what you are going to get exactly with your radio. Our reviews go into depth on a lot of this.

If you wish to find out more about CB radios or are perhaps looking to pick one up, then we encourage you to browse this website. We have packed it to the brim with information on all sorts of reviews of all kinds of wireless communication, as well as a bit of information on how you can ensure that you can get the most out of your brand-new gear.

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We aren’t going to talk about the specification in too much depth here. This is because it is a 12-volt power supply. It pretty much does what it says on the tin. What we will talk about are the features that make the Pyramid PS9KX so great. This will help you to decide whether this is the right 12-volt power supply for you or not (it probably is!)

Built-in Cooling Fan

We are going to start off with this one. We know that it isn’t going to be the most important feature for many people, but you will be surprised at how handy it can come in.

We have all been in hot conditions. In fact, even when it is a bit chilly outside, it can still get really hot inside. While a 12-volt power supply will not generate that much in the way of heat, it can be quite sensitive to outside temperatures. The last thing you want is your power supply shutting down because it is too hot.

The built-in cooling fan helps to prevent this from happening. It is actually rare for a 12-volt power supply for a CB radio to have a fan built into it like this. Particularly of this power. Right away, this provides a ‘selling’ point for us, and it is actually one of the top reasons why we recommend this power supply over others on the market.

Tabletop Unit

Do note that this unit is not designed to be used inside a vehicle. It probably can be, but there is no real way in which you can hook up everything up and keep it in place. Not that it matters. You have plenty of power options inside of your vehicle already.

This product has been designed for those who want to power their CB radios within the comfort of their own home or place of business. It negates the need to have convoluted set-ups. You just plug this into a standard power supply and you should be ‘good to go’.

Some people may see the lack of ‘in-car’ design as being a negative, but we don’t. There are other options on the market if you want something easy that you can slip into your vehicle.

Converts AC Power to DC Power

We are positive that you already knew about this, but we are going to mention it anyway. This power supply will allow you to connect devices up to it in two different ways:

• Either via the terminals
• Powered by the cigarette lighter on the power supply

This means that nearly every one of your ‘in-car’ devices can be connected up to the Pyramid PS9KX. Obviously, on this page we are reviewing it as if you are connecting it up to a CB radio, but it can also be used to charge your cell phones and tablets, power radio scanners, and HAM radios. It is an incredibly versatile piece of kit. You just need to make sure that you have the right connectors handy.

The screw-type terminals found on the Pyramid PS9KX are especially handy. Very few power supplies have them, and the inclusion means that this bit of kit is going to be compatible with a lot more devices. Basically, if you have a CB radio that demands a 12-volt power supply, then PS9KX is probably going to be ‘just the ticket’.

Easy To Use

The Pyramid PS9KX is simple to use. Dead simple. Honestly, all you really need to do is plug it into your power supply and turn it on. As long as you have your devices hooked up to the PS9KX, then they should work right away. There are no knobs to twiddle about with or settings to tinker with. This is something that is really going to work right out of the box.

Built-in Safety Features

There are a couple of safety features built into the Pyramid PS9KX that ensures that it is safe to use. This not only applies to the operator of the CB radio power supply, but the gear that is hooked up to it too.

We have already talked a little bit about the cooling fan. However, you will be pleased to know that there is also short-circuit protection built into the power supply. This will automatically shut the device off if there is a short-circuit. This will help to protect that expensive CB radio that you have plugged into it.

We have seen a few reports of the fuse in the short-circuit system being a little bit over-sensitive. This wasn’t the case for us. It seemed to work fine. We can only imagine that the complaints are coming from people who are overloading the power supply. As long as you only demand the quoted voltage from the Pyramind PS9KX, then the safety features will work perfectly.

The Downsides

The manual is absolutely awful. Woefully awful.

Yes. The Pyramid PS9KX is designed to be ‘simple to use’, but it would have been handy to have more diagrams about how to connect everything up, particularly since you are playing with electronics here. Yes. There are plenty of guides online about how to use it properly and set it up, but would it really have killed Pyramid to add an extra page to their manual?

>> Check Amazon Reviews & Pricing

Conclusion

If you want a quality 12-volt power supply for your CB radio, then you will struggle to find anything better than the Pyramid PS9K. At least at this price. It is fantastic, and as long as you treat it well, it should give you years and years of happy use.

Sources

• http://www.repeater-builder.com/pyramid/pdfs/PS9KX.pdf

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A Brief Overview of the Uniden BC23A

The Uniden BC23A is a 15-Watt amplified speaker. While it can be used in combination with most sound systems, we are going to talk about it as if you are hooking it up to a CB radio set-up. Since it has a built-in amplifier, it will need its own separate power supply. However, it also means that the sound that you are going to get out of the speaker is going to be that much clearer. This is perfect if you are planning to operate your CB radio in less-than-stellar environments.

Honestly, the main selling point of the Uniden BC23A is that it is a ridiculously affordable PA speaker. There isn’t really much to it. If you are looking for something that you can essentially ‘plug and play’ into your CB radio set-up, then this is just the ticket. In fact, to give you an idea of just how simple this speaker is, you get all of this included in the box:

• The speaker
• Instruction manual
• Mounting bracket
• Wiring

The Set-Up

Setting up this PA speaker is ridiculously simple. Yes. It can be a little bit difficult to wire it into a vehicle’s electrical set-up, but the instructions are clearly laid out in the manual that comes included with the speaker. Although, it probably would have been handy if there were pictures included in the manual. That being said, there are plenty of guides online about wiring in PA speakers to a vehicle, so this isn’t too much of an issue.

