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“Can you help me find perennials that will grow in my shady yard?” 

Imagine working in an enormous greenhouse in springtime, as everyone emerges from the Midwest winter hibernation and wants to buy plants and grow things.

How can employees of a large greenhouse and nursery improve outdoor communication and talk over acres and acres of retail space to provide prompt customer service?

I’ve got some ideas about optimizing outdoor communications after working with Woldhuis Farms Sunrise Greenhouse, Inc. to solve some interesting challenges.

A Sprawling Business with a Unique History

Woldhuis Farms was started in 1960 after Herman Woldhuis purchased a 160‑acre farm in Grant Park. Herman moved his family from Chicago Heights to the farm and began raising produce. The farm supplied onions, beets, and tomatoes for Campbell’s Soup. 

In the 1970s, the farm expanded to raise chickens and Herman’s family delivered eggs to the southern suburbs of Chicago. When Herman’s son bought the farm, they began to grow more vegetables and expanded into farmers’ market produce. By 1990, the greenhouse part of the business was booming, and that became the focus as Dan, the third generation of Woldhuis farmers, joined the business.

Today, Woldhuis Farms is a destination for bedding plants, hanging baskets, perennials, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and any sort of flower or greenery you can imagine.

They grow everything from seed or propagation, and have a loyal customer base. 

This third‑generation family business cares deeply about its customers and wants to do the best to serve their needs. 

Challenge No. 1: Size

One of the biggest challenges for this business is the amount of space that they cover. Over the decades, Woldhuis Farms Greenhouse has expanded to include 8 acres of retail space. Things move around from season to season, and lots of people need help locating items they are excited about buying and planting. 

They even have maps printed up for people to find what they’re looking for.

This is a longtime business with a loyal customer base, competitive pricing, and a unique product. But they don’t want customers getting discouraged because they can’t find what they need.

In addition, the greenhouses are all constructed of corrugated plastic panels, which can be a challenge for radio signals. 

When we started talking, the radio communication was quite lacking. They upgraded to a full‑power portable two‑way radio system. And when they still had issues, we added a radio repeater in the center of the facility to augment coverage. 

That helped, but then we noticed a problem that I hadn’t heard about before.

It had to do with employees’ names.

Challenge No. 2: Timing and Names

There are a lot of folks working at the greenhouse who have an “e” sound at the end of their names: Danny, Heidi, Kathy, etc.

Like every business these days, they have a lot of employee turnover, too. Seasonal employees were pressing the button a little late. 

What came out of the radio was that “e” sound.

They’d have to follow up with “Which ‘e’ are you looking for? Danny, Heidi, Kathy?” Not a very efficient system.

We solved that problem in two ways: by upgrading their old repeater and switching to digital radios.

Improved Clarity and Coverage

The digital radios were a dramatic improvement. 

The new radios are Motorola radios called BPR 40d. They are lightweight and small, so they don’t get in the way when people are working on the lines, or planting or propagating. 

Like other similar products, they also have a great battery life. When April and May come around, these folks are working 14‑hour days. So a long battery life is important.

And the new radios also solved that “e” problem because they have a clear‑to‑talk tone delay on the push‑to‑talk button of the radio. 

How that works with a digital radio is you press the push‑to‑talk (PTT) button on the side of the radio, and it creates a little chirping sound. The transmission does not actually begin until after that chirping sound. 

Analog radios aren’t capable of doing that, and it’s a clear audio cue for people to wait to say that name until after they hear the chirping sound.

Now they know which employee is being requested.

Safety in the Fields 

The employees working out in the fields have two‑way radios, too. They don’t need them as much as the retail employees, but they have them in case someone is injured, or any other emergency. 

In the later summer, when it’s time to harvest sweet corn, a crew of 10 or 12 people are working around the picking machine. They’ll have some radios with them, just in case.

Improved Service in the Greenhouse

The best thing about all of these improvements is that the employees of this company can now focus on helping people find and purchase what they need instead of dealing with annoying communications glitches.

They’ll be able to help people find their shrubs, perennials, and annuals more easily — so they can get planting.

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Ham radio, also known as amateur radio, has been around since the early days of communications, and it’s more common now than ever. According to the National Association for Amateur Radio (ARRL), there are 750,000 amateur radio users in the USA and 3 million worldwide. This number is growing by 1% on average per year.

As the trend picks up, more users are trying to make things easier and quicker by creating a Ham Lingo, also known as Ham Radio Slang. The number of words in the ham Radio jargon is growing by the day, but there are several main words that every ham radio enthusiast should master. It may seem like a daunting task, but it’s a piece of cake once you understand the basic terminology.

If you are new to this hobby and would like to better understand what is ham radio all about before getting into the ham radio lingo, feel free to check our other articles. 

Table of Contents show

Q-Codes Used by Ham Radio Operators

Ham Radio Communication Terms

Ham Radio Operation Lingo For Beginners

Must-Know Ham Radio Abbreviations

What Equipment Do You Need for a Ham Radio?

What Are the Available Types of Ham Radio Licenses?

Ham Radio Compared to Other Personal Radio Services

Conclusion

Radio_Operators”>Q-Codes Used by Ham Radio Operators

Q-Codes or Q-Signals are a combination of three letters beginning with the letter “Q.” Hams use these instead of common sentences to make radio communications quick and efficient. There are dozens of Q codes, each with its meaning. A Q-code can take the form of a question when followed by a ‘question mark’ or a statement when it doesn’t have one.
We’ve compiled a list of the most common Q-codes you need to know to learn ham radio lingo basics and make things simple; here’s a quick rundown.

QRL

QRL is one of the most commonly used Q signals. You send a QRL before beginning a call to determine if a particular frequency is available for use. The amateur radio station wishing to use the frequency would send QRL, meaning “are you busy?” If the frequency is in use, the frequency station should send QRL, meaning “I am busy, please don’t interfere.”

QSL

Initially, a QSL was to acknowledge receipt of a formal message. Today, it denotes that you have received a transmission that can contain a formal or informal message. You can send a QSL in the form of a card, email, or even an audio recording. For example, QSL: I acknowledge receipt. QSL?: Can you acknowledge receipt?

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QRP

If someone says, RIG HR IS QRP, they mean the transmitter’s power output is 5 W or less. Your transmitter output power must be 5 W or less to qualify for the QRP category. An example is: QRP (I will decrease power) or QRP? (Shall I reduce the transmitter power?).

QRU

This Q-signal was common among amateurs sending and receiving radiograms. They would use this Q-signal to notify the other operator that they had no messages or ask if they had any messages to pass. Today, you’ll sometimes hear stations say, I AM QRU, meaning that unless you have something further to say, they wish to end the radio communication. They probably also mean this if they send QRU. For instance, QRU: I have nothing for you, or QRU?: Do you have anything for me?

QRS

You can use this code to ask whether to send slower codes or as a statement to alert the other ham to send slower codes. When sent this code, it is only courteous to slow down.

QRV

Initially, this meant that a station was ready to copy a message. Nowadays, it shows that a station is ready to go on air or to ask if one is prepared to go on air. For example, QRV?: “Are you ready?” QRV: “I’m ready.

QRT

This code asks the other frequency whether it is okay to get off-air and states that you are about to get off the air. As a statement, it means “stop sending.” And as a question, “should I stop sending?”

