Wireless Intercom Review

Hosmart FM Wireless Intercom

This wireless intercom has some nice features stated such as voice activation (VOX), monitor mode, digital security, and multiple channels. It uses the very popular Family Radio Service frequencies. So while they are transmitting digitally, and you should not hear conversations from other radios, if someone is using that frequency near you there could be some interference. We experienced buzzing noises while testing the Monitor mode.

Channels

The best feature on this intercom is the channel feature. There are 6 channels and you can set the default channel on each intercom so that if a user leaves their channel to talk to someone else, it will default back to it's preprogrammed channel.

Group Button

This button enables you to call all stations no matter what channel they are on.

Monitor

The monitor mode is used to listen for "noises" in another room. The audio quality is quite poor so unless someone is sitting right in front of the intercom you won't likely be able to understand what is being said.

Voice Activation (VOX)

By holding down the Monitor button for a few seconds the unit will go in to voice activation mode. I allows you to just speak to transmit. However, like the Monitor mode, if you aren't sitting right in front of the unit the receiving party will not likely understand you. Also, like all units with VOX, the first word you speak will not be transmitted since it takes some time for the microphone to turn on. Loud noises will also activate the microphone.

Conclusion

If you just want a very low-cost, basic intercom with multiple channels and are not concerned with the Monitor or VOX function, then this system may work well for you. It has fairly good audio quality as long as you are right in front of it when you transmit and does get very loud, but the audio does distort at full volume. It says it gets 1500 feet of range but keep in mind that this is with nothing between the two points so you will get less distance than that. Also it seems prone to electrical interference so it may be more suited as a home environment.

We do not sell or support this intercom but you can get it on Amazon by clicking the button below:

Dakota Alert MURS

This long-range wireless intercom can communicate at distances of several miles under ideal conditions. It uses MURS (Multi Use Radio Service) frequencies which means it is compatible with any other MURS device on our website so there are handhelds, wireless outdoor intercoms, wireless PA system, doorbell intercom, front door intercom, gate intercom and other devices for home or office use.

This wireless intercom has 5 channels however you cannot set a default channel so if you make a change to the channel it will stay on that channel.

There are no features like monitor or voice activation, but the audio is nice and clear on this unit.

Conclusion

This intercom doesn't have the bells and whistles of the intercom above but it does have long range, clear audio, is easy to use, and it has lots of other accessories for growth which makes it an idea wireless intercom system for business.

We sell and provide support for this intercom if you buy it on our website so you can call us with questions or support issues. Click the button below to see this wireless intercom.

 

Factors to Consider in Choosing a Wireless Intercom

 

Distance

When you see claims about distance for a wireless intercom, that claim is almost always the best possible scenario. Which means the range is point-to-point, line-of-sight with nothing in between the two points; no walls, no trees, no vehicles, no anything.

With commercial-grade equipment like we carry there are way to get the maximum range or even more. For instance with our two-way radio based intercoms the antenna that come with the unit remove and then you can attach an extension cable that allows you to place the antenna somewhere where walls and other obstructions are no longer a problem. You can even place them on tall masts and the higher you go, the further the distance you can achieve. We also have digital intercoms that have removable antennas that enable you to do the same thing.

In the case of a WiFi intercom, there are simple WiFi extender antennas that enable you to plug the extender into your wireless router and place an an antenna outside. With these you can extend your wireless Internet to distances as much as a mile in ideal circumstances. When someone presses the button on the intercom, it calls any landline telephone or mobile phone you want so it doesn't matter where you are.

Then there are cell phone based intercoms that don't have any range limitations at all. As long as you have a good cell phone signal where you want to install the intercom, then it doesn't matter how far that intercom is away from the location you want to talk to. Like the WiFi intercoms you can be anywhere in the world and still talk to the intercom.

Durability

The other factor to consider is durability. In commercial applications, or anytime an intercom is used outdoors, durability matters. If you're budget is limited to only a couple of hundred dollars just keep in mind that corners had to be cut somewhere to get the cost down that low. Any intercom that is used outside needs to be in a weatherproof housing. That need by itself increases the cost of the system.

In industrial or business-type applications there is typically a lot more usage of a system and employees don't treat property as gently as someone in a residence would. Neither do customers so keep the usage in mind when choosing a system.

Expandability

There are wireless systems like our MURS products that have the ability to expand virtually unlimited. There are indoor and outdoor intercoms, long-rang wireless PA speakers, switch activated recorded message transmission devices, customer service callboxes, motion or metal detecting sensors, and other devices that can be part of the same system.

For specialized applications this flexibility can often solve whatever communication problem you have.

If you want to discover the true distance wireless intercom devices can communicate, see this article: 2-Way Radio Range: How Far Can Two-Way Radios Communicate?