Beyond that, it is a case of mounting the speaker to your vehicle (everything is included), then using the 3.5mm jack to plug it into your CB radio. It is so simple. This is part of the reason why we give the Uniden BC23A such a high recommendation. We know that the vast majority of people who operate CB radios are doing so for practical purposes. They are not really going to be into the technology side of things and, as a result, you want something that is essentially ‘plug and play’.

All of the cables and the like included in the box are generic. Nothing special to Uniden. This means that when the 3.5mm jack eventually breaks (this will always happen, no matter which product you pick up), you can head to your local supermarket and pick up a new one for a few dollars.

Ruggedly-Built

We know that there are a lot of people who will look at the Uniden BC23A and turn their nose up at it due to the price. They think that something this affordable will easily break. It won’t. This is a well-built PA speaker. This is a speaker that has been designed to be used day-in-day-out. It works. It won’t falter. In fact, the only parts that will falter are those cables that we talked about previously, and they can be replaced for a few dollars each…and that will only be every year or so (if that!)

Sound Quality

Obviously, the main reason why you are going to be picking up an amplified PA speaker is that you will want to enjoy a decent sound quality. The Uniden BC23A really packs a punch in that area. Obviously, it is only a 15-watt speaker, so it isn’t like the sound is going to fill up a room, but it is going to be plenty loud enough for a vehicle, even with the motor running. You have full control over the sound of the PA speaker with the handy dial on the side of it.

The real highlight, however, is a feature that will allow you to remove background noise from the transmission. Hit that dial, and the sound that comes through will be crystal clear. Well, as clear as conditions will allow. Gone are the days where you will miss the bulk of an incoming transmission due to weird static in the signal.

The Downsides

If you are planning to hook up your Uniden BC23A to a DC24V power source, then think again. It doesn’t support them. The speaker will need to be connected directly to the power supply or to a battery. For some people, this may mean tinkering around with their set-up. However, we have found that for the vast majority of people PA speakers for CB radios that do not support DC24V are not a problem. We thought we would probably point it out just in case it is an area of concern for you!

The only other issue is an auto-off function. Yes. This can be beneficial to ensure that it is not draining power. If the radio does not receive a signal for 25-seconds, the speaker will turn off. This is all well and good until you realize that you will quite often miss the first couple of words of an incoming transmission while the speaker turns itself back on again. 9/10, this is not going to be a problem. However, if you have an emergency transmission come through, it can pose a problem. Again, an issue we felt we should point out.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a quality PA speaker for your CB radio, then not only is the Uniden BC23A one of the best there is, but it is also highly affordable. This is almost certainly worth looking at, particularly if you are planning to set the speaker up in a vehicle which may be hurting for space.

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On this page, we want to look at what we genuinely believe are some of the best CB radios on the market. We have an option for both the stationary and the handheld user, which means you are likely to find something that suits what you want to get out of your CB radio.

Handheld or Stationary?

This is up to you.

In most cases, if you can go stationary, then go down that route. Yes. You are going to need to have something hardwired into your system, but the signal is going to be that much better. Same with the sound quality. If you want something for your vehicle, then stationary is usually going to be the best route to go down.

Of course, if you are ‘out and about’ e.g hunting, then you probably can’t afford to be lugging around a huge battery pack and a stationary CB radio. You want something handheld. Sure, the signal is not going to be as good (mostly due to the smaller antenna), but it is something that you can just clip onto you and keep up to date with other people in the area.

On the rest of this page, we are going to compare what we believe are two of the best CB radios on the market. One of them will be stationary, and the other one of them will be a handheld. Go for the one which fits your needs the most.

Handheld Pick: Midland 75-882 40-Channel CB-way Radio

Let’s start with this handheld option from Midland. It is probably one of the ‘easiest’ to carry around CB radios. As we have mentioned repeatedly; the signal is never going to be as good on something that is portable, mostly because you don’t have time to adjust it. The Midland 75-882 does a pretty good job of countering most signal issues, however.

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Power Options

The key to a good portable radio is the power options. You can power this in one of two ways:

• 6 x AA batteries
• Through the cigarette lighter in your car

This means that (in theory) you could use it as a stationary unit, although that is probably not really recommended. This is to be used out and about. Do bear in mind that this is going to chew through your batteries rather quickly, so you will want to pick up a couple of sets of rechargeable ones so you always have something ‘ready to go’ when you are out.

Deals with Poor Signal Well

The Midland 75-882 has been equipped with a few features that will ensure that the best possible signal comes through. For example; it will automatically remove any extra noise from outgoing and incoming transmissions. You also have a squelch control at your disposal which will allow you to clean up the incoming signal a little bit.

Access To A Range of Channels

It is pretty much a given that you are going to have access to the standard 40 CB channels with the Midland 75-882. However, on top of this, you are also going to have access to NOAA weather channels. This means that you can keep ‘up to date’ with weather conditions in the local area. This is perfect if you are out there and navigating the wilderness.

Considering the small size of the antenna, and the low price of the radio, you get a surprisingly good range on the CB radio. You should be able to get a few miles. Not as much as a full-sized CB radio, but you probably never expected this to begin with.

For a hand-held radio, the Midland 75-882 really packs a punch. It has a ton of power, fantastic signal qualities, and is easy to use. What more could you possibly ask for?