QSO

QSO is used as a noun to mean a contact. For example, “I can communicate with QSO directly” or “can you communicate with QSO directly?”

QRZ

QRZ is a Q code that a radio operator uses to ask “Who’s calling me?” or indicate that a particular person is calling. For instance, “QRZ [name]” means “You’re being called by [name].”

QTH

QTH stands for “My location is _____.” So, when you send QTH Florida, you tell the other operator that your location is in Florida. When followed by a question mark, the Q-signal turns into a question- QTH? Asks the question, “What is your location?”

Radio_Communication_Terms”>Ham Radio Communication Terms

When checking into a repeater, amateur radio band, or listening to the ham radio band with a scanner, you will discover a lot of jargon. Here are some of them together with their meaning.

73

This term says “best regards” or “best wishes.” It’s a friendly way to end a conversation. You can use it when signing off or when you want to say goodbye.

88

This one is used to say “love and kisses.” It’s a bit more intimate than 73 and is common among close friends and family. While it’s not necessarily inappropriate to use it with strangers, it’s best to be cautious.

DX

The “D” represents distance, and “X” means unknown. It means a far-away station that is hard to hear in a specific location and frequency. You can use it as a verb as DXing and say “I’m DX-ing today” or as an adjective and say, “that was a DX QSO.” A hobbyist who likes listening to far-away radio stations is called a DXer.

99

This Q-code is used to indicate that the communication is ending. Usually, one party will say “99,” and the other will respond with “73”. For example, you might say, “I have to go now, 99,” The other person would respond with “73”.

XYL

XYL is an abbreviation for ex-young lady, meaning a wife. For example, you can say, “I wanted to buy that new radio, but the XYL said it was too expensive.”

YL

YL is an abbreviation for a young lady who is a licensed amateur radio operator. For instance, you can say, “The XL on 15 MHz was very kind and eloquent”.

Copy

Copy is a term that means “Understood.” It shows that one has understood the message sent to them. You can use it when you overhear and receive communications between two stations which is helpful for your station.

Radio_Operation_Lingo_For_Beginners”>Ham Radio Operation Lingo For Beginners

Antenna impedance: This is the resistance in an electric current that flows off the alternating current of an antenna at its resonance. It fluctuates with the radiofrequency energy in operation, but most transceivers require it to be at 50 Ω.

Antenna matching: Ensuring that the antenna’s impedance at resonance is at optimum performance for your transmitter output circuit.

Bandwidth: It’s the width of an output frequency band; you obtain it by taking the highest frequency and subtracting the lowest frequency.

Autopatch: Also called a phone patch, is a feature of an amateur radio repeater or base station that allows a ham to access an outgoing telephone connection.

Antenna tuner: A device used to match an antenna to the transmitter’s output impedance.

DC ground: This is a given connection that points directly to a chassis or battery ground to prevent the buildup of hazardous DC voltages.

Average power: This is the amount of energy as measured on a standard power meter.

Radio bands: These are blocks of radio frequencies grouped as bands from the radio spectrum. You can refer to them by frequency, say 15 MHz, or wavelength like a 25-meter band.

Backscatter: This is a form of ionosphere propagation of radio transmissions.

CQ: A CQ is a random call to no one in particular. It is the traditional way of seeking random contacts.

Data communications: This is transferring data between two or more locations.

Deviation: This is the measurement for FM signals for the maximum carrier frequency changes on either side of the carrier frequency.

Distress call: This is a call that signals a life-threatening situation.

Dummy load: A non-radiating 50-ohm load connected to the transmitter instead of an antenna for use in testing.

Fading: This is signal reduction due to atmospherics.

Distress frequency: A specific frequency or channel for use in distress calling.

Downlink: This is the frequency an amateur radio operator uses to hear people when they talk on a repeater.

Duplex: An operation mode in which the transmit and receive frequencies are different.

Morse Code: This was a standardized method of communication used by the military. Today, amateur radio operators use it to converse directly with someone over great distances, using as little bandwidth as possible.

Filter: A circuit that allows only the desired frequency(s) to pass.

Full‑quieting: This signifies a good quality signal on a repeater or FM transmission – it means that your signal is clear, free of static, and easily readable by others.

Modulation: This is a method of adding information to a radio frequency carrier. The most common are amplitude and frequency modulation waves.

Full-duplex: An operation mode that simultaneously transmits and receives information on different frequencies.

Notch filter: Sharp and narrow rejection filter for elimination of radio frequency interference signals.

Reflected power: A non-radiated power that is released in the form of heat when you mismatch the antenna to the transmitter.

Silent Key: This refers to a ham radio operator who has passed away.

Split: Mode in which the transmit and receive frequencies are different

Scan: Continually sweeping frequencies looking for signals.

Uplink: This is the frequency that a radio operator uses to talk to people listening to a given repeater.

Sensitivity: Indicates how weak a signal the receiver on a ham radio will pick up. A sensitivity of 2.0 microvolts is perfect for up to around 60 miles from the station.

SKYWARN: A program under the National Weather Service comprises trained weather spotter volunteers.

Call sign: A sign issued by FCC that identifies you as the operator or the station and what you will use to identify yourself during communications. An example of a call sign is KC9ANG.

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Radio_Abbreviations”>Must-Know Ham Radio Abbreviations

AFC (Automatic Frequency Control): This is a circuit to automatically keep a resonant circuit tuned to the frequency of an incoming radio signal. Radio receivers primarily use it to keep the receiver tuned to the desired station’s frequency.

UTC (Universal Time Coordinated): This is time-based on the Greenwich meridian; it’s usually zero degrees longitude, passing through Greenwich in England.

AFSK (Audio Frequency Shift Keying): This is a modulation technique by which changes in pitch or frequency of an audio tone produce a signal that can transmit via telephone or radio representing digital data.

AMTOR (AMateur Teleprinting Over Radio): A telecommunication system with more than two electromechanical teleprinters. These teleprinters are typically within separate locations and receive and send information to each other.

ARRL (American Radio Relay League): The national association for amateur radio in the United States.

ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Interchange): A seven-unit digital mode code for the transmission of teleprinter data.

ATV (Amateur Television): This is a device that sends television signals over amateur radio frequencies

BPF (BandPass Filter): This filter allows only specific ranges of frequencies to be received or transmitted.

CW (Carrier wave): This is used in morse code communications to send messages to other frequencies.

DSP (Digital Signal Processor): This gadget is relatively new to ham radio; it improves the signal-to-noise ratio for more straightforward and legible communication.

DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (or touch-tone)): A frequency used to transmit and receive numeric information, such as phone numbers or remote radio control commands.

EME (Earth-Moon-Earth): This term communicates that radio signals have bounced off the moon and returned to earth.

FSTV (Fast Scan TV): Graphics (and audio) communication using TV broadcast signals.

HF (High Frequency): High range frequencies ranging from 3 to 30 MHz-range signals. They are commonly known as “short radio waves.”

HT(Handheld Transceiver): Also known as a walkie-talkie, this is a handheld radio transmitter or receiver device used for two-way communication based on shortwave radio technology. It’s common among police officials, security officers, and medical staff.

Hz (Hertz): One cycle of an electromagnetic wave; a “KHz” is 1,000 cycles per second, and an “MHz” is 1 million cycles per second.

