How To Talk on a Radio (or Walkie Talkie)

Download Article
A guide to using a walkie talkie
Download Article

This is how to talk on a radio or walkie talkie for business or group use.

Things You Should Know

  • Your dispatcher or secretary should be referred to as "BASE" when using a walkie talkie.
  • Communicate with BASE by saying "[your nick-name] to BASE".
  • When receiving a radio call, say "Go Ahead" to indicate you are ready to hear what the other person has to say.

Steps

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The dispatcher is the person who sends out the calls to a person for what ever event. Label or Nick-Name this person BASE. This Will come in handy later.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    By Nick-Name, do not label people Momma-bear or Papa-Bear. Remember, you are trying to sound Professional.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Example: "Packaging Dept. to BASE."
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    "Go Ahead".
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    "Clear" The other person can repeat this ONLY once.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-7-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-7-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-7-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-7-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [Packaging Dept to Josh] - Josh will then say ["Go Ahead'].
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-8-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-8-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    9. Advertisement
Section 1 of 1:

Example

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Base to Josh
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go Ahead
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    I need you to come to the front desk to sign a package that just arrived.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Roger that
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Clear
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-14.jpg\/v4-728px-Talk-on-a-Radio-%28Walkie-Talkie%29-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Clear (optional)
    7. Advertisement


Common Questions: Using a Walkie Talkie Radio

What does "10 10" mean on the radio?

When someone says "10 10" into their two-way radio, it could have a few different meanings. On non-police radio, 10-10 usually means "transmission completed, standing by." For police radio, 10-10 can mean "negative," "fight in progress," or "off duty."

How do you start talking on a walkie-talkie?"

Before you start talking, hold down the button for a second or two so your first words aren't cut off. Hold the button as you speak, and then lift your finger when you're finished.

What is the best signal for a walkie-talkie?

If you're outside with minimal obstructions between yourself and the person you're talking to, VHF (136 - 174MHz) is best. If there are walls, buildings, trees, or any other obstructions, UHF (400 - 470MHz) signals are best.

How do you use a walkie-talkie effectively?

Know what you're going to say before you start talking, and get straight to the point. Speak loudly and clearly so others can understand you. Say "Over" each time you finish speaking and "Out" when you're ready to end the conversation.

Tips

  • Smile when you talk. A person can always tell your attitude, even when they can't see you.
    Thanks
  • Think about what you want to say before you press the transmit switch.
    Thanks
  • Speak Clearly. The other person you are trying to talk with may be in an area with a lot of noise or your radio may be picking up background noise while you are talking.
    Thanks
Show More Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

Warnings

  • The FCC defined additional frequencies for GMRS, primarily to talk to repeaters. A GMRS license is needed for use of a GMRS radio to transmit on FRS or GMRS frequencies. Also, if your radio with FRS/GMRS channels has a detachable antenna or a power level that exceeds 2 watts, it is not an approved FRS radio and you would need a GMRS license to transmit on any channel.
    Thanks
  • Don't Cuss. It's Not Professional and may be prohibited by law.
    Thanks
  • The channel and license rules recently changed in the USA. On 22-channel (dual-service) handheld radios, channels 1 through 7 and 15 through 22 were defined as GMRS channels. In the United States, the use of these higher-power (2 watt) channels required a GMRS license that could be purchased from the FCC for a fee. In 2017 the FCC re-defined all 22 channels as "Family Radio Service" (FRS) and no license is needed for transmission on any of the 22 channels.
    Thanks
  • Transmitting without a license may result in penalties if the FCC enforces this rule. In Canada, GMRS channels can be used freely without a license. For more information on GMRS licensing, see https://www.fcc.gov/general/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs
    Thanks
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Radios for all of the staff.
  • Clips for all of the staff.
  • Charger for all the radios.
  • Your Receipt in case a radio is lost, stolen or damaged.

You Might Also Like

How to
Create a Simple AM Radio
How to
Build Several Easy Antennas for Amateur Radio
How to
Make a Crystal Radio
How to
Operate a CB Radio
How to
Call CQ on Amateur Radio
How to Create an Internet Radio Station: Step-by-Step Guide
How to
Start a Low Power FM Radio Station
How to
Start Your Own Radio Station
Advertisement

About This Article

In other languages
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 315,228 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Imran Ntanda

    Dec 5, 2018

    "Now I can confidently communicate on the radio with others."
More reader stories Hide reader stories
Share your story

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement