2013年1月8日星期二

How to Program a Motorola HT1000 Radio

The Motorola HT1000 radio was a popular 2 way radio with police, firefighter and EMS personnel because it is rugged, small, easy to carry, has excellent voice intelligibility and is affordable. Although no longer in production, these radios are still popular today. It offers Motorola’s widest band range: 136 to 174 Megahertz on full band VHF mode. The HT1000 can also scan all its operating channels and can provide a broad range of signaling options. A problem for would-be users of the HT1000 is that proprietary Motorola software is required to program it.
1Request Motorola radio service software, also known as RSS, from Motorola’s business online site. You will have to register and agree to their terms of use contract.
2Power up your computer and go into DOS mode. You can use a DOS boot disk or restart your computer in Windows DOS. If you don’t work in DOS, you could end up corrupting the software controlling your HT1000.
3Switch your Motorola HT1000 off. Attach your RIB cable to your HT1000 and to your computer’s serial port. Power up your Motorola HT1000 radio.
4Open the directory where you copied the RSS, and start up the HT1000 file. Press enter to get past the first splash screen. Before programming your HT1000, make a backup of your current configuration by pressing F3 then F2 in the Get-Save-Clone menu, and finally F7 to save the configuration to your computer.
5Exit the Get-Save-Clone menu of the RSS by pressing F10. From the software’s main menu press F4 to reach the Change/View Radio Codeplug Data menu. You can use this menu to reprogram every aspect of your Motorola HT1000. Return to the Get-Save-Clone menu and press F7 to save the data your programmed.
6Return to the main menu and press F8 to go to the Program Data Into Radio menu. Press F8 again to proceed with the data writing to your radio. Once the RSS finishes copying the data, power down your radio and disconnect the RIB cable.

Motorola Talkabout Radio Instructions

Featuring an outdoor range of nearly five miles, water resistant casing and support for up to 22 different radio channels, the Motorola Talkabout FV200AA GMRS/FRS two-way radio evolved from the earlier released T4500 model. Using the 2 way radio is an intuitive process and can be done with little or no experience using two-way radios.
Installing the Batteries
1Lift the battery latch on the back panel of the radio and remove the panel.
2Insert three AA batteries into the battery compartment so that the “+” and “-” symbols correspond to the indicators in the battery compartment.
3Place the battery latch panel over the battery compartment and press down to latch it into place.
Setting a Channel
4Twist the knob on the top of the radio to turn the device on.
5Press the “Menu” button. The current channel will flash on the display.
6Press the “+” or “-” buttons to adjust the channel. Press the “PTT” button to save the channel for later use.
Talking with the Motorola Talkabout
7Press and hold the “PTT” button and hold the radio three inches away from your mouth.
8Talk into the device being careful not to speak too loudly. Yelling into the radio will create distortion on the other end of the signal.
9Release the “PTT” button when you have finished speaking.

How Do I Install Programming Software for Motorola HT1000?

1Open your Internet browser and visit the Motorola.com website. Choose “Support.”
2Click “Two Way Radios,” then select “Driver and Synchronization.”
3Choose “USB Drivers and PC Charging Drivers.” Click the “Motorola Driver MotoConnect” link to download the software to the computer system.
4Double-click the downloaded file to load the software installation wizard. Accept the end-user agreement, leave the installation name and location as-is, then choose “Install.” The programming software installs directly onto the computer. Your computer is now ready to begin connecting to the Motorola HT1000.