Stationary Pick: Cobra 29LTDCHR

Let’s move onto the stationary option with the Cobra 29LTDCHR.

We aren’t going to go into all of the features that this CB radio boasts. However, we do want to give you a few highlights which will show you just why this is often the choice for many people opting for a top-of-the-line CB radio.

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Ensures The Best Possible Signal

Built into the Cobra 29LTD are two features which ensure that you can always aim for the best possible signal:

• An in-built SWR meter
• A light which indicates when the antenna needs adjusting

In the vast majority of cases, this is all that you are going to need to ensure that increasing your CB radio signal strength is never a worry.

There are also additional features that will clean up outgoing and incoming transmissions so they are as clear as possible. This is important because it is likely that you will have this unit installed in your vehicle and the engine can add static to the line.

Well-Built

Cobra have been producing CB radios for decades now. While technology has moved forward a little in that time, Cobra has always produced fantastic radios. In fact, the design of their radios, bar incorporating new technology, is not that much different from their original CB radio technology. If something isn’t broken, why fix it?

Thousands and thousands of drivers are relying on these CB radios in their vehicles. Some of the ones you can find kicking about still were constructed 20-30-years ago. This goes to show just how reliable their radios are.

The Cobra 29LTD is a sophisticated stationary CB radio. It works. It works incredibly well. If you pick up this radio for use in your vehicle, then you can expect it to be the last CB radio that you ever purchase. It is going to last a long time. It really helps that it is simple to use too.

Conclusion

The manner in which you plan to use your CB radio will ultimately steer you in the right direction of stationary vs handheld. We hope that our reviews of each of our top picks has helped highlight the benefits and drawbacks of each, making your decision an easier one to make.

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CB radio operates strictly on shortwave radio signals. This will be in the 26Mhz to 28Mhz range although, once again, this is going to be dependent on the country where the CB radio is being operated. This means that communication can only be carried out within a very small radius, normally somewhere between 5-25 miles, although it could (in theory) stretch for a slightly larger distance.

On this page, we want to look at the basics and try to establish ‘how do CB radios work?’ (honestly, it is much simpler than you may think!)

It’s All In The Antenna

Everything about the operation of your CB radio is in the antenna. It is the antenna which will send and receive the signal being sent by your CB radio unit.

The antenna of your CB radio has two jobs:

• To capture signals in the local area
• To send out signals from your transmitter

In the first case, your antenna will be capturing radio waves. It will be up to your receiver to convert these into a sound signal that you can hear. In the second case, the transmitter will be sending out radio signals that your CB radio sends to it. It will send these signals out at a certain frequency to ensure that they are sent to the correct radio channel.

In nearly every single case, it will be the antenna which determines the quality of the signal you receive and the audio that you transmit.

How The Antenna Works With the CB Radio

We don’t want to get too technical here. All you really need to know is something called ‘impedance’. This is how resistant the antenna is to an electrical current. You want the antenna to allow as much of the electrical current in as possible. This will allow the antenna to transmit the full electrical current as a radio signal which, ultimately, translates to better audio quality for the recipient. Of course, it also means that receiving audio will also be better.

In order for the CB radio antenna to work, it needs to be of the right length to send out the radio signals on the correct frequency. Worried about what frequency the CB radio uses? They’re pre-programmed, so nothing you need to worry about. Again, we don’t want to go too heavy on the science behind this. However, for an antenna to work on the full wavelength designated for CB radio, be sure to follow the installation instructions in the owners manual. There’s not a who lot to it, so no need to fret.

Number of Channels

Since CB radio only operates at a specific frequency, there is only a limited number of channels that can be broadcast on. In the United States, this is 40 channels. In the United States, you can freely broadcast on any channel that you wish. The only exception will be Channel 9 which is limited to emergency communication.

Due to the nature of how a CB radio works (and all radios, for that matter), only one person will be able to broadcast on a channel at a specific time. On the busiest CB radio channels, it can actually be difficult to get a word in edgeways. There will almost always be somebody talking, and you need to be pretty quick on the button if you wish to say something on the channel. There are various regulations that help to control this, but because they vary so differently from country to country, we will not go into too much depth on this.

Remember; broadcasts on CB radio will not be private. While it is a fantastic way to communicate with people, do bear in mind that anything that you broadcast over CB radio can be heard by anybody else tuned into that channel in the local area. This may not pose that much of a problem if you are in the middle of nowhere, perhaps on a hunting trip, but if you are at home, you probably wouldn’t want to be using CB radio to discuss personal things with your friends and family. Although, CB radio is completely anonymous. Nobody will know where you are broadcasting from unless you tell them!

The Range of a CB Radio

Most CB radios with base antennas can transmit about 5 miles. Better quality antennas may be able to broadcast and receive transmissions by as much as 50-miles away. In theory, it is possible to transmit on a CB radio anywhere in the world. This is done by a process known as ‘shooting skip’. However, this is illegal. In the United States, the FTC state that you can only transmit a maximum of 150-miles on CB. Although, this doesn’t stop people from ‘skipping’. This is because regulation is quite lax here.

Part of the reason behind how far a CB radio can reach being limited is because they can only operate at a maximum transmission power of 4 watts. It simply would not have the power to transmit a powerful signal. No matter which CB radio you purchase, it will only ever have a power capped at 4 watts.