IF (Intermediate Frequency): This is a typical frequency that has undergone internal conversion for amplification purposes.

IF shift: A function that electronically shifts IF frequency from a center frequency.

IMD (Intermodulation Distortion): An interruption within RF circuits made with upper and lower adjacent channel signals.

LF (Low Frequency): An experimental radio communication among hobbyists on frequencies between 30 and 300 kHz.

MF (Medium Frequency): Radio communication between 300 kHz and 3 MHz-range signals within AM (i.e. amplitude modulation) radio stations.

NB (Noise Blanker): This is a function within a ham radio that helps in reducing pulse-type noises.

NR (Noise Reduction): A DSP(Digital Signal Processing) feature reduces unwanted incoming signal noise when using a ham radio.

PEP (Peak Envelope Power): This is the Root Mean Square (RMS) value of a single RF cycle at the crest of the modulation.

PTT (push-to-talk button): A button located on the side of the radio which you hold down to make the radio transmit and then release when you finish transmitting and wish to listen for messages from other radios.

RF ground (Radio Frequency ground): Refers to connecting amateur radio equipment to Earth ground to eliminate hazards from RF.

UHF (Ultra High Frequency): This is an amateur radio frequency between 300 MHz and 3 GHz-range signals.

SSTV (Slow Scan TV): Graphics and image or voice transmission using narrow bandwidth.

SWL (Short Wave Listener): This is a listener listening to international short wave bands for enjoyment.

SWR (Standing Wave Ratio): A measurement of forward versus reflected power output during a transmission.

VFO (Variable Frequency Oscillator): This is the mode in which a ham radio operator can comfortably change frequencies.

VHF (Very High Frequency): This is a frequency on a ham radio between 30 and 300 MHz.

VLF (Very Low Frequency): Frequency under 30-kHz-range signals. It’s used for long military communications with submerged submarines and has long wavelengths.

Radio“>What Equipment Do You Need for a Ham Radio?

Transceiver

A transceiver is one of the most critical pieces of equipment on a ham radio since you can’t communicate without it. It’s a combination of a radio transmitter and a receiver. The types vary based on power and price, but the more watts the transceiver has, the better and the more expensive it is.

Antenna

An antenna is another crucial element of your ham radio setup because it enables you to connect with other ham radio enthusiasts. Before purchasing one, check if your radio supports a single or dual-band antenna that operates on two separate bands or frequencies.

If your original antenna is not powerful enough, you can replace it with a better one. Ideally, your antenna should be a ¼ inch of the wavelength you plan to use. For example, a UHF 70 cm broadcast band will require a 7-inch antenna.

Power Source

It’s essential to have the right power source for your ham radio, such as generator, electricity, radio batteries, or solar panels. If you decide to use electricity, ensure that you have an alternative power source for emergencies.

Antenna Tuner

An antenna tuner or antenna tuning unit (ATU) is a gadget installed between an amateur radio transmitter and the antenna. When adjusted, it improves power transfer by matching the impedance of the radio to that of the antenna.

Repeaters

Repeaters are essential for some ham radios, such as the handheld ones, which only extend to a maximum of 2 miles. You can place the repeaters on a hill or a tall building with powerful antennas and equipment. They receive a nearby single and “repeat it” by broadcasting it to a more extensive network so the signal can travel further. With just one repeater, your signal can reach another 50 miles, and it could cross the country with more repeaters.

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Radio_Licenses”>What Are the Available Types of Ham Radio Licenses?

Before understanding how to get the ham radio licence, you need to decide which licence is right for you. Check the short description of license types available.

Technician License

A technician license is an entry-level ham radio license and is the perfect option for beginners. To receive this license, you need to pass a 35-question exam that covers operating practices, regulations, and radio theory.
On passing the exam, you receive your license and gain access to amateur radio frequencies above 30 megahertz, which you can use to communicate locally and internationally on a small scale.

General License

A general license is an advanced technician license. You have to pass the technician exam and take another 35-question exam to receive your general license.
This license will provide you with the same access as a technician’s license but gives you additional worldwide communications.

Amateur Extra License

The Amateur Extra license gives you all US amateur radio privileges on all amateur radio bands and modes. The licensing requirements are much more rigorous compared to technicians and general permits. After acquiring your General license, you must successfully pass an extra 50-question exam to get this license.

Radio_Compared_to_Other_Personal_Radio_Services”>Ham Radio Compared to Other Personal Radio Services

In addition to the Amateur Radio Service, there are three other personal radio services that you can use for private communications. They are:

Radio_Service_CB”>The Citizens Band Radio Service (CB)

CB is a two-way, short-distance voice communications service for personal and business. It operates on 40 channels between 26.965 MHz and 27.405 MHz, but transmitter power is limited to 4 W. You don’t need a license for this radio service; even so, your transmitters must be certified by the FCC.

Radio_Service_GMRS”>The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

GMRS is a short-distance, two-way voice communication service that operates on 30 channels on 462 and 467 MHz. You need a license to use this radio, and the output power can be up to 50 W.

Radio_Service_FRS”>The Family Radio Service (FRS)

Family radio service is a personal radio voice communication service that operates on 22 channels ranging between 462 and 467 MHz. No license is required to use this radio, but it’s limited to 2W output power.

Conclusion

Ham radio offers you an excellent opportunity to connect with new people, serves you in disaster times, and grows your technical skills so learning the lingo has both practical and fun aspects to it.

Operating a ham radio can be challenging, especially for beginners with numerous ham radio terms that you need to know. Go through the guide above if you consider getting an amateur radio (handheld or mobile) or if you already own one. It will equip you with amateur radio terms that you need to know and make your experience more enjoyable.

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A Brief Overview of the Uniden BC23A

The Uniden BC23A is a 15-Watt amplified speaker. While it can be used in combination with most sound systems, we are going to talk about it as if you are hooking it up to a CB radio set-up. Since it has a built-in amplifier, it will need its own separate power supply. However, it also means that the sound that you are going to get out of the speaker is going to be that much clearer. This is perfect if you are planning to operate your CB radio in less-than-stellar environments.

Honestly, the main selling point of the Uniden BC23A is that it is a ridiculously affordable PA speaker. There isn’t really much to it. If you are looking for something that you can essentially ‘plug and play’ into your CB radio set-up, then this is just the ticket. In fact, to give you an idea of just how simple this speaker is, you get all of this included in the box:

• The speaker
• Instruction manual
• Mounting bracket
• Wiring

The Set-Up

Setting up this PA speaker is ridiculously simple. Yes. It can be a little bit difficult to wire it into a vehicle’s electrical set-up, but the instructions are clearly laid out in the manual that comes included with the speaker. Although, it probably would have been handy if there were pictures included in the manual. That being said, there are plenty of guides online about wiring in PA speakers to a vehicle, so this isn’t too much of an issue.

Beyond that, it is a case of mounting the speaker to your vehicle (everything is included), then using the 3.5mm jack to plug it into your CB radio. It is so simple. This is part of the reason why we give the Uniden BC23A such a high recommendation. We know that the vast majority of people who operate CB radios are doing so for practical purposes. They are not really going to be into the technology side of things and, as a result, you want something that is essentially ‘plug and play’.

