Two-way radio vs. walkie-talkies: What’s the Difference? The question may not be one of those questions that have plagued humanity down through the ages. But in two-way communications circles, it remains one of those nagging little thorns. It causes irritation at the very mention of the phrase – two-way radio vs. walkie-talkie!
The “walkie-talkers,” are perfectly comfortable using the term walkie-talkie. They are quick to tell you, “Hey, I WALK with it, and I TALK with it! “Hence the name, walkie-talkie!” “Two-way-ers,” on the other hand, are those who would never consider using a “toy” radio! They are of the opinion that walkie-talkies are what they gave their kids last year for Christmas. The two-way radios THEY use are NOT toys!
So, is there a fundamental difference between “walkie-talkie and radio,” or are we just talking semantics? Read on as we explore the difference, if any, between “two-way radios vs. walkie-talkies!”
What's The Difference?
Technically speaking, all walkie-talkies are two-way radios, but all two-way radios are NOT walkie-talkies. This statement is very true. In fact, on this statement, both the “Walkie-Talkers” and “Two-Way-ers” would agree! So, where do we draw the line between walkie-talkie vs radio? Let’s start by listing some characteristics commonly associated with walkie-talkies vs. two-way radios.
Walkie-Talkies vs. Two-Way Radio
Originally, the term walkie-talkie (w-t) referred to the radio backpack carried by the infantry during World War II. As technology improved, the backpack disappeared, and in its place, a smaller, more portable unit developed. You could easily walk around with this new unit while communicating with others. This unit was called a “handy-talkie”. It was also known as an “h-t”, which stands for “handheld-transceiver”. Eventually, it was referred to as a “walkie-talkie” or “w-t”!
Some of the attributes of today’s walkie-talkies (w-ts) include:
Consumer Grade – Radios classified as “w-ts” are usually considered consumer-grade. They can be found at most department stores and usually have bright colors and eye-catching packaging.
Lower Transmit Power – W-Ts are usually considered to transmit at lower power levels. These radios usually transmit at no more than 2 watts, with most operating at 1 watt or less.
Shorter Range – W-Ts most often have a shorter range than two-way radios. This is because w-ts generally emit a lower transmit power. Therefore, w-ts most often operate radio-to-radio. Two-way radios most often operate as part of a system with base stations and remote antenna towers.
FRS Band – The term “walkie-talkie” is sometimes used to describe any type of portable radio. However, the term is more commonly used to refer to radios that use the Family Radio Service (FRS) band. These radios are set to specific channels.
Half-Duplex, Non Programmable – Non-programmable radios, known as w-ts, typically operate in half-duplex mode. This means they can only transmit or receive at one time. Furthermore, these radios are generally not programmable.
Less Durable – Most radios labeled as w-ts are not certified MIL-STD for durability. This means they are less damage-resistant than MIL-STD two-way radios.
Two-Way Radios vs. Walkie-Talkies
Two-way radios are, by definition, any radio that receives a signal (as in an automobile radio) and transmits a signal as well! So, w-ts should undeniably be considered two-way radios! However, professional and commercial clients, such as police, fire, hospitals, industrial, and security organizations tend to regard their devices as two-way radios.
And because a two-way radio can also be mounted on the dashboard of a truck or automobile, sitting on a desk, or mounted on a wall, two-way radio equivalents to w-ts are most often called handhelds, portable two-way radios, portable two-ways, or sometimes just portables.
There are, however, some general attributes associated with portable two-way radios that set them apart from w-ts. Some of these attributes include:
MIL-SPEC Certified – Generally, radios referred to as portable two-ways are certified according to military standards for durability, weather resistance, heat, moisture, performance, and more.
Longer Range – Because they transmit at 2, 4, or even 5 watts (VHF), portable two-way radios have a longer transmission range than the less powerful w-ts.
Multiple Bands – Portable two-way radios are available in VHF(Very High Frequency) Band, UHF(Ultra-High Frequency), GRMS(General Mobile Radio Service), Marine Band, Aviation Band, and more. Some portable two-ways can even be programmed to operate in the FRS Band, which is a common w-t band.
Programmable – Portable two-way radios are programmable. Your two-way radio requires a programming cable and the correct software. Depending on which portable two-way, it may require the services of a certified technician to program.
Licensed Channels – Two-way radios most often refer to radios that must be FCC licensed. These licenses ensure that your two-way radio’s channel frequencies will be coordinated by the FCC for privacy and to help protect you from interference.
Feature Rich – Two-way radios vs. walkie-talkies tend to include many more technical features. These features can include anything from GPS and Caller ID to Bluetooth® and advanced audio features.
What’s the Difference? Two-Way Radio vs. Walkie-Talkies
You still might be able to make the argument that the term walkie-talkie vs. two-way radio is a matter of semantics, but in common usage, there definitely seems to be a big difference. And if you still don’t think there’s a difference, just compare the price of the w-ts that you pick up at Walmart to the two-way radios that you order from a reputable Motorola Solutions two-way radio dealer! Big difference.
If clear, concise, and consistent communications are critical to your operation, you are much better off relying on a professional-grade two-way radio than a department store walkie-talkie.
A Professional-Grade Radio From A Professional Two-Way Radio Dealer
It’s been said that you get what you pay for. A professional Motorola Solutions two-way radio dealer, like RCS Communications, will make sure you get as much as possible for as little as possible! A professional two-way radio dealer, like RCS Communications, will be able to recommend the perfect product or system to meet your every need at a price that will easily accommodate your budget. Call RCS Communications today!