How to Setup a Motorola Radio

The Motorola 2 way radio allows two parties to interact with each other over a large area, such as a construction site or during a road trip with two separate cars. Upon receiving your radio, you may have a few questions about how to program certain functions. Using the basic controls on the radio, you can program the date and time, program channels, and communicate effectively and efficiently.
Power
1Lower the battery pack’s top edge under the groove at the top of the battery chamber (located on the back of your radio).
2Press the remainder of the battery pack down into the battery chamber until you hear a subtle snap.
3Place the radio into the battery charger bottom first. Face the front of the radio toward the front of the charger. You see the battery icon on the display of the radio.
4Charge the radio until the battery icon displayed on the screen is full.
Time and Date
5Push the right navigation button, until “CLCK (clock)” is displayed on the screen (located on the face of the radio). Push the soft key (an unassigned key featuring one dot, two dots, or three dots) below the word “CLCK” on the display to bring up the current date and time. Push the soft key below the word “Edit,” and the first setting flashes, meaning you can alter it.
6Push the up or down navigation buttons to move the first item (by default, it’s the hour mode) to select either a “24 Hour” or “12 Hour” format.
7Push the right navigation button to move to the time field. It flashes. Press the up and down navigation buttons to set the current time.
8Push the right navigation button to select the date field. Press the up and down navigation buttons to set the correct date.
9Push the soft key beneath the word “Save” when you are ready to save your settings and exit.

How to Change the Frequency on the Motorola Radius CP100

The Motorola Radius CP100 2 way radio allows you to set channel frequencies for minimum interference. Some versions have multiple channels, which allows you to set each channel to a different frequency. The CP100 is intended for commercial use in retail operations, warehouses and other businesses that require rugged equipment. You can set the CP100 to 27 VHF frequencies, and 56 UHF frequencies.
1Turn off the CP100.
2Press and hold the “PTT” and “MON” buttons while turning the radio back on.
3Release the buttons when you hear a beep and the screen shows a “PROG” icon.
4Press the “+” or “-” button to select the channel on multi-channel models.
5Press the “MENU” button and a “FREQ” icon will appear on the screen.
6Press the “+” or “-” button to change the frequency.
7Press and hold the “PTT” button to exit the programming mode.

How to Program a Motorola Radius CP100

The Motorola Radius CP100 portable 2 way radio is designed for use with other two-way radios operating on the same frequencies. This portable two-way radio has built-in microcomputer technology to allow for the swift changing of operating frequencies. The Radius CP100 has two function buttons (“*” and “**”) that can be programmed with commonly-used frequency stations. The process of programming a Motorola Radius CP100 is fairly straightforward.
1Press the “Menu” button in the center of the panel keypad until you see the “Talking” icon appear on the display screen; then press the “Up/Down” arrow buttons to scroll through the onscreen options to select the “VOX” (voice operated relay) setting. This will adjust the signal sensitivity setting to “Level 1,” Level 2″ or “Level 3.” These levels signify “low,” “medium” and “high” sensitivity, respectively.
2Press the “Z” button to scan for a channel. The CP100 radio will scan through signals and stop at the next available frequency once you press the “Z” button again.
3Press and hold the “PTT” button and the “Z” buttons together for three seconds or until you hear a beep. The “Prog” option will appear on the display screen; then press the “*” or “**” button to program the current frequency to one of either of those buttons.

How Can Walkie Talkies Be Used During a Disaster?

Walkie-talkies are hand-held, 2 way radios that have been used for communication during disasters since World War II. In wartime settings, walkie-talkies were the only means of live communication for the troops back to their headquarters. Since then, walkie-talkies have become popular in the general population because they make possible two-way communication in areas not equipped with phone lines and electricity. Having a walkie-talkie can make a difference in life-threatening emergencies.
In a Disaster
Strategically place emergency kits that contain sets of walkie-talkies in easy-to-access locations. Train your workers in the workplace and your family at home in how to get to the walkie-talkies and use them in a disaster.
Walkie-talkies send messages to one another and don’t require a cell tower to relay signals. That makes them more reliable than cellphones in remote areas where it’s difficult or impossible to get a signal. More advanced walkie-talkie devices are two-way radios that transmit signals over the Family Radio Service (FRS) of the Federal Communications Commission.
Schools, commercial businesses and public facilities are sometimes required to keep a set of walkie-talkies and extra batteries available for communication during a disaster. Each household should have a set handy as well.
Reach for the emergency kit containing the walkie-talkies when disaster strikes. Turn them on, tune into the radio frequency and try to reach someone on the other end. Give one walkie-talkie to someone in your family or group if your kit has more than one. Make sure the communication line is open between the two walkie-talkies before you split up to find help or to help others in an emergency.
Continue to communicate with the other walkie-talkie user and continue to establish a connection with someone outside the disaster area. Some walkie-talkie units are equipped to access the radio, allowing you to tune into a local radio station for updates in the case of a widespread disaster.

