The Best Two Way Radios for Agriculture
When working on the farm, people are spread out through many acres of land where cell phone coverage is not always dependable.
Whether you are checking in with the farmhouse, running the combine & grain cart, cleaning out grain bins or just having an everyday conversation, you need to communicate and the best way to do this is two-way radios.
COMMUNICATION ON THE FARM
Traditionally, farmers have either used CB radios which have limited range and poor voice quality.
Others use expensive commercial radios, where many times the user must lease their radio frequency.
Two-way radios are the perfect happy medium between the two.
TWO-WAY RADIOS ON THE FARM
MicroMobile® Two-Way Radios provide superior range and voice clarity without the price tag of a commercial mobile radio.
Two-way radios are ideal because they guarantee communication without being service dependent like a cellphone. They actually work better in rural areas where buildings are not blocking radio waves.
Also unlike cellphones, two-way radios are reasonably priced and don’t require a monthly service plan. You can disperse them throughout your farm with handheld radios to clip to your belt, a MicroMobile in your tractors, semi-trucks, UTV, barn, and farmhouse to make sure you are always connected.
Choosing A Two-Way Radio
Application
The number one application for two-way radios on the farm is for combine to grain cart communication. Additionally, two-way radios can be used between the farm and the grain truck on it's way to drop off it's load. Two-way radios can also be used during planting season, cleaning out grain bins, feeding livestock and more making it easy to say, "No Cell Service. No Problem".Range
Your two-way radios should have enough range to cover your entire property without issue. They should be an ideal alternative to attempting to find service for your cell phone in rural areas.
If you are currently experiencing range issues we recommend the MicroMobile line of radios. If range is still an issue we recommend upgrading the antenna on your MicroMobile such as the MXTA26 6db gain antenna.
Durability
Make sure the radios you purchase are rugged and durable. The handheld two-way radios are made for harsh outdoor climates and are durable through weather and getting dropped on the ground a few times.
In fact, Tyson from Adventure Rig accidentally dropped his X-Talker T71 handheld two-way radio out of a spray plane and later found it on the ground unharmed! When your hands are dirty, you should be more comfortable grabbing the radio clipped to your belt and pushing the talk button than having to mess up your phone and taking the time to dial someone’s number.
Privacy
Although your farm may be in a rural area where it is unlikely to pick up messages from other radios, you may run into a neighbor who is running FRS/GMRS frequency radios as well. All of the Midland radios provided for agriculture have access to privacy codes that block out unwanted chatter.Compatibility
If you already have a MicroMobile radio and are looking for handheld two-way radios, make sure that they will be compatible. Unlike CB radios, MicroMobiles are compatible with FRS and GMRS radios. FRS/GMRS handheld two-way radios are pretty much any handheld two-way radio (walkie talkie) you would find in a sporting goods store or big box retailer. You can easily customize your communication system with a combination of MicroMobiles and handheld two-way radios.
Programming
There is none! FRS/GMRS two-way radios are very simple to use and are a perfect "plug and play" option. Simply make sure you and the person you want to communicate with are on the same channel (1-22) and starting talking!
The Best Two-Way Radios for Agriculture
MXT500 MicroMobile Two-Way Radio
The MXT500 will take your farm communication to the next level with its 50-watts of power.
Whether you're installing the radio in your truck, tractor, combine, or other vehicle, this radio is especially useful for large, sprawling properties like farms.
Midland's MXT500 features 15 GMRS and eight repeater channels to stretch your range even further.
The MXT500 has an IP66 Waterproof rating so even if conditions aren't perfect on the farm, you'll still have effective communication. If inclement weather is on the way, you can look to the MXT500's NOAA Weather Radio channels to keep you informed while you're out in the fields.
You can also count on the MXT500 to keep your other devices charged with its USB-C charging port. This will give your devices like cellphones, tablets, and handhelds the fastest charging time.
