I’m sure you can relate to using walkie talkies for construction. Imagine working on the 12th floor of a construction site and you need to communicate with the crane operator and mobile phone service lacks adequate reception, what do you do?
It could also be a really noisy site and you just need to communicate with colleagues. Construction sites are usually a beehive of activities with tens and hundreds of people in some cases, getting an efficient two-way radio communication system is critical to success.
If you’re currently handling a construction project, you’ll agree that everything can go wrong if the right information is not passed at the right time. Most construction companies already rely on walkie talkies for their construction work.
However, a lot of them soon discover that not all walkie talkies are suited for construction. In this post, we’ll show you the top 5 walkie talkies for construction and what factors you should look out for when you shop for one.
Top 5 Best Two-Way Radios for Construction Sites: By Best Feature
Buyer Guide: Critical Factors to be Considered before Selecting Walkie Talkies for Construction
When you go on a search for the right walkie talkie for your construction site, there are several factors that you must pay attention to. These factors will ensure you have a great user experience.
1. Channels
Most construction sites, both large and medium, comprise of several workers handling different tasks and responsibilities. There are units like masonry, electricals, plumbing, and so on.
It is important that the walkie talkie you go for has multiple channels to enable each of the units communicate over specific frequencies or dedicated channels.
Thankfully, there are several walkie talkies for construction that have just the needed number of channels, as you will discover in this post.
2. Design
Design here refers to build and durability. Lightweight walkie talkies are great, but not so great for construction sites. The walkie talkie needs to be made with military-grade plastic and other materials to give it the needed resistance to the toughness of construction sites.
There is also the need to look out for water and dust resistance as these elements are common in construction sites. Such walkie talkie will keep you going in the midst of such conditions.
3. Range/Power
The power of a walkie talkie determines its range one way or another. A high transmitting power (measured in watts) translates to a wide area coverage. If you own a large construction site, you may require as much as 4 watts.
There are those that may even require repeater capability. However, a small or medium-sized site can make do with just 2 watts. So, if you need a walkie talkie for construction, this is an important consideration.
4. Battery Life
You don’t want your walkie talkie shutting down after every hour, do you? Good battery life is certainly a factor you must consider if you want to get real value out of your radio. Plus, enjoying up to 9 hours of battery life means enhanced efficiency at your site for the duration of the day’s work.
We recommend you choose a walkie talkie that has power-saving feature, USB charging feature and dual power feature so you can always use disposable AAA batteries when you choose to.
4. Band
Construction sites would usually have walls, steel barriers, and large equipment on ground. All of these can serve as physical obstructions that can affect signals and communication.
It is best you use a UHF radio if you’re not getting a dual-band VHF/UHF walkie talkie. The reason is simple; UHF signals are able to penetrate through obstacles like walls.
On the other hand, VHF-only devices cannot. If it’s a high-rise building you’re working on, this factor becomes even more important.
5. VOX Feature
Working on a construction site means that you’ll need both hands available for work most of the time. A hands-free setup becomes important and that is what the VOX feature is about.
For good models, this feature should be activated automatically as soon as the earpiece is attached. If you’re going to be taking advantage of this feature, I’ll advice you get a walkie talkie that has a port compatible with most earpiece devices.
Top 5 Best Walkie Talkies for Construction
1. Midland 50-Channel Waterproof Two-Way Radio
Best for: Value for Money
Midland is a trusted name in the walkie talkie industry. That status was earned through efficient technology and value. Their 50-channel Two-Way Radio takes first spot in this review because it is truly one of the best walkie talkies for construction you can find out there.
Some of the reasons it offers great value for money include having 50 channels, its durable and waterproof design, warning alarms and other features that make it a preferred choice for many construction workers.
With two in a pack, you’d need to get more packs if you have several workers on your site. The package comes with several accessories like earpiece, charging device, cable and car charger.
Specifications of Midland 50-Channel Waterproof Two-Way Radio
- GMRS Frequency (would require a license)
- 50 channels
- 142 Private Codes
- NOAA Weather alerts
- Black/Silver exterior
- Siren/Alarm for SOS or emergencies
Pros and Cons Midland 50-Channel Waterproof Two-Way Radio
Pros
- Protection against exposure to water.
- Quite durable
- Multiple channels for easy options
- Unbelievable range, up to 36 miles.
- Dual battery feature to accommodate the situation.
- 9 sensitivity levels to enable convenient hands-free communication
Cons
- Not a budget product
2. Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio
Best for: Price
There are not many brands that will give you a pack of three radios at less than $40. But it’s not just about the price, but this walkie talkie has most of what you need to establish effective communication on your construction site.
We’re particularly thrilled by the amazing blue and black exterior that is beautiful to look at. With up to 16 miles at its disposal, this device truly provides all the support you need to stay in touch with colleagues and staff in a medium-sized construction site.
The compatibility of this radio is also highly impressive, receiving signals from both FRS and GMRS frequencies.
Specifications of Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio
- 22 programmed channels
- Operates on the FRS and GMRS frequencies.
- 3 AAA Alkaline batteries for up to 18 hours.
- Confirmation, Keypad and Call tones.
- Low battery alert
Pros and Cons of Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio
Pros
- Extremely affordable.