All of the cables and the like included in the box are generic. Nothing special to Uniden. This means that when the 3.5mm jack eventually breaks (this will always happen, no matter which product you pick up), you can head to your local supermarket and pick up a new one for a few dollars.

Ruggedly-Built

We know that there are a lot of people who will look at the Uniden BC23A and turn their nose up at it due to the price. They think that something this affordable will easily break. It won’t. This is a well-built PA speaker. This is a speaker that has been designed to be used day-in-day-out. It works. It won’t falter. In fact, the only parts that will falter are those cables that we talked about previously, and they can be replaced for a few dollars each…and that will only be every year or so (if that!)

Sound Quality

Obviously, the main reason why you are going to be picking up an amplified PA speaker is that you will want to enjoy a decent sound quality. The Uniden BC23A really packs a punch in that area. Obviously, it is only a 15-watt speaker, so it isn’t like the sound is going to fill up a room, but it is going to be plenty loud enough for a vehicle, even with the motor running. You have full control over the sound of the PA speaker with the handy dial on the side of it.

The real highlight, however, is a feature that will allow you to remove background noise from the transmission. Hit that dial, and the sound that comes through will be crystal clear. Well, as clear as conditions will allow. Gone are the days where you will miss the bulk of an incoming transmission due to weird static in the signal.

The Downsides

If you are planning to hook up your Uniden BC23A to a DC24V power source, then think again. It doesn’t support them. The speaker will need to be connected directly to the power supply or to a battery. For some people, this may mean tinkering around with their set-up. However, we have found that for the vast majority of people PA speakers for CB radios that do not support DC24V are not a problem. We thought we would probably point it out just in case it is an area of concern for you!

The only other issue is an auto-off function. Yes. This can be beneficial to ensure that it is not draining power. If the radio does not receive a signal for 25-seconds, the speaker will turn off. This is all well and good until you realize that you will quite often miss the first couple of words of an incoming transmission while the speaker turns itself back on again. 9/10, this is not going to be a problem. However, if you have an emergency transmission come through, it can pose a problem. Again, an issue we felt we should point out.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a quality PA speaker for your CB radio, then not only is the Uniden BC23A one of the best there is, but it is also highly affordable. This is almost certainly worth looking at, particularly if you are planning to set the speaker up in a vehicle which may be hurting for space.

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Why Do You Need an SWR Meter?

Most CB radios can be plugged into an antenna and switched on right away. However, the chances of you being able to get a good signal like this and virtually nil. You may be able to hear something, and you may be able to send a message, but the sound quality won’t be that high. To get decent sound, you need to adjust your antenna. This is where an SWR meter comes into play. It will allow you to measure the degree of impedance on the aerial and, ultimately, allow you to make adjustments.

Thankfully, an SWR meter (including the Surecom Gam3Gear) is not that expensive. Since there is very little that can go wrong with one of these, you can really just pick one up, safe in the knowledge that it will give you a good few years of use too.

Quick Stats

Honestly, there is very little to an SWR meter. Here are the basic specs for the Surecom Gam3Gear:

• Frequency range 125 to 525 MHz
• Maximum power: 120W
• Impedance: 50 ohms
• Measurable power range: 0.5-120 watts

This unit runs on a 3.7V Li-ion rechargeable battery. This is actually great. Some similar products on the market run on Ni-Cad or NiMh batteries. This may help to cut costs, but the end result is a product that doesn’t last anywhere near as long. Lithium-Ion batteries do not suffer from that dreaded memory effect which can cause your batteries to fail to hold a charge if you fail to discharge them properly.

Digital Display

The Surecom Gam3Gear makes use of a digital display. For most people, it is going to be quick and easy to read. Well, most of the numbers. A lot of information can be found on the screen at once. As we are going to mention in a while; some people will have an issue with reading that information. There isn’t really much that Surecom could have done with that. You don’t really want a huge SWR meter connected to your CB radio set-up. For most people, the display is going to be fine anyway.

The SWR meter is ready to give you readings right out of the box. You will not need to calibrate it. However, if you want the most accurate readings, then it is going to need to be calibrated. Thankfully, this is not going to be that difficult to do.

Can Be Left Connected to Your Set-Up

Whether it’s your first or tenth time going through the how to setup your CB radio guide, SWR meters do have their place. One of the nice things about this unit in particular, the Surecom Gam3Gear can be left plugged in permanently. It has a low insertion loss. It measures at just 0.3 decibels. This means that it is going to have no impact on the sound of your CB radio set-up. We have seen other SWR meters which are simply too noisy to have permanently plugged into your set-up. In fact, anything cheaper than this is going to cause too much noise on the line which could distortion on the line. It could result in missing important messages.

Accuracy

The accuracy of this SWR meter is fantastic for the price. Numerous people report that there is consistency in their results. This is actually rare when you pick up a product at this price. The readouts seem to be pretty much all over the place. Not the Surecom Gam3Gear. Your measurements will always be accurate. This is going to make your adjustments a whole lot easier which, of course, is going to result in better adjustments on your antenna.

Easy to Use

This SWR meter will come complete with a decent manual. You will probably need to have a flick through it before you use the Surecom Gam3Gear. Using a unit with a digital display like this is going to be a bit different from the analog meters. However, it is not going to take long to get to grips with the features of this SWR meter. We know that the vast majority of people who fiddle with CB meters don’t want anything too complicated. This is just the ticket if you want something quick and easy to understand.

The Negatives

Some people have claimed that the display can be a little bit dim. If your eyes are ‘none too good’, then you may struggle to read the screen of the Gam3Gear, however, this is a problem that does seem to impact only a few people. We have no idea if this was due to the lighting of the place they were using the unit. All we know is that the unit we received did have a good display on it, and it was incredibly easy to read.

The only other issue people seem to have is that the menus can be tough to navigate. However, this is an issue that can easily be rectified once you have used it a few times. It is unlikely that you will be using it that often anyway. Most people will only use their SWR meter every so often i.e. when they think there has been a drop in signal quality.

Conclusion

If you are looking for quality SWR meters for CB radios, then we recommend that you check out the Surecom Gam3Gear SW-102S SO239. Yes, it does have a couple of issues, but the pros of it will far outweigh those issues. Throw in the fact that it comes in at an affordable price and it will make a nice little addition to your CB radio set-up.

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On this page, we want to look at what we genuinely believe are some of the best CB radios on the market. We have an option for both the stationary and the handheld user, which means you are likely to find something that suits what you want to get out of your CB radio.

Handheld or Stationary?

This is up to you.

In most cases, if you can go stationary, then go down that route. Yes. You are going to need to have something hardwired into your system, but the signal is going to be that much better. Same with the sound quality. If you want something for your vehicle, then stationary is usually going to be the best route to go down.

Of course, if you are ‘out and about’ e.g hunting, then you probably can’t afford to be lugging around a huge battery pack and a stationary CB radio. You want something handheld. Sure, the signal is not going to be as good (mostly due to the smaller antenna), but it is something that you can just clip onto you and keep up to date with other people in the area.

On the rest of this page, we are going to compare what we believe are two of the best CB radios on the market. One of them will be stationary, and the other one of them will be a handheld. Go for the one which fits your needs the most.

