Buying guide
Analogue or digital walkie talkie: which to buy
By Jolene Wong
What digital really adds, when analogue is still enough, and how to move across without replacing everything.
Both work. The better question is what you already own, and what you need the radios to do besides talking.
What digital adds
- More calls on one frequency. Motorola says its DMR radios give twice the calling capacity of analogue for one frequency licence.
- Cleaner audio. Digital filters out more background noise, which helps on a busy floor.
- Extras such as pre-programmed text messages and voice announcements, on the models that have them.
When analogue is enough
A small team that only needs simple talk, in a small area. The TDMR DR5 is an analogue FM radio for that kind of use.
You do not have to switch in one go
Dual-mode radios work in both analogue and digital, so new radios can still talk to your old ones while you move across. The XiR C1200, XiR C2620, TDMR DR6 Plus and Kirisun DP405 all do this. The SLR 5300 repeater can also run in mixed mode.
Before you decide
- List the radios you have now, with model numbers.
- Decide which ones must keep talking to the new radios.
- Check the licence. Going digital does not change the 0.5 W rule.