Whether to stay in touch with your family or hunting buddies, Two-way radios are a great way to help keep in contact with your party with out depending on your smartphones. There are so many radios out there on the market which are designed to attract the avid hunters and comes with many features like camouflage coated radios pre-packaged with headsets, units with car chargers and in many cases radios with GPS.
Using Two way radios for hunting provides you with lot of benefits and primary benefit being not depending on the cell signal. There are so many radios manufactured by well known brands like Motorola, uniden, midland and cobra and the dilemma is which one to purchase. Given the array of two way radio options, it is difficult to pick the most appropriate one for your needs and we are here to navigate you in purchasing the right radio.
Midland GXT860VP4 42-Channel GMRS Radio
While shopping for a hunting two radios, one ought to analyze important features which are absolutely essential for effective communication and your safety.Range, privacy codes, weather channels and ease of use are some feature one must always keep in mind. Before purchasing any type of two radio, please remember the fact that the range advertised by the manufacturer are usually applicable under ideal conditions. Obstacles like mountains, tree, wall and almost anything else which obstructs your field of view can lessen the range and quality of sound.
Range of the Two-way radios
If you’re going to hunt in thick forests or deep inside the mountain ranges, two way range ought to be a serious consideration. Obstacles such as trees and hills weaken the signals and cause dead spots if you are using less reliable radios. Better powered designs delivers a mile or a lot more of range in tough circumstances.
Headset Support – The last thing you want is a transmission from your radio scaring away your target. A comfortable earpiece or headset is a necessity if you would like to hunt with out any noise.
Battery Life
Without power outlets being readily available, maintaining your radio charged is a big concern if you’re planning to spend a lot of time outdoors. Look for models with extremely long battery life, those that have the ability to operate on standard AA or AAA batteries in a crunch, or models that support a vehicle charger.
NOAA Weather Information – Being outdoors, it is always a nice bonus to have weather information right at your fingertips.
Camo coloring – Color obviously isn’t a requirement, but camouflage radios are very favored by hunters.
Privacy Codes
Nearly all radios have up to 38 different privacy codes known as CTCSS tones and privacy codes are invented to allow several people to share a common channel and still not able to listen to each others messages .This feature can be very useful if you would to keep in touch with your hunting group and not listen to other hunters messages.
Two-way radios usually give the user the option of using privacy codes. These help to filter out broadcasts from other radio users. This will help you have quiet conversations with your group. If your radio has this option, you pick a predetermined channel and code and you can only communicate with someone using that exact channel and code, with their privacy-code feature turned off. However, this does not guarantee you privacy. Anyone else tuned to those channels will still be able to hear your conversations. However, this does increase your odds of finding a quiet frequency.
Weather Channels
Some two-way radios include things like NOAA channels that allow you get the most up-to-date weather information. Give preference to radios with NOAA weather channels when purchasing it for hunting. The radios with NOAA support would scan for any local weather transmissions from the National Weather Service, and sound an alert tone if one of over 80 possible severe weather or unexpected emergency situations is detected in the area.
Call Alerts
Some manufacturers make radios that provide a choice of different call alerts, or tones, to notify users of an incoming message. If you are using your two way radio when hunting, you may want a radio with a vibrate alert. When you are aiming at your prey of a lifetime, you do not need anyone buzzing in and spooking your target.
Hunting Two Way Radios Accessory Support
There are also accessories that make your radio more user-friendly, such as protective or waterproof cases, headsets, ear pieces, and shoulder and belt holsters in addition to an assortment of charging units.
Midland GXT860VP4 42-Channel GMRS in Full Set
Vox and head set support
The vox is the feature intended for using with a two way radio headset accessory. VOX is an acronym for voice operated Transmit and the VOX indicators on the radio tells you if the radio is on VOX mode or normal mode. If it is in VOX mode, it will start transmitting as soon as you start speaking and it is very handy if you are talking great deal during hunting. You can adjust the noise sensitivity of the VOX to a least sensitive setting to minimize unwanted transmission due to other noise.
Two way radio with VOX and headset is usually a requirement if you do not want frighten away the deer or any other animal that you are hunting.Radios with compass and barometer allows you to monitor Low pressure systems and stay safe when you are deep in the woods.
Camo coloring of the Radios
Color certainly is not an necessity, but camouflage radios are extremely popular with hunters.All the major brands offers two way radios with camo coloring.
Other Considerations When Shopping For Two-Way Radios
When shopping for multiple two-way radios for your group, it’s usually best to buy the identical models from the same manufacturer mainly because optional features such as privacy codes won’t always work between brands. Any two radios that broadcast on the same frequency band (FRS/GMRS or eXRS) and offer the same channels will function together. But to get full use of a radio’s functions, you may need another radio with similar features.
