Push-to-talk two-way radios and CB (Citizen Band) radios are two of the most popular devices used by various industries as a mode of reliable communication. While both offer reliable voice communications, they have certain essential differences.
What are push-to-talk two-way radios?
Push-to-talk two-way radios offer a broad category of communication devices including hand-held and vehicle-mounted options. The radios use dedicated channels with a wider frequency range that includes very high frequency (VHF) and ultra frequency ranges (UHF) giving them more flexibility in their usage. Push To Talk Over Cellular Radios (PTToC) is another type of push to talk radio.
What are CB radios?
CB, or citizen band, radios are popular devices for communication among truck drivers and off-road enthusiasts.
The radios operate on shared channels up to the frequency of 27.405 MHZ. They offer local communication options and do not require a license from a regulatory body like the Federal Communication Commission(FCC).
Key Differences Between PTT Two Way Radios and CB Radios
The key differences between PTT radios and CB radios are as under:
Push-to-talk PTT two-way radios:
- Purpose: The radios offer short-range group communication that is limited to a specified area like a warehouse, construction site, or emergency response team.
- Channels: The radios use dedicated channels that provide private and secure communication within a group.
- Range: PTT radios have a range between a few hundred feet to a few miles depending on the radio power and terrain.
- Licensing: Some PTT radios may need licensing depending on their usage and frequency.
- Features: The radios have advanced features like long battery life, ease of use, and enhanced durability.
- Examples: Two-way radios are used in various professional settings including logistics and emergency response teams.
- Push-to-talk (PTT) feature: The radios have a push button that the user presses and holds to switch to transmit mode.
CB radios:
- Purpose: The radios work long distances and are used by off-road enthusiasts and truckers who communicate over a wider area.
- Channels: The radios operate on 40 different channels with the frequency of 27MHZ band.
- Range: CB radios communicate over a range of a few to several miles depending on the antenna setup, level of transmission power, and terrain.
- Licensing: The radios typically do not require licensing.
- Features: CB radios may have limited features as compared to the PTT radios.
- Example: The radios are a popular communication medium for truckers and off-road enthusiasts.
- Push-to-talk feature: The radios have PPT features where a user presses and holds a button to switch to transmit mode.
Push-to-talk two-way radios offer quite a few advantages over Citizen’s Band radios, especially in terms of security, communication clarity, and range. PTT radios utilize cellular networks or Wi-Fi, which provide the opportunity to communicate over greater distances with wider coverage. On the other hand, CB radios, have a limited range due to their lesser frequency band and power. What’s more, push-to-talk two way radios offer advanced features, like GPS tracking and group communication capabilities, which are generally not available on CB radios.
Peak PTT provides your business with a better way to communicate and manage your mobile workforce and field workers. We offer Push To Talk solutions and systems for businesses of all sizes. Call us here at PEAKPTT if you have any questions – 855-600-6161.