Handheld Pick: Midland 75-882 40-Channel CB-way Radio

Let’s start with this handheld option from Midland. It is probably one of the ‘easiest’ to carry around CB radios. As we have mentioned repeatedly; the signal is never going to be as good on something that is portable, mostly because you don’t have time to adjust it. The Midland 75-882 does a pretty good job of countering most signal issues, however.

» Click for Current Pricing, Pictures & Amazon Reviews

Power Options

The key to a good portable radio is the power options. You can power this in one of two ways:

• 6 x AA batteries
• Through the cigarette lighter in your car

This means that (in theory) you could use it as a stationary unit, although that is probably not really recommended. This is to be used out and about. Do bear in mind that this is going to chew through your batteries rather quickly, so you will want to pick up a couple of sets of rechargeable ones so you always have something ‘ready to go’ when you are out.

Deals with Poor Signal Well

The Midland 75-882 has been equipped with a few features that will ensure that the best possible signal comes through. For example; it will automatically remove any extra noise from outgoing and incoming transmissions. You also have a squelch control at your disposal which will allow you to clean up the incoming signal a little bit.

Access To A Range of Channels

It is pretty much a given that you are going to have access to the standard 40 CB channels with the Midland 75-882. However, on top of this, you are also going to have access to NOAA weather channels. This means that you can keep ‘up to date’ with weather conditions in the local area. This is perfect if you are out there and navigating the wilderness.

Considering the small size of the antenna, and the low price of the radio, you get a surprisingly good range on the CB radio. You should be able to get a few miles. Not as much as a full-sized CB radio, but you probably never expected this to begin with.

For a hand-held radio, the Midland 75-882 really packs a punch. It has a ton of power, fantastic signal qualities, and is easy to use. What more could you possibly ask for?

Stationary Pick: Cobra 29LTDCHR

Let’s move onto the stationary option with the Cobra 29LTDCHR.

We aren’t going to go into all of the features that this CB radio boasts. However, we do want to give you a few highlights which will show you just why this is often the choice for many people opting for a top-of-the-line CB radio.

» Click for Current Pricing, Pictures & Amazon Reviews

Ensures The Best Possible Signal

Built into the Cobra 29LTD are two features which ensure that you can always aim for the best possible signal:

• An in-built SWR meter
• A light which indicates when the antenna needs adjusting

In the vast majority of cases, this is all that you are going to need to ensure that increasing your CB radio signal strength is never a worry.

There are also additional features that will clean up outgoing and incoming transmissions so they are as clear as possible. This is important because it is likely that you will have this unit installed in your vehicle and the engine can add static to the line.

Well-Built

Cobra have been producing CB radios for decades now. While technology has moved forward a little in that time, Cobra has always produced fantastic radios. In fact, the design of their radios, bar incorporating new technology, is not that much different from their original CB radio technology. If something isn’t broken, why fix it?

Thousands and thousands of drivers are relying on these CB radios in their vehicles. Some of the ones you can find kicking about still were constructed 20-30-years ago. This goes to show just how reliable their radios are.

The Cobra 29LTD is a sophisticated stationary CB radio. It works. It works incredibly well. If you pick up this radio for use in your vehicle, then you can expect it to be the last CB radio that you ever purchase. It is going to last a long time. It really helps that it is simple to use too.

Conclusion

The manner in which you plan to use your CB radio will ultimately steer you in the right direction of stationary vs handheld. We hope that our reviews of each of our top picks has helped highlight the benefits and drawbacks of each, making your decision an easier one to make.

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One of the most important aspects of survival is communication. When it comes to leaving everything behind, an essential for your bug out kit is a two-way radio system. Such a ham radio can be particularly useful when normal modes of communication aren’t available.

A two-way radio transceiver completes a survival kit and the Baofeng GT3 is an excellent option. Baofeng is a popular name among ham operators because the brand offers affordable, entry-level radios starting for just a few bucks.

As they feature small size and pack a lot of power in their battery, Baofeng radios are ideal for emergency situations and travel. They can keep you connected for weeks. In this post, we take a closer look at Baofeng GT3 transceiver and learn more about its features, battery and manual to help readers who are considering the product.

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Baofeng GT3 Review – UPDATED 2020

A powerful and compact two-way radio that comes loaded with some advanced features from the brand, Baofeng GT3 uses the latest integrated circuit to deliver a real-world performance that users expect. It excels at what it does with its improved anti-interference functions. It also comes with new noise-reduction capabilities to block out noises during receipt and transmission between 50Hz and 55Hz.

Look and Feel

The Baofeng GT3 has an impressive build quality and looks very much like any other Baofeng variety. Orange accents add a modern touch to the appearance of the radio. The accessories it includes are worth the price. It comes with a belt clip, antenna, charging stand, car charger, wrist strap and mic/earpiece.

Antenna

The Baofeng GT3 comes with a SainSonic antenna which is drastically improved over the standard antenna. This improved antenna enhances the radio’s ability to receive and transmit signals and allows a better range on the handheld radio. Moreover, when used under such a high-power operation of the radio, the antenna does not get so hot as other radio models.

LED Flashlight

While a flashlight does not affect the performance of the radio, it is a desirable feature. The inclusion of an LED light at the top saves you when you don’t have another flashlight in your survival kit. This can also save you space when travelling and it serves its purpose. It is bright enough to help you navigate the way in darkness.

Battery

Baofeng GT3 battery life is great. It has a 7.4V 1800mAh lithium-ion battery which is built to last for few weeks to keep the radio working. This means your radio can serve you even when the emergency lasts through weeks. The powerful battery makes the radio more reliable.

Display

The radio uses a different display where the background is dark and the text is white. Though it looks cool and different from regular LCD displays, it can be disappointing to some as it is difficult to see when the backlight is off. The backlight goes dark when the radio is idle and seeing the info becomes hard. It is desirable to have the backlit display constantly on.

Keypad

The keypad of this transceiver has a better feel than previous models. Moreover, it illuminates the background to make it easier to identify keys at night.

Buttons

The radio has a number of exterior sockets and plugs that you can use to enhance usability. It has a Call button that turns the device on and helps send out an alarm in case of emergency.

Then there is a MONI button that turns the flashlight on. Pressing and holding this button releases the squelch on the frequency you are monitoring.

Push to Talk button located towards the left can be used to transmit.

Ports

Towards the right side of the radio, there are ports for microphone and speaker. You can plug in standard earphones or the included mic/earphone headset into this port.

Cover

There is a protective case that keeps the radio from getting lost. There is also a belt clip that allows clipping the device to your belt when you are on the move.

Car Charger

The Baofeng GT3 radio includes a car charger that saves you from the worry of battery life. Whether you are hiking, camping or travelling by car, you can always keep your device powered. This charger works with other models of dual-band radio as well.

Speaker

Another improvement in this radio model is the speaker which delivers louder and clearer sound. It performs better than the previous models and enhances the experience with this radio.

Programming

Those who are not familiar with programming frequencies into a handheld radio can find it difficult at first. While the user manual describes the programming procedure, it can be tedious to follow the steps. However, it becomes easy once learnt. You can use the programming cable and software from Baofeng to make the task easier. YouTube videos can help a lot. Once you program a few radios, it would become simple.