Importance of Radio Communication

Two Way Communications
From police and fire department dispatches to aircraft communication, 2 way radio communication works to ensure public safety. This medium becomes particularly important in emergency situations.
Broadcast Radio
Radio broadcasts on AM and FM have been informing and entertaining the public for nearly a century. Today, this medium of communication continues to offer diversity in programming.
Cell Phones
Cell phones are actually sophisticated radios that receive signals from low-power stations operating on similar frequencies over a given area. Cities are usually divided into areas called cells, each of which contains a transmitting station.

How to Change the Channels on a Motorola Talkabout 4900

The Motorola TalkAbout T4900 is a recreational 2 way radio for contacting friends over a short distances without using a cell phone. Two-way radios are useful for hunting or camping trips when there may be little cellular reception. The T4900 has 22 broadcasting channels. Other radios on the same channel pick up transmissions from the T4900. Changing channel on your T4900 lets you synchronize your radio with others in your group.
1Twist the large dial on top of the Motorola T4900. The radio turns on.
2Press the “Menu” button between the “+” and “-” buttons. The current channel flashes on the screen.
3Tap “+” or “-” to scroll through the radio’s 22 channels.
4Push “PTT” to switch to your chosen channel. Hold “PTT” and talk into the radio on the new frequency.

How to Develop Code & Communicate With a Scanner

1Purchase a scanner, which is a radio used to transmit information. Scanners, sometimes called police scanners or 2 way radios, range in price from $100 or less to more than $1,000, depending on their specifications. Less-expensive scanners work well for personal use, such as monitoring transmissions for hobby or personal safety. Units that are more expensive are used by police and fire departments to provide stronger frequencies and outputs that are more powerful. Most electronics stores and online auction websites sell scanners.
2Set up your scanner by following the instructions that came with the unit. Find frequencies for various agencies by searching the dial or by looking up the official frequency on the agency’s website. Consult RadioReference.com for a database of frequencies for organizations throughout the United States.
3Learn the communication code. Police codes use codes with the prefixes “10-” and “11-” followed by numbers that correspond to various situations. For example, “10-4″ means “message received.” Long-haul truckers use a different set of codes to communicate. In the language of truckers, for example, the term “alligator” means there is a blown tire in the road, and a “salt shaker” is a snowplow.
4Develop your own code for communicating. If you are using your radio to communicate with someone, discuss terms you would like to codify for your own radio language. Consider using the police or trucker codes as a base to work from when developing your own code language. For example, think of a nickname for the town you live in or a code word for the street you live on.
5Record your codes and distribute the information to others who will be using the information. You can do this with a notebook, computer document or online database, which all code users can modify when they think of a new code word.

How to Use Only the Radio off of the Motorola i580 Network

Place the Phone in MOTO Talk Mode.
1Turn on the Motorola i580 phone.
2Open the phone’s main menu.
3Scroll down and highlight the “MOTO Talk” menu option. Press “OK” to select it. A display appears that says, “Switching to MOTO Talk Please Wait.” After a few seconds, the “MT Ready” signifier will appear on the display. This means that the phone is in MOTO Talk mode. As long as you can observe a 2 way radio icon in the display, the phone is in MOTO Talk mode.
Set Up the Radio Channel
4Place the phone in MOTO Talk mode.
5Use the phone’s soft keys to select “Edit” from the MOTO Talk Idle screen.
6Scroll down and highlight “Channel.” Select “Edit.”
7Select the radio frequency channel that you want to use. Each person in your group should set his or her phone to the same channel.
8Use the phone’s soft keys to select “Back” to return to the MOTO Talk Idle screen.

