A reliable set of waterproof two-way radios are an essential bit of gear for anyone planning an outdoor adventure (especially in the typical UK weather).

Whether you’re on a family camping holiday, a well-deserved weekend fishing trip or even working outdoors, effective communication is a crucial element of safety!

To discover everything you need to know about waterproof two-way radios, keep reading …

Why use a waterproof two-way radio?

Waterproof two-way radios are devices which have been designed and tested to withstand immersion in water without causing internal electrical damage.

The most reliable way to tell if a device is waterproof is by checking its IP rating ( if you are unfamiliar with IP ratings, check out this easy-to-understand article). 

Waterproof two-way radios are a perfect communication tool for:

• Water sports
• Fishing
• Camping
• Outdoor adventures (e.g. hiking / cycling)
• Working around bodies of water (e.g. lifeguards)
• Working on building sites or outdoors (anywhere a radio is likely to get dirty and need to be hosed down)

Two-way radio VS mobile phone?

 ‘Do I need to invest in waterproof two-way radios, when I already have a mobile phone?’

This is a valid question many people ask themselves when weighing up their communication options for an outdoors adventure.

Yes, smartphones these days are equipped with all sorts of savvy tools to aid you on your expedition such as flashlights, maps and even apps to identify different types of plants. Plus, you most likely already own one.

However, one of the main challenges of a smartphone is that in remote areas where there is no cellular signal, the mobile will fail to operate. The last thing you need is to be standard in the middle of nowhere with no way to call for help. 

Two-way radios don’t rely on cellular data and therefore can connect instantly, whether you’re hiking up the side of a mountain or fishing in the middle of a lake. In an emergency, having a reliable communication tool can be the difference between life and death.

This is why two-way radios are an ideal communication solution to ensure the safety of your group in situations where mobile may fail you.

If you are interested in learning more about the pros and cons between mobile phones and two-way radios, click here to read our detailed comparison article.

Factors to consider when choosing your perfect waterproof two-way radio

As with any gear you’re considering bringing on your trip, it’s important to know what you need from your two-way radio and which factors are important to ensure you’re choosing the correct one.

The top 5 factors to consider when choosing your device are:

• IP rating.
• Licenced or Licence-free.
• Frequency and range.
• Weight and battery life.
• Additional radio feature.

IP Rating

A device’s Ingress protection rating or IP rating for short is the sealing level of electrical enclosures against intrusions from foreign bodies. This means the device’s protection level against solids and liquids.

An IP rating is made up of two numbers. The first number relates to the level of protection against solids (EG dust) and the second number relates to the level of protection against liquids.

The first number is rated on a scale of 0 – 6.

0 = No protection against solid objects.

6 = effectively dust-proof.

 

The second number is rated on a scale of 0 – 8.

0 = No protection against liquid penetration

8 = protected against immersion greater than 1 metre.

We are going to be focusing more on the second number as this is the one that reflects most clearly whether a two-way radio is waterproof or not.

IP55 / IP65 two-way radios. 

These devices can be hosed down with water without a problem. Ideal for use on building sites or locations where the radios are likely to get dirty. These devices are often referred to as weatherproof two-way radios.

IP67 two-way radios.

These devices can withstand being dropped in water and fished back out again. Immersible up to 1m for 30 mins. Ideal for use in wet weather. These devices are often referred to as water-resistant two-way radios.

IP68 two-way radios.

These devices can withstand immersion in water of 1m for up to 2hrs. These devices are often referred to as waterproof two-way radios.

When researching for your Ideal waterproof two-way radio, remember to check the device’s IP rating. We would recommend choosing one with an IP67 or IP68 rating for a reliable communication tool for use in wet environments or near bodies of water such as lakes.

Licenced or Licence-Free two-way radios

Most people are familiar with the concept of two-way radio, often referred to as a walkie-talkie. But many people are not fully aware of the difference between licensed and licence-free radios.

Licence-free two-way radios.

