The main task of a truck driver is safe, accident-free and timely delivery of cargo. This goal is ensured by many factors and conditions - the professionalism of the driver, the choice and technical condition of the car, the condition of roads and road infrastructure, and awareness of the road situation, existing and potential risks and difficulties also plays an important role.
For many decades, truck drivers on the road have been helping to solve this problem with a walkie-talkie, which is equipped with a significant part of the vehicles from the almost 2 million truck fleet of Russia. In terms of its technical characteristics and capabilities, this device will not give way to more modern cellular communications in the truck cab for a long time.
TurboSky CB-1
Our TOP continues - TurboSky CB-1. This is a compact radio station with frequency and amplitude modulation, providing reliable radio exchange in the civil SI-BI band. With a fairly compact size, it boasts an output power of 20 watts, which will allow you to be in touch over a fairly long distance. It is equipped with a separate frequency synthesizer and a scanning option, which greatly simplifies the search for the required frequency. The functionality of this walkie-talkie includes non-volatile memory, an automatic threshold noise suppressor, the ability to listen to two selected channels simultaneously and the connection of an external speaker. The radio has a large backlit display, the information from which is easy to read from any angle. The controls are very simple. It won't be difficult to figure it out. There is a priority communication button that allows you to quickly switch to emergency channels 9 and 19. There is a function of sound confirmation of key presses and a function of the end of transmission signal. In addition, the keys are backlit, which will be useful on night flights. And another nice addition is the option to lock the controls: after pressing the LOCK button. This feature helps prevent unintended button presses.
- Frequency range: 27 MHz.
- Number of channels: 240.
- Exit power: 20 W.
- Voltage: 13.8 V.
- Modulation type: AM/FM.
- Separate frequency synthesizer.
- Quick access to the emergency channel.
- Channel scanning.
- LCD display.
- Backlit keys.
- Connecting an external speaker.
- Dimensions: 104 x 25 x 108 mm.
- Weight: 0.42 kg.
The best models of walkie-talkies for truckers - top 10
Alan 48 Excel
The front panel of this radio station is made in a classic form, the body has fairly decent overall dimensions. The device is equipped with a digital display with bright orange LED backlighting. The data is displayed in large black font, so the driver just needs to glance at the radio to get all the necessary information - there is no need to peer at the screen and be distracted from the traffic situation. The body is made of fairly rigid metal, its elements fit tightly to each other, there are no gaps or backlashes observed. It is painted with powder paint with a matte coating, so that various types of dirt, including dust, will not be visible on it. The front panel is made of soft plastic and should be handled with the utmost care, as there is a high probability of damage, scratches and other defects.
An S-meter is provided that allows you to monitor even minor changes in the power of the input signal and the output power of the station itself. On the left side there is a handle responsible for changing channels, under which there is a headset connector. The function control buttons are made of rubber and have corresponding icons on them; there is also a volume control knob and a noise reduction key. The headset is small in size and ergonomic in shape – it fits into your hand quite easily. The station is equipped with 10 grids from A to L, which in total give about 400 channels. At the same time, channels can be saved in the device’s memory, which is very convenient.
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Advantages:
- Reasonable cost;
- Quite wide functionality;
- The ergonomics of both the front panel and the intercom headset itself have been carefully thought out;
- Good build quality.
Flaws:
- The front panel should be handled with extreme care as there is a risk of damage.
Alan 48 Excel
Optim Voyager
It is manufactured in a traditional form factor - the case is an ordinary monoblock made of cast aluminum, which gives the structure additional strength and rigidity. The shape of the front panel is not quite familiar. There is a slight elevation above the display and buttons, which can create some difficulties during installation of the device, especially if the radio is planned to be installed in some compact niche. In general, the manufacturer developed the design taking into account that it will be mounted in the cabin using a special bracket, which is supplied with this product. The control here is programmable, so each user can adjust it directly to themselves. One of the key advantages of this equipment is a full-color liquid crystal display with a high level of information content. Excellent readability regardless of viewing angle. Its brightness can be adjusted so that it does not distract the driver while driving.