How to Program a Radio Scanner

Programming a radio scanner will allow you to listen to conversations and codes of those who communicate via 2 way radio frequencies. These can include law enforcement and fire departments, companies that have crews working out in the field and individuals who communicate via cell phone and two-way radio frequencies.
1Choose “Program Radio” on the main screen using the menu buttons on your radio scanner. Consult the owner’s manual to make sure you do this properly. Some radio scanners require you to hold down the “Menu” or “Program” button in order to achieve the programming options.
2Notice the flashing channel numbers on your main screen panel. Your radio scanner might have anywhere from 10 to 200 programmable channels.
3Write down the frequencies that you’d like to program into your scanner. Scan through the various frequencies to determine which ones are of greatest interest to you.
4Scan your radio to the first frequency you want to add to your radio scanner. Then, press the correct button to coordinate that particular frequency with the first channel on your radio scanner. Your specific requirements for programming may vary depending on which brand of radio scanner you’re using.
5Repeat Step 4 until you’ve programming your radio scanner for all the frequencies you’d like.
6Press the “Menu” button again to finalize your programming.

How to Clear Reception on a Walkie-Talkie

A walkie-talkie is a 2 way radio that uses radio waves to communicate with another walkie-talkie device on the same frequency within a communicable distance. As with other mobile devices, the reception on your two-way radio may be disrupted. In most cases, you can clear the reception on your walkie-talkie by changing the frequency channel.
1Turn the walkie-talkie on and press the “Menu” button. Scroll down the list until your see the “Channel” option. Select that option.
2Press the “+” or “-” button or the up and down arrows to change the frequency on your walkie-talkie. Every time you change the frequency, listen for static or background noise.
3Continue changing the channels until you reach a frequency that has no static or background noise.
4Press the “Push to Talk” (PTT) button to save the frequency. Make note of the channel that you are using to transmit your radio signals.

How to Get a FCC License for a Motorola CP200

Motorola’s CP200 is a portable 2 way radio available in a 4-watt VHF and a 5-watt UHF model. It is frequency programmable and can operate on either four or 16 channels. The CP200′s primary controls include a large push-to-talk button, one large rotary channel selector and a single rotary on/off/volume control. To screen out interference from others using the same frequency, 42 standard tone private line codes and 84 standard digital private line codes are included. The Motorola CP200 comes with a 2250 mAh lithium ion battery and a charger. This radio operates on frequencies and at power output ratings which require Federal Communication Commission licensing.
1Determine the primary use of the CP200. For business applications, such as construction crews, event staffs or security personnel, the CP200 requires an FCC business radio service license. For private use, such as maintaining communication with family members around your residence or for recreational activities like hiking, the CP200 requires an FCC general mobile radio service license.
2Apply for an FCC Business Radio Service license. If you’ll be using the CP200 for commercial purposes, count the number and the anticipated frequencies of the CP200 radios in your business system. Provide the information to an FCC-authorized private frequency coordinator to receive approved frequency allocation. File an application for the business radio service license online at the FCC Universal Licensing System website. As of May, 2011, the fee for the BRS license is $260. The license is valid for five years. Ten days after filing your application, you are permitted to begin conditional operation until you receive the formal license.
3Apply for an FCC general mobile radio service license if use will be restricted to home/family activities. File an application for the license online at the FCC Universal Licensing System website or download FCC Form 605 and apply by mail. As of May, 2011, the fee for the license is $85. The license is valid for five years.

How to Extend the Range of a Wireless Baby Monitor

1Attach a piece of metal to the baby monitor’s antenna. Cut a coat hanger, for example, and tape the long metal piece to the antenna. This wire or piece of metal can be any length but three to four inches should do the trick. This will help the simple 2 way radio’s gain, allowing it to have more reception. Do this on both monitors.
2Wrap the antenna and a piece of metal in aluminum foil on both baby monitors. This will help it receive signals from the other monitor better. Entirely cover the piece of wire with the aluminum foil.
3Place the baby monitor that you will hold onto as high as possible. While the monitor in the baby’s room must be near the baby so you can properly hear him, the higher up your baby monitor is, the better it will receive signals from the other monitor.

