One of the questions that we are asked frequently is if a new two way radio that a customer is considering purchasing will be compatible with older radios that they already have. This compatibility question is best answered based on the type of radio (such as consumer vs. business), as the answer is very different.
Consumer Radios
Consumer radios generally operate on a standard set of frequencies assigned to preset channels. But that's only part of the equation. There are different types of consumer radios, so these frequency and channel assignments depend on what type of radio it is.
Perhaps the most popular types of consumer radio are the FRS and GMRS walkie talkies. These radios operate on the UHF band. At one time this type of radio used either the GMRS or FRS services, and for awhile most were manufactured as "dual service" radios that supported both FRS and GMRS. These radios typically had 22 channels. Older models with only 14 channels were considered FRS radios.
After the FCC Part 95 reform in 2017, these combo radios were no longer considered dual service, but reclassified as either FRS or GMRS, depending on their wattage among other things. Today, FRS and GMRS share the same channel and frequency assignments and are able to communicate with one another on the same standard 22 channels. Additionally, Some GMRS radios have 8 additional channels to communicate with GMRS repeaters.
Regardless, all of the radios that support FRS and/or GMRS use the same frequencies and are compatible with one another. Simply set all radios to the same channel number and privacy code, and you will be able to communicate. FRS and GMRS radios are not cross compatible with other types of consumer radios.
CB radios operate on the 11 meter AM band, and have their own channel and frequency assignments. CB radios have 40 channels, and some are capable of Single Side Band (SSB) operation. CB radios are not cross-compatible with any other consumer radio service.
Consumer Marine radios operate on VHF marine frequencies and are intended for use on private, non-commercial vessels over water. Some older marine radios were dual service radios combined with FRS/GMRS, but
the FCC no longer allows the manufacture or sale of these models. Marine radios are not cross-compatible with other types of consumer radios.
MURS radios operate on the VHF band and have 5 dedicated channels. These radios can be used by consumers or businesses, which technically puts them in both types for this discussion. However, it is its own radio service with specific operating requirements and restrictions. MURS radios are not cross compatible with other types of consumer radios.
Popular manufacturers of consumer radios are Cobra, DeWALT, Galaxy, Midland, Motorola (Talkabout series), President, Uniden and Wouxun. Kenwood used to make GMRS models (the TK-3101 and TK-3131, for example), but have moved away from consumer radios and no longer produce them.
For a more in-depth discussion on the different types of consumer radios, listen to episode 75 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast.
Business Radios
Compatibility is not nearly as straightforward when it comes to business radios. First of all, there are several types of frequencies that business radios are made to support: VHF, UHF, and 800/900 Mhz frequencies, for example. The first step in finding a compatible radio is choosing a model that supports the same frequency type as your existing radios.
These frequency types refer to an entire range of actual frequencies, and just choosing the same frequency type does not guarantee compatibility. If you purchased your existing radios from a true two way radio dealer, there is a possibility that the dealer could have programmed special custom frequencies into the radio. If this were the case, your radios may not be compatible with a new radio even if you purchased the exact same model.
Usually most compatibility issues arise with 4 or 5 watt radios, which are much more likely to support custom programming. With one or two watt business radios, it is a little easier to ensure compatibility. The Motorola CLS series of radios and the two watt RM series models will always be compatible, and two watt Kenwood radios that are marked with a ProTalk label will always be compatible, provided you purchase the same model.
In addition to band and frequency compatibility, there are different types of digital business radios which are not inherently compatible with one another. These include DMR, NXDN, and 900 MHz digital radios.
DMR is a very popular digital technology used by Motorola, Vertex Standard and TYT. There are a plethora of DMR radios available that are compatible with one another. NXDN is used by Kenwood and Icom. While not as prevalent as DMR, NXDN radios are popular with some businesses and organizations. These two technologies use different methods and protocols, so are not cross-compatible on their own without some type of digital converter.
The 900 MHz digital radio is another thing entirely. It uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum or FHSS technology. This is a clever concept that increases secure communications, but comes with the caveat that one brand of 900 MHz radio may be completely incompatible with another.