The information on the display is arranged very tightly, there is a clock. When the radio is turned off, the date and time are displayed on the screen; it is worth noting that it turns off if there is no activity. The product has a built-in SWR meter, which is displayed during signal transmission, thanks to this it is possible to monitor the condition of the antenna in real time. You don't need to use a headset if you only need to receive a signal. The intercom itself is quite compact and fits comfortably in your hand. There are quite a lot of functions here, there is even fine-tuning of radio signal reception, allowing you to ensure the clearest audibility.
Advantages:
- Original appearance;
- Very informative liquid crystal display;
- Possibility of use without connecting a headset;
- Reliability and strength of the structure.
Flaws:
- Some difficulties may arise when installing in a niche.
Optim Voyager
MegaJet MJ-3031
A fairly popular radio station, both among truckers and ordinary car enthusiasts. The design of the product is quite stylish, the controls are simple and convenient - you don’t have to spend a long time delving into the settings to ensure clear signal reception and transmission. The display has a blue LED backlight, which will not be noticeable either at night or during daylight hours. The walkie-talkie does not have a threshold noise suppressor, but it does have a spectral noise suppressor, which allows you to reliably cope with even quite strong interference that occurs on the air due to various reasons. The model has a maximum permissible power of 10 W, which ensures a device operating range of about 10 km. A superheterodyne is used as a receiver, providing double frequency conversion to digital format. The received signal is transformed into a digital one and in this form passes through a spectral noise suppressor and amplifier - this allows you to achieve decent volume of the device.
The station is capable of working with 240 channels - a very decent indicator, and ranges from A to F are available to it. The display here is a Black Matrix liquid crystal display and has a function for storing the operating mode. During scanning, you can return to the previous channel. The radio's memory is designed for 4 channels. The overall dimensions are not large - 159x138x48 mm with a weight of 850 grams. It is worth noting that the display has additional backlighting, which significantly increases the sharpness and clarity of the image when the radio is in direct sunlight.
Advantages:
- Compact overall dimensions and low weight;
- Digital signal processing;
- High power and long operating range;
- Nice build.
Flaws:
- There is no threshold squelch.
MegaJet MJ-3031
Midland Alan M-ZERO PLUS
One of the most budget-friendly radios in our entire review. However, this did not prevent the device from combining a very convenient and functional interface, advanced application possibilities and decent production quality. The station is perfect for truckers, as it has intuitive controls - it will be easy to use even for a novice radio amateur. The case is light and compact, made of high-quality plastic with a matte coating, painted black, all inscriptions and pictograms are painted with white paint, which will not be erased during use. There are three rotary controls - power and volume, input signal adjustment and on-air noise suppression. Like all models in our review, the walkie-talkie has a liquid crystal display with clear information display, and it is also equipped with a white backlight.
On the back side there is a socket for connecting an external antenna of any type. The power cable is connected to the cigarette lighter - the user does not need to integrate the radio into the vehicle’s on-board electrical network. The number of channels is not too large - this station has only 40, but all the main ones are present. The transmitter power is not very high: it is only 4 W, but this is enough for broadcasting at a distance of about 8-9 km. The radio is capable of operating in a temperature range from -10 to +50 degrees.
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Advantages:
- Compact and lightweight design;
- Very clear controls - perfect for beginners;
- Good functionality;
- Readable display.
Flaws:
- 40 channels may seem insufficient to some.
Midland Alan M-ZERO PLUS
Optim 270
This is the third generation of this station, which went on general sale about three years ago. The radio is designed to operate in the 27 MHz band. The device can be used both in a car and in a stationary place: for this it has two power cables - one for connecting to the on-board network through the cigarette lighter socket, the second with a unit for working with household electricity. This model has the ability to change the transmitter frequency, which significantly increases the signal transmission range. The display displays quite a lot of information - channel number, signal level, frequency grid, transmit power, and so on. On the front panel there are several rotary controls responsible for changing the volume, operating sensitivity, and there are rubber buttons for switching between channels. The body is a single metal block, painted black, the front panel is also black.
On the rear side there is a special heatsink that ensures high efficiency of heat dissipation generated by the output stage; there are also two sockets - one for installing an external speaker, the other for connecting an external antenna that comes with the walkie-talkie. The headset has medium overall dimensions, fits comfortably in the hands, the transmitter control key is large, and it also has three buttons that allow you to select the desired channel and activate the automatic intelligent noise suppressor. The controls are simple - you can figure them out in about a couple of minutes.