2013年1月7日星期一

How to Troubleshoot a Uniden VHF Radio

Uniden’s Very High Frequency (VHF) radios are for marine applications. Uniden also make non-marine, 2 way radios for General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and Family Radio Service (FRS) but they are considered Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radios because they operate on frequencies higher than 300 MHz—the cutoff for VHF. Uniden’s marine application VHF radios are supplied in hand-held and fixed-mount variants.
1Remove the hand-held’s charger cable or take the radio off the charger stand when transmitting. The charger is supplying a low voltage and the radios are not designed to transmit while charging because the AC or DC adapter doesn’t provide enough power. If the battery doesn’t charge it’s often due to transmitting while charging.
2Change the batteries or recharge them if the radio won’t transmit on the five watt setting but will transmit at one watt. There’s not enough juice in the batteries to function at five watts.
3Extend the antenna to the maximum height if the Uniden VHF radio’s range appears limited. Try going out on deck to transmit with limited line-of-sight blockage.
4Eliminate any sources of electrical interference if, while scanning, the radio stops on a particular channel all the time. A quick fix is to press the up or down button to get the radio scanning again, but noise is the likely cause. Move out into the open. Switch off electrical and mechanical gear one by one and use elimination to try to identify the source.

Cobra PR-240 Specs

The Cobra PR-240 is a 2 way radio set that has been discontinued by the Cobra Electronics Corporation. It was replaced by a smaller, more powerful two-way radio. Parts and manuals for the Cobra PR-240 are still available. Anyone who gets a working used set will have a two-way radio set that works well, has a good range and holds up well.
Power
The Cobra PR-240 is powered by four AAA batteries. It has a five-mile range with a range extender which will pick up even very weak signals. That can be useful in wilderness settings where you are unlikely to get excessive squawk from other users. It operates at one watt output power. The radios can operate on traditional or rechargeable batteries, with a drop-in charger cradle available as an accessory.
Channels
The radio offers 22 channels; seven in the Family Radio Service, or FRS, frequencies, eight General Mobile Radio System, or GMRS, channels and seven shared FRS/GMRS frequencies. FRS is an unlicensed service provided in UHF that the Federal Communications Commission leaves open for short-range use. GMRS frequencies add more options and can operate at higher wattage, In some remote areas, the GMRS channels will give you the best range. The Cobra PR-240 also offers 38 privacy codes, which help reduce unwanted chatter from nearby users on the same frequencies.
Security
The Cobra PR-240 offers 38 privacy codes, which help reduce unwanted chatter from nearby users on the same frequencies, while protecting your conversations from others who may have similar radios. The radios provide a channel scan, which allows you to search for others on the air in an emergency situation. The auto-squelch keeps down background noise from other near-by frequencies. It is lit up with an LCD display for use at night and has a low battery alert.

Motorola Talkabout T5000 Instructions

The Motorola Talkabout is a 2 way radio released in 2004. The T5000 features a range of up to five miles in ideal conditions and up to one mile in a dense urban setting. The radio has multiple features for easy, secure communication with the touch of a button. The T5000 can be used out of the box after installing the batteries.
Installing Batteries
The T5000 is powered by either three AA alkaline batteries or a rechargeable NiCd rechargeable battery pack. To insert the batteries, hold the T5000 with the back of the radio facing you. Remove the battery cover by lifting the battery latch and pulling up on the cover. Place the three alkaline batteries in the compartment. The left battery is placed with the positive end up, the middle battery is placed with the positive end down and the right battery is placed with the positive side up. Place the battery cover over the batteries and press down to lock it in place.
If you are using the NiCd battery pack, remove the battery cover and slide the battery into place with the contacts facing out from the radio. Place the battery cover over the battery pack and press down to lock it in place.
Turning the Radio On
When the batteries are inserted, turn the control knob on the top of the radio clockwise to power on the device. When turned on, the radio will chirp, and the display will flash all of your feature icons and scroll through the available channels.