Midland's MXT500 is also compatible with all our FRS and GMRS handheld two-way radios. This gives you the ability to communicate clearly and efficiently with anyone on the farm.
MXT115 MicroMobile Two-Way Radio
The MXT115 15 Watt radio is a great two-way radio to install in both a vehicle or a building where you want a base radio.
The range of this radio can be up to 50 miles with no obstructions, but from feedback we've heard from farmers you can expect 10+ miles as long as their are no major obstructions in the way. This is a GMRS radio and is compatible with other FRS/GMRS handheld two-way radios on the farm.
The MXT115 radio also comes equipped with NOAA weather alerts for times when you are out on the farm and not checking in on weather alerts online.
The MicroMobile MXT115 is also equipped with a USB-C charging port. With this you'll be able to charge your devices like cellphones, walkie talkies, or tablets while you're in the field.
Werner Farms, who operates on 1,700 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, and rye along with 1,000 acres of custom harvest work, uses the MXT115 and said, "flawless communication between the combine and the semi."
MXT115AGVP3 MicroMobile Two-Way Radio
The MXT115AGVP3 is the most popular farming bundle.
In this bundle you'll get the 15 Watt MXT115 MicroMobile with the upgraded MXTA25 Ghost Antenna, MXTA23 Mirror/Bracket Mount, and MXTA24 Cable.
This bundle has everything you need for an easy, seamless installation on the farm.
Farmers like Chet Larson of Larson Farms use this bundle extensively and boasts he gets up to 28 miles of range with the unit.
Check out the video below of farmer, Brian Brown from Brian's Farming Videos who uses our MicroMobile testing their range on the farm.
MXT500AGVP3 MicroMobile Farm Bundle
This bundle takes power to the next level with the highest powered GMRS radio allowed by law.
Fit with Midland's 50 Watt GMRS MicroMobile, this bundle packs a punch that stretches communication across your property. In the MXT500AGVP3 you'll find the radio unit, MXTA23 Roll Bar/Mirror Mounting Bracket, MXTA24 Low Profile Antenna Cable, MXTA25 Ghost Antenna, MXTA51 NMO Stock Antenna & Large Magnetic Base, and MXTA38Metallic Plate for Magnetic Mount.
This bundle has everything you need for extended radio range in your combine or tractor.
The X-Talker - Handheld Two-Way Radio
When you're looking for a radio that can move with you around the farm, handhelds are the perfect radio for you.
Midland's X-talker is a line of radios that includes a variety of options depending on distance, power, and price. All of the two-way radios in the X-Talker line transmit on FRS/GMRS frequency. For agricultural use, the best X-Talkers are the: T71VP3, T75VP3, T77VP5, T290VP4, T295VP4.
These radios are compatible with and communicate with all our MicroMobiles. This gives you the ability to communicate out of the vehicle with those in the field.
GXT1000VP4 Two-Way GMRS Radio - Handheld
While originally made for the backcountry, this handheld two-way radio is ideal for large farms. This radio has the most power allowed by law for a GMRS handheld radio. It also features NOAA weather to alert you of severe weather in your area so if you are far out in the field you will be able to return to a shelter with ample time.
A Midland Customer Said: "The radio has excellent reach. In a small, hilly town with lots of trees and houses, I can clearly hear my staff from the town square all the way out to the public pool. Battery life is good as well. Easy to use and carry. Weather radio is a plus, very easy to set up."
Pro Tips for Antenna Mounting
Did you know that most newer large frame tractors and combines come pre-wired making installation extremely simple. If your tractor is pre-wired you will find a metal cap on the top of the cab. Simply unscrew the cap revealing the "NMO" connector, and screw the MXTA25 3db Antenna or MXTA26 6db Antenna onto the connector.
If your tractor does not come pre-wired you can simply install our MXTA23 Mirror/Bracket Mount on the mirror of other area of the vehicle. The MXTA24 Low Profile Cable pairs perfectly with this mount.
Check out all of our options for agricultural radios.