Advantages:
- All shortcomings of previous versions have been fixed;
- Decent range;
- Can be used both stationary and in a car;
- Efficient operation of the cooling radiator;
- Intelligent noise reduction system.
Flaws:
- The buttons on the intercom sometimes get in the way under your fingers.
Optim 270
MegaJet MJ-50
One of the most compact radio stations in our entire rating. It was developed by Korean engineers specifically for use in a car during long trips. Despite its miniature dimensions, this walkie-talkie has decent functionality - its size is 99x24x83 mm. The body of the unit is made of metal plastic, the front panel is plastic - the material is quite hard, withstands physical impacts well, does not scratch or wear out during operation. The top cover is ribbed, the ventilation system holes are located on the back side. There are also sockets for an external speaker, an additional antenna and a plug for connecting a removable power cable. The latter is equipped with a fuse, so there is no fear that the radio will burn out due to a power surge. The front panel contains the main controls - volume control, buttons for working with channels and the noise reduction system.
The display has several LED backlight options - white, red, yellow, cyan, indigo and violet. Information can be read well regardless of viewing angle. The radio works stably in both Russian and European broadcast networks.
Advantages:
- Minimum overall dimensions;
- Reliable operation with terrestrial input signal;
- Several display backlight options with wide viewing angles.
Flaws:
- The body is prefabricated, not cast.
MegaJet MJ-50
Alan 100 plus
It is characterized by an optimal price-quality ratio. The controls here are arranged according to the classical scheme, so working with such a walkie-talkie will be quite easy. The station is capable of working with 40 channels, which operate stably both in urban conditions and on the highway. The case, like the previous model, is prefabricated, the upper and lower edges are secured with screws. On the front side there is a connector for connecting an intercom or PTT, which, depending on the type of model, can be 4 or 5 pin. The headset has average dimensions; there is only a key that turns on the transmission. The microphone is quite sensitive, it has an active noise reduction system, so the recipient will only hear the speaker’s voice, all extraneous sounds are removed.
The station itself has a threshold noise suppressor. Emergency channel frequencies are built into the device's memory by default. The LED backlight is green, the display shows information regarding the number of the working channel, in the immediate vicinity of the screen there is a red and green indication: the first indicates the ongoing signal transmission, the second - about reception. Output power is 4 W. It seems not too much, but this indicator is quite enough to transmit a signal over a distance of about 7-8 km. The radio can be installed in a niche on the car panel or placed in the cabin, secured on a special bracket.
Advantages:
- A good option in terms of price-quality ratio;
- There is not a single extra button on the intercom;
- Emergency frequencies are stored in the design memory;
- There is an indication of reception and transmission.
Flaws:
- Prefabricated body;
- Total 40 channels.
Alan 100 plus
Midland M-Mini
The top three opens with the latest generation multi-standard radio, which was developed specifically for daily use by motorists. Judging by the reviews, its merits were appreciated by both novice radio amateurs and already very experienced users. The design is modern, the controls are simple, automatic and manual noise reduction modes are provided. There is also a power level adjustment here. The device body is one-piece, the power cable is integrated. All internal parts are reliably protected from any external factors. The shape of the case is carefully thought out, heat is dissipated quite effectively - the radio will not overheat even due to prolonged operation. The standard speaker is located at the bottom of the unit; it is powerful and allows you to clearly hear the content of voice messages. The front panel contains only the most necessary controls - volume control, several buttons, a display and a headset jack. The following information is displayed on the device screen: channel number, modulation type, scale, noise reduction level, and so on.
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The overall dimensions of the product are not too large, so installation problems should not arise. The front panel has a soft-touch coating, which gives the device additional style and also protects it from various contaminants. If necessary, the radio can be hung using a special bracket.
Advantages:
- Noise is suppressed automatically or by manual adjustment;
- High-quality assembly;
- Soft-touch coating of the front panel;
- Power 4 or 8 W;
- Easy to install.
Flaws:
- 40 channels.