- 22 channels provide multiple options.
- Up to 18 hours of long-lasting user experience
- Enhanced compatibility
- Low battery alert for quick action.
- Good range at 16 miles.
Cons
- Lightweight may not withstand construction rigours.
3. Midland – LXT600VP3 FRS Two-Way Radio
Best for: Range
Some construction sites can cover as much as tens of acres. You want to be able to keep everyone as close as possible no matter how far away they are from you. With this Midland FRS Two-Way Radio, you can be in touch with workers on your site and feel as close as you should be.
This is due to the very impressive range power of the product. There’s truly no contest why this shouldn’t be on our list of top 5 best walkie talkies for construction.
Whether you’re floors apart or miles apart, walkie talkies can be the difference between success and failure. Imagine not being able to tell a colleague at the 10th floor that a beam was giving way. That can be disastrous.
Specifications of Midland – LXT600VP3 FRS Two-Way Radio
- 36 channels for communication
- FRS Frequency
- Can reach up to 30 miles.
- 6 radios in a pack.
- Sturdy and durable design.
- VOX feature
- NOAA Weather Feature available.
Pros and Cons of Midland – LXT600VP3 FRS Two-Way Radio
Pros
- Very long range; suitable for large and medium-sized construction sites.
- Can withstand tough terrains.
- FRS frequency requires no license.
- Multiple channels for easy communication.
- Weather detector to keep you ready at all times.
- VOX feature for improved audio signal quality.
Cons
- Buttons may be too close for gloves.
- Not waterproof.
4. Retevis RT1 High-Power Two-Way Radio
Best for: Battery Life
Retevis comes up once more with yet another amazing entry. This time, for producing one of the best walkie talkies for construction. The Retevis RT1 Radio is tough and rugged, but not just on the outside.
It comes with one of the best battery capacities you can find in the industry. This makes it a great choice as well. Everyone wants a walkie talkie that will at least take them through a whole day’s work. Its all-black color gives it that mature appearance we all love.
There are five two-way radios in the pack, maybe enough for each unit’s supervisors, or you can simply order more packs to go round depending on how many workers you have on your site. One thing is certain; you’ll get value for your money.
Specifications of Retevis RT1 High-Power Two-Way Radio
- 3,000 mAh li-ion battery.
- High-gain antenna for long range communication.
- UHF Signal
- Come with earpiece and acoustic headset.
- Rechargeable battery
- Power-saving feature.
Pros and Cons of Retevis RT1 High-Power Two-Way Radio
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Anti-shock; able to withstand up to 2-meter drop.
- Long-lasting battery power up to last you the whole day.
- Features CTCSS/DCS to reduce interference caused by other radio signals.
- Emergency alarm alerts other radios in case of emergency.
- Freedom to choose transmission power based on environment.
- Signals can penetrate through buildings.
Cons
- Might require a license
- Not the most portable radio.
- Not a budget walkie talkie.
5. DEWALT DXFRS800 2-Watt Heavy Duty Walkie Talkie
Best for: Design
You’ve got the range, the preferred battery life, the best price and even great value; but what about strength? Construction sites are not a bed of roses. They are tough places to be. If humans require helmets and foot gears, what about your walkie talkie? If it drops, will it break?
What if there’s water on the site or it just happens to rain? Will your walkie talkie withstand it? DEWALT DXFRS800 comes packed with so much durability. It is truly designed for the tough terrains, and this qualifies it to be in this list of walkie talkies for construction.
But it’s not just about durability or its waterproof quality, this radio has relatively impressive range, good channel combinations, and very good battery life. If you truly want something for tough work, this might just be what you’re looking for.
Specifications of DEWALT DXFRS800 2-Watt Heavy Duty Walkie Talkie
- UHF/FM Ultra-clear range.
- Key-lock feature
- Power Saver feature for long-lasting battery.
- Confirmation tone to indicate transmission completion.
- Has a gang charger for 6 radios.
- 2 Watts of RF Output
Pros and Cons of DEWALT DXFRS800 2-Watt Heavy Duty Walkie Talkie
Pros
- It is waterproof.
- Highly durable; can withstand a 2-meter drop.
- 2000 mAh lithium-polymer battery (rechargeable) for good performance.
- Can cover a range of up to 25 floors.
- 2,662 channel combinations for extended signal range.
Cons
- Relatively Pricey
Comparison of Top 5 Walkie Talkies for Construction
| Midland 50-Channel Waterproof Two-Way Radio | Motorola T100TP | Midland – LXT600VP3 | Retevis RT1 Two-Way Radio | DEWALT DXFRS800 | |
| Range | 36 miles | 16 miles | 30 miles | 10-16 miles | 300,000 sq ft |
| Channels | 50 | 22 | 50 | 16 | 22 |
| Battery Life | 8 – 12 hours | 18 hours | Less than 8 hours | Up to 18hours | 12 hours |
| Band | UHF | UHF | UHF | UHF | UHF |
| Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof |
Final Words:
Now you can do much more work and achieve much more results with ease. You cannot overemphasize the importance of communication in construction, especially on a large size. Getting the best walkie talkie for construction will reduce your hassle significantly. Pick any one of these products that suits your needs and thank us later.
