The walkie-talkie or portable two-way radio is a great way to communicate easily and instantly with your teams, regardless of your industry.But given the multitude of devices on the market, it is sometimes difficult to choose one.When choosing a new set of portable two-way radios, there are a number of things to consider.Perhaps the most important of these is the maximum range of the walkie talkie.If you are planning to use your radios on a camping trip with the family or are looking for walkie talkies for children, a shorter range will likely be sufficient to meet your needs.However, for business users, or those who hike or ski, you will probably need a longer range, around 10km.Additionally, you should also think about any additional features you may need from your radios.For example, many of Motorola's TALKABOUT range come with a simple pairing button, which helps make setup a little easier.Others are IP-rated to make them resistant to dust and water, and some like the Motorola T92 and Cobra AM1035 even float in water, making them the obvious choice for kayaking trips.Portable Radios and walkie-talkies may seem like relics from your childhood, but nothing compares to the convenience and simplicity of a pair of two-way radios.The freedom to rely on a cellular network to communicate makes them ideal for camping adventures and caravan trips.As long as you are within the range that the radio is designed for and there are no obstacles, you can chat as much as you want, for free.Price Last updated on 2021-12-23 (Affiliate link)One of the most important factors to consider when deciding which 2-way radio to buy is the range it needs to cover.The maximum range allowed by consumer two-way radios using the PMR446 frequency over 0.5W transmit power is up to 10km.However, this could only be achieved under ideal conditions: at high altitude with no obstacles between the two radios.Unless you're using your walkie talkies to communicate between two mountain peaks, you're unlikely to be able to achieve this kind of range.In a built-up urban environment, the maximum range will likely be much lower.However, a good quality radio should provide adequate range for the vast majority of users.If you need anything beyond that, you will need to consider a more powerful two-way radio.These do require a license, however, and are much more expensive than the unlicensed models.Unlicensed two-way radios have a fixed frequency on which they can transmit: PMR446 Most unlicensed two-way radios have 8 or 16 channels, which tune the frequency on which the phones communicate with each other.In addition to channels, there are typically a number of privacy codes.Contrary to what the name suggests, these do not guarantee the privacy of your broadcasts.Rather, they allow users to chat freely without interference from others, which can be a problem if using them in an area such as a ski resort where many other two-way radios may be in use.This allows you to browse through channels to find what your group is using.You can also use this feature to quickly locate an “empty” channel to use for your group.Purchase units by size, shape and weight, especially if the intended use is backpacking.You will need a lightweight radio that is not bulky.If you are a skier or mountaineer, look for an ergonomic shape so you can use it easily with gloves.Consider a model where the antenna length is similar to the length of the unit body;this provides peak power in a small package.Price Last updated on 2021-12-27 (Affiliate Link)It is always a good idea to look for discounts and current sales while looking to purchase Portable Two-way Radios.To save you time and money, I've listed the best deals you can currently get:Price Last updated on 2021-12-27 (Affiliate Link)The MXT400 micromobile is the most powerful GMRS radio and the perfect long range solution.This radio boasts 40 watts of transmit power with a range of 65 miles in line of sight.The difference is that GMRS radios have designated channels within those frequencies that are not available for FRS radios.GMRS radios also require an FCC license to function.This is partly due to the fact that they are more powerful.FRS walkie talkies cannot be modified to amplify their signal to reach further distances.Wattage and Coverage: Many two-way radios claim to have a range of up to 25 miles under optimal conditions.Real world conditions are usually not optimal and, in most situations, the actual range of a radio will be around 2 miles or less.The channel frequency is programmable within the frequency range;Any of 50 CTCSS audio and 105 CDCSS audio can be programmed on each programmed channel.Each two-way radio is equipped with a 1500mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a US charging stand.To sum it up, it's important to get the best amateur radio that's right for you.It should fit within your budget and at the same time meet your expectations, at least most of them.Take your time before making a decision on the type of radio you will buy.Above all, understand what you are buying in regards to its features and limitations.This will avoid a lot of frustration in the future.