Everything has a shelf life, including two-way radios. Knowing how long your radios last is key to smoothly transitioning to new options and keeping communication consistent.

BearCom has provided and maintained two-way radios and their infrastructure for over 40 years.

Our two-way radio experts discuss aspects of the life of two-way radios, from their average lifespan to how to get the most out of your two-way radio.

Average Lifespan of a Two-Way Radio

Two-way radios, on average, last between five and seven years. Many factors can contribute to a radio’s lifespan, such as usage patterns, environmental conditions, and the quality of the two-way radio.

Usage Patterns

High usage patterns can lead to shorter battery life and an overall shorter lifespan for your two-way radio.

When choosing a radio, it can be important to consider how often you, or your employees, may use it and select a radio with the battery life that works best for your workday.

As the radio is being used, it may also sustain damage due to drops or collisions with other objects. This sort of damage, if not addressed, can shorten a radio’s lifespan.

Environmental Conditions

The radio you use should be specific to the environment and the type of work you do. Switching from an underperforming unit to something more tailored to your operations could have a positive impact on the radio’s lifespan.

Some radios come with dust-proof or water-resistant casings, making them good options for working outdoors or on construction sites.

Warmer environments can also cause stress on your two-way radio’s battery. Hot environments can cause the battery to run hot, which may decrease its lifespan.

Quality of Your Two-Way Radio

The quality of the two-way radio you buy matters. Better-quality radios are a long-term investment, as the radio will likely last longer. You may have to spend less on repairs or replacements.

How To Increase the Life of Your Two-Way Radio

Proper care and maintenance are essential to maximizing the life of your two-way radio. Maintenance can ensure potential problems are caught—before they cause downtime or damage to your radios.

Keeping the equipment in good condition can also lengthen your radio's lifespan. You can maintain your radio well by:

  • Performing regular cleanings and inspections
  • Managing the battery properly and creating consistent charging practices
  • Correctly handling, storing, and transporting your two-way radios
  • Completing firmware updates and software maintenance promptly

BearCom offers two-way radio maintenance and repair plans. You can select a maintenance plan that meets your business’s needs.

We have over 350 factory-trained technicians who can repair two-way radios and equipment from most major radio manufacturers, including:

  • Motorola Solutions
  • Icom America
  • Kenwood
  • Vertex Standard

If your radios need repairs or maintenance, contact BearCom to get your radios the care they need.

Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Two-Way Radio

You and your employees can look for signs that your two-way radios need replacing. Begin by encouraging your employees to keep track of any data indicating the radio may not function as it should.

This information can be written down in a log or reported to a manager. You can then take action to replace the radio, ensuring consistent communication during the workday.

Your two-way radio may display a few warning signs that it’s at the end of its life, such as:

  • Poor audio quality
  • Frequent battery failures
  • Physical damage
  • Outdated firmware/software

BearCom technicians can evaluate the conditions of your two-way radios during routine maintenance. We also offer two-way radio products and infrastructure to help you acquire new models when your old radios are no longer optimal.

We’ll work with you to find two-way radios that work best for your business and may even be compatible with your current equipment and accessories.

Learn More About Two-Way Radio Maintenance and Life Expectancy Today

Two-way radios can help a business thrive as a key part of its communications equipment. To get the most out of your two-way radio’s life, you need to select options that fit your workplace, keep up with maintenance, and monitor the status of your radios.

BearCom can help you care for your two-way radios and update you on any two-way radio maintenance.

Contact us to learn more about two-way radio lifespan and maintenance today.