The walkie-talkie is a staple of many productions and film sets, but at the same time, they are often a background element that is taken for granted—frequently only presenting an issue when they start producing distorted, garbled audio or stop working altogether. We’ve taken a close look at the technology behind on-set communication to come up with a reliable, high-quality solution that is genuinely suited to the demands of modern film and television production.

We stock the Hytera HP505, a robust, set-friendly radio that supports the latest DMR digital audio technology. This gives you much cleaner audio than traditional radios, and we’ve also included advanced AI-based noise cancellation to help filter out background clutter. If you happen to be mixing our kit with older gear, the HP505 can also be operated in analogue mode for seamless backwards compatibility.

To make things as simple as possible for most crews, our standard rental configuration is set up with 8 digital DMR channels and 4 analogue channels. However, because we handle all radio programming in-house, we can easily custom-configure your fleet with specific digital Color Codes and Talkgroups. This is a lifesaver in busy RF environments like Central London or music festivals, as it ensures your team’s audio stays private and free from any nearby “crosstalk” interference.

Operating in the licensed UHF (400-470MHz) spectrum, these units are ideal for urban, built-up environments where signal penetration is key. They are also IP67 rated, meaning they’ll handle heavy rain or an accidental drop in water without skipping a beat. One of our favorite practical features is the USB-C charging port; it’s incredibly handy for crew members who are away from the main charging base and need to top up via a power bank or laptop.

All of our radios are fully licensed by us with Ofcom, allowing for high-power use anywhere in the UK. While they come ready to go in our proven standard setup, we’re always happy to pre-program specific frequencies, features, or encryption to suit your specific operational needs.

The Hytera HP505 is supplied in sets of 4, 6, or 12 units, with additional radios available in multiples of 6 thereafter.

*For crew/production radio use in open countryside and rural areas, we would recommend using VHF walkie-talkies, which we can also supply.