It was truckers who first started using portable radios. Even today, in an age of widespread cellular communications, they give preference to this particular equipment. This is due to the fact that the mobile phone does not catch the network everywhere, which is not surprising when driving along the highway. A walkie-talkie in this regard is much preferable, since it keeps the necessary channel stably for both the listener and the interlocutor transmitting information. And using it while driving is also quite convenient - all the necessary information will be received by people connected to this channel and located even at a considerable distance.
If you have a need to purchase such a device, then this article will be very useful to you. In it, we will not only consider the useful characteristics of the best walkie-talkies for truckers in 2019, but also give tips regarding the selection and use of such products. Let’s start with this.
Summary of the rating:
How to choose a walkie-talkie for a trucker?
In general, walkie-talkies are very widespread among motorists - they are used by taxi drivers, couriers and even ordinary drivers. Similar products operate in the so-called civilian range of CB, which is internationally distributed, so it will work stably even outside our country. One of the main advantages of such a radio station is the absence of the need to register it (however, there is an important limitation here - it is allowed to use an omnidirectional antenna, and the transmitter power should not exceed 10 W). If at least one of the conditions is not met, then the radio will have to be put on the appropriate account.
Going to the appropriate store for the walkie-talkie, you should remember that its main characteristics are the range of work and the maximum radius of action. The remaining functions are secondary - their presence is determined by the preferences of the driver himself, as well as his financial capabilities. A typical walkie-talkie is able to work in a radius of about 7 km, more expensive products equipped with a remote antenna have a larger indicator, which can reach 20 km. It is natural that this quality will directly depend on the power of the radio itself. Standard products with a power of not more than 10 watts can provide a range of not more than 12 km.
Drivers usually communicate with each other at a frequency of 27,130 MHz, absolutely any walkie-talkie designed for use by truckers can work with it. However, the device may be equipped with several channels. This is convenient if you need to provide confidential information that other people should not hear. The antenna very much affects the final quality of communication, and there are many models on sale that come with it. Some users prefer an antenna purchased separately - their choice is very large: they are short, long, magnetically attached to the car body or placed directly in the cab.
When choosing models for inclusion in our review, we were guided, first of all, by the key parameters of the walkie-talkies.However, a number of important points were not spared - this is the price-quality ratio, as well as user reviews. We tried to include models of not the highest cost in the rating, so that most of our readers would be able to afford them.
The best walkie-talkie models for truckers - top 10
10. Alan 48 Excel
The front panel of this radio station is made in a classic form, the case has fairly decent overall dimensions. The device is equipped with a digital display with a bright orange LED backlight. The data is displayed in large black font, so it will be enough for the driver to simply glance at the walkie-talkie to get all the necessary information - you will not have to look at the screen and be distracted from the traffic situation. The case is made of sufficiently rigid metal, its elements are tightly fitted to each other, no gaps or backlashes are observed. It is painted with a powder paint with a matte finish, so that it will not be visible on any kind of pollution, including dust. The front panel is made of soft plastic, it should be handled as carefully as possible, since there is a high probability of damage, scratches and other defects.
An S-meter is provided, which makes it possible to track even minor changes in the power of the input signal and the output power of the station itself. On the left side there is a handle responsible for changing channels, under which there is a headset jack. The function control buttons are made of rubber, corresponding icons are applied to them, there is also a volume control knob and a noise reduction enable button. The headset has a small size and ergonomic shape - it fits easily into the hand. The station is equipped with 10 grids from A to L, which in total give about 400 channels. Moreover, the channels can be stored in the device’s memory, which is very convenient.
Benefits:
- Reasonable cost;
- Enough wide functionality;
- The ergonomics of both the front panel and the headset itself are carefully thought out;
- Good build quality.
Disadvantages:
- The front panel should be handled as carefully as possible, as there is a possibility of damage to it.
9. Optim Voyager
It is made in the traditional form factor - the case is an ordinary monoblock made of cast aluminum, which gives the structure additional strength and rigidity. The shape of the front panel is not quite familiar. There is a slight elevation above the display and buttons, which can create some difficulties during the installation of the device, especially if it is planned to install the walkie-talkie in some compact niche. In general, the manufacturer developed the design taking into account that it will be mounted in the cab with the help of a special bracket that is supplied with this product. The control is programmable here, so each user can adjust it directly for themselves. One of the key advantages of this equipment is a full-color liquid crystal display with a high level of information. It reads excellently regardless of the viewing angle. Its brightness can be adjusted so that it does not distract the driver while driving.
The information on the display is arranged very tightly, there is a clock. When the walkie-talkie is turned off, the date and time are displayed on the screen, it is worth noting that it turns off in case of inactivity. The product has a built-in SWR meter, which is displayed during signal transmission, thanks to this it is possible to monitor the state of the antenna in real time. The headset can not be used if you only need to receive a signal. The intercom itself is quite compact, conveniently fits in your hand. There are a lot of functions here, there is even a fine tuning of the radio signal reception, which allows to provide the most clear audibility.
Benefits:
- Original appearance;
- Very informative LCD display;
- Ability to use without connecting a headset;
- Reliability and structural strength.
Disadvantages:
- When installing in a niche, some difficulties may arise.
8. MegaJet MJ-3031
A fairly popular radio station, both among truckers and ordinary motorists. The product design is quite stylish, the controls are simple and convenient - you don’t have to dig into the settings for a long time to ensure clear signal reception and transmission. The display has a blue LED backlight that will not be evident either at night or during daylight hours. The walkie-talkie does not have a threshold noise suppressor, but there is a spectral one that can reliably cope even with fairly strong noise arising on the air due to various reasons. The model has a maximum permissible power of 10 W, which ensures a device operating range of about 10 km. As a receiver, a superheterodyne is used here, which provides double frequency conversion in digital format. The received signal is transformed into digital and pass through a spectral noise suppressor and amplifier in this form - this allows to achieve a decent volume of the device.
The station is capable of working with 240 channels - a very decent indicator, and ranges from A to F are available to it. The display here is Black Matrix LCD, has the function of memorizing the operating mode. During the scan, you can return to the previous channel. The radio memory is designed for 4 channels. Overall dimensions are not large - 159x138x48 mm with a mass of 850 grams. It is worth noting that the display has an additional backlight, which greatly increases the sharpness and clarity of the image when the walkie-talkie is in direct sunlight.
Benefits:
- Compact overall dimensions and small weight;
- Digital signal processing;
- High power and long range;
- Good build.
Disadvantages:
- There is no threshold squelch.
7. Midland Alan M-ZERO PLUS
One of the most budget walkie-talkies in our entire review. However, this did not prevent the device from combining a very convenient and functional interface, advanced application capabilities and decent production quality. The station is perfect for truckers, as it has intuitive controls - it will be easy to use even for a beginner radio amateur. The case is lightweight and compact, made of high-quality plastic with a matte finish, painted black, all the inscriptions and pictograms are applied in white paint, which will not be erased during operation. There are three rotary knobs here - turning on and volume, adjusting the input signal and suppressing airborne noise. Like all models of our review, the walkie-talkie has a liquid crystal display with a clear display of information, and it is also equipped with a white backlight.
On the back there is a jack for connecting an external antenna of any type. The power cable is connected to the cigarette lighter - the user does not have the need for the walkie-talkie to be built into the on-board power supply of the vehicle. The number of channels is not too large - this station has only 40, but all the main ones are present. The transmitter power is not very high: it is only 4 watts, but this is enough for broadcasting at a distance of about 8-9 km. The radio is capable of operating in the temperature range from -10 to +50 degrees.
Benefits:
- Compact and lightweight design;
- Very clear management - perfect for beginners;
- Good functionality;
- Readable display.
Disadvantages:
- 40 channels may seem insufficient to someone.
6. Optim 270
This is the third generation of this station, which appeared on sale about three years ago. The radio is designed to operate in the range of 27 MHz.The device can be used both in a car and in a stationary place: for this it has two power cables - one for connecting to the on-board network through the cigarette lighter socket, the second with a unit for working with household electricity. This model has the ability to change the frequency of the transmitter, which greatly increases the transmission range of the signal. The display shows quite a lot of information - channel number, signal level, frequency grid, transmit power, and so on. On the front panel there are several rotary controls that are responsible for changing the volume, sensitivity, rubber buttons for switching between channels are provided. The case is a single metal block painted in black, the front panel is also black.
A special radiator is provided on the back side, which ensures high efficiency of heat dissipation generated by the output stage, there are also two sockets here - one for installing an external speaker, the other for connecting an external antenna that comes with the walkie-talkie. The headset has medium overall dimensions, it is comfortable in the hands, the transmitter control key is large, it also has three buttons that allow you to select the desired channel, activate the automatic noise suppressor of an intelligent type. The controls are simple - they can be sorted out in about a couple of minutes.
Benefits:
- Fixed all the shortcomings of previous versions;
- Decent range of action;
- It can be used both stationary and in the car;
- Effective operation of a cooling radiator;
- Intelligent noise reduction system.
Disadvantages:
- The buttons on the intercom sometimes get in the way under the fingers.
5. MegaJet MJ-50
One of the most compact radio stations in our entire ranking. It was developed by Korean engineers specifically for use in the car during long trips. With its miniature dimensions, this walkie-talkie has decent functionality - its size is 99x24x83 mm. The case of the block is made of metal plastic, the front panel is plastic - the material is quite rigid, can withstand physical stresses, is not scratched or erased during operation. The top cover is ribbed, the ventilation system openings are located on the rear side. There are also sockets for an external speaker, an additional antenna and a plug for connecting a removable power cable. The latter is equipped with a fuse, so you can not be afraid that the radio will burn out due to a power surge. On the front panel are the main controls - volume control, buttons for working with channels and noise reduction system.
The display has several options for LED backlighting - white, red, yellow, blue, blue and purple. Information is well read regardless of the viewing angle. The radio works stably in both the Russian and European broadcasting networks.
Benefits:
- Minimum overall dimensions;
- Reliable work with the input air signal;
- Several display backlight options with wide viewing angles.
Disadvantages:
- The housing is prefabricated, not cast.
4. Alan 100 plus
It is characterized by an optimal ratio of price and quality. The controls here are arranged according to the classical scheme, so working with such a walkie-talkie will be quite easy. The station is capable of working with 40 channels that operate stably both in urban conditions and on the highway. The case, like the previous model, is prefabricated, the upper and lower sides are fixed with screws. On the front side there is a connector for intercom or tangents, which, depending on the type of model, can be 4 or 5-pin. The headset has average overall dimensions, there is only a key that includes a transmission.The microphone is quite sensitive, it has an active noise suppression system, so the recipient will only hear the speaker’s voice, all extraneous sounds are removed.
The station itself has a threshold noise suppressor. Alarm channel frequencies are built into the device’s memory by default. The LED backlight is green, the display shows information about the number of the working channel, in the immediate vicinity of the screen there is an indication of red and green: the first indicates the ongoing transmission of the signal, the second - about the reception. The output power is 4 watts. It seems to be not too much, but this indicator is quite enough to transmit a signal at a distance of about 7-8 km. The walkie-talkie can be installed in a niche on the car panel or placed in the cabin, fixed on a special bracket.
Benefits:
- A good option for the price-quality parameter;
- There is not a single extra button on the intercom;
- Emergency frequencies are stored in the design memory;
- There is an indication of reception and transmission.
Disadvantages:
- Prefabricated building;
- Only 40 channels.
