If all you have is a small garden behind the house or a vegetable farm covering a plot or two, you’ll certainly not require communication aids. However, if you’re a large-scale farmer with several acres of farmland and tens of workers manning different sections and units, it will be impossible to scream at the top of your voice anytime you need to pass across an information.
They won’t even hear you and it’s certainly not convenient. Going by trends, your farm is also probably at the suburbs where mobile network coverage is often poor or non-existent. What do you do?
This post is for you. With the right type of walkie talkie, you won’t have a problem communicating on your farm. Walkie talkies are also great where mobile phones fail.
For instance, you’re able to speak to a large group instantaneously over a two-way radio. But how do you tell which walkie talkie is best suited for your farm? What should you look out for when you shop for one? Which brand has the best walkie talkie for farm use? We’ll find out soon enough as we explore the critical factors you must consider before you choose a walkie talkie for your farm.
Top 5 Best Two-Way Radios for Farming: By Best Feature
Buyer’s Guide: Critical Factors to Consider before choosing a Walkie Talkie for Farm Use
There may be a number of things running through your mind. Do you need a walkie talkie that can send clear signals despite obstructing trees?
What about battery type; is there a power source to charge on the farm? Maybe it’s budget for you. This and many more are likely to determine what product you end up with. Below are six (6) of our top considerations;
1. Battery Type/Life
Depending on where your farm is located and whether or not it is connected to power, your choice of walkie talkie should certainly include consideration for battery type. If you won’t be able to charge, it’s best to go for walkie talkies that use replaceable alkaline AA batteries.
And, even if you must use a walkie talkie with rechargeable batteries like the NiMH or Li-Ion, be sure they have a strong battery life that will last the entire duration at the farm before charging is required. If you do have a power source, a rechargeable battery is always best in this case.
2. Build Quality
Many farms are water logged. This is normal as most crops need lots of water to survive. Will the walkie talkie survive dropping into water? Is it waterproof? What about dust?
If you’re going to be working with a lot of hardware (tractors and machines), it is important to also consider the durability of the radio. If it drops on a hard surface, will it get damaged? Do not make a decision until you have found answers to these questions.
3. Design
This is a very important factor. You must be sure the walkie talkie is designed for farm use. For instance, does it have a belt or strap to enable you strap it on your shoulder or chest area?
On the farm, your workers would need to be able to communicate hands-free as those will be too busy with work. Also, what kind of antenna does it have? Is it inbuilt or removable? Finally, is the walkie talkie potable? We can’t imagine people moving around a farm with radios as large as a console.
4. Signal/Frequency Type
There are two major types of spectrums when it comes to walkie talkies; VHF and UHF. While some walkie talkies use both, there are a few that operate on the VHF spectrum.
However, a majority of radios operate within the 27 MHz and between 400 and 500 MHz area within the UHF spectrum. If your farmland has tall trees that may cause signal obstruction, the UHF frequency is best as it can penetrate through trees.
5. Range/Coverage
Range refers to how far the walkie talkie’s signals can travel. The best walkie talkies for farm use should be able to cover several acres of farmland. You should be able to at least talk to everyone on the farm (sometimes miles apart).
This coverage is also often limited by terrain, weather and obstruction. Be sure to find a walkie talkie that has some form of resistance against such factors.
6. Price
Do not go overboard on a walkie talkie. Yes, it is good to go for quality, but it doesn’t mean you should break the bank. There are really good walkie talkies on the market that you can get on a budget. Just be sure to do your findings properly.
Top 5 Best Walkie Talkies for Farm Use
1. Motorola Talkabout T265
Best for: Value for Money
The first thing to point out about this two-way radio is its ability to communicate with any other radio within the FRS and GMRS services. It is a truly modern device with all safety and eco-friendly factors duly considered.
Imagine getting much of what you desire from a farm communications gadget at a truly affordable price. This pack comes with two radios and gives you an amazing range, good battery quality, great design, and everything in between.
This Motorola Talkabout T265 two-way radio was designed specifically for outdoor activities like using it on a farm or for hunting. The easy push-to-talk button gives you direct access to everyone on your farm, as long as they’re connect to the same channels.
Specifications of Motorola Talkabout T265
- 25-mile range
- NiMH batteries to use for up to 12 hours.
- 22 channels
- 121 privacy codes for up to 2,500 combinations.
- Hands-free feature.
- Dual power functionality.
- NOAA alerts and channels for Weather check.
Pros and Cons of Motorola Talkabout T265
Pros:
- Really affordable on a budget.
- Great mile range for a budget radio.
- VOX/iVOX feature means you can communicate without actually holding the radio.
- There is always a channel for you and your team.
- Great compatibility with other brands.
Cons:
- You may need better batteries.
2. Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk 5-Watt Two-Way Radio
Best for: Build Quality
This Kenwood ProTalk Walkie Talkie is one of the most powerful two-way radios we have ever tried out. It is packed with lots of power, up to 5 watts. The all-black design gives it a simple, but rugged look and it takes nothing away from its strength and durability. If you own a farm and you desire a two-way radio to communicate with workers and colleagues, this is one of the best walkie talkies for farm use you can find out there. From sturdy build and potability to audio quality and far-reaching signals, there’s a reason this product stands tall amongst other competitions.
Specifications of Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk
- 16 pre-set channels
- 300,000 square feet range which equals 7 miles or 30 floors.
- 2000 mAh lithium-ion battery pack for up to 12 hours
- Includes battery-saver and fast-charge features
- 90 pre-set frequencies at spacing of 12.5 kHz
- 50 Ohms antenna impedance.
