Two way radios can be FRS or GMRS or a combination of both. If you are looking for cheap two way radios, you are to buy the FRS (Family Radio Service) which is cheaper and requires no licensing. In the first place, the determinants for your choice between the two are your intended purposes. Since you are trying to find cheap two way radios, the recommendation is find an FRS radio without optional features, meaning – the basic features will suffice for your needs.
Before you analyze your basic features, know your purpose. Is it just for family monitoring? Or – do you intend to use it for business? Two way radios are classified as consumer radios and business radios. The former of course are the cheaper two way radios. What will be your purpose? You may be using if for home use only – within the confines of your home up to the garden or garage. Or you want to use it in the neighborhood, parks or malls. Some may want it for special occasions – camping, hunting, motorcycle riding or skiing. So the type and strength of your two way radio will depend on this. The cheap bracket will be those that are used for simple home monitoring. This can also be used in malls, parks and in the neighborhood, depending upon the range.
Basic considerations
1. Range
This is the most basic feature that you are going to look into. What is the normal range for a two way radio? Do not be misguided. Some will state that the range is up to 30 miles. Know the truth about range coverage.
In the specifications you will be given a distance range but those that are stipulated therein are for ideal conditions. This is a condition of “line of sight”; there are no obstructions between two communicating persons. An example of this ideal location is being on a mountain top. The range will be shorter when you are in the mountain, forest or even inside the mall.
2. Compatibility with other radios
This is one of your concerns because your friends or neighbors might already have their two way radios – older models. So if you intend to use your newly purchased communication units in coordination with theirs, you must know if your unit model is compatible with theirs.
3. Frequency
The FRS two way radios, cheaper at that, have lesser channels than the GMRS. But since you are looking for the cheap two way radios, naturally you would not go for the GMRS which is more expensive and would require licensing. Anyway the 14 channels available in an FRS old model two way radio are sufficient to give you the needed communication.
4. Price
The model of the two way radio is also dependent upon your budget. You can initially do your research in the internet to find the features of a two way radio fitted to your budget. Find the store that offers the cheapest price.
With your very stiff budget, you can really find cheap two way radios, but do not expect your units to have many features. Sometimes, you can find identical models and brands with differing prices – it also depends on the price tag (profit margin) of the store.