By the specialist team at Deltron.nl | Reading time: approx. 5 minutes
It is a strange feeling that almost everyone has experienced at some point nowadays. You pick up your phone, look at the screen and suddenly see the message: 'No service'. No bars, no internet, no signal.
On a normal working day, that is merely inconvenient at most. But imagine the power going out across an entire region. No charging stations, no TV, and after a few hours the emergency batteries of the local mobile phone masts also give out under the massive usage. At that specific moment you realize how dependent our modern society has become on a digital network that we cannot see and cannot control.
At Deltron we see it every day in the store and speak to customers about this topic daily. The demand for analogue and licence-free radio communication is growing enormously. Not because people suddenly all want to become radio amateurs, but out of a very human and clear need: the certainty that you can communicate with your loved ones if regular technology lets you down.
Why radio equipment works when the network fails
To understand why old-fashioned radio waves are so reliable, we have to look at the way they work.
When you call your neighbors two streets away with your mobile phone, that signal travels a huge distance. It goes from your device to the nearest mobile mast, through the provider's network to a data center, and back to the mast at your neighbors'. If one important link or power supply in that entire chain fails, the conversation stops.
A walkie-talkie or a 27MC transceiver (the classic "bakkie") works according to a simple and powerful principle: point-to-point communication.
The signal leaves your antenna and travels directly through the ether to the receiver. There is no provider in between. No transmission mast. No subscription. No data center. As long as you have a charged battery or a battery pack, your device transmits. It is that simple.
Which equipment is suitable for your situation?
In practice, we see that people cannot see the wood for the trees when they start delving into the world of radio communication. Which frequencies are you allowed to use? Do you need a licence?
We usually divide the options for emergency communication and home use into three accessible categories:
1. PMR446 Walkie-Talkies (Licence-Free & Ready to Use)
These are the well-known walkie-talkies that operate on the 446 MHz frequency.
- Advantages: Completely licence-free throughout Europe. Unpack, set to the same channel and talk.
- Range: In a built-up area (residential neighborhood), you should expect a few hundred meters to 1 or 2 kilometers, depending on obstacles. In an open field, the range is considerably greater.
- Application: Perfect for staying in contact between family members in and around the house, or with neighbors on the street.
2. 27MC / CB Radio (The Classic for Longer Distances)
The 27MHz band has a rich history and is still very much alive. Nowadays, there are modern, very compact devices and powerful mobile whip antennas or base antennas.
- Advantages: Free to use without a transmission licence. Due to the lower frequency, radio waves follow the terrain better.
- Range: With a good antenna, you easily cover distances of 5 to 15 kilometers (and under favorable conditions even much further).
- Application: Ideal for the car, the camper, or as a fixed base station at home in the attic to stay in contact over longer distances with friends or family in the region.
3. Emergency Radios (Listening to the News)
Communication is important, but receiving information is at least as crucial. With an overview of all local and regional emergency frequencies you always stay up to date with the news in times of emergency.
- Application: An approved emergency radio has FM and DAB+, but more importantly: a built-in hand crank (dynamo) and a small solar panel. Should all power fail, you can always listen to the government's emergency broadcaster by simply cranking to hear what is going on. Many of these emergency radios are also equipped with a USB port so you can also use them as a power bank.
Practical tips from our own experience
In recent decades, thousands of devices have passed through our hands at Deltron and we have gained extensive knowledge of their functions and specifications. If you want to include radio communication in your preparation or emergency plan, we are happy to give you a few practical starting points:
- Test your equipment beforehand: Do not wait until the power actually goes out. Go out for an afternoon with your partner or children, take the walkie-talkies with you and test how far the range is in your own neighborhood. This way everyone knows how the device works.
- Think about the power supply: A walkie-talkie is worthless if the battery is dead. Choose devices that run on standard AA/AAA batteries (and keep a supply of those), or make sure you have a power bank with a small solar panel to charge your walkie-talkies.
- Make clear arrangements: Agree with your family on which channel and at what times you will listen (for example: "In the event of a calamity, we will tune in to Channel 3 and listen for 5 minutes every hour"). This saves a huge amount of battery.
Peace and clarity in uncertain times
Being prepared for unexpected situations is not about panic or fear. It is precisely about calm. It gives a pleasant and reassuring feeling when you know that, whatever happens, you can stay in contact with the people you love.
Do you have questions about which equipment best suits your specific living situation or distances? Our team of specialists is ready for you every day in the store or via our customer service to provide you with honest and expert advice.
View our range of licence-free PMR446 walkie-talkies and 27MC equipment at Deltron.nl or contact us directly via support@deltron.nl
