Walkie talkies are two-way radios that people use to communicate with each other. Once they are paired on the same channel, they can simply push a button and speak. They are easy to use, and they make communication simple and effective.
But do walkie talkies work in the city? In highly obstructed areas full of tall concrete buildings?
Walkie talkies do work in the city, but you need to consider factors such as the range or distance they cover when you are choosing the best ones. Buildings made of concrete and steel can block your signal and limit your ability to communicate.
The key is to choose walkie talkies with a larger range and other features, such as a flashlight, a rugged exterior, and multiple channels.
What to Consider When Choosing Walkie Talkies for City Use?
There are several factors that will determine how effectively your walkie talkies operate in the city. First, you need to consider the frequency and the radio wavelength.
The best frequency for city use is UHF, or Ultra High Frequency. It has a shorter radio wavelength than VHF, but VHF can be obstructed by buildings and other obstacles.
Look for a device that works on FRS frequency, which is free. You can choose GMRS frequency walkie talkies, but they require a license. If you go this route, it is easy to obtain a license from the FCC.
You should also consider the price, as you want walkie talkies that are cost effective. You may not want the least expensive model out there, but you don’t have to buy the most expensive model.
You also want to choose a model that is durable. It should be waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, it should also have a decent range. You can find models that work up to 25 or 50 miles, but keep in mind that this is without any obstructions.
When you are in the city, your range could be reduced to as little as a few hundred meters if there are a lot of buildings.
Can You Get a Clear Signal in the City?
The clarity of your signal depends on the quality and range of your walkie talkies. Digital walkie talkies have more clarity than analog, and they have less background noise and static.
Some models have noise cancellation that can adjust the background noise to limit interference. You can get a clear signal as long as you choose the right model of walkie talkies for your needs and stay within their range.
Battery Life of Walkie Talkies in the City
Some walkie talkies use batteries that need to be replaced, which is great if you don’t use them regularly. If you plan to use them regularly, you will want walkie talkies with rechargeable batteries. It is easy to recharge them, and you will save money over time.
Some models last up to 12 hours, so you should check this when you are choosing walkie talkies. Consider how long you need them to work during the day before you select the model you want to use.
Best Walkie Talkies to Use in the City
When you are using walkie talkies in the city, you need to look for certain features. They should be powerful enough to send a signal through buildings and other obstructions, and they should be waterproof and have privacy codes and multiple channels.
One of the best models of walkie talkie to use in the city is the Midland 50 Channel FRS Two-Way Radio. It has a range of up to 36 miles in areas with little to no obstruction, and around 1 mile range in an highly obstructed area, which is very good.
Another great feature is that it comes with 142 privacy codes, which gives you 3,124 channel options to block other conversations. It’s also splash resistant, so you won’t have to worry about using it on a rainy day,
One thing to note is that it uses GMRS, so you will need a license from the FCC to use it.
The Motorola t800 is another great model, and it has Bluetooth. People can share their locations and track each other, even when they are offline. It is easy to use, and it has 22 different channels.
In addition, they have a range of 35 miles when unobstructed. You wouldn’t get anywhere near the 35 mile range in highly built up areas in the city, but it’s always wise to pick walkie talkies with longest range, which would still allow decent range in the city with lots of obstructions.
They come with some great features like being weatherproof, LED flashlight, and use Micro USB for charging. It’s also FRS, meaning you wouldn’t need a license to use them.
Final Thoughts
Walkie talkies do work in the city, but you should always choose the right model. It is important that they are able to send and receive signals when buildings are in the way. You may not be able to use the full range, but you will still get enough range to communicate within a few miles.