Walkie-talkies, or handheld two-way radios, are portable radios that use radio waves to communicate wirelessly on a single frequency band. Walkie-talkies are widely used in various organizations and industries where instant communication is required. By the end of 2027, the walkie-talkie market is projected to earn revenue of around 5.6 billion dollars. This is due to the demand for an efficient, yet budget-friendly form of communication for small and large businesses worldwide.
Industries include emergency services, security services, education, manufacturing, hospitality, retail, healthcare, public safety, and transportation industries. You can also find two-way radios in your local school. They help administration, teachers and all staff communicate better, especially on larger campuses. Better yet, they can be used to provide quick communication in a crisis.
Walkie-talkies are so convenient for many types of situations. It’s no wonder the demand for them is about to reach an all-time high. Portable radios make dedicated two-way communications faster, clearer, and easier to use for users on the move. These practical radios can easily help increase productivity by keeping users communicating, while allowing them to concentrate on the job at hand.
Check out the top ten practical reasons why you should own a walkie-talkie in Florida.
1. Safety
In the case of an emergency, walkie-talkies offer a fast and reliable way to alert the entire group to the situation. That way, whoever is closer can assist while the others make their way to the emergency. When you need direct communication with other teachers, staff or a school resource officer, Motorola radios provide instant, reliable communications to specific groups or individuals. When bad things happen, nothing is faster than push-to-talk.
While analog radios offer a high degree of reliability and have been used in schools for decades, today’s digital radios combine the reliability of analog with the best aspects of smartphones, so school employees have access to advanced safety features, a continuously expanding library of applications, and tools like text messaging, Bluetooth® connectivity, GPS tracking, and Wi-Fi®.
They also help maintain safety for employees working in an unsafe environment. This includes loggers, roofers, garbage collectors, highway maintenance workers, and police officers. As well as mining machine operators and those working with explosives. Whether employees are managing a single food processing facility or a string of multinational automotive plants, walkie-talkies provide solutions to improve performance, increase safety, optimize resources and run their operation smoothly.
For example, Radio communication remains a critical foundation for manufacturing communications. However, technology has changed the way we communicate, rather than replacing radio, these advances have made it even more essential as a reliable, rugged, and direct connection. The number of manufacturing companies have transitioned to digital two-way radios that can integrate intelligence driven applications has almost doubled in the last few years.
Walkie-talkies also come without the distractions a cell phone brings. This is especially important for workers operating heavy machinery. While working in a serious industry, like a construction site, it is very important for the workers to focus on their work or else it could lead to a fatal accident, and mobile phones come with a lot of unnecessary features to distract the users. So using a walkie talkie will ensure complete focus of the workers and prevent any unnecessary incidents.
2. Better Coverage
Unlike cell phones, walkie-talkies can cover greater distances outdoors. This range differs depending on the design. For most, it’s five miles. Some can go all the way up to 36 miles. But this range also depends on your location and surroundings.
In an emergency, cell phones without service are still able to dial 911. But you should not rely on it for emergencies. Some networks may not accept an emergency call if the cell phone isn’t activated. A walkie-talkie won’t have the same issues. They have far better coverage during critical times when communication is vital. In an emergency, you can have confidence that your walkie-talkie won’t fail you.
In a life or death situation, being able to communicate quickly is critical. Every second matters, and faulty technology may be the deciding factor between success and failure. Having an understanding of the Two way radio industry, it is not hard to see why police officers, fire fighters, and paramedics use Two way radios. They are quick to connect, able to talk to multiple units at once, and durable in tough conditions. Unlike Cell phones, Two way radios are not used for games but for a critical purpose that it delivers for every time.
3. Cost-Effective
Most cell phones have month-to-month plans, so you’re always spending money to use them. Don’t forget the money you have to set aside to get them fixed. Cracked screens aren’t too costly, but they are annoying and time-consuming.
Walkie-talkies have no other fees other than the purchase cost. This is the only time you need to fork out money. Walkie-talkies have unlimited call time and no monthly plans. The only minor cost involves buying disposable batteries. Of course, this isn’t a big deal if your walkie-talkie uses rechargeable batteries. Depending on how heavy your usage is, your rechargeable battery can last up to two to three years. Setting aside between $30 to $100 every three years sure beats paying off your monthly phone bill.
Also, walkie talkies are a smart choice for your business, because compared to any other mode of communication, these are cost-effective considering that there is no call cost involved. So to maintain constant communication in your workplace, the two-way radio is the most efficient choice.
4. Noise-Canceling
Just like your headphones, walkie-talkies offer noise-canceling tech. This allows you to use it anywhere no matter how noisy the location is. Noise-canceling walkie-talkies improve concentration, provide a better listening experience, and create better conversations. They also reduce stress. Ever tried to listen to someone talk in a crowded place? It’s frustrating and, at times, impossible.
Asking someone to repeat themselves over and again can get tiring for all involved. Noise-canceling takes the noise out of the equation, leaving you with a clear listening experience. It also supports clear audio with no background noise to distort any messages coming in or going out. This is a feature that benefits noisy work environments such as schools, construction worksites, and hospitals. In a noisy environment, opting for a reliable and efficient professional radio communication system is vital. However, most hearing protection solutions isolate the operator from his entire environment: colleagues, managers and warning signals included. This is a real problem when working in a team or in a risky environment.
The construction, railway maintenance, heavy industry and aerospace sectors are among the most exposed to noise pollution, whether it is occasional or permanent, indoors or outdoors. The operation of construction equipment, such as jackhammers, demolition robots… as well as engines, cooling systems, foundries and other activities in heavy industry produce noise pollution that is impossible to avoid and difficult to reduce.
Improved audio quality is one of the best reasons to use digital two-way radios (walkie-talkies) in commercial settings. Particularly in environments where radios are used by mobile work teams who move around a lot over large distances and need to stay in instant communication with other people in their organizations. Plus, when work operations are particularly noisy, digital radios really prove their value. Picture construction sites with equipment and vehicles running in the background, or factory floors with manufacturing lines rumbling all around.
Any location where you have to shout to be heard – even when standing right next to someone – puts an added premium on audio quality. These kinds of situations demonstrate the superiority of digital radios. Even in settings that are not overly noisy – the clarity of digital voice signals all the way to the boundaries of the coverage range is highly beneficial. For instance, you don’t want to be misunderstood or waste time when your customer is waiting for an answer to their question, or if someone is hurt and you’re calling to describe the location where you need help.
5. Long Battery Life
Many factors influence how long your battery will last. On average, your walkie-talkie battery can last between 18 to 24 months. Some walkie-talkies also come with spare batteries. This makes it even harder to run out of battery life. As someone who works in a critical workplace, the last thing you want is a missed call because your cell phone was flat. Finding an outlet to charge your cell might be a challenge in itself.
Your radio is only as strong as the battery that powers it. Make sure your two-way radio batteries are proven tough. Whether responding to an emergency where seconds count, coordinating a mobile workforce, or communicating critical information, your radio is essential and its battery key to your operation. Fortunately, hazards that kill other two-way radio batteries do not affect Motorola batteries. While other organizations use batteries from third-parties for their devices, Motorola builds superior batteries specifically for Motorola radios .
Motorola’s state-of-the-art IMPRES™ technology provides a unique battery charging and reconditioning solution. The exclusive IMPRES™ technology from Motorola provides additional features such as automatic, adaptive reconditioning and displays that show detailed battery life information, designed to maximize talk time and optimize battery cycle life. IMPRES two-way radio batteries that have been designed and developed as an integral component of our two-way radios, you can be confident our radio batteries perform when you need them most.
IMPRES™ technology from Motorola is Safer, smarter, LASTS longer
- Over 40% additional full battery
- Real time capacity on radio & charger displays
- IMPRES Fleet Management & Battery Reader tools available
- Proven Better against the competition
- Longest warranty in the industry
- Intrinsic Safety, submergibility and cold temperature specs
With a battery-operated walkie-talkie, you won’t need to worry about missing any calls. If you do somehow run out of juice, you can only blame yourself (or your boss!).
6. Better Call Quality
The clarity of a walkie-talkie call is crucial to how information is given and received. Unlike cell phones, walkie-talkies connect over radio signals. This means they don’t face the same issues that a congested cellular signal might have.