Conclusion

Honestly, beyond the ‘basics’ you don’t really need to know how CB radio actually works. Because of it’s nature, there is very little set up that you need to do yourself. If you’re in the market, be sure to check our reviews. Any CB radio that you purchase will be pre-programmed to the correct frequencies. About the only thing that you will need to do, might be an SWR tune.  It’s a painless process with the right equipment.

Sources

• http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01016.html
• http://www.retrocom.com/wtcollect/27_megacycle_history_in_the_u.htm

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One of the most important aspects of survival is communication. When it comes to leaving everything behind, an essential for your bug out kit is a two-way radio system. Such a ham radio can be particularly useful when normal modes of communication aren’t available.

A two-way radio transceiver completes a survival kit and the Baofeng GT3 is an excellent option. Baofeng is a popular name among ham operators because the brand offers affordable, entry-level radios starting for just a few bucks.

As they feature small size and pack a lot of power in their battery, Baofeng radios are ideal for emergency situations and travel. They can keep you connected for weeks. In this post, we take a closer look at Baofeng GT3 transceiver and learn more about its features, battery and manual to help readers who are considering the product.

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Baofeng GT3 Review – UPDATED 2020

A powerful and compact two-way radio that comes loaded with some advanced features from the brand, Baofeng GT3 uses the latest integrated circuit to deliver a real-world performance that users expect. It excels at what it does with its improved anti-interference functions. It also comes with new noise-reduction capabilities to block out noises during receipt and transmission between 50Hz and 55Hz.

Look and Feel

The Baofeng GT3 has an impressive build quality and looks very much like any other Baofeng variety. Orange accents add a modern touch to the appearance of the radio. The accessories it includes are worth the price. It comes with a belt clip, antenna, charging stand, car charger, wrist strap and mic/earpiece.

Antenna

The Baofeng GT3 comes with a SainSonic antenna which is drastically improved over the standard antenna. This improved antenna enhances the radio’s ability to receive and transmit signals and allows a better range on the handheld radio. Moreover, when used under such a high-power operation of the radio, the antenna does not get so hot as other radio models.

LED Flashlight

While a flashlight does not affect the performance of the radio, it is a desirable feature. The inclusion of an LED light at the top saves you when you don’t have another flashlight in your survival kit. This can also save you space when travelling and it serves its purpose. It is bright enough to help you navigate the way in darkness.

Battery

Baofeng GT3 battery life is great. It has a 7.4V 1800mAh lithium-ion battery which is built to last for few weeks to keep the radio working. This means your radio can serve you even when the emergency lasts through weeks. The powerful battery makes the radio more reliable.

Display

The radio uses a different display where the background is dark and the text is white. Though it looks cool and different from regular LCD displays, it can be disappointing to some as it is difficult to see when the backlight is off. The backlight goes dark when the radio is idle and seeing the info becomes hard. It is desirable to have the backlit display constantly on.

Keypad

The keypad of this transceiver has a better feel than previous models. Moreover, it illuminates the background to make it easier to identify keys at night.

Buttons

The radio has a number of exterior sockets and plugs that you can use to enhance usability. It has a Call button that turns the device on and helps send out an alarm in case of emergency.

Then there is a MONI button that turns the flashlight on. Pressing and holding this button releases the squelch on the frequency you are monitoring.

Push to Talk button located towards the left can be used to transmit.

Ports

Towards the right side of the radio, there are ports for microphone and speaker. You can plug in standard earphones or the included mic/earphone headset into this port.

Cover

There is a protective case that keeps the radio from getting lost. There is also a belt clip that allows clipping the device to your belt when you are on the move.

Car Charger

The Baofeng GT3 radio includes a car charger that saves you from the worry of battery life. Whether you are hiking, camping or travelling by car, you can always keep your device powered. This charger works with other models of dual-band radio as well.

Speaker

Another improvement in this radio model is the speaker which delivers louder and clearer sound. It performs better than the previous models and enhances the experience with this radio.

Programming

Those who are not familiar with programming frequencies into a handheld radio can find it difficult at first. While the user manual describes the programming procedure, it can be tedious to follow the steps. However, it becomes easy once learnt. You can use the programming cable and software from Baofeng to make the task easier. YouTube videos can help a lot. Once you program a few radios, it would become simple.

Best Antenna For Baofeng GT3

The Baofeng GT3 transceiver provides an excellent transmission and receipt range. However, you may sometimes want to extend the range of your radio. The antenna that comes with your device is short to maintain portability. You might realize at times that you should upgrade your radio antenna to use the device to its full potential. An upgrade will give the radio a better signal over extended distances, allowing you to deliver uninterrupted communication without any issue. Here are some of the best antennas for Baofeng GT3.

Walkie Talkie 15.6 inch Dual Band Antenna

About 16 inches in length, this antenna is ideal for outdoor use and is quite flexible and durable, making it easy to carry around. It can give a frequency range of 144-430MHz. It works with Baofeng radios and features a rubber spacer and cover to protect the base from any damage.

Nagoya VHF/UHF Antenna SMA-Female

Compatible with Baofeng models, the Nagoya antenna is 16 inches long and a great way to improve radio signal when using it outdoors. This antenna is durable and withstands rough use. Its frequency range is 144-430MHz. It also includes an extended cover and rubber spacer.

Retevis 2 Way Radio Antenna Extension

Designed to suit Baofeng 2way walkie talkies, this antenna is made out of durable material and is foldable and flexible. You can carry it easily by tucking inside the backpack. It is 15.5 inches long and gives a power gain of 2.15dB to your radio thereby boosting its performance at receiving and transmitting signals.

