A walkie-talkie, more formally referred to as a handheld transceiver or HT, is a portable, hand-held, and two-way radio transceiver. It was invented by Canadian Donald Hings, radio engineer Henryk Magnuski, Alfred J. Gross, and the engineering teams at Motorola.
It was developed during the Second World War. Donald Hings called the portable radio system a “packet,” but later, it was named “walkie-talkie.”
A walkie-talkie was first used for infantry, and several similar designs were used for tank and field artillery units during the war. Also, these useful devices spread to public safety, jobs, and commercial works after the war.
Common walkie-talkies look like a telephone handset, with a microphone built into one end, a speaker in the other, and an antenna mounted on the top part of the unit. A walkie-talkie is a communication device that is half-duplex.
Multiple walkie-talkies can use a single radio channel, and only one radio can transmit simultaneously; however, multiple users can listen. A smaller version of this portable device is also popular among young children.
There are some special types of walkie-talkies that have several additional features, such as call reception with a vibration alarm, sending calls, a stopwatch, and keypad locks.
Types of Walkie-talkie
Usually, walkie-talkies can be divided into two categories, according to the working power of the devices, such as:
- Short-range walkie-talkie.
- Long-range walkie-talkie.
However, according to the ITU Radio Regulations, walkie-talkies are divided into two categories, such as:
- Land mobile station.
- Radio station.
The Following Are Some Examples Of Walkie-Talkies.
There are various types of walkie-talkies that helped us in various ways and in various situations, such as:
Handheld portable two-way radio:
The military developed several radio devices from the popular backpack radios used by a soldier to keep the squad in contact with their commanders. Later it turned into a handheld portable two-way radio.
Short-range walkie-talkie:
These types of walkie-talkies usually cost less and are often developed to use in smaller areas. These devices range from about 500-1000 yards or around 460-920 m.
Long-range walkie-talkies:
These types of walkie-talkies may need radio operator licensing and may cost more than the short-ranged ones. These devices even offer more channels and more power than their short-ranged counterparts.
Walkie-talkies in this category can work more than 30 miles. These types of walkie-talkies can be found in different ranges, like a 1-watt radio that can reach around 8 miles and a 2-watt device that can cover up to 20 miles.
Modern smartphone:
Though not exactly the same thing, modern mobile phones still may work as walkie-talkies as these devices can help in communication, like a walkie-talkie.
Applications of Walkie-talkie
There are many applications and uses of a walkie-talkie that can help us in various ways, such as:
Military Application: During wars, walkie-talkies are the only means to continue proper communication between soldiers and their commanders.
Climbing With Walkie-Talkies: A walkie-talkie can help a climber during the his-her struggle to finish an outdoor climbing event. With this, a climber can see if there is any wind or highway down below during the procedure.
Hiking: If a group has different members or hikers who can go at different speeds, walkie-talkies can help them to communicate with each other easily and hence, eventually, can ensure their safety.
Fishing: Many fishermen need to cover large distances to catch fish; however, most of those interior places have no cell coverage. So, they need to use a walkie-talkie to communicate with their partners.
Construction Site: Many Construction Site Workers and Rescue Teams Need to Use Walkie-Talkies while working to ensure their safety.
So, we have noted a few crucial facts related to a walkie-talkie in this article.
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