Best Antenna For Baofeng GT3

The Baofeng GT3 transceiver provides an excellent transmission and receipt range. However, you may sometimes want to extend the range of your radio. The antenna that comes with your device is short to maintain portability. You might realize at times that you should upgrade your radio antenna to use the device to its full potential. An upgrade will give the radio a better signal over extended distances, allowing you to deliver uninterrupted communication without any issue. Here are some of the best antennas for Baofeng GT3.

Walkie Talkie 15.6 inch Dual Band Antenna

About 16 inches in length, this antenna is ideal for outdoor use and is quite flexible and durable, making it easy to carry around. It can give a frequency range of 144-430MHz. It works with Baofeng radios and features a rubber spacer and cover to protect the base from any damage.

Nagoya VHF/UHF Antenna SMA-Female

Compatible with Baofeng models, the Nagoya antenna is 16 inches long and a great way to improve radio signal when using it outdoors. This antenna is durable and withstands rough use. Its frequency range is 144-430MHz. It also includes an extended cover and rubber spacer.

Retevis 2 Way Radio Antenna Extension

Designed to suit Baofeng 2way walkie talkies, this antenna is made out of durable material and is foldable and flexible. You can carry it easily by tucking inside the backpack. It is 15.5 inches long and gives a power gain of 2.15dB to your radio thereby boosting its performance at receiving and transmitting signals.

Baofeng GT3 Battery Life & Backup

The Baofeng GT3 transceiver uses a high capacity lithium ion battery. It is a 7.4 volt battery with 1800mAh capacity. The radio boosts an excellent battery life to provide amazing performance during travel and emergencies. The battery of this transceiver is built to last for weeks together without having to recharge. Charging time for this battery is about 5 hours. You can use the device for days together to receive and transmit due to the outstanding battery life it provides.

The radio ships with a new battery that you should charge for a minimum of 5 hours before the first use. After three full charge/discharge cycles, you can experience the optimum battery capacity and performance. A battery backup is necessary in certain situations. Battery performance can decrease at a lower temperature and a spare battery may be needed. The regular battery can operate at room temperature and can be saved for later use.

Baofeng GT3 Manual – Getting Started

Getting started with Baofeng GT3 is extremely simple. It comes with a user manual that contains detailed instructions on setting the device up, programming and troubleshooting.

Here are some safety instructions listed in the manual.

• The device should not be modified manually
• Only Baofeng approved batteries and chargers should be used
• Do not use any damaged antenna
• Turn the radio off before entering a blasting area
• Avoid exposing the radio to direct sunlight for a long time
• When transmitting, keep the microphone 3-4 cms away from lips and the antenna at least 2.5cm away from the body
• Turn the radio off before boarding an airplane
• Turn it off before entering an area with explosive material

The user manual also lists all the functions and specifications of the radio. It describes the installation procedure for antenna, battery, micro headset and other components in detail. You can also find the battery charging instructions in the manual. The manual also shows all the ports, controls and keys with position and function. You can find a number of shortcut operations to control the radio.

Conclusion

The Baofeng GT3 handheld ham comes at an affordable price and packs a lot of features into a compact device, making it a great bargain. The radio offers exciting features and improvements over the previous models from the brand. Those who want to get a backup communication device without having to spend a fortune would definitely find this radio a worthy purchase.

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You want to provide protection for your employees from customer attacks and viruses, but you want to do it in a way that doesn’t negatively impact customer service. A security glass window does all that as long as you have a good window intercom system to go along with it. Just having a hole in the window doesn’t provide good communication, nor does it fully protect employees from viruses, bullets, or other dangers.

The type of glass window speaker intercom system you use depends on whether the glass has a hole in it or not. If it currently has a hole, or you can cut one, then you need an intercom that mounts in the hole to close it up. If you need bullet resistance there are addon options to these security window intercoms to provide that so the intercom is not a weak link in the system. Since there different hole sizes, you may need an adapter plate to accommodate the hole size you have.

If you need a wireless window intercom system, and you have a window with a hole, then a window speaker system that uses a rechargeable battery will give you a clean wireless look. To recharge the intercom you simply plug in a charger after hours. If you don’t have a hole, then unfortunately there aren’t any high-quality wireless options so we recommend using a 2-way window counter intercom speaker system that will require running a short piece of cable through the counter on each side. You can find really low cost wireless intercoms on Amazon that claim to be full-duplex, but these really don’t give good performance plus you still have to run power wires to them so they aren’t truly wireless.

No matter which type of ticket window intercom you choose, audio quality is of the utmost importance. We’ve all experienced poor audio quality on customer service window intercoms and this is no way to treat the people who bring money in to your business. If you have an area that has background noise then you want a system that can filter some of this out. If you have a very high noise environment, then you need a system that has full noise cancellation with an amplified speaker.

In addition to good audio you want to make sure the customer doesn’t have to touch the intercom to talk. No one wants to have to touch something hundreds of other people have touched these days.

If you are on a low budget there is a low-cost wired window intercom available. It consists of a speaker with a call button on the customer side, and a counter-top master station on the teller side. Customers do not have to press the call button as long as you know they are there. On the master side it has a button that is push-to-talk and release-to-listen. You can leave in an always-listen mode so you can hear customers coming too. The downside of this system is that there is no noise cancellation so you will hear all noises. There are versions of the customer-side station that can be counter-mounted or wall-mounted.

These Security Window Intercom Systems are used at ticket windows, box office windows, cashier windows, bank teller windows, customer service windows, or anywhere a glass window speaker is needed. With them you can provide the protection your employees need, without angering your customers with poor communication through the window.

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Many self-storage facilities don’t have people working at them full time, but if they do, it is usually only one person. When that person needs to move around the property and a new customer comes to the office, the office will be empty (and locked for security reasons) and the potential customer won’t know what to do. That usually means lost business for the storage facility.

Many facilities have multiple floors and these buildings are known for having very poor or non-existent cell phone service so mobile phones may not be an option. The last thing you want is for a customer to roll over into voice mail because the property manager’s phone is in a dead zone. If they do they may “roll” out the door.

The solution to the lost customer problem is as simple as a wireless callbox and a handheld 2-way radio. A wireless callbox is essentially a business-band two-way radio mounted in a weatherproof box. So when a visitor arrives, instead of having a sign that says “Back in 15 minutes” the sign says something like “Press the button for immediate assistance”. Once the button is pressed a pre-recorded message could say “Please hold and I’ll respond in several seconds.” In the meantime the property manager has already been notified so if he or she is with a customer, the property manager has a few seconds to respond back to let the visitor know help is on the way.

The callbox can be battery powered or powered from 12 volts DC and it can be placed directly in the weather so it gives you a lot of flexibility in placement.

Property managers carry a small two-way radio when they leave the office, and it is used to respond to calls.

All it takes to repay the cost of this self-storage intercom system is not losing the first two customers. and then you’ll have the system for many years to make additional profit. It can also be used for staff communications, emergencies, and to assist existing customers with problems.

The benefits are too great not to implement a system so call us at 888-298-9489 and let us help you select the equipment you need. We recommend this callbox for a starting point: Self-storage wireless callbox

 

 

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Who Benefits the Most from Two-Way Radios?

This is a question that we tend to get asked a lot. People seem to think that since cellphones exist, that they might never have a need for a two-way radio. However, there are several situations where it would be a whole lot more useful than your typical iPhone. Let’s take a little look at some of them.