Baofeng GT3 Battery Life & Backup

The Baofeng GT3 transceiver uses a high capacity lithium ion battery. It is a 7.4 volt battery with 1800mAh capacity. The radio boosts an excellent battery life to provide amazing performance during travel and emergencies. The battery of this transceiver is built to last for weeks together without having to recharge. Charging time for this battery is about 5 hours. You can use the device for days together to receive and transmit due to the outstanding battery life it provides.

The radio ships with a new battery that you should charge for a minimum of 5 hours before the first use. After three full charge/discharge cycles, you can experience the optimum battery capacity and performance. A battery backup is necessary in certain situations. Battery performance can decrease at a lower temperature and a spare battery may be needed. The regular battery can operate at room temperature and can be saved for later use.

Baofeng GT3 Manual – Getting Started

Getting started with Baofeng GT3 is extremely simple. It comes with a user manual that contains detailed instructions on setting the device up, programming and troubleshooting.

Here are some safety instructions listed in the manual.

• The device should not be modified manually
• Only Baofeng approved batteries and chargers should be used
• Do not use any damaged antenna
• Turn the radio off before entering a blasting area
• Avoid exposing the radio to direct sunlight for a long time
• When transmitting, keep the microphone 3-4 cms away from lips and the antenna at least 2.5cm away from the body
• Turn the radio off before boarding an airplane
• Turn it off before entering an area with explosive material

The user manual also lists all the functions and specifications of the radio. It describes the installation procedure for antenna, battery, micro headset and other components in detail. You can also find the battery charging instructions in the manual. The manual also shows all the ports, controls and keys with position and function. You can find a number of shortcut operations to control the radio.

Conclusion

The Baofeng GT3 handheld ham comes at an affordable price and packs a lot of features into a compact device, making it a great bargain. The radio offers exciting features and improvements over the previous models from the brand. Those who want to get a backup communication device without having to spend a fortune would definitely find this radio a worthy purchase.

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The Best Police Scanners for Home Need to Be Simple

The most ardent of police radio scanner fanatics do not want to make their life harder than it needs to be. Newbies to police radio scanning probably don’t want that either. Thankfully, the Whistler TRX-2 is a true joy to use.

Once you have tapped in your zip code, the scanner will retrieve a channel list from its in-built SD card. It will then automatically scan all open channels in your local area. Do bear in mind that this is a police radio scanner that does not have a GPS built-in. This means that it will not automatically detect your location, you do need a zip code. However, since you are looking for a radio scanner that can be used at home, we doubt that you are going to be taking it ‘out and about’ all that much.

Honestly, for those most part, this is a case of just switching the radio on and listening to broadcasts. It is dead simple. However, there are some more advanced features built into the Whistler TRX-2 too. This will, hopefully, allow you to get a bit more use out of your radio scanner.

Updatable Channel Lists

Emergency services never stick to the same radio channel. Most change things up a couple of times per year. This means that you need to stay ‘up to date’ with channel list changes. Thankfully, this is a fairly simple process with the Whistler TRX-2. They include software with your scanner that will update that channel list automatically. This means that you are always going to be able to listen to the right radio stations.

It is important to remember that you cannot take advantage of this feature if you are using an Apple device. For some reason, the software only works on Windows computers. We have seen a lot of complaints about this online, but it seems that Whistler has no intention of creating software for Apple computers. We suppose that the bulk of their target market is using a Windows computer, so it probably isn’t worth their time developing additional software.

Create Your Own Scan Lists

Chances are that if you are sitting at home, you only want to be able to listen to police broadcasts, maybe the odd military or local government transmission or two. The problem is that ‘out of the box’, the Whistler TRX-2 doesn’t really make this easy. It just throws everything onto the same scan list.

Luckily, with the included software (you will need to connect your scanner up to a computer), you can create up to 999 radio scan lists. Have as many or as few channels on each scan list as you want. This way you only end up listening to the police transmissions. You won’t be listening in on random walkie talkie conversations or whatever.

Once again, this is a feature that you are only going to be able to take advantage of if you have a Windows computer. This is a massive shame because it is one of the most useful features we have seen in a radio scanner.

Well-Constructed

Once you have found a suitable place for your TRX-2, we doubt that you are going to be moving it around all that much. However, if you do, you will be pleased to know that this is a rugged device. It can put up with a fair number of knocks and still work absolutely perfectly. At this price point, you aren’t going to get anything much better.

The sound quality is superb too. The only real change that we would make to this radio scanner would be a better antenna in the box. The one included is a bit better than the norm. but if you want the maximum range and the best signal quality, you will need to purchase something else. Just to give it the boost that it needs!

Police Scanners for Home Use vs Mobile Apps

We know that there are some people looking for a police scanner to use at home may be tempted to pick up one of the many apps that claim to be police scanners. It won’t be the same for a handful of reasons including:

• As available channels are quite limited, it may not have the channel(s) you’re interested in
• Dependent on your Internet & data connection
• Some police scanner frequencies that stream, will lag
• Many police scanner frequencies will be intermittent, not broadcasting 24/7
• The audio quality is typically not great

If you live near a busy city, there is a chance that some of your local frequencies might be available through a free scanner app. We encourage you to check and judge the experience for yourself. One of the more common apps at this time is called 5-0, which we’ve reviewed here with download links.

