Telling The Distinction Between Two-Way Radio Systems
08/10/2012 12:42
Thinking of buying a two way radio system? Well, there are a lot of things that you ought to know so that you can make the correct buying decision. First, you need to realize that you will find three types of radios: handheld, mobile and base station or desktop, and that these radios are also called as walkie talkies or land mobile radios.
Handheld radios can be held in the hand and carried around while on the move. The height of these radios is usually between 4 and 8 inches tall (excluding the antenna) and the weight is between 9 and 16 ounces. The Federal Communications Commission or FCC prescribe rules for the use of handheld radios. Handheld radios cannot have more than 5 watts of power.
If you’re going to buy handheld radios, you have to take note that commercial grade ones transmit between 2 to 5 watts while Family Radios Service or FRS transmit at 0.5 watts. Many manufacturers print the wattage in mW (milliWatts) and this confuses the buyers. Buyers should know that 1 watt equals 1,000 milliWatts and that 500 mW is actually half-a-watt. So, if you want a powerful radio system, stay away from the 500mW radios.
Manufacturers also claim that their handheld two-way radio systems can transmit up to 30 miles in FRS or GMRS. Buyers must ask the dealer to demonstrate the radio’s power and verify the manufacturer’s claim before they buy a system.
This was about handheld radio systems. Mobile and base station two-way radio systems are the other types of radios around. These radio systems are very powerful and can even be powered by 100 watts transmission power. Both mobile and base station radio systems are identical except for their usage.
A mobile radio system is attached to a vehicle and it uses the battery of the vehicle for its power. Such systems have a separate antenna that is mounted on the vehicle’s roof or external mirror, or some other convenient place. It is this same mobile radio system that turns into a base station radio when it is positioned on a table or a counter inside a building.
Base station radios are plugged into the premise’s electricity current, which becomes its power supply. Such radios use an exterior antenna, which is mounted on the roof of the premises. These different types of radios are used in a variety of industries ranging from schools to ski resorts to municipal corporations to electric utility companies to malls, and more.
Handhelds, base station radios and mobile radios are compatible with each other and you can communicate with a base station or mobile radio using a hand held, and vice versa - so long you are on the same channel. Every two-way radio system makes communication easier and the workplace safer, and ultimately goes on to enhance productivity.