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Two Way Radio Buyer's Guide

The Ultimate Guide To Buying A Two Way Radio In The USA

The ultimate guide to buying a two way radio in the USA. Buying a two-way radio can be daunting. On this page, we help you choose between different two-way radios; as well as choosing between UHF and VHF two way radios.

What Is A Two Way Radio?

A two way radio allows voice communications, much like a phone but with a loudspeaker, that allows a voice message to be both instantly transmitted and received.

Unlike a telephone, only one person can speak at once on a two way radio. Each person takes turns to speak using a PTT (push to talk) button. This allows a clear message to be delivered every time without interference or interruption.

Two way radios do not require number selection or ringing and answering and so allow true instant communications.

In more recent years digital technology has added new features to two way radios such as safety features like emergency alarm and lone worker.

See our entire selection of Two Way Radios.

VHF or UHF... What's better?

TLDR: UHF and VHF radios cannot speak to each other. If in any doubt, stick with UHF.

The advantage of VHF is that it has a longer wavelength and delivers better range per watt of energy. However, VHF cannot penetrate solid objects very well and so relies on there being minimal objects in the way and getting the antennas as high as possible, above all buildings and objects, to create near perfect line of sight.

UHF penetrates sold objects much better than VHF. Since we usually use portable two way radios between waist and chest height, we don't have the advantage of height. It's the recommendation of Radiotronics Canada to stick to VHF for vehicle only fleets and UHF for fleets with portable and vehicle radios.

What Two Way Radio Brand Should I Choose?

Radiotronics Canada only sells two way radios from brands you've heard of. Buying two way radios from known brands means you will be able to buy replacement accessories such as batteries in future. Any of the brands we sell have proven the test of time.

Radiotronics Canada does not recommend buying radios by unknown brands as availability of accessories in future is unpredictable.

Motorola is by far the market leader in two way radios and has an unrivaled selection of both analog and digital two way radios. Here's a small selection of the Motorola radios we have available...