On the docks, wind, engines, and water make communication hard. Waterproof radios with headsets give your helm, deck crew, and dock staff clear, instant contact, so every docking and launch goes smoothly.
You’re in the right spot to compare your options! We’ve helped boating agencies nationwide stay connected since 1997. Here’s how to choose the best radio for your team.
What do you need in a walkie talkie for Boating?
The premier brand for two-way radio communication, Motorola, offers a diverse array of two-way radios for boating enthusiasts. Among the most affordable for personal use are the Motorola Talkabout walkie-talkies. Talkabout series radios are super easy to use and their made for people who love to be outside.
The Best Walkie Talkies for Boating
For more heavy duty recreational boating buffs or boating business users, we recommend one of the VHF walkie-talkies in Motorola's RDX series handheld radios. The RDV5100 is the 5-watt 2-way radio from Motorola's VHF RDX series business radios. The VHF two-way radio frequency band is the band of choice for most long range marine communications.
VHF sound waves are longer and stay closer to the surface of the earth, so they can travel for great distances across flat surfaces like water. The RDV5100 packs quite a punch! Built for the business radio user, it can take a beating. Motorola made the RDV5100 from a tough polycarbonate outer shell that houses a die-cast chassis. The RDV5100 meets military standards 810 c, d, e, f and is rated IP 54/55 for jets of water. Should you be out on your boat in extreme temperature conditions or incur moisture, salt, fog, dust, shock or vibrations, your Motorola RDV2020 can handle the pressure. The RDV5100 operates on the BRS, business exclusive two-way radio frequencies, so you'll need to get an FCC license to use it.
If you want a walkie-talkie with two-way radio frequencies that you don't need a license to use, then you should consider the FRS/GMRS Motorola Talkabout walkie-talkies. When using the Family Radio Service (FRS) two-way radio frequencies, you're not required to have an FCC license. If you want to use the GMRS side of the Motorola Talkabout radios, you are required to get a license from the FCC, but it's a fairly easy process. GMRS licensing requires no frequency coordination like BRS can and is pretty much a matter of filling out the paperwork and paying the fee. Once you've gotten your license, the FCC considers other members of your immediate family to be included as licensed users under your license.
Need some help sorting out which radio will work best for your boating needs? Why not ask our expert customer service folks via email or telephone. We're always here to help you make the right choice!