The major benefit is that a two-way radio will allow multiple people to keep in touch with one another, all at exactly the same time. With a cellphone, conversations are typically limited to two people. You simply dial the person you want to talk to and wait for the person to answer. With a two-way radio, the communication is instant.

With a two-way radio, you do not have to worry about cell phone signal coverage. This means that two-way radios might be your only communication option, when it comes to more remote locations. They are most reliable, as long as you’re within range of one another. Range is usually the only real limiting factor when it comes to a radios usefulness, so we’ll cover that in more depth shortly.

Two-way radios are a whole lot cheaper than cellphones too, and the battery capabilities are better. This means that you can equip a good number of people with radios for the same price that it would cost to pick up just one or two cellphones.

Finding the Best Two Way Radio – Top 5 Ranking Criteria

Since No Wires Radio specializes in radio technology, we’re used to digging deep and answering what makes a two-way radio – great. There are the core criteria that we use to judge every single radio we field test and review. In this section, we are going to explain our reasoning behind each. This will provide you with a bit more information about the processes that we use, and hopefully most of all, help you find a radio that best suites you.

1. Range

For us, one of the major considerations when finding a two-way radio will be the range the radio can extend to. Obviously, two-way radios are always going to be for more short-distance communications. However, it always helps to have the longest range possible. It will provide you with more versatility when using your radio system.

We are going to talk more about what can impact the range of a two-way radio in the next section. However, we do want to point out that we recommend opting for a range on your radio that exceeds your requirements. For example; if you are mostly communicating with people within the same building, you still want to ensure that the range of the radio is decent. It will result in better sound quality at short distances, and it also ensures that if there are any obstacles in the way, they are not going to hamper the radio signal too much. This is because long-distance two-way radios tend to have more powerful radio-waves.

2. Durability

Obviously, when you are buying a two-way radio, you want to be on the hunt for something that is going to last you for as long as possible. We all know how the saying goes, right? Buy cheap, buy twice.

You are going to drop your radio. You may avoid it for a while, but it is inevitably going to happen. You may get your radio wet. You want to ensure that you pick up a radio with the most durable components that you can afford. Not only will this often mean better sound quality when you are using your two-way radio, but it also means that you won’t be replacing that radio any time soon.

Ideally, you would also ensure that the radio comes from a reputable manufacturer. No radio is going to last forever, sadly. You could treat it as an absolute god, but it will eventually give up the ghost. One of the perks of buying from a reputable company is that these companies often have spare parts available e.g. if your radio antenna or the battery has gone, it is probably going to be cheaper to replace those as opposed to picking up a whole new system.

3. Sound Quality

Obviously, if you are using a two-way radio, you want to be able to be heard, and you want to be able to hear other people. When we are reviewing two-way radios here, pay special attention to the audio quality at both short and long distances. Remember; generally speaking, the more you spend on the radio, the better it is going to sound.

4. Channels & Privacy

The best two-way radios will have a multitude of channels that you can broadcast and receive audio on. Although, to be honest, most radios seem to fit the bill here nowadays.

In our opinion, the best radios will be ones that allow you to lock down specific channels with a ‘private key’. This will help to keep your conversations private, even if the channels tend to be open. This makes these radios perfect for businesses that are operating in particularly busy areas. It means you do not have to worry about non-permitted parties from being able to listen in on your conversations.

5. Battery Life

Obviously, a decent two-way radio will boast a substantial lifespan on its batteries. If you aren’t getting at least half a day of use out of a radio before it needs to be recharged, then the radio probably isn’t all that good. Although, do bear in mind that the more you are using the radio, the quicker the battery will drain.

When we are talking about the battery life, we are not just talking about how long the battery will last before it needs to be charged again. We are also talking about the overall number of charges a battery can take before it needs to be replaced i.e. the durability of the battery. Obviously, the best radios can put up with hundreds of charge cycles.

Don’t forget about whether you can replace the batteries too. If you are out in the sticks with little opportunity to recharge your radio, then obviously you will want to pick up a two-way radio that allows you to swap the batteries out. This means as little downtime as possible.

Finally; you will also need to ensure that the charge time of the radio batteries will be nice and quick. Some of the radios on the market have a woeful charge time. We are talking along the lines of 24-hours to recharge. In an ideal world, a good quality two-way radio will sit somewhere in the 6-8 time to recharge range.

Extra Features

We also consider the ‘extra features’ of a radio. Although, we see these more of a bonus than an absolute necessity when we are reviewing radios here. When we consider extra features, we often consider the main use of that particular radio.

While there are some people who are not massive fans of it, and we will explain why soon, there is no denying that a lot of people are going to find some use in having a voice-operated two-way radio i.e. one that you can operate completely ‘hands-free’. These radios are perfect for people (e.g. hunters and sports enthusiasts), who probably do not want to have a radio in their hands at all times.

Contact List

We talked about privacy features before. However, there are some radios that will take this to a whole other level. Some radios function in a similar way to a cellphone. This means that you will have a contact list built into the radio. You will be able to call the specific radio in your contact list and be thrown into a private conversation with them. This can be highly useful in some situations but, of course, not everybody is going to have a use for this sort of thing.

In certain situations, you may also find that having the radio gives you regular weather reports or even function as a radio scanner can also be useful. The former is especially important if you are outdoors. It always makes sense to keep up to date with the weather, right? Radio scanners are not as useful if you are using your radio for private purposes, but some people love them when they are looking for a bit more of an open communication.

We also like to consider radios that can easily be synced up with any radio system. We are not massive fans of radio systems that try and force you into using the same brand of radio to communicate with one another. Obviously, doing this is great for the manufacturer as it means that they will be able to get their hands on more of your money, but it isn’t really going to be a brilliant thing for your wallet. These radios tend to be a lot more expensive, mostly because the manufacturers know that you have little choice but to stump up the cash for it.

Long Range Two-Way Radios

As we said before; it is highly unlikely that you will ever be able to achieve the maximum quoted range with a two-way radio. The quoted range will always be for the most ideal conditions that you could be using your radio in. This means that if you were standing in the midst of a wide-open field within the direct line of sight of the other person using the radio. Obviously, this is unlikely to happen. In most situations, with a decent radio, expect a range of about 5-10-miles for the absolute best audio quality.

We are going to talk more about the different types of radio frequency soon. However, at this point we do want to point out that the type of frequency has an impact on what can impact the range of the radio. Generally speaking, though, the more obstacles there are in the way, there more there is that will end up messing up the signal, and this means a shorter range. So, you would get a far better range in an area that is completely wide open than if you were in a building, or in a forest full of trees.

Battery-Life Matters for Long Range Two-Way Radios

It is also worth noting that the power of your radio can have a massive impact on the range that your radio can accomplish. As your battery starts to drain, you will often find that the radio frequency can reach smaller and smaller distances. Radios are designed like this. The manufacturer wants to help to preserve your battery life so, as a result, your radio simply will not be able to cope with broadcasting long distances unless you have a fully charged battery. So, if that is your plan, then make sure the battery is charged at all times!

When you are looking to boost the range of a signal from a two-way radio, you will often have two options available to you.