How to Turn Vox on a Motorola Talkabout

The Motorola Talkabout 2 way radio is not just for outdoor enthusiasts or construction workers — it is also an emergency communication tool. The advanced models feature local and regional weather broadcast channels, emergency alert buttons and hands-free mode. On a Motorola Talkabout, iVOX mode allows hands-free communication without any accessories, while VOX is for use with earbuds or headsets. You can turn iVOX on from your radio and then clip the Talkabout to your shirt or belt for unrestricted movement during outdoor activities. You can just as easily turn VOX on and use the radio with your headset.
1Push the “Power” button to turn on the Motorola Talkabout.
2Press the “Menu” button until your radio displays “iVOX.” Select “On” using the “+” or “-” key.
3Push the “Menu” key until the display shows a level setting between “1″ and “3.” Adjust the sensitivity by pressing the “+” and “-” buttons.
4Press the “Push to Talk” button to activate hands-free mode.
5Turn off iVOX by pushing “Menu” until “iVOX” shows up on the display; then, select “Off.”
6Connect an earbud or hands-free headset to the Motorola Talkabout and VOX will turn on automatically.

Motorola Talkabout T5100 Specs

Motorola released the Talkabout T5100 in 2007. The device is a 2 way radio that allows two or more people to communicate with one another via the 14 channels in the Family Radio Service, or FRS, frequency band. The device was designed for family and group recreational use. Although the product was no longer manufactured, it could still be purchased for about $43 as of December 2010.
Range and Weight
The Motorola Talkabout T5100 works at distances of about two miles, though the range fluctuates depending on weather conditions, altitude and noise in the frequency band. The range also decreases when buildings, trees or other obstacles get in the way of the radio signal. Motorola doesn’t recommend using the device at distances closer than 5 feet. The device weighs 0.39 lb.
Power
The Motorola Talkabout T5100 is powered by three AA alkaline batteries. According to the manual, the batteries provide up to three hours of talk time and 27 hours of standby time. The battery meter, located on the front display, is divided into three bars, the bars disappearing as the power is used. If the battery is low, the device beeps every 10 minutes.
Operation
The Motorola Talkabout T5100 produces up to 0.5 watt of power output. To send a message, the person needs to hold the radio 2 or 3 inches from the mouth.
Standards
The Motorola Talkabout T5100 operates in the frequency band of between of 450 and 470 MHz. The device complies with numerous national and international standards including those issued and upheld by the United States Federal Communications Commission, American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, National Radiological Protection Board of the United Kingdom and the Ministry of Health (Canada).

Specifications of a Motorola Visar

The Motorola Visar is portable 2 way radio. It can be used for communication between a group of people that all have access to the transmissions. Knowing the specifications for the Visar will help you to determine if it suits your needs.
Frequency
The bandwidth or frequency of the Visar can operate under VHF, UHF and 800 megahertz (MHz) wavelengths. For the VHF format, a range of 136 to 178 MHz is possible to transmit between, while the UHF format transmissions between 403 to 470 MHz or 450 to 520 MHz can be achieved. Communications between 800 to 821 MHz, as well as 851- to 866 MHz can occur on the 800 MHz wavelength. The Visar only has 16 channels of communication, with no options of broadening the amount.
Size and Battery Life
The weight of the Visar is 11.0 ounces. The battery life is all dependent on the wattage of your outputs, or outgoing calls. With VHF, outputs can be between 1 and 5 watts, during which the battery life will last 5 hours at the lowest 1 watt of output. UHF has an output of 1 to 4 watts and also has a battery life of 5 hours at 1 watt output. The 800 MHz wavelength has an unvaried output of 3 watts, for which the battery will last 4 hours.
Channel Spacing
Channel spacing refers to the amount (measured in kilohertz, or kHz) between frequencies. The spacing is the same for both VHF and UHF, and is either 12.5, 25 or 30 kHz. For the 800 MHz wavelength, the spacing is a set 25 kHz.
Sensitivity and Selectivity
The sensitivity refers to the balance between the wanted noise (your transmission or received transmission) and the unwanted static noise, often referred to with the term SINAD (signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio). With 12 decibels (dB) being the maximum allowable noise level that does not drown out speech during transmission, all three wavelengths have a noise output of no more than .28 microvolts (µV). The selectivity refers to a radio’s ability to only respond to the channel that it is tuned to. Any variation is measured in decibels and with VHF, it has a range of -65 dB for 12.5 kHz and -75 dB for 25 kHz. UHF has a range of -63 dB for 12.5 kHz and -73 dB for 25 kHz. 800 MHz has a range of -72 dB for 25 MHz.

