Cell phone technology has developed at an astonishing speed. But cell phones are still just very fancy radios, and they have an Achilles heel - they're completely powerless without a network of nearby cell towers. A walkie talkie? These old radios made short-range wireless communications possible in places where cell phones could not be used.
A two way radio is a wireless handheld radio small enough to be carried around with you. They look a lot like cordless phones, and the body includes a microphone and speaker, as well as an antenna. Unlike a phone, though, two way radios have speakers and microphones right next to each other, and the speakers are much louder so that anyone who can hear can follow the conversation.
Two way radios are battery-powered transceivers, which means they can both send and receive radio information. They have a half-duplex channel, which means that only one two way radio on a channel can send a signal at the same time, although many radios can receive the same signal. In other words, unlike cell phones, two way radios use a push-to-talk (PTT) system - you have to press a button to speak, and then you have to release the button to hear the sounds made by other devices. Both parties to a phone conversation can interrupt or join the conversation through constant voice.
Since you don't need to dial every time, two way radios are fast and easy to use. Best of all, they don't rely on fussy cellphone signals. The two phones can communicate directly with each other, so they will still work during natural disasters or power outages when the cell phone network goes down. They are primarily designed for short-range communication, where groups of people are within a few miles of each other.
Businesses use two way radios so employees can chat effectively in or around their indoor and outdoor buildings. Wilderness enthusiasts carry radios with them so they can stay connected when out hiking or hunting, where there is no cell phone coverage age. Even baby monitors use one-way walkie talkie technology so you know if junior is sleeping quietly or trying to escape.
