Family exchanging Christmas gifts
Lynn Communications Blog

Top Reasons Walkie-Talkies are the Must-Have Christmas Gift

Walkie-talkies might not be the first thing that springs to mind when compiling your Christmas shopping list. But perhaps they should be!

If you are looking for the perfect gift for the kids, friends, family or even loved ones, walkie-talkies might just be what you are looking for! Walkie-talkies are a versatile gift that is perfect for keeping kids entertained, outdoor lovers, anglers, sailors, and much more.

Here are 5 of the top reasons why walkie-talkies are the perfect stocking-filler this Christmas:

1.    Walkie-talkies aren’t expensive

This year we have all had to tighten our belts a little, and Christmas budgets can be stretched a little thin. Walkie-talkies are fantastic value for money, and for big families, this can be a godsend.

As an example, if you have three kids to buy for, then why not consider a triple pack of the kid-friendly Motorola T42? At less than €80 for three radios, these make the perfect stocking filler.

2.    Kids adore walkie-talkies

Even in the age of the smartphone, kids are still fascinated by anything that lets them communicate over distances. Walkie-talkies are perfect for this. They are robust enough to be kid-proof, simple to operate, cheap to buy, and, best of all – They can keep kids amused for hours!

The benefits extend to the parents too! Arming yourself and your children with a set of walkie-talkies allows them to go out exploring, knowing that at the click of a button, you can call them back in for lunch.

3.    Walkie-talkies are perfect for outdoor lovers

Ireland boasts some of the world’s most beautiful scenery. It is no wonder, then, that so many of us venture into the great outdoors at every opportunity. Walkie-talkies are the perfect companion to venture into the wilds with. Their versatility means that walkie-talkies are perfect for:

  • Camping
  • Anglers
  • Hikers
  • Mountain bikers
  • Climbers
  • Runners

Taking walkie-talkies with you on your adventures is both a valuable safety aid and perfect for coordinating groups or just staying in touch with fellow anglers, campers, etc. Walkie-talkies are also rugged enough to stand up to the rigours of the Irish climate and countryside.

The Motorola T82 Extreme is a perfect example of a great radio for outdoor lovers. It is designed to shrug off the worse of the weather, has a range of 10km, 18hr battery life, and it features an LED torch.

4.    Walkie-talkies are built to last

It’s a familiar story in every household. By the end of January, half the kids’ presents are in tatters (and you wish the Christmas jumpers were, too!). This is not something that can be applied to walkie-talkies. Walkie-talkies are designed to be tough enough to withstand the best efforts of the most ham-fisted kids and adults.

For instance, the Motorola XT185 is designed and built to exacting standards and is waterproof to IP54 standards.

5.    A gift for all the family

Walkie-talkies are the perfect gift for all the family. (although, in certain circumstances, it is advised to include a bottle of perfume for the sake of Christmas harmony.)

From providing hours of fun for the kids to adding an extra safety element to wild camping trips, walkie-talkies have a multitude of uses. For a gift that isn’t destined to spend the rest of the year tucked in a drawer or a dusty corner, it has to be walkie-talkies.

Summing Up

Walkie-talkies may not be at the top of your Christmas shopping list, but perhaps they should be. Practical, fun, safety-enhancing, and robust enough to last for years, walkie-talkies are a fantastic Christmas gift. And they don’t cost the earth!

If you need any help choosing the perfect set of walkie-talkies, we can help. Walkie-Talkie Solutions have years of experience in pairing up our customers with the perfect Walkie-talkies.

Why not contact us today and find out more about why walkie-talkies might just be the perfect Christmas gift?

Merry Christmas!

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Local Rugby team
Lynn Communications Blog

Why Walkie-Talkies are a Must for Your Sports Event

The world’s biggest sports event – the World Cup, is just around the corner. The logistics involved in running such an event are staggering. For certain, walkie-talkies will be heavily involved in making sure that the event runs smoothly and safely.

Walkie-talkies should be an essential part of the organisation of any sports event, not just events of the size of the world cup. Many local GAA, soccer, and rugby teams are already taking advantage of the wide range of benefits that license-free walkie-talkies have to offer when it comes to helping their sports events run without a hitch.

