Two-way radios (walkie-talkies) are must-have tools for golf course workers, who know better than to rely on spotty cell phone coverage. A course warden depends on having a radio to call the groundskeepers to clear out branches blown down in overnight storms.

Software and silicon chips make digital radios a bit more like handheld computers every day. With microprocessor capabilities perpetually expanding, radio manufacturers can pack ever more features into each model. That’s the lesson of the latest upgrade to Motorola’s MOTOTRBO line of digital radios and communications gear, which makes several subtle enhancements to the experience of using these devices.

Rapid advances in mobile devices and wireless networking technology are changing the communications landscape. Companies can install temporary wireless networks and beam Internet connectivity to every nook and cranny of a designated area.

A venue manager looking for the best two-way radios (walkie-talkies) for events has two realities to deal with: large crowds and loud performers. People numbering in the thousands mean security staff, concessionaires and maintenance staff all need to be able to communicate with each other quickly and efficiently no matter where they might be in the ven

It’s a fact of life in schools these days: Kids text each other on their smartphones when they should be working on their algebra. But if a school has some kind of serious emergency, those phones suddenly become a lifeline for concerned parents. Tap in one number and they can be reassured their children are safe.

Car dealerships cover a lot of ground. New and used cars and trucks along with service bays and the showrooms can sprawl over dozens of acres. It’s not like co-workers are within shouting distance. That’s why two-way radios are such a popular choice for car dealerships.

Every flight into every airport affects travelers and cargo in other airports. We see it every time a blizzard in Chicago bogs people down for a thousand miles in every direction. That’s why it’s so essential for airports and airlines to have the right tools to maintain a steady flow of travelers, luggage and cargo.

To stay competitive, energy companies have to be able to monitor every link in the production chain — from well to refinery to SUV fuel tank. Drilling sites, pipelines and refining operations all rely on complex networks of sensors, controllers and software to maximize productivity and prevent costly accidents.

It’s easy to picture oilfield workers staying in touch via two-way radios if the nearest cell tower is a hundred miles away.