Emergency Preparedness Walkie Talkies

Do you have a family emergency plan?  With September being Emergency Preparedness Month, we wanted to feature a product important to have during an emergency — a blackout, earthquake, tornado, hurricane, forest fire, snowstorm, and more.

We recently tested the Motorola Talkabout T480 walkie-talkie radios, designed with emergency preparedness in mind.  When a disaster strikes, cellphones may not prove helpful right away, as mobile networks tend to get jammed with everyone calling in and out of a disaster area at once.

The important technology needed during an emergency often includes a way to communicate, a radio to receive NOAA weather alerts, and a flashlight.  The Motorola Talkabout T480 radios can take care of all of these needs.

Preparedness Essential: Motorola Talkabout T480

There’s no doubt, the Motorola TALKABOUT T480 walkie-talkies are designed for emergencies.  They are red in color so family members know they are set aside for emergencies.  

The Motorola TALKABOUT T480 comes with a rechargeable battery.  This means this walkie-talkie stands ready in a desk stand or wall stand 24/7.  Cradling it in its charger, it is ready to receive NOAA weather alerts automatically.

The Motorola TALKABOUT T480 is equipped with an FM radio, capable of receiving stations from a 35-mile radius.  

Should the power or cellphone towers go out, your radio will be charged and ready so you can and communicate with your community and family members.

These walkie-talkies can be used more than for just emergency preparedness.  They are quite versatile, perfect for the home, used on the road, at the park, camping, skiing, and hiking as well.  

The Motorola TALKABOUT T480  is a great way to stay connected to the latest changing weather conditions.

At my home, my son likes to use the walkie-talkies to touch base with each other when we are in different parts of the house.  So when I’m upstairs reading, he can talk to me whenever he wants without having to walk all the way upstairs.

He also sometimes keeps the TALKABOUT480 by his bedside and likes that I have one by my beside too, just for extra security.  With the walkie-talkies on continuously, they last about 24 hours.

I am planning on taking these walkie-talkies with me during our cruise in November.  It’s a great way to stay in tune with my 11-year-old son since cellphones won’t work on the high seas.  It also gives him security he can get ahold of me at a moment’s notice.

• Uses FRS/GMRS 462 – 467 MHz in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band
• Includes 22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes, making it easier to find a clear channel
• Can communicate up to 35 miles
• Waterproof (IP54) – can take on rain storms, dust storms, and snowfall
• Comes with a built-in FM Radio 11 Weather Channels (7 NOAA) with Alert Feature
• Includes an FM radio to listen to your favorite music or news
• Rechargeable battery with up to 10 hours of life
• Can use 3 AA alkaline batteries for up to 26 hours
• Built-in flashlight turns on automatically when unplugged and when power goes out
•  Beeps to indicate your message is done to receiving radio
• Press the emergency button to transmit an alert and spoken or sounds to let others know you are in danger
• Extend the transmission range by increasing the power output with the Push-to-Talk power boost button
• Talk hands-free for easy mobility if needed
• Get uninterrupted communication with other Motorola radios with Quiet Talk 

Pros:

• Great sound
• Love that the clip is also a whistle
• Once taken from its charging cradle, the LED flashlight immediately turns on
• Can listen to FM radio in addition to NOAA weather alert stations
• Has a low battery alert
• Can use either the included rechargeable batteries or use AA batteries if no charging is available
• The Quiet Talk filters out unwanted communication from non-Motorola radios for better communication
• Communicate with other FRS/GMRS radios regardless of radio brand 

 Cons:

• There’s no clock on it to tell you the time
• Is not protected if submerged in water
• The battery does discharge even when turned off  

 

The  Motorola Talkabout T480 walkie-talkie radios are available from Amazon for $55.90 each including free shipping.

 

A Mom’s Perspective

* I was given a pair of Motorola Talkabout T480 walkie-talkie radios to test as a result of conducting this review.  All opinions are my own.