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A two-way radio may be critical in a survival situation. But a two-way radio doesn’t always have to be part of a survival or disaster preparation scenario; two-way radios can also be used by families during camping, kayaking, or hiking trips where you want to stay in touch, coworkers on a large job site, or during many sports and recreational activities. Walkie-talkies are surprisingly useful and versatile, even in the age of mobile phones. Let’s take a look at some of the best survival two-way radio options.
Best Survival Two-Way Radio Reviews
Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece 4 Pack
This set of 4 two-way radios is a great option for survival needs, because they are small and light, easy to use, have up to a 5 mile range and up to 96 hours battery life, have built-in flashlights, and the set is expandable to add more radios to the system at any time.
With the Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios, you can use 16 pre-programmed UHF channels between 400-470MHz frequencies. You can also program 50 CTCSS and 105 CDCSS tones on each channel. Clear speaker sound, push-to-talk buttons, and low distortion make these radios easy to use. Each radio has a VOX function, emergency alarm, intelligent charging with overcharge protection, a built-in LED flashlight, a scanning function, and other features.
The Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios measure 4.5 x 2.36 inches without the antenna, and weigh 6.3 ounces. Each radio comes with an antenna, Li-ion battery, charger, belt clip, hand strap, ear phones, and a user’s manual.
Pros
- UHF frequencies more reliable in urban environments
- Up to 5 mile unobstructed range
- Up to 96 hour battery life depending on use
- Simple use and programming
- Includes LED flashlight
- Comes with earphones, belt clip, and other accessories
- Expandable set of 4
Cons
- Range may be much shorter than 5 miles depending on terrain and interference
- Review your local regulations to determine whether you need a license to operate these, or what channels you are allowed to use
KOMVOX Professional Rechargeable Walkie-Talkies
This pair of compact walkie-talkie radios can be recharged by USB, just like a phone or other mobile device, making them easy to charge and keep with you. They have 22 FRS channels with up to 1211 CTCSS privacy codes, so you can choose from up to 2,662 channels for communication.
With the Professional Rechargeable Walkie-talkies from KOMVOX, you get a high-visibility bold yellow faceplate in a small, lightweight radio that is easy to carry and easy to use. It has up to 5 miles of range, and easy hands-free operation with the eVOX technology. You can silence the radio and turn off all tones.
Each walkie-talkie is 3 x 3.5 inches, and has a standard 3mm headphone jack. The radios also have a built-in belt clip and an LED flashlight.
Pros
- Up to 5 mile range
- 2,662 CTCSS channels
- Built-in flashlight
- eVox hands-free operation
- Can recharge via micro-USB
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Batteries aren’t included. You need to buy 3 AA batteries per radio, and have to purchase rechargeable batteries in order to use the USB charging feature
Midland – X-TALKER T75VP3
The Midland X-Talker has a huge range of up to 38 miles. Designed for hunters, this pair pf walkie-talkies includes animal call sounds for alerts, and a mossy oak camouflage pattern for extra security.
The Midland X-Talker T75VP3 has 36 Family Radio Service channels, with up to 2,662 CTCSS channel options, along with active channel and weather channel scanning. It has eVOX for voice activation, and a vibrate function that silences tones. It comes with rechargeable batteries and can charge via USB for added convenience.
The Midland X-Talker T75VP3 is license-free, water resistant, and 6 x 2.5 inches. This pair of walkie-talkies comes with belt clips, rechargeable battery packs, a desktop charging station, an AC adapter, a micro-USB charging cable, and an owner’s manual. They are also available in black instead of camouflage pattern.
Pros
- Extended range of up to 38 miles
- Includes animal sounds as tones
- eVOX for hands-free operation
- Weather alert and channel scan
- License-free
Cons
- Range may be much shorter than 38 miles depending on terrain and interference
- Expensive
Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio, 2 Pack
The Motorola Talkabouts are designed to keep families in touch, no matter where they are. These walkie-talkies are rugged, compact, and easy enough for even a kid to use. With 22 channels and up to a 16 mile range, they are a great way to stay connected.
The Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio has simple, useful features like 22 communication channels, a low battery alert, and a keypad lock to prevent accidentally changing your settings. It has a unique call tone, so you can get someone’s attention before you speak, along with keypad tones and a talk confirmation tone. It also has auto squelch for clarity, and a low battery alert.
The Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio takes 3 AAA batteries and lasts for up to 18 hours. Not only can you expand your set with more walkie-talkies, but it is compatible with any brand of FRS/GMRS radio. It measures approximately 5 x 2 inches with the antenna.
Pros
- Long range of up to 16 miles
- Compatible with any brand FRS/GMRS radio
- 22 channels
- Up to 18 hour battery life
- Simple to use, with keylock to prevent accidental changes
Cons
- Batteries drain quickly
- Some people find it hard to open the battery compartment to replace them
DEWALT DXFRS800 2W Walkie-talkies Heavy Duty Business Two-Way Radios
These little rugged walkie-talkies from DeWalt are designed for heavy-duty use. They are shock resistant, and can withstand a 2-meter drop. They are also dustproof and waterproof, able to survive being immersed in water for up to 30 minutes.
The DEWALT DXFRS800 walkie-talkies are 2 watts, so they can be operated in the US without a license. They have a range of up to 300,000 square feet or 25 floors. They are built on the FRS platform, and offer 22 preset channels with up to 2,662 channel combinations.
The 360˚ swivel holster allows you to use it in multiple positions, and it has VOX technology for hands-free operation. The batteries are rechargeable, and the power saver feature automatically switches to battery save mode for prolonged battery life. They have a key lock and a roger beep tone to confirm the end of transmission.
The DEWALT DXFRS800 are 7.27 x 2.58 inches, and weigh 12 ounces. They come in distinctive DEWALT yellow, and come with a pack of rechargeable batteries and a charging station. They have a headphone jack to accept earbuds (not included), and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Rugged walkie-talkies are shock-resistant, dust-resistant, and water-resistant
- Good audio quality
- VOX technology for hands-free use
- Battery saver mode prolongs battery life
Cons
- May not be as durable as expected
- Expensive
Conclusion
While the Midland X-Talker T75VP3 is more expensive than many other two-way radios, it has so many features that it is worth the price, particularly in a survival or any SHTF scenario. Its huge range, durable construction, easy charging, and variety of sound options simply make this walkie-talkie unbeatable in an emergency or disaster.