Licence-free two-way radios are ready to use straight out of the box. They are a great option if you only need to communicate in a small area and don’t require a large coverage. 

Licence-free radios typically work over a 1-mile distance; however, this depends on the terrain they are being used in.

The major drawback of a licence-free radio is that all licence-free radios transmit on the same frequency. This means that you may experience unwanted audio traffic from other radio users in the area. This also means that other radio users may also be able to hear you. This can be potentially dangerous if you are communicating sensitive information.

Licenced two-way radios.

To operate a licenced two-way radio in the UK, you need to have a valid radio licence provided by OFCOM. Using a licensed radio without a valid licence is illegal.

A radio licence provides you with a unique frequency for you to communicate securely. A basic radio licence costs £75 and will last for 5 years.

The top 3 benefits of using a licensed radio over a licenced free radio are:

• Licenced two-way radios are more powerful resulting in a larger coverage area
• The OFCOM licence means that your two-way radios will operate on a secure frequency eliminating the risk of sensitive information being leaked.
• Licenced two-way radios have more advanced security features such as an emergency button and man-down.

If you would like more information regarding OFCOM licences you can contact our service team at 0800 328 0100, email service@eemits.co.uk or read our detailed comparison article here.

Frequency and Range.

The range of a two-way radio is normally based on two factors:

• The radio power output 
• The terrain 

As discussed earlier, licensed two-way radios are more powerful than licence-free ones.

Licence-free radios typically transmit around 0.5 watts and licenced radios typically transmit around 5 watts.

As a rule, the more powerful the output of your radio, the larger the area of coverage will be. However, you also need to take into consideration the terrain the radio is communicating.

Two-way radios can operate in two frequencies, UHF and VHF. 

VHF (Very High Frequency) two-way radios are normally most recommended for use in outdoor settings with little obstacles between the communication points. VHF radios communicate over larger distances when they are not disrupted by obstacles such as buildings. These are ideal for use on open roads, large outdoor sites with little buildings or even an open lake.

UHF (Ultra High Frequency) radio waves are better at penetrating through obstacles such as buildings or dense forests of trees. UHF often has a better all-around signal. 

Radio weight and Battery life.

Although the weight of your radio may not be top of the priority list, it is still an important factor to consider.

If you are on a hike or camping trip you will be working with limited carry capacity.  You don’t need a big bulky two-way radio taking up unnecessary space and adding extra weight. With that being said, the extra size and weight may be a trade-off for a big battery and longer battery life.

The typical smartphone battery lasts between 5 – 8 hours depending on usage. Two-way radios battery can last anywhere between 15hrs and 28hrs on one charge! 

This is a huge benefit for trips when you have no access to electricity to keep the devices charged.

You can find a two-way radio and its battery weight on its spec sheet. This is under the technical tab on the product page on our website.

Additional Features.

Two-way radios come with many additional features that can aid in keeping you and your group safe. Whether you’re on a leisurely hike or working in the middle of nowhere, emergency features can give you peace of mind to knowing you have an added layer of safety.

Licenced radios have more advanced features than licences-free ones. These additional features also tend to bump the price of the radio up.

Emergency features such as an emergency button, man down and lone worker could save a life when in the middle of nowhere. 

The emergency button is a large easy-to-operate button often on the top of the radio. When pressed the radio will transmit an emergency alarm across the channels to alert your group that you need help.

 

The man-down feature transmits an emergency alarm to your group when it senses that the radio has been down for a prolonged period. This feature is especially helpful if someone has fallen and is unable to manually press the emergency button.

When paired with the Man-down feature, GPS can easily pinpoint the emergency location.

Our Top 5 waterproof two-way radios

MOTOROLA R7 Premium (Full Keypad)

The Motorola R7 Premium Full Keypad is part of the latest release of digital two-way radios developed by Motorola to facilitate seamless communication no matter the environment.

 

IP68 rated.
The R7 digital two-way radio is completely dust-tight and protected from water immersion of 2 metres for 2hrs.