Greater Coverage and Clarity = Reduced Downtime. One of the problems with cell phones is that they lose signal strength. How many times have you had a phone call drop due to poor reception? Cell phones can only operate with an active cell tower, which means they lose reception in both rural and remote areas.
Given that many industries and job sites need to be able to communicate to complete tasks, businesses regularly face an unnecessary loss of productivity and a loss of revenue when relying on cell phones to communicate. And the loss of profit is staggering.
Recent research by IHS Markit found that the average mid-range business loses $1 million a year due to downtime. That works out to be 5 downtime events per month or 27 hours.
Did you know businesses lose $1 million every year because of downtime? How switching from cell phones to two way radios can help.
Inefficiency aside, a lack of communication can be a serious safety issue as well. Public safety, manufacturing, healthcare and education sectors are prime examples of this. Two way radios, however, aren’t prone to problems like dead zones, network outages or overloaded cell towers like mobile phones are.
On top of this, many two way radios even have built-in audio features like noise cancellation and automatic gain control (this filters out loud background noise while simultaneously adjusting volume).
Cell towers can only serve so many devices at once. When there are too many devices using the same cell tower, the quality of the signal drops. That’s when calls drop and texts are delayed. For people working in remote or noisy areas, this isn’t ideal. When someone needs to make an urgent message, the people on the other end should hear exactly what they said.
Clear, crisp, and concise. The three C’s.
Luckily, walkie-talkies are reliable in such situations. Through better call quality, you can communicate without having to speak up or ask the receiver to repeat themselves.
7. Durable
One key element that sets walkie-talkies apart is their durability. Some are even waterproof and will float if submerged. In fact, some of the better-quality walkie-talkies are rugged enough to survive a lot of knocking about.
Walkie-talkies are often used in the military because of their durable design that works well in the harshest of conditions. As well as a number of key reasons.
Walkie-talkies don’t smash like cell phones do when dropped. You don’t have to worry about paying for screen replacements or soaking them in a bowl of rice. This is particularly useful for those working in the elements such as construction, manufacturing, lifeguards, or park rangers. Even if you’re just generally clumsy, you shouldn’t have too many issues with a walkie-talkie.
Two way radios were designed to be durable – even in the toughest of conditions. Some are entirely waterproof. Two way radios regularly face drop, shock and vibration tests to ensure maximum durability on the job site, resulting in fewer repairs and replacements. The result? More money in your pocket.
8. Service During Emergencies
During emergency situations, maintaining critical communication is more important than ever. Using a walkie-talkie not only keeps employees connected but also keeps them safe and accounted for. Reliable communication is imperative in emergency situations. With fast connections, longer battery life and greater durability, two way radios are the only safe choice in emergencies. This is especially true for emergency service workers.
There are many pros to using walkie-talkies in an emergency. Take a look at some of the best.
- They work whether you have reception or not
- They allow direct and immediate communication
- They have GPS tracking capabilities
- They work even if your cell phone doesn’t
- You can make contact with people miles away
Walkie-talkies are also durable. Depending on the emergency, your walkie-talkie may have had to bear the brunt of the impact. Unlike a cell phone, your walkie-talkie can withstand the unique pressures created by a disaster.
9. Easy to Use
Walkie-talkies are so simple to use, even a child would find them trivial. Unlike a cell phone, users won’t need to learn another platform if they switch brands. Walkie-talkies have the most basic functions, no matter the brand. These include a “push to talk” button, a scanning button or knob, and a volume button. With an in-built speaker and antenna, you don’t have to worry about trying to speak louder or trying to find a signal.
Walkie talkies are programmed to use the same frequency after they’re manufactured. This ensures a clear channel of communication. Two way radios were specifically designed for communications. The simplicity of the “Push to Talk” button compared to touch screens on cell phones make two way radio communication much more efficient.
Many of today’s radios even offer programmable features so that you can turn your most used features into one-touch activation.
Their user-friendliness also extends to their physical features. Some walkie-talkies come with an inbuilt flashlight. Perfect for those who work during the night.
