Title: Two Way Radios : A Beginner's Guide
Author: Danny Feemster
Article:
A two-way radio is a device which transmits and receives voice
signals through the air. They work somewhat like a telephone,
but since they do not require a central network they can be used
anywhere! With two way radios, two or more people can have a
discussion no matter where they are -- sometimes while they are
miles apart! Another common name for a two-way radio is a
"walkie talkie".
The most common type of two-way radio for regular consumers is
the FRS/GMRS two-way radio. These are the radios that you
typically see in the big-box stores. FRS and GMRS are the
different frequency ranges, or channels, that these radios can
operate on. The FRS channels are 8 though 14 and the GMRS
channels are 15-22. Channels 1 through 7 are shared, and are
used by both the FRS and GMRS systems.
All radios in your group will need to be set to the same channel
before you can communicate. For example, if your radio is set to
channel 7 it will send your voice over that channel when you
talk, and it will listen for and allow you to hear other people
talking on channel 7. It is always important to remember that
these channels are public! Always be careful what you say over a
two way radio, because you can never be sure who is listening.
When choosing a channel, privacy and range should be your
primary concerns. If you are using a FRS only channel, because
of government regulations your radio will only broadcast at a
maximum of .5 watts of power. This wattage will typically get
you between half a mile, and one mile of range. If using a GMRS
channel, you can get the maximum output power and range out of
your two-way radio. However, if you are using a GMRS channel,
you are required by the FCC to purchase a license to operate on
those frequencies.
As far as privacy goes, if you choose a channel and notice that
there are others using the same channel, you should switch to a
different channel to avoid confusion. Sometimes, such as at a
crowed amusement park, 22 channels just aren't enough to provide
privacy. Because of this, most mid range radios and up also
provide "Privacy Codes," which break up a single channel into
anywhere between 38 and 121 sub-channels. When you figure in the
privacy codes, many radios offer over 1000 individual channels
for you to choose from.
Some two-way radios operate on AA or AAA batteries. You will
also find that many of the radios come with rechargeable battery
packs and desktop chargers. If you buy a model with a
rechargeable battery pack, you will get the convenience of the
rechargeable batteries and plus, you will still be able to
operate them with regular batteries if your battery packs happen
to drain before you get them back to their chargers.
There are many good uses for a two-way radio, but they can come
in especially handy on family vacations or outings. Have you
ever taken a trip to an amusement park or a ski trip and somehow
got separated from your friends or family? A two-way radio would
have been very helpful to locate one another. How about taking
more than one car on a road trip? A two-way radio would be a
great means of communication between vehicles.
Another popular sport in which two-way radios can play a big
part is hunting. Hunters are always in need of some sort of
communications device to keep in contact with one another
throughout the woods. The avid hunter can now even find two-way
radios in camouflage color!
The major brands of two-way radios include Motorola, Cobra,
Midland, Kenwood and Uniden. You can find radios from these
manufacturers in all different ranges of output power and
distance. There are all different types of features out there
you can get with your two-way radios as well. Many two-way
radios even support the NOAA weather channels. There are also
lots of accessories you can find for your two-way radios
including headsets, handheld speakers, earbud receivers, and
throat mics. A lot of these you can even operate hands-free as
long as they, and the radios, are VOX capable. You can now even
buy car chargers for your two-way radios!
It is no doubt that two-way radios have come along way over the
years. Most people have found them impossible to live without,
just like cell phones! From starting out at a maximum range of
about 2-5 miles, you can now find them with maximum ranges of up
to 14 miles! Next time you are on the go with friends or family,
make sure you're prepared and take a two-way radio along. They
may just prove to be pretty handy.
About the author:
Danny Feemster writes about two way radios, and the
communications industry. For more information and articles on 2