If you have any questions or concerns about business radio compatibility, the easiest option is to simply contact us and we can recommend a compatible solution. For older radios or radios that could have been custom programmed, we may ask that you send in the radio so that we can read the actual frequencies from the radio before making a recommendation.
Related Resources
Looking for a MURS Compatible Radio?
It's Official: Vertex Digital and Motorola TRBO Radios Now Compatible
The Two Way Radio Show TWRS-07 - Comparing Small Business Radios
Radio 101 - The facts about GMRS two way radio compatibility
Will the Motorola RDU4100 match with Motorola T200TP?
While both radios operate on the UHF band, they operate on different frequencies. The Motorola RDU4100 is a business radio. The T200TP is a consumer FRS radio. They are not cross compatible.
Will a motorola 3300e work with a Motorola cp 200 thanks
That depends. Both radios need to be on the same band and frequency. Also, are you referring to the CP200 or the CP200D? The XPR 3300e is a digital radio. The CP200 is an analog only radio, the CP200D supports analog and digital.
We have RDU4100 and RMU2080D. Wil these radios pair together on the same frequencies? I have one that is paired together but I can't get the rest of them paired. I did not pair the first one and I do not know how it was paired so that when traffic comes across one channel it is heard thru all radios.
The short answer is radios do not "pair" to one another. Each radio must be programmed to the same frequency and PL tone or DPL code (if one is used) in order for them to communicate with one another. The RDU4100 and RMU2080D are UHF radios and will talk with each other on the same frequency. The first set of radios communicate with one another because the same channel was programmed for the same frequency. The reason the other radios are not communicating with the first radios is because they haven't been programmed to the same frequency (and possibly the same tone or code) as the first radios. To do this, you will need the CPS (programming software) to program them. With Motorola business radios, this is generally done by a dealer.
Our plant is currently using Motorola RDU 4100 radios (Model #: RU4100BKN9BA) that appear to have been discontinued. Is there another model that is compatible with these so we can prevent replacing all radios across the plant? The ones we have received most recently do not have special programming, they were purchased off the shelf at a big box retailer.
Hi Mark, the Motorola RDU4100 is not discontinued, but it is backordered due to logistics delays. The estimated ship date is October 2022. If you need radios now, give us a call toll-free at 1-800-584-1445 or enter our live chat here on our site from 8AM to 6 PM weekdays and we can certainly help you find a compatible model for your plant.
anyone know how i can get a GTX1000G to communicate with my work radio that is a RETVIS RT7?
Are you referring to the Midland GXT1000 portable handheld radio? If so, the the Midland is a GMRS radio, the RT7 is a business radio. While both operate on the UHF band, they are programmed for different services and frequencies.
Anybody know if a cp200d can comm with an xpr series?
We do not carry the XPR Series so we do not have a lot of information on it, but as a general rule, both radios would need to be in the same mode, analog or digital, on the same band, UHF or VHF, and programmed to the same frequency to be able to communicate.
Which radio will work with kenwood radio looking to buy a radio the range is gone on the one I have
Which model Kenwood radio do you have?
My company uses Motorola xpr 3300 radios and we were thinking of buying rdu 4100 radios. Can we get the rdu radios to communicate with the xpr radios?
That depends on whether the XPR radios your company has are UHF or VHF models. The RDU4100 is a UHF radio and would need to be programmed to the same frequency(ies) for which your company is licensed and currently used on the XPR radios.
Hi, so my work uses the Motorola BPR40 Mag One and i was thinking of getting a Motorola T800 Talkabout and was wondering if they would be compatible. if not, what other radios can i use?
The Motorola BPR40 is a business radio, and the Motorola Talkabout T800 is a low power consumer FRS radio. Although it is technically possible to program the UHF version the BPR40 with FRS frequencies, it is not legal to do so, as the FCC rules limit FRS to a maximum of 2 watts and the BPR40 operates at twice that. The BPR40 is not FCC type accepted for use on FRS.
