Small Farm Radios

The tractor’s been stuck in the lower field for 20 minutes. No one knows because the crew is scattered—some are in the greenhouse, some near the barn, all too far to shout.

The irrigation system sprung a leak an hour ago and it's still gushing. Meanwhile, the delivery truck just arrived and there’s no one at the loading dock to meet it.

Tasks are slipping, time is wasted, and everyone’s out of sync.

These are all common issues in a small farm - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.

Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios.

Coverage Considerations

When choosing two-way radios for your small farm, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.

Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.

For smaller farms, 1 to 2 watts will do the trick - you can get from 1-2 miles. Because farms are typically open fields, we recommend VHF radios.

For unlimited coverage, across multiple locations, consider radios that use LTE and Wi-Fi, like the Motorola WAVE PTX series.

Number of Channels Needed

Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.

Recommended groups for small farms:

• Field Operations: For tasks like planting, harvesting, irrigation, and tractor coordination.
• Barn & Livestock: Used by the team handling feeding, animal care, and equipment or fence issues.
• Management & Coordination: For the farm owner or supervisor to check in across teams, give updates, or respond to issues quickly.

Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.

Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”

Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.

Quality Brands Make a Difference

You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.

Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.

Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.

Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment. 

Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).

What features make a great small farm radio?

• Long Battery Life: Farming days are long—radios need to last from early morning chores to late-night clean-up without dying mid-shift.
• Weatherproof/Dustproof (IP Rating): Rain, mud, dust—farm life is messy. Look for radios with a solid IP rating to handle it all without breaking.
• Durability: Radios get dropped, knocked, and tossed in truck beds. Choose models built tough, preferably with MIL-STD-810 certification.
• Clear Audio with Noise Cancellation: Between engines, animals, and wind, it gets loud. Noise-canceling mics and strong speakers make sure messages get through.

Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Small Farms

To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for small farms of every size.

These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.

Motorola RMV2080 Channels: 8 Power: 2 watt Frequency: VHF

Kenwood NX-P1202AVK Channels: 64 Power: 2 watts; VHF VOX, Scan, Calling Alert

Best Nationwide Coverage (LTE & Wi-Fi Enabled)

Motorola WAVE PTX Series Ideal for operations across multiple locations, cities or states. Unlimited coverage through LTE and WiFi, eliminating traditional radio limitations. GPS Tracking to locate staff Emergency button for staff safety Talk to radios from your phone! Requires monthly subscription per device. ‘Lease-to-Own’ payment options available to help with upfront costs and get you started ASAP. As a failsafe, when wifi/cell service goes out, the radio works antenna to antenna and gets 350,000 sqft of coverage

Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases

Need to equip your team? We want to help! 

Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.

We are here for you!

If you have any questions on which radio is right for your small farm – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team. 

We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.

You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!