Snow Plow Radios

Truck 27 is stuck behind a car that hasn’t been moved. Route B still hasn’t been touched, and it’s already 6 a.m.

The foreman has no idea two of the trucks had to double back for salt. Meanwhile, neighborhoods are flooding with complaints.

These are all common issues in snow plowing - 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 snow plow team, 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.

Given the distance between trucks you’ll require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly through walls and across larger distances.

You also need to take obstructions and building materials into account. If you have thick concrete walls, it may be necessary to go 1-watt stronger.

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.

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 snow plow radio?

• Weatherproof & Durable Snow plows operate in extreme cold, wet, and messy conditions. Look for radios that are IP-rated (like IP67) for water and dust resistance, and rugged enough to handle drops, vibration, and constant use.
• Long Battery Life Crews often work long shifts during storms, so choose radios with batteries that can last 12+ hours—or offer hot-swappable battery packs.
• Loud, Clear Audio Between engine noise, blowing snow, and road traffic, plow drivers need powerful speakers and noise-canceling mics to hear and be heard clearly.
• Easy to Use with Gloves Big buttons, simple controls, and glove-friendly design make a huge difference in freezing conditions.
• Wide Coverage Range Crews may be spread out across city streets or rural highways. Use UHF radios for urban areas (better in buildings and dense environments) or VHF for wide open rural routes. Repeaters or digital radios (like DMR) can also extend range.
• Emergency Features Look for radios with emergency alert buttons, man-down detection, or lone worker settings in case a driver is in trouble and can’t speak.
• Hands-Free Options External mics, speaker mics, or Bluetooth headsets can keep communication flowing without taking hands off the wheel.

Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Snow Plows

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

Motorola CP100d-UA Channels: 16 Power: 4 watts; UHF Coverage: 400,000 sqft indoor / 2-3 miles outdoor (in good conditions) Rugged IP54 rated, pre-programmed text messages, voice announcement

This is a powerhouse UHF radio.

First off, it features 16 different channels. It can clearly handle a sizable workforce.

With 4 watts of power, it sends sound out with a lot of energy. Think of it like a major league pitcher throwing a fastball. That signal is getting where it needs to go.

It has an outdoor range of up to three miles and an indoor range of 30 floors or up to 350,000 square feet. This is the power-packed radio that you want when you're looking for distance.

It can take a severe pounding. You're looking at a military-grade case with a metal die-cast chassis covered in polycarbonate.

It meets the MIL-STD 810 C-F standards. That means it can stand up to a combat mission.

This walkie talkie can withstand being submerged in mud or dropped from scaffolding. It can even take a blast from a firehose.

This is a device that can get around walls, trees, vehicles, and work well in a building.

The CP100d-UA also covers 89 business radio frequencies with privacy codes.

Check out the other CP100d radio models available for upgrades to digital and displays!

Kenwood NX-P1300NUK Channels: 64 Power: 4 watt; UHF and Digital Battery Life: 14 hours SCAN, VOX, Calling Alert

Best Unlimited 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 team – 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!