Walkie talkies play a vital role in helping people communicate with each other over long distances. These devices pre-date cell phones by several years and have assisted numerous travellers and explorers since their inception.
If you are planning to buy a walkie talkie and use it for the first time, you might be wondering what frequencies to use for it. As with most long-range communication devices, walkie talkies use specific frequencies to transmit information between devices. You might be wondering about the frequencies to use for your device.
The truth is that there is no “best” frequency to use for your walkie talkie. However, you should still take the time to understand different walkie talkie frequencies to understand their capabilities and limitations. In this guide, we will discuss what frequencies different types of walkie talkies use to help to understand which is right for you.
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What Frequencies Do Most Walkie Talkies Use?
The term “walkie talkie” covers a wide range of two-way devices designed to communicate over specific frequency ranges. If we look at the walkie talkie frequency list for each walkie talkie band, we could say that these devices cover frequencies between 150 and 500 MHz. However, most types cover a tight frequency range between this range.
There is much variation in the walkie talkie types out there, so it is vital to know which frequency range each type covers.
What Frequencies Do FRS Walkie Talkies Cover?
Family Radio Service or “FRS” walkie talkies utilize a private two-way communications service for group and family activities. Such walkie talkie radios can be used by the public without having to acquire a license beforehand.
These walkie talkies typically cover 22 channels that fall between the frequency range of 462 MHz and 467 MHz.
What Frequencies Do GMRS Walkie Talkies Cover?
General Mobile Radio Service or GMRS refers to a licensed radio service that is available to individuals with certain limitations. This radio service is offered to a single man or woman to communicate with other licensed individuals or their family members.
This radio service also covers frequencies between 462 MHz and 467 MHz. You should note that the rules around GMRS limit who is eligible for a license. This means you might not be eligible to receive a GMRS license for personal radio use based on your background and intended usage.
What Frequencies Do MURS Walkie Talkies Cover?
Multi-Use Radio Service or MURS walkie talkies are special walkie talkies authorized to use five frequencies that were previously part of business radio services. These frequencies range from 151 to 154 MHz.
Other Walkie Talkie Frequencies
The walkie talkie types mentioned above aren’t the only types that exist. For example, in the United States, there are some personal walkie talkies that operate in the 27 MHz range. Cordless phones and baby monitors are also essentially walkie talkies that operate in the 49 MHz range.
Some walkie talkies in the United States are also capable of functioning in the 900 MHz range. However, such walkie talkies are rare.
Common Walkie Talkie Brand Frequencies
Many walkie talkie brands post frequency charts denoting the frequencies in which their devices operate. For example, Motorola has shared a Motorola walkie talkie frequency chart that helps users find appropriate channel numbers within the 462.5625 to 462.7250 MHz spectrum.
This Motorola frequency chart shows FRS channels 1 to 14 falling between 462.5625 and 467.7125 MHz. It also shows GMRS 1 to GMRS 7 falling between 462.5625 and 462.7125, and GMRS 15 and GMRS 22 falling between 462.5500 and 462.7250.
Pxton walkie talkies stand out in the walkie talkie world because they operate in a distinctly different frequency range from other walkie talkies. The brand’s current Pxton walkie talkies frequencies range covers VHF frequencies that fall between 130 and 174 MHz. These frequencies offer a range that is distinctly longer than that of other talkie walkie brands that cover UFH range frequencies.
Choosing the Perfect Walkie Talkies For Your Needs
As you can see, walkie talkie frequencies vary greatly depending on the walkie talkie brand and exact model. The frequencies described above cover most of the major walkie talkie types, so you can use this information to pick the walkie talkie style that works best for you.
If you need help with choosing the perfect walkie talkie channel or walkie talkie mode, consider checking out the other articles on our website. We cover many topics related to walkie talkie frequencies and can help you pick perfect walkie talkies for your exact needs.