Most also have an attached clip. Perfect to securely latch onto your pants as you go about your work.
10. Network Security
The last thing you want is a security breach. When it comes to security, walkie-talkies have an edge over cell phones.
For example, police officers use walkie-talkies which are often encrypted and highly secure. This prevents criminals from listening in on official police communications.
But in today’s world, you still need to be aware of the dangers of hacking. That way, you can learn how to avoid it.
To prevent walkie-talkie hacking:
- Ensure you have the most up-to-date security features
- Purchase walkie-talkies that meet the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
- Find a provider that offers training to your employees
- Choose a provider with proven experience in the area
Despite the danger hacking poses, walkie-talkies are still a safe and reliable option. They also can’t be traced, unlike cell phones.
Top Industries Who Use Walkie-Talkies
Now you know why owning a walkie-talkie in Florida is important, let’s find out who uses them. It might be a surprise to find out many businesses, governments, and industries prefer using walkie-talkies over cell phones.
Here are the top industries that use professional walkie-talkies in their workplace.
Construction Companies
Construction workers are always on the move. From transporting materials to operating machinery, there isn’t often a spare moment to stop and chat.
Walkie-talkies not only provide easy communication between workers but offer excellent audio quality for a noisy construction environment.
Plumbers and Contractors
The same goes for plumbers and contractors who face similar challenges. More often than not, plumbers work in teams and across different areas of the worksite.
Walkie-talkies offer reliable radio cover for communication over large worksites. They’re also sturdy enough to withstand hazardous conditions.
Schools
As briefly mentioned earlier, it’s not uncommon for schools to utilize walkie-talkies. If a classroom is put on lockdown, or a natural disaster blows into town, teachers need reliable communication to protect their students.
Walkie-talkies offer the perfect way for teachers and various staff to get in touch with everyone at the same time.
Security Professional Services
Walkie-talkies offer security personnel the ability to immediately respond to threats, neutralize a suspect, and communicate after an incident.
They also allow guards to alert and inform their superiors to prevent damage.
Hospitality and Event Employees
Communication in the hospitality and event industry allows workers to keep up with customer needs and special issues that may arise. Information can also be broadcast to the whole crew at one time. This allows all staff to be on the same page at the same time.
Hospitals and Nursing Homes
In the medical world, walkie-talkies are indispensable when it comes to fast and effective communication. Instead of running down the hallway to find someone, walkie-talkies are a cost-effective solution that helps healthcare providers improve their workflow.
Healthcare workers work every day to make sure the patients in hospitals receive individualized quality care while operating in a non-stop and unpredictable environment. But providing the highest level of care is only achievable with a foundation of safety. It’s the center that holds hospital operations together – ensuring staff and caregivers are able to focus on their mission.
During COVID-19, walkie-talkies have kept families connected to ICU patients unable to physically enter the room. Assuring administrators, caregivers and patients that situations are handled before they become incidents. Ensuring that when the unthinkable happens, walkie-talkies are technology in place to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor recreation is not an industry per say, but having a walkie-talkie can often be used to prevent serious accidents. Camping sometimes loses cell phone signal, especially when you go on an outdoor adventure. Two Way Radios can be used normally where there is no network base station. Ensure normal communication in the field.
Having a walkie-talkie is an incredibly useful way to communicate information, especially in remote areas where cell phone reception is limited.
Walkie-Talkies: Keep in Touch Anywhere, Anytime
For many businesses, hassle-free communication is key to the smooth running of their day-to-day operations. From coordinating employees to ensuring the safety of workers, walkie-talkies are one of the most convenient forms of communication.
With a market flooded with numerous walkie-talkie brands, it’s difficult to know how to buy two-way radios that are going to suit your business needs.
EMCI Wireless Radio Rentals offer the perfect solution to improve productivity and keep your operation running smoother than butter. We provide local industries with two-way radio rental equipment in Central and South Florida. Our clients range from small businesses to large public safety agencies.
Our Motorola two-way radios are a cost-effective solution to your current communication problems. We also supply to local law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency services, schools, and hospitals.
Whatever your needs are, we can meet them. For the best two-way radios, give us a call today for a quote!