License-Free Walkie-Talkies – Perfect for Sports Events

Before we take a look at the benefits of walkie-talkies, it is worth discussing the type of walkie-talkies that most sports events will use. As the name suggests, license-free walkie-talkies do not require any special paperwork or registration to use. Just unbox it, switch it on, and you are good to go!

License-free walkie-talkies are the easiest option for just about every scenario. While licensed radios might offer some advantages, most of these are overkill for the needs of sports event management.

There are several major benefits of opting for license-free radios:

  • Cost – License-free radios are a more cost-effective solution than licensed radios. For instance, a set of 4 Motorola H20 T92 walkie-talkies costs less than a mid-range smartphone, and these are perfect for small-sized sports events. They are also waterproof and have built-in safety features.
  • Ease-of-Use – Simplicity is the key to effective communication, and it doesn’t get simpler than license-free walkie-talkies. With just a couple of minutes of instruction, even the most technologically unsavvy people can easily use a two-way radio.
  • No paperwork – Licensed radios have to be “licensed” before they can be used, and this needs to be renewed annually. License-free radios simply work straight out of the box.

There may be particular cases where licensed radios may be a better option. However, for most sports events, license-free Walkie-Talkies are a more than adequate solution.

The Benefits of Using License-Free Walkie-Talkies to Help Manage Sports Events

Sports events of any size can be difficult to manage and coordinate. Crowds need to be managed, safety needs are always a concern, and of course – Let’s not forget about the main event itself. Teams and participants need to be in the right place at the right time. Referees, judges, and other officials all need to be attended to.

So whether you are managing the school sports day, a Gaelic Football match, or a five-a-side football tournament, walkie-talkies can assist in many ways. Here are just a few examples of the benefits of walkie-talkies:

1.    Enhanced Safety and Security

One of the major concerns of any sports event is maintaining the safety of the spectators and the overall security of the event. While this is a consideration for any size event, the larger the event, the more difficult it is to police.

This is where walkie-talkies can be of great assistance. Instant and crystal-clear communication across whole teams is simplified with the use of walkie-talkies.

Simple communication is essential in time-critical situations, and this is exactly what walkie-talkies bring to the table:

  • One-to-one or One-to-many options – You can broadcast your message to whole teams or individuals quickly and easily.
  • Emergency Features – Many walkie-talkie models include safety features that can be used in emergencies. These include emergency buttons, man-down detectors, and lone-worker options.
  • Hands-free options – There are plenty of walkie-talkie accessories available to help further simplify communications. These include headsets and microphones that enable hands-free communication, which makes communication simple even while dealing with large, excitable crowds.

2.    No Training or Special Skills Required

Everyone can quickly get to grips with the intuitive way that license-free walkie-talkies work. This means that teams of stewards, volunteers, and other officials can arrive on the day of the event and, without any prior knowledge, can be issued a radio and basically – told what button to press! It really can’t be any simpler.

3.     It’s a Cost-Effective Solution

We touched on this briefly, but it is worth reiterating how cost-effective license-free walkie-talkies can be as the main communication solution for any sports event. For the cost of a single high-end smartphone, a whole team of event personnel can be kitted out with high-quality radios.

And remember – This is a one-off payment, there are no subscription fees, no contracts, and no top-ups required.

4.    Walkie-Talkies Work Anywhere

When comparing walkie-talkies to mobile phone solutions, the lack of ongoing costs is an obvious boon. But it isn’t the only one, walkie-talkies also have the advantage of working without having to rely on third-party infrastructure. This is essential if you are organising an event like a cross-country run, for instance.

In cases like this, there may not always be a mobile signal across the entirety of the course, if at all. Because walkie-talkies work independently and can have a range of up to several kilometres, they are not restricted by such factors.

5.    Walkie-talkies are Robust

Let’s face it, the Irish weather can be unpredictable, to say the least. Many walkie-talkie models are designed to shrug off the worst conditions and to continue to function in rain, sleet, snow, and hailstones. All of which can happen on any given day!

This is essential as communication can be even more important when events take place in adverse conditions.