Midland M-Mini
PRESIDENT BARRY A.S.C.
This radio is designed and manufactured by the world's best manufacturer of such products. It can be used both in stationary mode and installed in a car. The design fully meets existing safety requirements, so it can be used not only in our country, but also far beyond its borders. The functionality of the product is quite wide: in particular, two types of modulation are provided - frequency and amplitude, several frequency grids, noise suppression can be automatic or manual. The walkie-talkie is equipped with a front-facing microphone, which makes it even more convenient to use; it has several rather tight control buttons, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally pressing them and messing up some important settings.
Almost the entire front panel is occupied by a liquid crystal display, where there is a segmented signal strength meter. The indicator is characterized by a high level of contrast and wide viewing angles. The body is assembled on the basis of a metal frame, which looks very stylish. It is covered with black lids, so even when installed remotely on a bracket it does not lose its attractiveness. In addition, the covers serve as an additional screen that protects the radio from external interference. An external speaker can be connected via a standard 3.5 mm jack. The radio has 80 frequency channels and several memory slots for saving those that you plan to use most often.
Advantages:
- Decent speaker power;
- Noise is suppressed gently, the useful signal is not cut off;
- Small but effective cooling radiator;
- Stylish appearance;
- Multicolor screen;
- Two types of external signal modulation.
Flaws:
- High price.
PRESIDENT BARRY A.S.C.
Yaesu FT-2980R
We hasten to introduce you to the leader among the best walkie-talkies for truckers - products from another world-famous company. Depending on the modification, the product can be equipped with a transceiver with a power of 5-10, 30 or 80 W, and this parameter can be adjusted. The station operates in the frequency range of 144 MHz. Productivity is at a very high level. The ergonomics are carefully thought out, making it absolutely safe to use this walkie-talkie while driving. The model is equipped with an effective passive cooling system. The assembly and components are so reliable that the device fully complies with the professional military standard for protection from various types of external influences - MIL-STD-810; the display has four backlight modes.
There is a keyboard on the front panel that allows you to manually enter the required frequency. The receiver is equipped with excellent protection against various types of intermodulation distortion. There are over 200 memory cells. A very wide selection of settings, including subtle ones, thanks to which it is possible to configure the optimal sensitivity of both the receiver and the signal transmitter. The radio is also capable of operating in an extended temperature range - from -20 to +60 degrees.
Advantages:
- Good protection from physical impacts;
- Adjustable power;
- Quite a large amount of device memory;
- Increased temperature range;
- Small overall dimensions;
- Attractive and stylish appearance;
- Excellent build quality and components.
Flaws:
- No exceptions were found for high cost.
Yaesu FT-2980R
Motorola DM1400
Our TOP is completed by the Motorola DM1400. This radio is easy to use and provides noise-free, interference-free communication to help you get the most out of your work. It operates in the range from 136 to 174 MHz or from 403 to 470 MHz and has an output power of 20 watts. The main advantage of the Motorola DM1400 is the ability to work in analog mode, and when the software key is activated, switch to analog-to-digital mode. Therefore, such a walkie-talkie provides a high level of protection from eavesdropping. And when using it, there is no need for additional scrambling. The display of the radio station displays all the necessary information in an accessible form. Thanks to the bright backlight, data is visible at any time of the day. And the voice activation function provided in it will allow you to call a subscriber without pressing the PTT button. In addition, the user of this radio station will always be able to find out in advance about the impossibility of communication: if he leaves the coverage area of the repeater or other radios, he will be warned about this by the ARTS function. This walkie-talkie also has the ability to send text messages. In general, if you need a multifunctional walkie-talkie with encryption capabilities, then you should pay attention to this model.
- Frequency range: 146 – 174/403 – 470 MHz.
- Number of channels: 16.
- Exit power: 20 W.
- Voltage: 13.8 V.
- Quick group call.
- Encryption.
- Noise suppression.
- Channel scanning.
- LCD display.
- Voice dubbing of channels.
- Dimensions: 169 x 44 x 134 mm.
- Weight: 1.3 kg.