3. Midland M-Mini
The three leaders are opened by a multistandard walkie-talkie of the latest generation, which was developed specifically for daily use by motorists. Judging by the reviews, both amateur radio enthusiasts and already very experienced users appreciated its advantages. The design is modern, the controls are elementary, automatic and manual noise reduction is provided. There is also a power level adjustment. The device case is one-piece, integrated power cable. All internal parts are reliably protected from any external factors. The shape of the case is thought out carefully, the heat is removed due to this quite effectively - the radio will not overheat even due to prolonged operation. The full-time speaker is located at the bottom of the unit, it is powerful and allows you to clearly hear the content of voice messages. On the front panel there are only the most necessary controls - volume control, a few buttons, a display and a headset jack. The following information is displayed on the device’s screen: channel serial number, type of modulation, scale, noise reduction level, and so on.
The overall dimensions of the product are not too large, therefore, installation problems should not arise. The front panel has a soft-touch coating, which gives the device additional style, and also protects against various contaminants. If necessary, the walkie-talkie can be hung by a special bracket.
Benefits:
- Noises are suppressed automatically or by manual adjustment;
- High-quality assembly;
- Soft touch front panel coating;
- Power 4 or 8 watts;
- Ease of installation.
Disadvantages:
- 40 channels.
2. PRESIDENT BARRY ASC
This walkie-talkie is designed and manufactured by the world's best manufacturer of such products. It can be used both in stationary mode and installed in a car. The design fully meets the existing safety requirements, therefore, it can be used not only in our country, but also far beyond its borders. The functionality of the product is quite wide: in particular, there are two types of modulation - frequency and amplitude, several frequency grids, noise reduction can be automatic or manual. The walkie-talkie is equipped with a front-connection microphone, which makes it even more convenient to use, it has several rather tight control buttons, so you can not be afraid to accidentally click on them and knock down some important settings.
Almost the entire front panel is occupied by a liquid crystal display, where there is a segmented signal power level meter. The indicator is characterized by a high level of contrast and wide viewing angles. The case is assembled on the basis of a metal frame, which looks very stylish. It is closed with black covers, so even with a remote installation on the bracket does not lose its attractiveness.In addition, the covers serve as an additional screen that protects the radio from external interference. An external speaker can be connected via a standard 3.5 mm jack. The walkie-talkie has 80 frequency channels, several memory slots are provided to save those that are planned to be used most often.
Benefits:
- Decent speaker power;
- Noises are suppressed gently, the useful signal is not cut off;
- Small but effective cooling radiator;
- Stylish appearance;
- Multi-color screen;
- Two types of modulation of an external signal.
Disadvantages:
- High price.
1. Yaesu FT-2980R
We hasten to introduce you to the leader among the best walkie-talkies for truckers - products from another world-famous company. Depending on the modification, the product can be equipped with a transceiver with a power of 5-10, 30 or 80 W, and this parameter can be adjusted. The station operates in the frequency range of 144 MHz. Performance is at a very high level. Ergonomics is carefully thought out, so using this walkie-talkie directly while driving will be absolutely safe. The model is equipped with an effective passive cooling system. The assembly and components are so reliable that the device fully complies with the professional military standard of protection against various external influences - MIL-STD-810, the display has four backlight operation modes.
On the front panel is a keyboard that allows you to manually enter the desired frequency. The receiver is equipped with excellent protection against various kinds of intermodulation distortion. There are more than 200 memory cells. A very wide selection of settings, including thin ones, thanks to which it is possible to adjust the optimal sensitivity of both the receiver and the signal transmitter. Also, the walkie-talkie is able to work in an extended temperature range - from -20 to +60 degrees.
Benefits:
- Good protection against physical influences;
- Adjustable power;
- A fairly large amount of device memory;
- The increased temperature range;
- Insignificant overall dimensions;
- Attractive and stylish appearance;
- Excellent build quality and component parts.
Disadvantages:
- Except for the high cost was not revealed.
In conclusion, a useful video
Our review of the best walkie-talkies for truckers has been completed. We tried to analyze as much as possible each model included in it. If, after studying the rating and all the characteristics of the walkie-talkies, you still have some questions, then ask them in the comments to this article. We will quickly respond to them and provide you with additional information about the station you are interested in.
(1 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)
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