The Final Whistle

Organising a sports event of any size can be difficult and stressful. Walkie-talkies can help to ease the strain by offering a communication solution that is instant, easy to use, and effective.

If you want to know more about how walkie-talkies can help when running a sports event or need some help choosing the perfect radios, we can help. Walkie Talkie Solutions have the expertise and two-way radios that can help your sports event run smoothly and safely.

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Woman using a walkie talkie
Lynn Communications Blog

A Guide to License-Free Walkie-Talkies

When it comes to choosing a two-way radio set, one of the criteria that is often considered is whether to opt for licensed or license-free walkie-talkies.

This article discusses license-free radios and considers why for most commercial and domestic circumstances, these are the best choice of walkie-talkies.

What are license-free walkie-talkies

The use of two-way radios has to comply with regulations laid down by a governing authority. In Ireland, the responsibility of setting the regulations and ensuring compliance is performed by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

With two-way radios, the regulations are split into two distinct categories – License-free and Licensed.

Licensed radios – These need to have a license issued by ComReg before they can be used, and this usually needs renewing on an annual basis. There are certain advantages to licensed radios, but these are usually only relevant for specialised use or where longer-range communication is essential.

License-free radios – License-free radios meet the ComReg regulations out of the box. For the end user, this means license-free radios are a simple solution that can be up and running instantly.

Facts about license-free walkie-talkies

  • PMR446 – PMR446 is terminology that is often seen alongside license-free walkie-talkies. The PMR portion stands for Personal Mobile Radio, and the 446 refers to the 446MHz frequency range they operate on.
  • Range – This depends on the power output of the walkie-talkie set and the terrain they are being used in. However, in ideal circumstances, a basic set of license-free radios will still offer a range of a few kilometres.
  • Protected Frequencies – The PMR446 frequencies are reserved for the exclusive use of lower-powered license-free radios. It is illegal for licensed radios to operate on these frequencies.
  • Wide range of models – From basic models that are perfect for domestic use, like the Motorola Talkabout T42, to more advanced models, like the highly-specked and waterproof Kenwood TK-3701DE, choosing a license-free radio doesn’t mean compromising.
  • Difference between walkie-talkies and two-way radios – Although this is a term that is frequently used interchangeably, license-free radios are more frequently referred to as walkie-talkies. Licensed sets are normally called two-way radios.

Advantages of license-free walkie-talkies

From price to simplicity of use, there are many advantages to license-free walkie-talkies.

Here are just a few of them: 

  • Cost – License-free walkie-talkies are less expensive than their licensed counterparts. They also have no further running costs after the handsets are purchased i.e. no call charges, contracts, or ongoing licensing fees.
  • Pre-programmed Frequencies – These operate out of the box without any need to set up operating frequencies.
  • Simple to use – Communication solutions don’t come any simpler than license-free walkie-talkies. Even more advanced models are straightforward enough that anyone can use them with little or no training.
  • Digital Models – Opting for license-free radios doesn’t mean compromising audio quality. Digital models offer superb clarity and performance.
  • Battery life – Excellent battery life, especially in rechargeable models, means license-free radios can operate for hours on a single charge.
  • Legal in many countries – Unlike licensed radios that would require separate licensing if they were used abroad, license-free radios can be used in EU countries and the UK without the need for any licenses or permits.

Who are license-free radios suitable for

Whether for domestic or commercial use, there is a huge range of scenarios where license-free radios are the perfect option. These include:

  • Construction sites
  • Agriculture and outdoor workers (forestry, estate workers, etc.)
  • Factories and manufacturing plants
  • Domestic use and leisure activities
  • Hospitality and retail
  • Hiking and other outdoor activity clubs
  • Event security and coordination
  • Sporting events and sports teams

While license-free walkie-talkies are the perfect solution in many circumstances, in situations where secure communications are required, then it is best to opt for licensed two-way radios.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a simple and hassle-free communication solution, then license-free radios are the perfect option. License-free walkie-talkies present a cost-effective and simple way to keep teams connected and coordinated.

At Walkie Talkie Solutions, we stock a wide range of license-free walkie-talkie models to suit any circumstances. Contact us today if you want to know more about our range or need some help choosing the perfect set of walkie-talkies.

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