Look for other handy features such as auto squelch, that can reduce static and clarify your signal, and privacy codes, which will give you access to more channels and cut out interference.auto squelch that gives users the option to either hear the background noise or tune it out. The Cobra walkie talkie radio set provides a variety of alert tones for incoming calls, so users can distinguish the ring tone of their cell phone from that of the two-way radio.
MIDLAND GXT1000VP4 36-Mile GMRS Radio Pair Pack with Batteries & Drop-in Charger
One other feature that you would be looking for in a hunting radios is that it should have large sized buttons and controls so its possible to easily use the radio while wearing gloves. It ought to be compact, with a backlight display, and LED flashlight all in built in the two way radio.
Users should note that by law they are required to have a license from the FCC to broadcast on the GMRS bands.
Recommended Two Way Radios for Hunting
Motorola MS355R
The Motorola MS355R is an excellent radio kit that was designed with hunting in mind. It includes two Motorola MS355 radios, a desktop charger, and two earbuds with PTT mics. It’s got good clarity, an extended antenna for extra range over other Talkabout models, and finest of all it is fully waterproof!
Through a number of improvements over similar radio models, Motorola has put the MS355R in a position of being one of the most reliable two way radio unit on the market. The design itself is extremely sturdy and the internal electronics provide plenty of power for turning the volume up and down. Communications are crisp, clear, and easy to understand. Included with the unit are the charging adapter, belt clips, batteries, and earpieces.
Motorola Talkabout MS355R Walkie Waterproof Pair Set 35 Mile Two Way Radio Camo with Base
The Motorola MS355R can hold up to being submersed in water and it even floats. You also get support for weather channels, and this also product can powered by AA batteries in a pinch. If you need a different style headset in the future, there are more accessory choices for Motorola products than any other brand.
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Midland GXT1050VP4
Midland’s GXT1050VP4 two-way, 22-channel radios are designed for GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) operation, in a rugged, weatherproof package. With a range of up to 36 miles and Mossy Oak Breakup Camo finish, they’re ideal for your next hunting trip. Features include privacy codes, direct/group calling, NOAA weather radio/alert/scan, silent operation, whisper function, SOS siren, and plenty more. Five animal call alerts are also included. Perfect for the outdoorsman.
The GXT1050VP4, featuring a Mossy Oak camo coloring, was developed by Midland specifically for hunters. Like the popular GXT895, the GXT1050 provides the best range of all consumer radios. It supports weather channels and alerts, that can operate on standard AA batteries (if necessary).
The radio has a weather scan function that scans the active weather channel in your area. It also has an automatic NOAA alert for severe weather hazard information 24/7. An SOS siren is provided, allowing you to send a distress/locator signal in an emergency. An auto squelch feature removes annoying background noise for clear communication. A direct call feature lets you contact one member of your party without alerting others. Call alert has 10 different call tones to notify you of an incoming call within your group. The keypad is lockable to keep your selected settings. The silent operation mode turns off all tones for quiet, unobtrusive operation. High, medium, and low power settings let you adjust the radio’s transmit power to conserve battery life.
The GXT1050VP4 is more waterproof than other consumer radios. This could be a nice benefit if you encounter heavy rain. A vehicle charging adapter and two hands-free (VOX) capable headsets are also included.
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Midland GXT2050VP4 Up to 36 Mile Two-Way Radio
Midland GXT2050 Series has 142 Privacy Codes available which can only be used on channels 1~22. The selected Privacy Code may be different for each channel.This two way radio has a SILENT OPERATION mode. This will be very useful if you are hunting or bird watching.
Midland GXT2050VP4 Radios With Headsets and Charger
Midland GXT895VP4 Up to 36 Mile Two-Way Radio
The Midland GXT895VP4 stands out as the camouflage version of the GXT860 along with its great features and a Call Alert upgrade as well. This radio continues the tradition of the popular GXT series to give you best GMRS two way radio. Made for the outdoor enthusiast, the Mossy Oak® camouflage case is ideal for hiking, hunting and other activities in the woods.
MIDLAND GXT895VP4 36-Mile Camo GMRS Radio Pair Pack with Drop-in Charger
Skilled hunters appreciate how important it is to remain in contact with everybody in the hunting party when they are going after deer, big game, or any other target. In these cases, you cannot trust cell phones and really should find the best hunting two way radio that will help you keep in touch with your pals and loved ones while you are far out in the forests or other hunting ground. You have to have the best 2 way radio for hunting to avoid hunting injuries, sneak up on prey, and much more.
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