How to choose the right one
Currently, there are many different car radios and in order to choose the best one, you need to adhere to a huge number of criteria, but we will describe some of them:
- Power – the optimal indicator is 10 W. Such power makes it possible to guarantee uninterrupted operation of the device.
- Housing - can be made of various materials, for example: plastic, plastic with metal.
- Weight is one of the main characteristics of these devices. The average is 56-600 grams.
- Height is the same as weight. On average it ranges from 80 to 585 mm.
- Height with antenna - this parameter is indicated quite rarely, its values vary from 118 to 128 mm.
Vector VT-27 Smart
Here is another inexpensive model that will be an excellent choice as a motorist’s first walkie-talkie. At the same time, for a long time you will not have the desire to sell it and buy something more “sophisticated”. The device is made in a compact and lightweight aluminum case, which at the same time successfully copes with the function of a cooling radiator. Information is perfectly readable from the screen at different viewing angles. The authorization is equipped with a fairly high-quality receiver for a budget model; it can operate in two modes (high and low power). In the first case, the output power of the device reaches 12 W, despite the fact that the technical specifications state only 10 W.
Radio Vector VT-27 Smart
Advantages of the radio for the Vector VT-27 Smart car
- miniature and lightweight body;
- button lock function;
- wide range of operating frequencies (from 25.615 to 30.295 Hz);
- high-quality heat dissipation.
Vector VT-27 Smart Display
Reviews about the authorization of Vector VT-27 Smart
In their comments, owners of the Vector VT-27 Smart radio write about its compactness, fairly loud speakers, and ease of control. A high-quality receiver leaves a good impression. As for the shortcomings of the radio, some users had problems with the firmware of the digital path. Also among the disadvantages is the incorrect operation of the noise suppressor.
Detailed review of the walkie-talkie
Price. You can buy the Vector VT-27 Smart authorization by paying from 3800 to 4600 rubles (in different online stores).
Alan 48 plus
Price: 3700 rubles
If you don’t know which inexpensive radio to choose for your car, then Alan 48 plus would be an excellent option. The model may have a small output power - the standard 4 Watts, but it has good modulation, which in reality is much more important. You can create a powerful broadcast of 100 watts or more, but this makes no sense if the modulation is poor, which will not allow you to hear the interlocutor. There is AM/FM, but SSB support is lacking.
Due to its cheapness, reliability and good characteristics, the walkie-talkie has become one of the most popular among truckers and ordinary motorists. Reliability is confirmed by models released in the 90s and which have retained their functionality to this day. It is possible to increase power, improve noise reduction, and equipment parameters can easily be modified to suit your needs.
Pros:
- Reliability;
- Huge opportunities for modernization;
- Good receiver.
Minuses:
- There is no frequency memory. True, this drawback can be eliminated using a soldering iron;
- Average quality of noise reduction.
Radio Manufacturers
If we talk about reliable, high-quality and inexpensive radio stations, today two brands have proven themselves on the market: Alan and Megajet. Among a fairly large assortment, car enthusiasts and truckers highlight the following models:
- Alan 100 Plus. An easy-to-use, small-sized walkie-talkie will cost you about 3,600 rubles. With low power, the device will be enough for trips around the city or short distances outside the city limits.
- Megajet MJ 100. The radio station costs a little more, from 4,100 to 5,000 rubles, however, the power ratings of this model are almost twice as high as Alan’s, and there is also a grid switch. Many truckers have noticed a very convenient non-volatile memory feature that allows you to save all settings.
- Megajet MJ 150. The device is in the same price category and has everything necessary for high-quality and reliable communication.
President BARRY ASC 12/24V
Price: 4789 rubles
The best car radio for truckers is inexpensive, but it can be powered directly from 24 W. This should make truck drivers happy. The noise reduction mechanism does its job perfectly. The controls are simple. It all comes down to the fact that the user only needs to select a channel and start communicating. The output power reaches 4 W, there are AM and FM, the quality of which is sufficient to ensure stable communication. The brand provides a 2-year warranty, and if purchased together with the President antenna, the warranty period increases to 5 years.
Pros:
- Intuitively simple controls;
- High quality of communication;
- Decent noise reduction;
- Possibility of power supply directly from 24 W;
- Warranty up to 5 years.
Minuses:
- Low output power.