Trying to Save a Buck? Watchout for This…

Once you have a radio scanner for use at home, you are likely going to be using it regularly. For this reason, we wouldn’t suggest buying a cheap radio. There are several problems with this:

• They do not last long. You will need to replace them sooner as opposed to later
• They sound awful
• They lack customization (more on this in a short while)
• Most of them are analog, which means it will stop working in the near future.

If you are looking for a quality police radio scanner that isn’t too expensive, but will last you for a very long time (possibly forever), then we reckon that the Whistler TRX-2 fits the bill pretty well.

If you are interested in one of the best police radio scanners to use in the comfort of your own home, feel free to hop on over to Amazon and pick up the Whistler TRX-2 today. We promise you, your purchase will be more than worth it!

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Two-way radios are meant to provide a simple, reliable way to communicate without the need for satellites or towers. However, not all of these handy devices offer a good range, quality and other desirable features.

As a prepper, you need a radio that promises not to fail when the emergency strikes. Anything can trigger the survival mode when you are on your adventure. You definitely don’t want something that lets you down at such a critical time.

One of the most popular choices for two-way radios is Midland GXT1000VP4 which comes with a boom style headset that fits inside a helmet. In this post, we take a closer look at this device and compare it with other models to see what you can expect from it. 

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Midland GXT1000VP4 Review – UPDATED 2020

It has been designed to be one of the most powerful and reliable walkie talkies on the market. The Midland GXT1000VP4 is loaded with lots of options and outstanding features.

It provides dependable push button communication in case of emergencies. The radio features:

• 22 Channels
• 28 Pre-programmed privacy channels
• Multiple power settings
• Silent operation

Design

The radio has a durable, professional-looking design. It is made out of high grade plastic. The belt clip also has a plastic construction and a metal hinge with a spring. The buttons are large, rubberized and easy to use – even with gloves. The ports for a microphone and headset are also covered with a rubber cap that stay in place. This helps avoid any moisture and dust entering into the radio.

The Midland GXT1000VP4 is weather-resistant and has a waterproofing rating. It can be used in rainy weather without need for any concern. It also does not get affected by dirt and dust. Its design is perfect for all hand sizes and not bulky. However, the earpiece is something that Midland could have done better.

Weighing 7.4 ounces with the battery, the radio is a bit heavier as compared to other walkie talkie models. Its length is about 8 inches with an antenna, which of course contributes to its overall size. It can feel bulky to carry in a pocket and is often carried in a backpack or with carabiner type clip. The radio also includes a car charging adaptor that allows charging the device while traveling.

Setup

It is really easy to set up the radio. It comes complete with a user manual that provides a comprehensive guide to every process. The menu descriptions in the manual may seem intimidating at first, but it becomes easy once you get started with it.

You can quickly open the battery door, install the batteries and charge the device using the stand. Both the units charge at the same time and a snap ensures they don’t fall out accidentally.

Display

The radio has a large, black-white display that shows everything clearly in any lighting condition. It also has a red backlight that automatically gets activated upon switching the device on or pressing the buttons. It turns off after some time to save battery. The simple display, though clear and crisp, limits the amount of information it can display. This means you may have to decode abbreviations to understand the menu.

Performance

The Midland GXT1000VP4 features 50 channels and claims a range of 35 miles. The radio performs well in this range when there are small obstructions like small hills and houses. But the performance degrades if you use it amidst large buildings.

In normal outdoor conditions, you can expect the radio to deliver a practical range of about 2 miles. Overall, the sound quality and reception of the radio are impressive.

As long as you stay in the range, everything is heard clearly and loudly. You can use one of the privacy codes of the device to make sure the other team does not listen to the conversation. In case of any trouble, you can use the SOS signal to alert the team that you are in a jam.

The included features work flawlessly but the menu system is quite complicated and it can take some time before getting used to them. The weather radio scans well and picks the correct channel quickly and other features like privacy code, group call and hands-free operation perform well.

Pros

• Comes with a boom headset
• Extra channels and privacy channels ensure private communication
• SOS siren to send alert about an emergency
• Captures weather alert broadcasts
• Excellent range of 35 miles
• Can work in the rain
• Backed up with a 3-year warranty
• Excellent audio quality

Cons

• Does not work well when buildings are around
• USB charging facility is not available
• Complex menu
• Somewhat expensive

Best 2-Way Radios For Preppers

The best 2-way radios for preppers are different from normal walkie talkies used for casual purposes. The best two-way radios are sophisticated devices that enable people to communicate clearly over long distances in times of emergencies. A survival radio is aimed to replace other modes of communication and expected to prove useful when no other communication method is available. This is why it has to provide the best performance, range and battery life to serve its desired purpose.

Not only do these radios feature excellent range and clarity, some of the better models even come with privacy features to block eavesdroppers. The best radios for preppers should also be highly durable as they are intended to be used in times of disasters and post-disaster. They should be able to take a beating.

Cellular Outage

Imagine an earthquake or a terrorist attack just took place and your family is not with you. Cell phone towers get congested or stop working. In such a time of crisis, a two-way radio is the tool you will need to get in touch with your family. It will help you locate your family, confirm their situation and bring them to safety. The best two-way radios for preppers are the ones that help you deal with the panic by allowing you to find your family quickly and getting them to a place of safety.