In addition, there are other factors to consider. Your employer may well be licensed for a specific frequency or frequencies on the business band, in which case the T800 wouldn't pick it up anyway.
Hello, my business has been using the Motorola dlr1020 walkies for basic communication across the property and have just had a group of Cobra PX655's donated to us. I am trying to find out if and how to go about matching the channels on these two radios, but have not had much luck searching for the combination of channels and codes. If anyone could help simplify this process for us, I would greatly appreciate it. We are rather impressed with the PX655 but have a large preexisting stock of the DLR1020's, and would like to use both models together if possible. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Hi Alexander, the Cobra PX655 is an analog FRS radio and operates on UHF frequencies in the 462-467MHz band. The Motorola DLR1020 is a digital radio and operates on 900MHz frequencies. These two radios are not compatible and will not communicate with one another.
What is the compatibility with the motorola clp1010? I am hard of hearing and needed to purchase a special ear piece. Unfortunately my earpiece and mic keep being removed.
Will a rt29 work with a walker walkie-talkie
We don't carry either radio and have no information on them, so I really couldn't say.
Good day. I work in the marine industry. A coworker and I just purchased two retevis rt56 dual band hand held radios. We had chosen these because they were both waterproof resistant & intrinsically safe. Our intention was to be able to communicate with our vessel's pre-existing UHF comms network...in which we've had success in doing so. But we were both under the impression, because of the UHF/VHF capabilities, that they should be able to also be utilized for projects in which require VHF channels. I have not been able to establish connection with any of the regular VHF radios onboard. My question is: Is it user error or am I wrong in assuming that "dual band UHF/VHF" radios can perform on both bands simultaneously? Forgive my ignorance.
Here's the way I see it. If a part 90 radio is fully capable to operate on a gmrs frequency, and it can meet the requirement or exceed it. Then that radio should be fully legal to be used on gmrs. When a radio has a stricter guide to go through then a part 95 radio, it should pass as a part 95 radio. Part 95 is not as strict as part 90 period. So that means a part 90 radio should surpass the regulations of a part 95 radio.
What makes no sense at all, is that a part 95 radio has tighter regulations than what part 95 discuss. For instance: part 95 talks about max power for a hand held radio is 5 watts on the transmitter. So why limit the radio to 2 watts?
Why not give the radio a little more leg room than what it all ready has? Instead of the radio being on 2 watts, give it 4 watts instead? That would only be fair to the buyer. Why pay $100.00 on a radio that will only put out 2 watts? Just some food for thought.
can vertex standard radios work with motorla repeater ?
That depends on the radios and the type of repeater. Are the radios and repeater on the same band, i.e. UHF, VHF or mixed? Are they analog, digital or mixed mode? Can you be more specific? What are the models of the Vertiex Standard radios? What model is the Motorola repeater?
Our site recently purchased NX-P1302 radios to replace some aging TK3300 radios. The Frequency and QT line up in both manuals but we cannot get them to talk to one another. Any advice?
Is there a way to make a Baofeng UV-5R work with a Retevis RT21? My friends all have the RT21 and I would like to get a UV5R and was wondering if there was a way to make them work or should I buy an RT21
Technically, both radios are capable of operation on the same bands and frequencies.
How do i make a baofeng v6 radio work with a baofeng 888S radio
You need to program both radios to the same band, frequencies and PL tones, if applicable.
Need to know if a CLS 1410 can work with Baofeng 888s
Technically speaking, both radios operate in the UHF business band, so both would need to be programmed to the same frequency and PL tone to communicate.
Need to know What Motorola Mobile Microphones that are 8 Pin Modular RJ Connector end will work with an ICOM 706MK2G Mobile Amateur Radio?
Hi Mike, accessory compatibility is a different topic altogether. Mobile mics with RJ type connectors are often proprietary due to the different pinouts. Even if the color codes on the wiring is the same, each wire can be used for different things, depending on the design and features of each hand or speaker mic. Some mics have limited functionaliy, while others may have several keys or even full DTMF keypads. While not impossible, the chances of full compatibility between a Motorola mobile microphone and a Kenwood amateur radio are somewhat remote.