Repeater

The first is a repeater. This is a rather simple option. The idea is that you have a two radios connected up to a system. One radio will receive the incoming signal, and the second one will send the signal out again. As the name suggests, it is ‘repeating’ the signal. This is probably one of the best ways to (legally) increase the range of your two-way radio. Repeaters do cost a decent chunk of change if you are opting for the best of them, though. However, in theory, if you have tons of repeaters at various points of the radio range, the signal range could be unlimited, although setting up that number of repeaters would certainly be expensive!

Amplifier

The second is an amplifier. This will send out a more powerful signal from your radio and, ultimately, this means that it will have a greater range. However, you do need to be aware that it is not always legal to use an amplifier, particularly if you do not have a license. This is because on some frequencies, the range is limited for a reason. For example; with a CB radio, you are not technically allowed to boost the power of the signal, which is exactly what an amplifier would do.

In some cases, you may find that you can boost the signal of your two-way radio by investing in a better antenna. However, this is not always going to be possible, particularly if you want your two-way radio to be portable.

Motorola Two-Way Radios & Commercial Applications

If you are after quality two-way radios that really shine in commercial environments, then Motorola radios are the best you will find. These radios boast superior sound quality, battery life, and durability. It is these reasons why you will find them most commonly in both retail stores and on construction sites.

Durability and the Motorola brand is what really sets their radios apart from the rest. The Motorola radio lineup was designed to be dropped on the ground and beat up a bit. Most people recognize that any electronics on the jobsite might experience some abuse. When it comes to business, you need to have something dependable. Their reviews speak for themselves. The Motorola brand is well recognized, respected, and has been around a long time. Their customer service is great and specifically tailored to support other businesses.

Motorola offers a full lineup of two-way radios and accessories to go along with them, more geared for the business setting. A lot of these, you won’t find in other brands. You can purchase the radios in large packs with large charging bays made to go with them. So if you’re trying to equip a group of say 20 people to be able to keep in touch on the job, there’s no need to setup 20 individual chargers etc. The larger, multi-bay charging accessories can handle many batteries at the same time.

If you are using radios regularly to keep your business running, then Motorola radios are the defacto standard, and for good reason. However, do bear in mind that Motorola radios do come with a higher price tag. Not to be overly cliche, but this is one of those times when you really do get what you pay for.

Two-Way Radio Headsets – What You Need to Know

A lot of two-way radios will now include a headset with them. This allows hands-free operation and means you do not have to have your radio out, exposed to the elements, to listen in on broadcasts. The problem is that most of the two-way radio headsets that are included, tend to not be all that good. The sound quality is never going to be as great as if you were listening out of the speaker. If you do need a radio headset, then it may actually be worth purchasing a separate one. They are often going to be far, far better built.

VOX Capability

A lot of the newer models of two-way radio on the market boast a nifty little feature known as VOX (or voice-operated exchange if you want to sound cool). This simply means that your two-way radio works by voice operation. If the microphone connected up to the two-way radio handset detects that you are speaking, then your voice will be broadcast. There is no need to continually push the button to speak.

Obviously, VOX does have its uses. There are some situations where you really can’t press your two-way radio handset for whatever reason. For example; if you are cycling, or you are doing certain jobs. However, do bear in mind that VOX is not all that it is cracked up to be. Due to the way in which two-way radios work. only one person can be broadcasting at any one time on a channel. The problem is that some VOX systems are hypersensitive and can clog the radio channel. This is annoying. So, if you are looking for a two-way radio handset that has VOX, make sure you read a couple of reviews to see how good it actually is.

Two-Way Radio Frequencies

When you are looking to buy a two-way radio, you will want to pay attention to the frequencies the radio broadcasts at. This will give you an idea as to the type of jobs the radio is going to be best suited for.

VHF Radio Signals (Very High Frequency)

VHF operates at 30-300MHZ. Not all of the frequencies in this range will be public, but your two-way radio will come programmed with channels that you can access, so do not worry about stumbling across something that you shouldn’t be listening in on!

One of the main advantages of VHF is the length of the radio waves. They are nice and long, which means that if you want a radio that has a fantastic range, then VHF is the way to go. However, due to the shape of the radio waves, they are not particularly brilliant in areas that there are a lot of obstacles in the way. Throw a wall or a couple of trees in the way of the radio signal, and the range is going to be drastically reduced. However, if there are no obstacles, or they are very minor ones, the range of VHF cannot be beaten.

UHF Radio Signals (Ultra High Frequency)

These start at 300 MHZ and go all the way up to 3GHZ. These two-way radios are going to be the most versatile radios you can buy.

The advantage of UHF is that it is fantastic for getting through obstacles. If you want a two-way radio system designed for use in a building, then UHF is absolutely the route to go down. However, do bear in mind that this will come at a price. UHF radio signals tend not to have a brilliant range on them.

CB Radio

CB radio isn’t a specific type of frequency in itself, although it does operate on shortwave frequencies.

CB radio is more of a ‘type’ of radio, often used by truckers and in the marine industry. CB radio consists of 40 open channels. You will not be able to go private on them. CB radio is for when you do not mind your communications being open, or if it is important that they are open. One of the main reasons why CB radios are used so extensively in the trucking industry is because communication is open. It will allow people to easily discuss road conditions and the like.

There is nothing that says you will not be able to use a CB radio for private purposes. After all, the technology is not as popular as it was in the past. However, as we said before, there is no way of actually making the channel private, so even if you feel nobody is listening in, you should probably assume that they are.

Need a Two-Way Radio That’s Waterproof?

If you are ‘out and about’, then you need a radio that is able to brave the elements just as much as you can. This means picking up a radio that is quoted as being waterproof.

Most of the radios built for ‘outdoor use’ e.g. radios for construction sites, hunting, or other outdoor activities, are able to put up with a decent amount of water getting on them without faltering. Obviously, no radio is ever going to be 100% waterproof. Not unless you pick up a specific diving radio, but most of the normal two-way radios on the market can stay submerged in water up to 1-meters deep for a fairly substantial amount of time, normally around the thirty minutes mark.

These radios tend to have protective coverings on, mostly made of rubber. These coverings help to stop water from getting into the cracks of the outer shell which can, of course, end up ruining the sensitive electronics contained within.

Even if you are not taking your radio outdoors, it may still be worth investing in a quality two-way radio that is rated as being waterproof, or at the very least water-resistant. These radios tend to be a little bit more durable which, of course, means that they are going to last longer. We all know how likely it is a stray drink can be knocked over onto the most sensitive of electronics too, so it is nice to know that there is a little bit of extra protection there.

Two-Way Radio Reviews

If you are looking for the best two-way radio reviews around, we’ve published some of the very best.

When we review two-way radios on this site, we take an objective approach. We judge all radios against the same criteria, while also considering the reasons why that radio was designed. For example; the ‘base criteria’ e.g durability, range, channels, etc. will also be the same, but beyond that, the purpose of the radio will be considered. One designed for ‘commercial use’ may be looked at in a different way in comparison to a radio designed for hunting. This helps to ensure that we are giving you the information that you need in order to make a more informed purchase.

We ‘field test’ all of the radios here, so we know exactly how a unit is able to stand up to the rigors of regular use. However, we also like to dive into a few Amazon reviews too. As much as we love our radios, we know that we are never going to be able to spot every single pro and con with the units that we test. By going through Amazon reviews, we can get an overall feel for how other people have experienced a radio and can convey that information to you. Once again, this will allow you to make a far more informed decision with your purchase.

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