The Best Long Range Walkie Talkie

In addition to producing inexpensive, short-range walkie-talkies for children to use as toys, manufacturers produce more expensive, long-range walkie-talkies, also known as 2 way radios, which people use in a variety of applications. For example, hikers and hunters use long-range walkie-talkies to communicate with each other. In addition to having ranges of multiple miles, the best long-range walkie-talkies offer multiple channels and have useful bonus features.
Midland GXT1000VP4
According to BestCovery.com, the Midland GXT1000VP4 walkie-talkie has a range of 36 miles and offers 50 channels, which allows you to browse for less-crowded channel options until your audio transmissions come through “crystal clear.” The walkie-talkie has a rugged design and can withstand water exposure for up to 30 minutes. With the Midland GXT1000VP4′s weather-scanning technology, you can receive local weather reports from the NOAA, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as fire, Amber and bio-hazard alerts. Other features of the long-rang walkie-talkie include vibration alert and silent settings for optimizing stealth and an SOS emergency distress siren, which can be useful if you become lost or are in danger.
Motorola MR350
The Motorola MR350 long-range walkie-talkie has a range of 35 miles and offers 22 channels. Like the Midland GXT1000VP4, the Motorola MR350 picks up NOAA radio alerts, offers vibration alerts and silent operation settings and has a system for broadcasting an emergency alert siren. However, the Motorola MR350′s emergency system also allows you to broadcast a voice message or sounds from your surroundings in addition to the siren. Additional features of the walkie-talkie include a built-in LED, or light-emitting diode, flashlight and large, easy-to-use buttons.

How to Change the Battery in the Motorola Walkie Talkie

Motorola manufactures several different types of 2 way radios and walkie-talkies. There are many uses for these devices, and they are commonplace in many industries and organizations. Unfortunately, the battery life in many Motorola walkie-talkies is very short, requiring regular replacement of spent batteries.
1Hold the walkie-talkie with the display side facing your palm and slide the battery cover door down until you feel it release from the plastic locks. Lift the battery cover door off to expose the NiMH battery.
2Remove the spent NiMH battery by lifting up on one of the edges until it is free from the walkie-talkie housing.
3Insert a new NiMH battery with the small metal contact points facing down. Be sure to align the battery properly so that the metal contact points match up with the small metal prongs inside the battery compartment. If the red “Stop” sign is visible when inserting the battery, it is upside down and must be turned over to be properly installed.
4Place the battery cover door back onto the walkie-talkie and slide it up until you feel it lock into the proper position.

How to Cut Off the Beeper on the Motorola 5420

The T5420 is a model of 2 way radio manufactured by Motorola, an American telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois. Instead of saying “Over” or “Roger” at the end of your communications, the T5420 can be configured to send a beep when you release the “PTT” transmit button. This can save you remembering to sign off your communications and make conversations easier to follow. You can disable this feature should you no longer need it or find it annoying.
1Turn off the Motorola T5420 and press and hold the “+” button.
2Switch the radio back on while holding down the “+” key.
3Make contact as normal over the radio. When you release the “PTT” button to finish your transmission, the Motorola T5420 will no longer send a beep tone.