Communication is quite important in times of disasters so it is essential for preppers to get two-way radios that are specially designed and well-equipped for survival situations. When you look for the best survival radio, it is important to note that cost guides the quality. But you don’t want to end up in a disaster where your radio does not perform as expected. So you should not hesitate to invest in a high-quality radio to get the quality and performance you desire.

Weather Coverage

The best two-way radios for preppers are those that have access to NOAA weather channels. They provide weather updates to let you know about safety conditions and dangerous areas to avoid. They also use this feature to provide non-weather data in times of natural disaster. Access to NOAA channels is one of the most important considerations for preppers when selecting the best two-way radio.

It is essential that you select a model that suits your needs from privacy and durability to range and battery life, so that you can be well-prepared for emergencies. The Midland GXT1000VP4 combines outstanding features with a good range and clarity and makes an excellent choice for preppers.

Midland GXT1000 Battery Life

The Midland GXT1000VP4 ships with rechargeable battery packs to power the device. The batteries are NiMH, alkaline type and have a battery capacity of 700mAh. While the radio offers a host of extra features, excellent range and clarity, it disappoints when it comes to battery life. Most test results suggest the batteries last for about 9 hours on full charge. This is quite less as compared to other models.

The good thing is that you can use 4 ‘AA’ batteries per radio to run the radio. You can purchase a few sets of batteries when you go out for camping or pack your survival kit. With AA batteries, the device can provide a battery life of about 15 hours. This is quite satisfactory as compared to the rechargeable battery packs.

Midland GXT1000VP4 Vs GXT1050VP4 – How They Compare?

» GXT1050VP4’s Pricing, Pictures & Amazon Reviews

Both Midland GXT1000VP4 and GXT1050VP4 are feature-packed compact 2-way communication radios to suit preppers. Both these models are quite similar in terms of features and functionality. They offer up to 36 miles range with 50 channels and 284 privacy channels to facilitate desired communication privacy.

The GXT1050VP4 features 5 animal call alerts including duck, turkey, crow, wolf and cougar to make it ideal for hunting. While the GXT1000VP4 radio only comes in black/silver design, the GXT1050VP4 comes in a Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camouflage design that makes it a great walkie talkie for hunters. It also includes a vibrate function to silence all tones.

Though both these radios from Midland share a lot of features, specifications and functions, deliver a similar performance and make the best options for preppers, there are minor design and function differences that make the GXT1050 exclusively suitable for hunters. 

Conclusion

What makes Midland GXT1000VP4 a great choice for preppers is the variety of exciting features it comes with. It includes scanning and monitoring buttons, a keypad lock function, NOAA weather scanning and an SOS siren. The weather scanning feature is quite useful as it allows getting forecast data in locations without cell service and makes it an important part of an emergency survival kit.

Though it is somewhat pricey as compared to other two-way radios, it delivers an audio quality and performance you would need as a prepper. The price is justified for those who want to communicate among a group, stay on the top of weather patterns and talk with privacy. It does have some hiccups but the plethora of features it packs into a beautifully style unit makes it worth giving a try.

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Our Top Pick for a Walkie Talkie Multipack

The Retevis RT22 might not be the most feature-packed walkie talkie you have ever seen and but it peaks a ton of value.

This is a six-pack of walkie talkies that has been designed for one job and one job only. That is to ensure that people can stay in touch while at work. While the range on them isn’t superb, if you are in the work environment and pretty close to one another (i.e. under a mile), then this is a fantastic option. In fact, this set is absolutely brimming with features that will ensure that the Retevis RT22 works well at just about any place of work.

Who Should Buy It

The Retevis RT22 is simple to use. You probably do not want to be spending hours and hours trying to teach people how to use a radio, right? There is nothing convoluted with this set. You flick it on, select your channel and talk. Simple as that. No menus to flick through. No choosing an individual frequency. You just turn it on and you are done. They work right out of the box. No configuration needed. You can also set the walkie talkies to privacy mode. This takes a bit of setup, but you only need to do it once.

This set is ideal for use on a smaller construction site or within a retail setting. It is completely dust-proof. This means that you do not have to worry about it getting a little bit dirty on occasion. It can cope. Obviously, we wouldn’t just go throw a ton of dust on it just because. It doesn’t work like that. It just means that in a normal working environment, the Retevis RT22 is going to continue to perform.

Battery Life

The battery should last long enough for a working day too. You can get up to 12-hours of talk time out of these babies. They also boast a lithium-ion battery, which means you can stick them on charge whenever you want. There is no need to worry about the memory effect on them. This is not something you normally get on a set of walkie talkies that is this cheap. All of the walkie talkies fit onto the same charger, so as long as everybody does their job and puts them back at the end of the day, then it is easy to keep them together! Oh, and the batteries are replaceable, so when they die on this walkie talkie, you can just pick up a new set and continue where you left off. Again, something you tend not to get on the cheaper products.

Audio Quality

If you want decent audio quality (who doesn’t?), this is a top of the line radio. The squelch function is fantastic at removing the interference, and the audio comes through crystal clear each and every time. In fact, the audio loudness can adjust based on the environment that you are in. The noisier the environment, the louder the audio will be. It is quite sophisticated and, of course, another reason why we would recommend a set like this for use on a construction site or similar working environment.

Size & Portability

One part that we absolutely loved about the set is that these walkie talkies are so small. This is important. If you are doing your job, you probably do not want to have big and bulky bits of gear getting in your way, right? You just want something is there when you need it, but you aren’t going to notice it most of the time. Clip this to your belt, and it won’t get in the way. We know that a few compromises had to be made on the features level to get it this small, but there are no features missing that you would expect in a walkie talkie that can’t be found here.

