The Role of Walkie Talkies on Clarkson’s Farm
By 2wayradio
Back for a third series, Clarkson’s Farm continues to highlight everyday life on a working farm in the UK.
From the hilarious use of walkie talkies to challenges with local councils – the trilogy has it all.
And since the first season premiered in 2021, the show has gained international recognition for promoting various types of farming and creating new tv stars in the form of Charlie, Kaleb, and Gerald.
In today’s blog we will explore one of unsung stars of the show – walkie talkies.
The devices are utilised throughout the show to assist with everything from the harvest season to the unpredictable nature of rounding up farm animals.
Explaining how walkie talkies are used on the farm
From harvesting crops to building fences, walkie talkies are an essential component of effective communication across the 1000-acre farm.
Walkie talkies have been vital when several vehicles or machines are being used at one time, and it wouldn’t be practical to take a “stop/start” approach to harvesting.
From a comedic standpoint, many viewers have chuckled at Jeremy’s attempts to understand Gerald’s “lingo”.
One instance of this took place whilst the two tried to communicate via their two-way radios – much to the amusement of worldwide viewers.
Elsewhere, walkie talkies have helped in situations where cows have gone awol, and fences have been broken, proving their worth as instant and reliable communication tools.
The best walkie talkies for farm communications
Whilst the Lamborghini tractor may be more recognisable than the walkie talkies used throughout the series, the devices have proven to be invaluable.
Amongst other things, two-way radios are an essential component for overseeing the day-today activities of the farm.
The following section will discuss the favoured solutions available on today’s market.
Recommended Models
This device is one of the most advanced models on the market with clear and sophisticated audio processing.
This means your voice will always heard – even when the noise of tractors and other machinery is present.
The HP705 is a thinner radio and has innovative noise cancellation technology (like the R7), and an IP68 rating for smart performance and protection.
If budget is important the HP705 also has a similar antenna coverage as the R7 but at a lower overall price point.
The BD615 will survive vibration, extreme heat and cold, and humidity.
As an analogue radio it’s more “stripped back” than the R7 and HP705 in respect to features.
It’s the most affordable of our three recommendations, whilst still offering strong performance.
Other considerations
UHF vs. VHF – which one suits farms more?
UHF: ultra-high frequency – is better at penetrating buildings and other structures, making it ideal for use in factories, power plants and densely built-up areas.
It’s suitable for farms with lots of surrounding structures.
VFH: very high frequency – is the favoured option for open spaces, such as crop fields, making it ideal for broad, expansive farm environments.
Importance of IP Rating
A high IP rating is essential for farming to shield walkie talkies from water and dust.
The IP68 classification provides the best ingress protection against water and dust.
Tips for better farm communication
As previously discussed, successful communication on the farm is a necessity. Here’s some tips for even better use of walkie talkies on farm.
Tip #1
Put an emergency solution in place via the use of a dedicated or programmed panic button on the radio.
Tip #2
A radio repeater solution will be required where land is too vast or too many physical structures are in the way.
Tip #3
To find out more about the possible solutions for you and your farm contact us today.
We will recommend the right solution for you based on the information you provide.
Walkie talkies – the conclusion
In conclusion, walkie talkies are an important tool for farms – including Jeremy’s very own Diddly Squat farm.
Especially when it comes to improving safety, efficiency and productivity.
Choosing the right radio for you and implementing effective communication methods can have an immense effect on your farm operations.
As seen on the show and examined in this blog these devices are vital and go beyond simple equipment.