What is Vox on a Walkie Talkie?
You are probably familiar with the push-to-talk (PTT) button found on most two-way radios, that starts transmitting when the button is pressed, but have you ever wondered, “what is VOX on a walkie talkie?”
What is VOX on a Walkie Talkie?
So, what is VOX on a walkie talkie? VOX, also known as “voice-activated transmission” or “voice-operated exchange,” is a switch that begins transmitting when you start talking, making it hands-free. Unlike the PTT, the VOX microphone is ready to transmit whenever it detects noise over a certain frequency threshold and stops when you finish talking.
Because VOX is activated by sound, rather than just voices, it could pick up background noise and start transmitting. VOX walkie talkies have sound sensitivity settings to avoid this, so you can set your radio to begin transmitting only when it detects sound over a certain decibel level. Many walkie talkies have both VOX and PTT capabilities, so you can switch between the two.
When people speak, they naturally leave short pauses between their utterances. The circuitry of VOX walkie talkies cleverly factors this in by including a delay that stops the circuit from deactivating transmission every time you pause. This is sometimes called a hang timer.
Why Use VOX Over PTT
The major advantage of VOX for two-way radios is its hands-free capabilities. There are numerous situations when using the PTT function on walkie talkies is not practical. This is especially true since the COVID-19 pandemic when the importance of limiting touchpoints to reduce the spread of infection has become apparent.
Communicating through your walkie talking without using your hands is valuable in any professional environment where both hands are often needed. These can include parking lot attendants directing traffic, forklift drivers, and caterers who need their hands to prepare and serve food. In these instances, VOX technology is preferable to PTT.
Stand-Out VOX Walkie Talkies
Now that you understand the value of the VOX function on walkie talkies let’s take a closer look at three of the best VOX two-way radios.
X-TALKER T71VP3 TWO-WAY RADIO
The X-TALKER T71 is ideal for couples or groups planning a hike into challenging terrains. Its impressively long battery life (up to 15 hours) and outstanding range of 38-miles make this walkie talkie a must-have tool for adventurers. The eVOX, which can be attached to your gear using the included belt clips, offers clear, crisp communication.
This excellent hands-free walkie talkie also comes with Midland’s signature NOAA Weather Alert and Weather Scan technology, which uses the National Weather Service to provide important weather updates: it’s truly a game-changer.
LXT630VP3 TWO-WAY RADIO
The LXT630 Two-Way Radio has multiple customizable settings, so you can use it precisely the way you need it. The eVOX hands-free operation has three levels, offering clear voice-activated communication while the HI/LO power settings allow you to conserve battery life, perfect for long shifts.
With the LXT630, there’s no need to be concerned about running out of power because, in addition to the rechargeable battery pack, you can also power the radio with 3 AAA batteries. This stylish, bright yellow walkie talkie comes with 121 privacy codes, giving you up to 36 channel options to block other conversations and monitor also scans for activity on your channel.