Pros and Cons of Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk
Pros:
- Enough channels spacing to avoid signal mix-up
- Water and dust resistant.
- Can operate within temperatures between -22 degrees F to 140 degrees F.
- All-weather reliability.
- Good range at up to 7 miles.
- 5 watt gives sufficient power push.
Cons:
- Not budget-friendly.
3. Arcshell Rechargeable Long-Range Two-Way Radio
Best for: Price
Where else can you get four walkie talkies in a package for under $50? If you’re on a budget and you just need something to get by with, that comes with great features and long-lasting attributes, this Arcshell entry does it for us.
With its UHF waves, you can be sure of uninterrupted transmission even if there are lots of trees on your farm. This power-packed radio set also has a long, durable antenna that transmits at high speed with clear audio and great signal quality.
With other built-in accessories like LED light and the hands-free feature that requires fixing with a screwdriver, this is certainly a great choice of walkie talkie for your farm.
Specifications of Arcshell Rechargeable Long-Range Two-Way Radio
- 2-Watt Power output
- 16channels
- Between 5 and 10 miles in range (without obstruction)
- Long antenna at 5.24 inches
- Comes with 1500 mAh rechargeable LI-ion battery.
- Single UHF Frequency at 400 to 470 MHz.
- Come with a VOX function
- Noise Reduction feature available.
- Measures 4.53 x 1.30 x 2.36 inches in dimension.
Pros and Cons of Arcshell Rechargeable Long-Range Two-Way Radio
Pros:
- Comes with an ear-bud style earpiece for each radio
- Push-to-talk button enhances microphone feature
- Fair battery life up to 9 hours with moderate use.
- Extremely affordable.
- Audio distortion not more than 5%.
- Alarm system available for emergencies.
Cons:
- Cannot be used on very large farms due to range limitation.
- Constant use of battery may not give up to 8 hours.
4. FLOUREON 4 Packs Walkie Talkie
Best for: Signal Quality
The FLOUREON handheld walkie talkie is an unexpected choice for many reasons. It may not be the most popular brand out there, neither does it exhibit the luxury that most people look out for.
But one thing is certain, it does provide an affordable means to get your workers communicating effectively on the farm. With 4 orange-looking portable radio devices, you get one of the best audio gadgets there is on the market.
This is as a result of several factors including frequency and band type as well as mode of operation. If you’re looking for a walkie talkie for farm use, this should certainly make your list of options.
Specifications of FLOUREON 4 Packs Walkie Talkie
- 4 radio packs in the package
- 5km talk range in open field
- UHF Wave
- 22 channels, 121 privacy codes and a total of 2,662 combinations.
- Very portable design.
- Includes PTT/VOX function for voice transmission
- Operates on the FRS/GMRS radio services.
- Each radio uses 3 AA batteries.
- Package dimension at 6.5 x 5.4 x 3.6 inches.
Pros and Cons of FLOUREON 4 Packs Walkie Talkie
Pros:
- One of the most portable walkie talkies out there.
- Great audio quality aided by auto squelch feature that mutes background noise in crowded places and adjustable volume.
- Incredibly budget-friendly.
- Multiple channel options.
- Greatfor night use as a result of LED display and torchlight for visibility.
- Responsive customer service.
Cons:
- Battery not included.
- Not the best range out there.
5. DEWALT DXFRS800 2-Walt Heavy-Duty Walkie Talkies
Best for: Design
Farming is an interesting activity, but it is also very tedious. You have to bring you’re a-game every time, and so do your tools, gadgets and accessories. Your walkie talkie is not left out.
For a truly effective farming activity, be sure to come with a two-way radio as efficient, durable and strong as DEWALT DXFRS Heavy-Duty radio.
While the price might scare some away, this product remains one of the most user-friendly and rugged you can find on the market. Its performance level is highly impressive too.
Specifications of DEWALT DXFRS800
- 22 preset channels and a total of 2,662 channel combinations.
- 2-Watt power output.
- 300,000 sq. ft in signal range
- IP67 Standard for protection.
- Shock resistant
- Waterproof and Dustproof.
Pros and Cons of DEWALT DXFRS800
Pros:
- Can withstand up to 30-minutes immersion in deep water.
- Rugged anti-slip design.
- Ergonomic design.
- Will not be damaged by dust.
- Shock resistant up to 2-meter drop.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- Should have a longer range for that price.
- Quite pricey.
Comparison of Top 5 Best Walkie Talkies for Farm Use
| Motorola Talkabout T265 | Kenwood TK-3402U16P | Arcshell Long-Range Radio | FLOUREON Walkie Talkie | DEWALT DXFRS800 | |
| Range | 25 miles | 5 Miles | 5 miles | 3.1 miles | 37 Miles |
| Channels | 22 | 16 | 16 | 22 | 22 |
| Battery Life | 12 hours | 12 hours | Up to 8 hours | Up to 8 hours | 12 hours |
| Dustproof | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Waterproof | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Final Words:
Having a high-performance walkie talkie on your farm will give you the power to be in control of situations and avoid accidents or unwanted outcomes. You can easily be in touch with everyone from every unit and get things done easily. Just be sure to get a walkie talkie with good range, good battery life, great audio quality, and a design that gives you power over the elements and much control. You can’t go wrong with any of the products here. Based on overall quality, our choice for the best value is the Motorola Talkabout T265. Just be sure to watch out for the elements.
