Professional Two-Way Radio

Professional two-way radio: reliable communication when failure is not an option

When a missed message puts people, operations or the business at risk, consumer equipment simply isn't up to the job. Professional two-way radio offers greater range, durability, security and control than any licence-free walkie-talkie or mobile phone. That is why it is the standard in sectors such as security, defence, industry, healthcare, transport and maritime.

At Locura Digital you will find everything you need to build or expand a professional radio network: professional walkie-talkies, mobile and base station radios, and digital and analogue repeaters to extend your coverage, from leading brands such as Motorola, Kenwood, Hytera and Icom, among others.

How is professional radio different from a licence-free walkie-talkie?

Licence-free PMR446 walkie-talkies are designed for short distances and simple tasks. A professional system runs on its own licensed frequencies, with no interference from other users and features built for day-to-day work.

• More power and range: professional radios transmit at higher power, giving much wider coverage that can be extended even further with repeaters.
• Exclusive frequencies: your channel belongs to you alone, so you won't pick up other companies or members of the public.
• Digital technology: clearer audio, longer battery life, more efficient use of frequencies and advanced features such as private calls, text messages and location tracking.
• Privacy: on top of running on your own frequencies, many models offer voice encryption, either as standard or as an option, so outsiders can't listen in.
• Safety features: emergency button, man down, lone worker and GPS location, depending on the model.
• Rugged design: IP67-rated against dust and water, and shock-resistant to military standards.

Digital radio technologies

There is no single digital radio standard: each manufacturer works with one or more. The right choice depends on the equipment you already have, the size of your network and the features you need. The most widely used are:

• DMR: an open European standard (ETSI) and the most widely used in professional radio. It has been adopted by manufacturers such as Motorola, with its MOTOTRBO range, Hytera and Kenwood, which makes it easier for radios from different brands to work together.
• NXDN: developed by Kenwood and Icom, who market it as NEXEDGE and IDAS respectively. It stands out for its efficiency and good range.
• dPMR: a simple, cost-effective European standard found in radios from several brands.
• TETRA: designed for mission-critical networks and widely used by police, security and emergency services.

For DMR, we offer every tier:

• Tier I: licence-free DMR (DMR446) for simple, short-range use.
• Tier II: the backbone of licensed professional radio, either radio-to-radio or via repeaters.
• Tier III: trunked systems for large networks with many users, with channels assigned automatically.

Professional walkie-talkies: the essential tool for teams in the field

Professional walkie-talkies are at the heart of every radio network. They go everywhere with operators, officers and technicians throughout the working day, and they are built to take whatever the job throws at them.

What to look for in a professional walkie-talkie

• Analogue or digital: digital radios (DMR, NXDN…) offer better audio and more features, and many still work with existing analogue networks.
• With or without a display and keypad: basic models are easier to use; full-keypad models support private calls, text messages and group management.
• Certifications: IP67, MIL-STD-810 or ATEX for explosive atmospheres, depending on where you work.
• Compatible accessories: earpieces, speaker microphones, batteries and multi-unit chargers for your whole fleet.

Mobile radios: staying connected from vehicles and fixed sites

Professional mobile radios are installed in vehicles, vessels and control rooms. With more power and an external antenna, they reach much further than a handheld. They are essential for managing fleets, keeping base in touch with staff on the road, or setting up a dispatch centre to run the whole operation.

• Mobile radio: fitted in vans, lorries, ambulances, patrol cars or plant machinery.
• Base station: in offices, reception areas, control rooms or security lodges.
• One network: they share channels with the walkie-talkies, so the whole team is on the same system.

Repeaters: coverage where you need it most

When distance, terrain or buildings get in the way of the signal, a repeater is the answer. It picks up the signal from a radio and retransmits it at higher power from a high point, greatly extending the range of your walkie-talkies and mobile radios.

When do you need a repeater?

• Industrial estates, ports and large warehouses.
• Hospitals, hotels and multi-storey buildings with basements.
• Rural, mountainous or hilly areas.
• Vehicle fleets covering a wide area.

Repeaters come in digital, analogue and mixed-mode versions. Mixed-mode repeaters let you move to digital step by step, without having to replace every radio at once.

We also specialise in designing and installing complex networks: we link multiple repeaters together to cover large areas and set up roaming systems, so each radio automatically switches to the repeater with the strongest signal without the user having to change channel.

Professional radio by sector

Every sector has its own needs. Here are the most common:

Hospitality

Hotels, resorts, restaurants and event companies keep reception, housekeeping, kitchen and maintenance connected with discreet walkie-talkies and earpieces. You will find everything you need in our walkie-talkies for hospitality and events section.

Law enforcement and security

National, regional and local police forces, gendarmeries and other law enforcement agencies, as well as private security and civil protection teams, rely on encrypted communications, an emergency button and total reliability on every call-out. Take a look at our dedicated section on radio communications for law enforcement.

Defence

Equipment built to military ruggedness standards, with advanced encryption and proven performance in extreme heat, cold, dust and humidity.

Industry

In factories, chemical plants, refineries and mines, radios have to cope with noise, knocks and, in many cases, explosive atmospheres (ATEX). Man down and lone worker features add an extra layer of protection for staff.

Healthcare

Hospitals, ambulance services and emergency teams need instant, dependable communication between wards, A&E, security and maintenance, without relying on mobile coverage.

Maritime

On ships, in ports and in commercial marine operations, IP67-rated and floating radios stand up to water and salt, keeping the crew connected between deck, engine room and bridge.

Logistics and transport

Warehouses, distribution centres, loading bays and lorry or bus fleets become more efficient and safer with walkie-talkies on the warehouse floor, mobile radios in the vehicles and a dispatch centre pulling it all together.

Do I need a licence for professional radio?

Yes. In most countries, using professional frequencies requires a licence from the national telecoms regulator. In return, your organisation gets its own protected frequencies. If you are not sure what you need, we can advise you on the equipment and network that best suit your operation.

Expert advice on designing your radio network

How many radios do you need? Digital or analogue? Will you need a repeater? At Locura Digital we have spent years equipping businesses, public bodies, security forces and professionals with tailored radio communication solutions. Get in touch and we will help you choose the right walkie-talkies, mobile radios and repeaters for your sector.