Everything you need to know about the walkie talkie for lone worker

The walkie-talkie is a radio equipment that offers functionalities for Lone worker protection. Many manufacturers offer walkie-talkies: ICOM, Motorola, Kenwood... It is not easy to understand the differences between all the models that are on the market. We will explain here on the one hand the different concepts to understand in order to be able to select the walkie-talkie adapted to your needs and on the other hand analyze the advantages and disadvantages of this equipment for the protection of lone workers.

Things to know about walkie-talkies

When we talk about walkie-talkies, there are several terms that may seem complex: frequency band, VHF, UHF, mobile, portable, simplex... the list is very long. Let's try to understand the main terms to find your way around.

The frequency spectrum: In US the radio spectrum allocation define the usage for each band of frequency : US radio spectrum. 

The radio spectrum refers to the range of radio frequencies (RF) within the electromagnetic spectrum. In the United States, its regulation is shared between two entities: the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The FCC, an independent regulatory body, oversees spectrum allocation for non-federal users, including state and local governments, commercial enterprises, private businesses, and personal communications. Meanwhile, the NTIA, a division of the Department of Commerce, manages spectrum usage for federal agencies such as the Army, FAA, and FBI. Within the FCC, the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) provides guidance on technical and policy matters related to spectrum management.is divided radio spectrum is part of the public domain of the State, inalienable and non-transferable.

The Business Radio Service (BRS) refers to a set of designated frequencies within the VHF and UHF two-way radio bands, specifically allocated for business communications and, in certain cases, for individual use. In the United States, operating on these frequencies for private purposes requires a federal license issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

More information on the FCC website.

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Portable or mobile: You may hear about whether you want to buy radio equipment from Handheld or Mobile. A handheld is a portable Walkie-talkie using battery that will need to be recharged. A mobile is an equipment that must be connected to a power source. It is intended to be installed in a vehicle or building. When it comes to lone worker protection, you must limit yourself to the handheld, which is the only one adapted to this use.

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VHF or UHF: The difference between a VHF and UHF station is the frequency range used to send and receive communications. The choice between a VHF or UHF station will depend on where you are going to use your equipment. The VHF frequencies will be more efficient in open range (countryside, large spaces...), while conversely the UHF frequencies will be more efficient in urban environments.

Analogue or digital: Like television, radio has gone digital. So you can find radios on the market that work in analog or digital. Be careful, while analog radios are generally compatible with each other regardless of the brand, this is not necessarily the case for digital radios. In fact, there are numerous communication protocols/standards : NXDN, dPMR, PMR, Tetra, P25... If you already have radios and want to complete your fleet, be careful to check the compatibility between your equipement that you plan to acquire with the equipment you have.

Advantages and disadvantages of a walkie talkie for lone worker protection

The benefits of a walkie-talkie

The main advantage of a walkie talkie, is that it allows you to function in limited connectivity areas like stallite tracker. That is to say either in outdoor areas without mobile coverage (4G,5G...), or in tunnels, basements or modern buildings where the telephone does not necessarily come through. This advantage is very important!

Disadvantage of a walkie-talkie

• You will have to request a frequency to FCC and pay an annual fee. The use of a radio is therefore not within everyone's reach and you will have to approach a radio installer.
• Lone worker functions are often limited: Walkie-talkie usually offer limited functions for this use case. For example, they offer a loss of verticality but rarely a real fall detection. You can read our article on the fall to understand the difference between these two concepts.
• Alarm reports: A walkie-talkie Works with another walkie-talkie ! If your supervisors are equipped with radios this is not a problem, they may well receive alarms that may be triggered by your lone workers. On the other hand, if your supervisors do not want to use radios, or do not have any, you will have to install a telephone gateway. This equipment represents a significant cost that will have to be requested from a radio installer to set up.

So the choice between a lone worker app, a safery watch or a walkie-talkiue is really linked to your needs and your budget. Our experts are there to advise you and help you find the ideal solution for your needs. Do not hesitate to make an appointment with us, for free expert advice.

In summary:

The walkie-talkie is an effective solution for the safety of lone workers in limited connectivy areas, but it has limitations: the need for authorization from the FCC, lone workers functions that are often limited and the costs associated with installation. The choice between a lone worker app, a safety watch, or a walkie-talkie depends on specific needs and budget. Get help from an expert to identify the best option.

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