Walkie-talkies are handheld, portable two-way radios first developed for military use. One of the benefits of having a set of quality two-way radios is that they will work when cell phones and landlines won’t, making them ideal for doomsday survivors or preparers.
Range varies by terrain and model. The number of channels varies and your signal range can be one to seven miles again depending on the terrain, if you have a license, and the weather conditions. It is recommended that you purchase a device with the emergency weather channel preprogrammed on the device. Low power versions of Walkie-Talkies are generally exempt from any licensing requirements and are considered for personal use only.
Two-way radios should be an essential part of any emergency kit because they will work during power outages when cell phones and landlines will not. Make sure everyone in the family has a receiver, which of course also has a built-in transmitter for two-way communications. Make sure each member knows the channel they want to communicate on and has alternate channels as well. Communication is not secure and each channel can be monitored by others with a bi-directional device. Therefore, do not reveal personal information or locations.
Radios have fixed frequencies already programmed and you can monitor channels for information during a crisis. Others with two-way radios may have information that you can use, so always check or go in and ask for information during a disaster. Some models come with rechargeable battery packs or you must replace the batteries as needed. Certain models have higher-range, low-power channels and some channels may require a license from the FCC. However, during a crisis, use the channel that is in your best interest. Amateur radio operators and others can also monitor your communications.
If you get stranded or lost, you can activate your radio and send bursts of short messages to conserve battery power. Anyone with a receiver / transmitter or even a base station can receive their signal even if they are in a cell phone deadlock, the power grid is down, or if the phone or microwave stations are damaged or destroyed.
Use your Walkie-Talkies to communicate with family members during a crisis by using headphones for hands-free communication. Certain models of hands-free devices can encrypt your communications if personal security is an issue and you need to protect certain information. Using the built-in speaker allows other people nearby to monitor your traffic. If security is, wear headphones and / or use a trusted encryption device.
You can communicate with multiple people if each device is tuned to the correct channel or frequency. This allows you to give instructions to all family members at the same time. Two-way radios are also ideal for rescue operations. If you need higher power output, it is recommended that you obtain a license so that you can use channels other than those dedicated to the Family Radio Service (FRS). FRS channels have lower power output with reduced range. Obtaining a license in most cases is simply completing an application that can be downloaded from the Internet and paying a fee.
