Two-way radio

jjhdee

Hey everyone, I've been looking for a nice two-way radio we can use just around the house. We have a small farm within our backyard and oftentimes my wife needs to call me on my mobile phone or fetch me there when I need to go back to the house. It's out of wi-fi range so the calls add up to our bill.

I'm thinking having a two-way radio can be a solution for this. Thing is, I don't have any idea what to get. Anybody here with suggestions and a brief explanation why? Found a list in https://www.ratedradardetector.org/radio/two-way/best/ (my first choice is Motorola MS350R) but I also want to hear from you guys.

Any suggestion would help. Thanks!

virgo17

The radios you are looking at are for the USA market and operate on two frequency allocations which are not available for this use in the UK. Without going into specifics their use in the UK could cause interference to other services.

In the UK and a lot of Europe the public radio band is called PMR446 which is for Private Mobile Radio. Contrary to the name it is not private and can be listened to by anyone with suitable equipment. You can see the various bands here:-

http://www.walkie-talkie-radio.co.uk/information/radio-frequency-information

I suggest you look at Amazon's UK site and search for PMR446 to see suitable equipment. Beware of units described as 'high power' as their use is likely to be not allowed.

Norman_Castle

A different phone contract might be easier. If you were both using giffgaff and top up £10 every three months the calls between you would be free. Other providers probably have similar arrangements.

ariba10

Have a look at Binatone two way radios

stragglebod

If you have cordless landline handsets these can often be used for extenstion to extension calls - though of course you'll need to be in range of the main dock.


But @NormanCastle is right - a mobile contract that's better suited to your usage is the best solution. Plusnet do plans with unlimited calls and texts for as low as £7.00 a month even before deals, and I'm sure there are others just as cheap or even cheaper.

jjhdee

virgo17 wrote: »

The radios you are looking at are for the USA market and operate on two frequency allocations which are not available for this use in the UK. Without going into specifics their use in the UK could cause interference to other services.

In the UK and a lot of Europe the public radio band is called PMR446 which is for Private Mobile Radio. Contrary to the name it is not private and can be listened to by anyone with suitable equipment. You can see the various bands here:-

http://www.walkie-talkie-radio.co.uk/information/radio-frequency-information

I suggest you look at Amazon's UK site and search for PMR446 to see suitable equipment. Beware of units described as 'high power' as their use is likely to be not allowed.

Hi, thank you for this. I'll browse Amazon for good models with PMR446, as I understand, this is the only one that don't need license for use in the UK, right?

stragglebod wrote: »

If you have cordless landline handsets these can often be used for extenstion to extension calls - though of course you'll need to be in range of the main dock.


But @NormanCastle is right - a mobile contract that's better suited to your usage is the best solution. Plusnet do plans with unlimited calls and texts for as low as £7.00 a month even before deals, and I'm sure there are others just as cheap or even cheaper.

I will look into a new mobile plan, as it seems these walkie talkies can be inconvenient to purchase or use.

Thank you, everyone!

virgo17

jjhdee wrote: »

Hi, thank you for this. I'll browse Amazon for good models with PMR446, as I understand, this is the only one that don't need license for use in the UK, right?

You're welcome. As long as the radio complies with the PMR466 specifications no licence is needed. If you browse that site that I linked to, you should be able to find the applicable legislation. From memory, the unit must operate within the PMR446 frequency allocation, mobile only, produce a maximum of .5 watts effective radiated power and have a fixed antenna.

To lessen the annoyance of hearing other peoples conversations a tone squelch is useful. Bearing in mind that this does not stop them using the same channel and causing your partners signal to be interfered with. It simply stops you hearing them when you are just in monitor mode.

Good luck. That web page should give you all you need to know.

Chino

Maybe some food for thought here:
Two Way Radios for Farms

Blackpool_Saver

https://www.amazon.co.uk/eSynic-Talkies-Long-Original-Earpieces-Hiking-2pcs/dp/B07LFD2LLN/ref=asc_df_B07LFD2LLN/?!!!!!googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310762591863&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8385491264214687122&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046534&hvtargid=pla-644036877551&psc=1

sparky93

argos sell them as well for your convenience.

unforeseen

sparky93 wrote: »

argos sell them as well for your convenience.

I don't take my phone into the toilet so I'm sure as hell not going to take a two way radio! :rotfl: