The need for motorists to have a walkie-talkie in a car arises for various reasons and at different times. It is worth noting that in general this is a good idea, because a walkie-talkie can help out more than once. If your financial situation allows you to purchase a walkie-talkie in the car, then this is undoubtedly worth doing.
Professional drivers
If we talk about the walkie-talkie in the car for truckers, then the position is simple and clear. It is unlikely that you will find at least one trucker who does not have a radio station in the car. Truckers are professionals. They spend a lot of time on the road. The radio for them is a means of communication with each other. Sometimes it’s just talking so that it’s not boring, and sometimes it’s a request for technical assistance from colleagues in the profession.
We must not forget about security. The situations on the road are different, it happens that truckers need the help of comrades to protect themselves from scammers and criminals. Of course, we live in a state of law, and such situations are minimized, but safety net never hurts. In addition, the walkie-talkie in the car for truckers is also a source of information about various traffic police posts, video recording cameras, and more. Do you think this is dishonest? Everyone decides for himself what is right for him!
Ordinary motorists
With the professionals we found out. Now it’s worth touching on the topic of the walkie-talkie in a passenger car of a simple motorist. Everything is simple here. Truckers will easily help out not only a colleague, a trucker, but also a car enthusiast not from the category of pros. Ask for technical support on the radio, and the driver passing by you will stop and help you in solving the problem, if this is possible in the field. In any case, if the situation is in winter, then you will not have to freeze on the track, waiting for a tow truck, for example.
If you think that your conscience allows you to receive information about the traffic police and video recording cameras, then truckers will easily share it with you. If you always strictly follow the rules, without exceeding the speed limit, then such information will not interest you, but situations can be very different. In any case, the walkie-talkie in the car is not a superfluous thing. Such a device can really help you out on the road.
Which walkie-talkie to choose in the car
The era of scarcity is far behind. Today on the shelves you can find anything. If we are talking about a walkie-talkie in a car, then there are a lot of their varieties now. But choosing a really high-quality device is not easy.
We can advise you to purchase a CBS walkie-talkie in your car (CB radio station). This is a universal device, it works not only in Russia, but also abroad. Truckers, taxi drivers, jeepers, couriers and the lion's share of motorists have such radios in cars.
What wave to communicate
We have already found out with you that you should buy a CBS walkie-talkie. Now we need to touch on the frequencies of radio signals, the generally accepted wave range allowed for civil leagues, which does not require additional coordination for use, is in the range of 26-30 MHz. It is worth saying that the most popular frequency on the routes of Russia is 27.135 MHz.
Of course, there are motorists who communicate on other waves. For example, some jeepers communicate at 27.225 MHz, and there are groups of truckers who prefer 27.130 MHz.
Walkie-talkie registration
There is a current resolution of the Government of Russia (dated October 13, 2011 No. 837). The decree states that citizens do not need to register a radio station if it is not more powerful than 10 watts, and also if the antenna of your walkie-talkie is not directional. As mentioned above, without registration, communication at permitted civilian frequencies is allowed.
For example, if for some reason you decide to communicate in the average VHF range (136–172 MHz), then you will have to get additional permission for such use. According to statistics, almost no one registers walkie-talkies, because the conditions of the above-mentioned resolution suit everyone. An exception is professional truckers working on low-traffic routes, but more on that below.
Walkie-talkies and traffic police
It is very important to know that the traffic police inspector does not have any legal right to check the radio installed in your car. The inspector’s competence is only a car on which you move, but not the radio equipment that you installed in this car, without violating any laws!
Nevertheless, sometimes traffic police officers show interest in the radio in the car, explaining their interest with their vigilance, hinting at the legality of your purchase of the radio. To avoid long discussions, you can simply carry the check and passport to the radio with you. In this case, you are protected from all sides.
Walkie Talkie Range
The average CB radio operates in a radius of about seven kilometers. This figure is enough when traveling on fairly busy highways. And if the route goes to remote regions and there is a small flow of traffic on it, then this parameter is not enough. It is worth thinking about a more powerful device that works at least twenty kilometers. It will already require additional permission, but this is necessary for its own safety, and drivers working on such routes receive such permissions.
There are walkie-talkies that can be connected to an amplifier, it can increase the communication range by tens of times, but such indicators are extremely rare and few people need it.
Walkie Talkie Connection
After you have selected the device and bought it, it's time to start installing the radio in the car. Let's say right away, if you are poorly versed in electrical engineering, then you should not tempt fate. If you are far from everything that is connected with electronics and do not know how to connect a walkie-talkie in a car, then it is better to contact professionals. They will do everything quickly and correctly.