Finally, the walkie talkie has an emergency mode. Again, ideal for the construction site. If there is an issue, you can just press a button and an emergency alert will be sent out to everybody else with one of the radios. Hopefully, they will come rushing to your aid. If they don’t, well at least it made a nice beep during your extremely perilous situation.

Drawbacks

The Retevis RT22 operates in the UHF band and fits right between a two way radio vs walkie walkie. This means that it has been designed for peak performance indoors. While it can work outdoors, you have to remember that UHF doesn’t perform as well over long distances. This is a frequency that thrives indoors where there are lots of obstacles in the way. Therefore, if you are planning to take these out and about, we probably wouldn’t recommend them unless you are quite close to one another e.g. running an event. We certainly wouldn’t recommend them if you were walking through a forest. They just wouldn’t work right.

We want to say that the lack of some features is also a downside, although we are a little bit hesitant because this is hardly the most expensive product in the world, so it is fine to be lacking some features. However, it would have been fantastic if it gave you the opportunity to ‘call’ certain walkie talkies in the set. It would have made staying in touch at work so much easier. However, for now, if you want the more private conversations you still need to pick up a cellphone.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fantastic multipack of walkie talkies for use at work or the jobsite, you’ll be hard pressed to find better – especially for the price. We hope this review was helpful in determining if this was the right product for you.

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What To Look For in Commercial Two Way Radios with Long Range

Before we talk about the features in a bit more depth, let’s give you a quick overview of them. Do bear in mind that we are reviewing the four-pack of radios on this page. However, you can also purchase the Midland GXT1000 in 6, 8, and 10 packs. This is why this radio is so fantastic for commercial use. We don’t think there is a single product out there that has made it as affordable to buy in bulk.

• Access to 50 GMRS channels
• Channel scanning
• 36-mile range
• Privacy features
• Waterproof
• Weather scanning features

Now, we do want to point out that this is a GMRS radio. This means that if you want to use the full functionality of the radio, you will need to obtain a license from the FCC. In fact, everybody that uses these radios will need a license. Thankfully, the cost isn’t that high. For a 10-year license, you are looking at $70 a go. However, this can quite quickly add up if you have a lot of staff that want to operate these radios. So, while the radios are cheap, the licensing may not be.

You get everything that you need to ‘get started’ in the box, so don’t worry about needing to pick up any additional equipment!

Who is This Radio For?

In our opinion, these radios work best for people outdoors. This is due to the massive range. We have yet to encounter a building that is 20-miles big, after all. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the radio can’t be used indoors, but it really seems to be in its element outside.

This is a radio that is suitable for anybody outdoors. We see a lot of value in using this in camping or hiking expeditions. We see it as useful for jobs, particularly security in a town or city. It is even great for an odd cycling adventure, although if you are using radio for that, you should probably pick up something that gives you more hands-free options.

The Range

Let’s start by talking about the range. After all, this is probably one of the most important elements of a two-way radio unit.

The range on the Midland GXT1000 is quoted as being at 36-miles. However, as with all radios, this is just marketing speak. While it is likely that the range is 36-miles, you are never going to be able to hit it. The only way in which you will come close to this range is if you found a random desert without a tree or obstacle in sight. You can then place somebody on the other side of the desert. 36 miles away and then, and only then, will you be able to communicate.

The problem is that there will always be obstacles regardless of the two radio vs walkie talkie debate. These will slow the radio waves down, and this will make it harder for them to reach their destination. We would say that, in most cases, you will be able to get 20 to 25 miles at a push with the Midland GXT1000. This is considerably further than most other similar handheld radios.

Privacy Features

You have several channels available for speaking in private, which is great. Although, to be honest, most people are not going to be butting into GMRS radio systems. Although, it is always wise to lock your conversations down wherever possible. After all, while it is unlikely that a lot of people will be listening in, there is still a chance!

You can connect a limitless number of radios to the same system. All of them will have access to these private channels. You can use most GMRS radios with this system. However, we recommend always buying the Midland GXT1000. It just makes everything that much easier to set-up.

The Battery

If there is one improvement we could make to this commercial two-way radio, it is that it needs a better battery.. Yes. The battery will last a day. This is about standard for two-way radios. However, this isn’t the point. The point is that a lot of people have reported that standard AA batteries in the unit will last a lot longer. So, if you do pick these radios up, we suggest getting some rechargeable AA batteries at the same time. It will make everything run a lot better for you.

Build Quality

You would think that with a product priced this low, the build quality would be abysmal. It isn’t. In fact, these are well-built radios. The buttons feel smooth. The audio quality is fantastic. They are even waterproof (well, technically splash-proof). On the off-chance that something does go wrong with your units, they are affordable to replace. Although, to be honest, we have rarely seen any issues with them.

The only real issue that you may have with the radio is that it doesn’t put up with knocks all that well. Sure, it may be able to be dropped from a small height onto a soft surface, but nothing more than that. It will crack. It may still be functional for a while, but it will eventually break. So, while this radio is great for most commercial environments, it is probably going to be best if you didn’t use this on a construction site or doing any sort of extreme sports. Your radio won’t last for long.

Conclusion

If you need a lot of radios for your commercial operations, then look at the Midland GXT1000. They are incredibly affordable. It really helps that they have a massive range too!

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