Mobile phones and texting haven’t replaced the convenience and simplicity of two-way radios. Their freedom from reliance on a cellular network to communicate makes them ideal for camping adventures and caravan road trips. As long as you are within the range the radio is designed for and have no obstructions, you can chat as much as you want—for free.



Two-way radios are available in three main formats: handheld units (walkie-talkies), base stations, or mobile units. Handheld units are designed for on-the-go communication such as hiking or keeping in touch during a day at Disneyland. A base station is set up at home and resides on a table or desk with an attached microphone and antenna that is placed on the roof. Mobile units are attached to your dash and have a plug-in antenna that is affixed to your vehicle.

Two-way radios are usually either citizens-band, a.k.a. CBs, GMRS, or ham radios. They all operate on different frequencies, and have varying wattage outputs and ranges. Our handy guide explains the differences.

Citizen-Band Radio (CBs)

CBs are the old standby, bringing to mind the image of Smokey and the Bandit–era truckers using CBs as their only form of communication before the widespread use of mobile phones. But have you turned on a CB radio lately? If you are in any densely populated area, you'll be privy to conversations ranging from the benign to obscene—and you are definitely not alone.

CBs are still in widespread use because of their low cost and because, unlike with ham radios, no license is required. CBs also offer 40 channels, as well as a multitude of sideband channels to choose from. They have a range from one to 15 miles, but they are very line-of-sight sensitive, so conversations can cut in and out if one or more radios are mobile.

To remain FCC compliant, CBs can operate only at four watts of power on the AM band and 12 watts at peak envelope power on sideband. Any power modifications are subject to steep fines.

Popular vehicle-based units include models from and , which are both under $70. This handheld from Cobra also includes a magnetic mobile-mounted antenna so you can increase its range when using it in a vehicle.

Cobra HHRT50 Road Trip CB Radio BUY NOW This CB is ideal for travel, as it comes with a mobile antenna you can secure to any vehicle to provide greater range. 10 NOAA weather channels keeps you updated with the latest conditions in case of emergency. Midland 5001Z 40-Channel Mobile CB BUY NOW This Midland CB has a great classic look and features a switchable noise filter to cut down on static and an Xtra Talk mic gain, which boosts transmit audio sensitivity to give you increased voice clarity. Uniden Pro Series 40-Channel CB Radio BUY NOW This compact unit is a great value at under $45. It comes with an extra long microphone cord and the ability to connect to external speakers and use PA/CB switch for use as a Public Address system. Galaxy DX-2547 AM/SSB CB Base Station BUY NOW This Galaxy CB base station is the ideal setup for serious CB enthusiasts. It features AM/SSB and PA modes and operates on both 120 volts AC and 12 volts DC. At under 17 pounds it can also be used as a mobile unit.

GMRS

The initials stand for General Mobile Radio Service. According to Ralph Hollis, engineering project manager at Midland, GMRS is "fast becoming the most popular class of portable two-way radios," and for good reason—they sound great, have excellent range (five to 25 miles), and it's less likely you'll encounter obscene background noise here than with a CB.

GMRS radios operate on FM, which increases clarity and removes much of the static that you'll find on AM-based CBs. To legally operate a GMRS radio, you'll need to file for a license and call sign with the FCC and pay a $70 fee. There is no test required and the license covers an entire family for a period of ten years.

You'll often find GMRS/FRS walkie-talkies, which include FRS (Family Service Radio). FRS doesn't require a license as it operates under 2 watts, but the range is limited. It includes 14 channels—with seven dedicated to FRS. It's best used for very close communication like on a job site or around a campground. These FRS radios are license free.

With superb range and clean sound, a GMRS radio is the best bet for most people. The popular includes two radios, 142 privacy codes, NOAA emergency weather reporting, and it's waterproof.

Midland - GXT1000VP4 BUY NOW This Midland kit comes with two handheld GMRS radios that offer 50 channels and up to 36 mile range. Other features include 142 privacy codes, waterproof, and NOAA Weather Scan + Alerts. Motorola T260TP Talkabout Radio, 3 Pack BUY NOW This three pack features dual GMRS/FRS radios with 22 channels each and 121 privacy codes. Cobra ACXT645 Walkie-Talkie BUY NOW These stylish red walkie-talkies from Cobra are similar to the Midland and offer up to 35 mile range and 10 NOAA weather channels. They're also IPX4/JIS4 waterproof and have a voice-operated transmission for hands-free use. Midland XT511 GMRS Two-Way Emergency Crank Radio BUY NOW This mobile base station from Midland is a durable GMRS emergency crank radio with features including, AM/FM radio reception, a clock with an alarm clock, e-Vox hands-free operation, and a LED flashlight. The dynamo crank allows you to recharge the radio during a power outage.

Ham Radio

Once you feel the freedom of communicating with a two-way radio, you may gravitate toward wanting to talk to people at a much further distance than CBs and GMRS radios can provide. That's where ham radio comes in.

Popular culture tends to stereotype ham-radio operators as tinkerer-geeks from a bygone era—and indeed, many ham operators enjoy fiddling with their gear and learning about how to operate their radios almost as much as using them. But the technology still fills an important role. When phone lines and cellular networks go down, for instance, ham operators always step up to the plate to assist in emergency situations. Plus, a ham radio can be interfaced with a computer or tablet to send data, texts, images, or Morse code, which makes them even more valuable and versatile than other types of two-way radios that are only capable of transmitting audio.

The FCC requires that ham-radio users be licensed. There are three classes of licenses that all require a written test of 35 to 50 questions covering radio theory, regulations, and operating practices. Each class of license is limited to certain use of bands and modes, limiting the range in which you can communicate. If you are interested in taking the test and joining the 600,000 ham-radio amateurs in the USA and over two million worldwide, we first suggest you contact your local club of ham-radio enthusiasts who can help you study for the test and recommend equipment.

ICOM 2300H 05 144MHz Amateur Radio $199.95 BUY NOW This 2 meter ham radio is a great first mobile radio. It's got plenty of features to start learning without feeling overwhelmed with too many options. BaoFeng UV-82HP High Power Dual Band Radio BUY NOW This popular dual band ham radio is portable and includes high, medium, and low power Settings (7W/4W/1W). Icom IC-718 HF All Band Amateur Base Transceiver 100 Watts BUY NOW This all-band ham radio base station, has everything you need to communicate with others from around the world. BTECH Mini UV-25X2 25 Watt Dual Band Base, Mobile Radio BUY NOW This dual band compact ham radio won't take up much space on your dash, and is packed with almost as many features as a base station.

Two-way radios remain a great investment for anyone who travels in groups and need a reliable backup form of communication. Choose one type of radio or invest in all three for maximum coverage in case of emergency.

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