If you are confident in your abilities in this matter, then you can make an independent connection to the radio station. The radio is powered from the "plus" of the battery, then the circuit should include a fuse "into the gap." The distance from the battery’s “plus” to the fuse is not more than ten cm. The “minus” must be taken in the passenger compartment (cabin) of the car. This should be the shortest wire possible. Extending this wire will reduce the range of your walkie-talkie.
Walkie Talkie Antennas
Antennas for car radios can be on a magnetic base or mortise. The mortise antenna is mounted directly in the car body. It is worth saying right away that if you cut such an antenna into the car's wing or into the hood, up to half of its effectiveness is lost. It is advisable to mount the antenna from the metal parts of the car, which are located vertically.
Magnetic antennas are easy to install, you just need to magnetize them to the body. Magnetic antennas are often found in passenger cars, they are simple and convenient, they can be rearranged from one car to another. But on trucks, such antennas are less common, all because because of the vibrations that are present in the trucks, the antenna may fall off.
It is worth saying about security from scammers. It’s easier to steal a magnetic antenna, as a rule, fraudsters do not communicate with mortise antennas.
Now we will address the issue of antenna length. The best signal on antennas with a length of about 2 meters. And then everything is simple. The length of the antenna 90-170 cm is an average signal strength. If the antenna is about 60-70 cm, then the signal will be available at a small radius. You need to choose an antenna based on their own needs.
Antenna setup
If the antenna for the radio in the car is not installed correctly, the signal will be very weak. It should be installed on top of the body. The ideal option is the roof of your car. The antenna is located strictly vertically (rarely there are models that work at an angle, this is always stated in the instruction manual).
It is advisable to install the antenna as far as possible from things that can cause interference. In your car, they can be caused, for example, by the car’s ignition system. It is also worth saying that the wires from the antenna going to the walkie-talkie must be laid directly, without turns and entries in two layers on top of each other. Incorrect cable routing significantly reduces the radius of the radio. Even the best walkie-talkie in a car with an excellent antenna will work very poorly if the latter is installed incorrectly or poorly configured.
New or used walkie talkie
In this matter a lot depends on you. There are people who prefer everything fundamentally new to themselves. But there are those who quite agree to save money by purchasing things that were in use by other people.
The radio in the used car is no different from everything else in this regard. If you are sure that the used radios you are acquiring are fully operational in all respects and criteria, as well as this whole situation does not contradict your life principles, then there is no reason to refuse such a purchase.
Where to buy a walkie-talkie
You can buy a walkie-talkie in your car today without any problems. A large number of shops at your service. Before making a purchase, you should decide on a model and try to study prices in several stores so as not to overpay too much.
Also pay attention to the availability of the provided warranty for the device, for the terms of this warranty and service maintenance. It must be said that the warranty and service can vary greatly from one seller to another. Choose the best option for you in terms of price and warranty.
In addition, try to buy a walkie-talkie in a good store with a reputation, so as not to run into "one-day ones" that can sell you low-quality goods, and then simply disappear without fulfilling the warranty or service requirements if necessary.
If you buy a used walkie-talkie, then it's hard to tell something. Try to check the walkie-talkie with the seller, and even better, take with you a person who has experience with the walkie-talkie. If there are at least some doubts about the performance of the radio, it is better to immediately abandon it. It will save your money, time and nerves.
Do you need a walkie-talkie
Now it’s worth summing up some results after all of the above, all the more so since a lot has been said on the issues of the radio.
If you are a resident of the city and do not work in a taxi, drive a car only for pleasure, and almost never leave the city, then you definitely do not need a walkie-talkie. Moreover, a walkie-talkie is a replacement for music or radio in a car. If you do not listen to the radio constantly, then the meaning of its use is lost. Suppose you are a lover of classical melodic music, are you ready instead to spend hours listening to hissing, crackling, listening to messages with noises, in which profanity will sometimes flash. Yes, truckers are harsh people, but those who ask for emergency assistance sometimes do not choose a word. Is it appropriate to listen to the walkie-talkie if women and your young children are driving with you in the car?
In terms of aesthetics, your walkie-talkie will definitely not add style to the interior of your car. Moreover, do not forget that the antenna that you installed on your car will decently make noise or whistle at highway speeds.
We will also touch on the financial issue. In order to get a good walkie-talkie with a high-quality antenna into your car, you have to pay a lot of money. Plus, if you will not install the radio yourself, but it is worth saying that this process is not easy, it requires a lot of time, special experience, skills, knowledge, and sometimes a specialized tool, then add the amount to install the radio, antenna and settings, which you will set the master for these works. If all this does not stop you, and you still clearly decided for yourself that your car will have a walkie-talkie, because there are more advantages in it than disadvantages, then welcome to the broadcast.