Two Way Radios

Buy Two Way Radios would like to wish everyone a happy, prosperous and safe 2013! Our offices will be closed for the day on Monday, December 31, 2012 and Tuesday, January 1, 2013. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our forums or give us a call after 8 AM EST Tuesday, January 2, 2013. Please stay safe while traveling during the new year.

In this article, we will be discussing some of the basic features and functions of two-way radios. Two way radios are tools for communicating, similar to telephones, and can come in handy for many situations. Whether it be for personal use, for your business or for emergency purposes, two-way radios are an excellent and reliable form of communication.

Two-way radios (also called walkie talkies), allowing for a few exceptions, all work essentially the same way. There is a battery that powers the unit which is typically rechargeable. Volume can often be controlled with the use of a knob or button on the unit itself. When using the radio to communicate, the transmission is activated with the use of a Push-To-Talk or "PTT" button. Simply press the PTT button and speak into the microphone and your voice is sent over the air! When the PTT button is released, the receiver becomes active, allowing other radios to communicate back.

A two-way radio, in its most basic description, is a "transceiver". This means that it is a device that can both transmit and receive content. Radios communicate with one another using certain frequencies. The radios can "speak" to each other only when they are set to the same frequency. The two most popular frequency ranges that two-way radios use are called "VHF - Very High Frequency" and "UHF - Ultra High Frequency". VHF frequencies are best for exclusive outdoor use, as these frequencies will hug the ground and travel further in open areas. UHF frequencies, the more popular of the two, tend to penetrate obstructions and will work well both indoors and out.

Most two-way radios have the capability to work on multiple "channels". A specific frequency can be assigned to each channel, giving the radio many different alleyways of communication. Businesses often take advantage of channels by assigning a channel to each department. This keeps employees from being distracted by irrelevant conversations while still allowing management to easily communicate with all groups. On FRS consumer or family radios the channels are useful as a way to cut down on eavesdroppers or interference when in an area where there are many radios in use.

The maximum range of a two-way radio will vary, depending on any number of things. In the unit itself, the range will be directly linked to the wattage of the unit and the antenna. The higher the wattage and better the antenna, the more range your two-way radio will be able to achieve. Outside factors can also affect range. Certain terrain, solid obstructions, or even day-to-day weather can be factors that will affect the maximum range your radio will transmit. Despite high range claims by manufacturers, we usually tell our customers not to expect more than 1-2 miles in an environment such as a city or town.

Two-way radios can range from very basic to very complex pieces of equipment. This article is meant to introduce you to some of the basic features and how they operate, but we have barely begun to scratch the surface as to what two-way radios can actually achieve. Check our site or contact us for more in-depth information!

Want a first look at the Midland GXT2000? Here it is! This video is a brief overview of the new series of Midland GMRS two way radios due sometime this fall. Better yet, you can pre-order the Midland GXT2000VP4 now at Buy Two Way Radios!

We talk about emergency preparedness a lot at Buy Two Way Radios, and with good reason. Weather emergencies and other disasters can happen anywhere, anytime. The better prepared you are, the greater your chances for survival.

This video is a prime, real life example of a emergency weather event in which two campers averted a disaster and came out of it alive and safe, thanks to the emergency weather feature on their Motorola Talkabout two way radios.

Are you prepared?

Kenwood has re-introduced their popular rebate and multi-charger offer at Buy Two Way Radios, just in time for autumn! Purchase at least six Kenwood business two way radios and get a $25-$30 rebate per radio plus a FREE multi-unit charger on select models! This is a classic deal from Kenwood with a potential savings of over $3,000!

Are you preparing year-end purchases of radios for your company or organization? You're in luck. Purchase the radios, get a free multi-charger for them and get cash back, saving even more on your budget!

Kenwood also has a separate, special rebate offer on the ProTalk XLS TK-3230 (without multi-charger). Purchase at least six TK-3230 radios and you qualify for a $25 rebate per radio with a potential savings of up to $1,200. The TK-3230 offer does not include a multi-charger, but it's still a great deal.

The following Kenwood business radios qualify for the rebate promotion:

This offer is fulfilled by Kenwood directly, so the rebate and/or multi-unit charger will be mailed to you after Kenwood receives your rebate form. Offer valid on up to 60 radios through December 31, 2012. Limit of one multi-unit charger per six radios. Click here for full details. To redeem your rebate, visit Kenwood's rebate website and access the rebate registration by entering Program offer code PRO-22130.

NOTE: Rebates must be postmarked on or before January 7, 2013. Offer good only in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and is void where prohibited, taxed and restricted by law.

Rake in the rebates this autumn and save at Buy Two Way Radios with a special promotion on Motorola business two way radios! For a limited time, Motorola is offering a cash rebate or trade-in on CLP, CLS, RDM, RDX and DTR Series radios, giving you two ways to save big!

REBATE - Purchase at least six Motorola CLP or CLS Series radios and you qualify for a $120 rebate. Six RDM or RDX Series radios earns you a $150 rebate and six DTR Series radios gets you a $180 rebate. A maximum of 10 redemptions (60 radios) is allowed, offering a potential savings of up to $1,800!