 

The R7 Premium (Full Keypad) is a licenced two-way radio. You need to have a valid OFCOM licence to operate the radio in the UK.

 

The R7 comes in both UHF and VHF, to fit your location and coverage needs. The R7 has superior receiver sensitivity, allowing the user to send and receive messages at the edge of coverage where other devices may struggle.

 

Powered by Lithium-Ion cells, the R7 has an impressive 28hr battery life and only weighs 316 grams. Ideal for communication on extended wilderness trips with limited access to electricity.

 

The R7 premium comes fully equipped with all software features and is ready to use straight from the box. 

 

Additional features:

• Large optimally located emergency button
• 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 for fast and secure connectivity
• Lone worker
• Optional Man down function
• VOX Capabilities

Available for purchase here.

HYTERA HP705G 

The Hytera HP705G from Hytera’s next-generation H-series of digital two-way radios boasts a minimalist and lightweight design. The perfect device for use on the go.

IP68 rated.
The HP705G can be submerged in 2metres of water for up to 4hrs. 

The HP705G is a licensed two-way radio. You need to have a valid OFCOM licence to operate the radio in the UK.

The HP705G comes in both UHF and VHF, to fit your location and coverage needs.

The HP705G has innovative water porting technology built into the speaker.

When the radio is vertical, the water porting technology drains out water that is trapped in the audio cavity. This eliminates audio quality diminishing over time due to liquid damage to the speaker.

Compact, lightweight and streamlined design, the HP705G is only 29.5mm thick and 290g in weight. Although small in size this device delivers an impressive 25 hr battery life usage from a single charge.

The HP705G comes with built-in Bluetooth connectivity.

Additional features:

• Large Emergency button
• Bluetooth 5.0 for fast and secure connectivity
• Lone worker
• Man down 
• Call priority 

Available for purchase here.

ENTEL DX400 series

The Entel DX400 Series is an ultra-lightweight, dual operating and water-resistant two-way radio.

IP68 rated.

The Entel DX400 series are submersive in 2metres of water for up to 4hrs. Making is dust-proof and fully waterproof, even with the dust cover removed.

The Entel DX400 series is a licensed two-way radio. You need to have a valid OFCOM licence to operate the radio in the UK.

The DX482 is the UHF variation and the DX422 is the VHF variation. Both models have the same features, just different frequencies to best meet your needs.

One key advantage of Lithium-Ion battery technology is the way it eliminates ‘memory effect’, meaning that there is no need to fully discharge your battery before recharging. This helps prolong battery life in the long run.

The Entel DX400 series radios also have a large range of full subversive accessories such as earpieces, headsets and PTT mics. 

Additional features:

• Emergency button
• Lone worker
• Man down 

Available for purchase here.

ENTEL HT446L Licence free

The Entel HT446L is an entry-level licence-free two-way radio.

IP68 rated.
The Entel HT446L can be submerged in 5 metres of water for up to 1hrs or 2m of water for up to 4hrs.  These licence-free radios are a cost-effective solution for communication in hostile environments.

The Entel HT446L is a professional licence-free radio, meaning it is ready to use straight from the box – no licence required.

Providing up to 15.5 hrs of operational use from one charge. The HT446L also features a unique system to count charge cycles and detect when your battery pack needs replacing for optimal usage.

Additional features:

• VOX (Only enabled with the use of audio accessories)
• Emergency alarm.

Available for purchase here.

ICF29SR2 Professional PMR446 Licence Free

The ICOM IC-F29SR2 is simplistic, functional and most importantly water resistant.

IP67 Rated.
Compact, Slim, IP67 dust-proof and water-resistant. Ideal for use in areas where coverage is only small.

The ICOM IC-F29SR2 is a professional licence-free radio, meaning it is ready to use straight from the box – no licence required.

Its Li-Ion battery pack provides up to 21hrs of operating time and only takes 2.5 hrs to fully charge. Perfect if you have limited access to electricity to charge your device.

Available for purchase here.