TRADE-IN - Purchase at least 6 radios and receive a rebate when 6 qualifying business radios (Motorola or other brand) and/or qualifying push-to-talk cellular products are traded-in. For every six CLP or CLS Series radios receive a $180 rebate, for every six RDM or RDX Series radios receive a $210 rebate and for every six DTR Series radios receive a $240 rebate. Every six radios traded earns you an additional rebate - with a maximum of 10 total redemptions for trade-in (60 radio units)- a potential savings of up to $2400!

Motorola has offered similar rebate promotions in the past, but this one is even better, because in addition the savings on the usual models, this time the rebate is offered on the Motorola RDM MURS series two way radios as well! The FCC does not require a license to operate on MURS frequencies, so if MURS is your radio of choice, this is an even greater savings for you! Want to know more about MURS or if a MURS radio is right for you? Listen to The Two Way Radio Show Episode 11 - All About Murs or give us a call at 1-800-584-1445 and one of our representatives will be happy to help you.

The following radios qualify for the rebates or trade-ins (Rebate amounts are per every six radios purchased):

This offer is direct from Motorola, so you will need to send your rebate redemption form to Motorola Solutions after you purchase your radios and they will mail your rebate directly to you. Do not send trade-ins to Buy Two Way Radios. This offer is valid on up to 60 radios purchased through December 31, 2012. All radios purchased must be within the same product series. Click here for full details. To redeem your rebate, go to www.MyRadioReward.com and follow the instructions.

NOTE: All redemption requests must be postmarked on or before 1/15/2013 and received by 1/31/2013 to qualify. Rebate submissions received after that date will NOT be eligible. Motorola's rebate terms and conditions apply. Offer void where prohibited, taxed and restricted by law.

It is 2012 and hurricane season is here. Hurricane Isaac is now bearing down on the Louisiana coastline. A Tropical storm warning is in effect from East of Morgan City Louisiana to the Alabama-Florida border.
According to the National Weather Service, Isaac became a hurricane Tuesday and will continue to strengthen until landfall occurs along the northern Gulf Coast. If you are located in or around these areas, Are you ready?

Have you put together your Hurricane Preparedness Kit? If not, consider it now. Get the official FEMA checklist of Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit or purchase one of the ready-made Survival /Emergency Kits from Buy Two Way Radios.

A Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA emergency weather radio are also on the list and are considered very important. You may also need Extra batteries for both radios.

For more information on emergency weather radios, listen to The Two Way Radio Show Episode 13 - Emergency and Weather Radios.

We talk about using two way radios for schools. We also review the Ritron Loudmouth PA wireless public address system.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:15

Topic Discussion 1:34
Today we'll talk about using two way radios in schools. We'll discuss some of the advantages of using radios in a school facility, the types of radios used, and recommend some specific models for use in educational institutions. Radios discussed include the Icom IC-F4011, Kenwood ProTalk XLS TK-3230, and Vertex VX-231-AG7B two way radios. For more information about radios for educators, read Two Way Radios for Schools and Universities.

Commercial Break 14:32
buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 15:30
Today we review the Ritron Loudmouth PA wireless public address system.

Questions and Answers 22:07
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

Wrap up and Close 29:01
Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

© 2012 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

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This has been an exciting year for GMRS two way radios. Major manufacturers such as Cobra, Midland and Motorola have announced or launched a number of new models for 2012 with new designs, upgrades and features. Not to be outdone, Uniden has recently updated their product line as well, with such models as the GMR3799, GMR4099 and GMR5099. In fact, they are still at it. Uniden just introduced two new entries in their GMR Series of two way radios, the GMR4040-2CKHS and GMR5089-2CKHS.

The Vertex Standard rebate promotion is ending August 17, 2012 at Buy Two Way Radios. If you are planning to purchase land mobile two way radios for your factory, warehouse, farm, school or other business operation, now may be the best time to buy.

You get $20 or $40 back on every radio purchased, depending on which model you choose. You must purchase a minimum of six radios to qualify for the rebate, but there is no purchase limit, so your savings can be substantial!

The following radios qualify for the rebates:

This offer fulfilled by Vertex Standard, so you will need to send your rebate redemption form directly to them after purchase. This offer is valid on radios purchased through August 17, 2012. You can mix and match models within a series, however all radios purchased must be within the same product series and must be ordered on a single order and on the same invoice. The Minimum rebate is $120 (6 radios x $20) or $240 (6 radios x $40). Click here for full details. Visit vertexstandardrebate.com and follow the instructions to redeem your rebate.

Please remember all redemption requests must be postmarked on or before August 17, 2012.
Redemption submissions received after that date will NOT be eligible. Redemptions cannot be sent to P.O. Boxes. Please allow 4-6 weeks from receipt of your submission for to receive your rebates. Offer good only in the U.S. and Canada and is void where prohibited, taxed and restricted by law.

All Vertex Standard radios on this list are narrowband compliant.