How to Make a Radio Control Car

Radio-controlled cars are toy vehicles driven by a 2 way radio frequency electric motor and a hand-held radio-control device. Radio-controlled cars provide entertainment for children and adults, and many people design and build their own radio-controlled cars for racing and recreation. Building your own radio-controlled cars allows you to customize your cars according to your own tastes and needs.
Building the Body of the RC Car
1Unpack the radio-controlled car kit, which should contain two axles, four tires and the plastic housing for the hand-held radio-control device.
2Clamp the rectangular steel plate to the two axles using the four steel clamps and Phillips-head screws. Make sure that the front axle is the one with the pivoting ends, which allow the car to steer, and the drive apparatus, which is a copper ring around the right side of the axle.
3Cover the tips of the axles with powdered graphite, and then slide the tires onto the axles. Screw washers onto the ends of the axles to hold the tires in place.
4Fasten the electric motor to the front right corner of the steel plate using the steel bolts and the adjustable wrench. Use the wire strippers to remove some covering on the lead wire running from the motor. Use your hands to crimp the ends of the lead wire around the copper ring on the front axle.
5Strip some covering off of the steering wire (usually the yellow wire), and twist the ends of the steering wire around the knob on the bottom of the front axle.
6Screw the antenna onto the top of the electric motor by hand.
Building the Radio Controller
7Glue two pairs of electric resistors to the inside wall of the radio-control housing, using the rubber cement. Leave a 1-inch space between the pairs of resistors.
8Drill a small hole (approximately ½-inch in diameter) in the middle of the 1-inch space, and slide the 4-inch steel rod through this hole. Push the rotating steel head onto the inner end of the steel rod, and push the plastic knob for the radio-control device onto the outer end of the steel rod. Both the steel head and the plastic knob should easily snap onto the ends of the steel rod.
9Strip some covering off the trigger wire, and crimp the wire ends onto one of the pairs of resistors. The trigger wire should have two ends, so attach one end to each resistor in the pair.
10Snap the radio control housing closed, and attach the antenna to the top of the device by screwing it into place.

How to Use the Motorola Portable XTS 5000

Transmitting and receiving live voice messages is the primary function of the Motorola portable XTS 5000 2 way radio. Upon receiving your device, you may have some questions about its basic operations. Following a few simple steps will have you using the XTS effectively and efficiently in little time. Learn to properly attach the battery, locate certain buttons, select your zone upon powering the device, scan for channels and transmit and receive a message.
1Power the XTS by first attaching the battery. Confirm the radio is turned off first. Slip the top edge of the battery into the radio’s frame (on the back of the device). Press the rest of the unit in until it clicks into place. Turn the radio on by twisting the volume knob (located on the left side of the top edge of the radio) clockwise.
2Push the “Single Dot” button (located underneath the word “Zone” on the display) on the XTS, if your “Home Zone” channel (the last channel you were using when you last turned the XTS off) is not displayed when you first power the device on. The first letter of the display should illuminate. Use the “Four-Way Navigation” button (located underneath the dotted “Menu Select” buttons under the display) to select your zone. Push the “Home” button (located to the left of the “Four-Way Navigation” button) to select your highlighted ADM zone of choice. Turn the “16-Position Select” knob (located to the left of the antenna on the top edge of the device), until you see “ADMN 8″ displayed. Push the “PTT (Push-to-Talk)” button (located on the left edge of the radio), wait for the “Permit Tones” (three beeps), and then speak into the microphone (located above the display).
3Scan for channels by first positioning the “Three Position” toggle switch (located on top of the device in front of the “Power/Volume” knob) to the “A” position. Press the “Menu Select” button with three dots (under “View” on the display), then press the “Menu Select” button with one dot (under “Scan” on the display). The display will indicate that it’s in scan mode. Use the “Four-Way Navigation” button to review channels and zones that were located. Press the “Home” button to exit scanning.
4Speak and transmit a message by pushing the “PTT” button, while using the channel of your choice. While the “PTT” button is held down, speak into the microphone. Let go of the “PTT” button to hear responses. The XTS can’t receive a response if the “PTT” button is held down.

How to Adjust the Squelch on a Coleman CR-400

The Coleman CR-400 is a handheld two-way radio with volume and frequency controls, as well as a squelch adjustment knob to manage static and interference with incoming transmissions. The squelch control reduces hiss and other distracting noise that may accompany a weaker signal. Adjusting the squelch on a Coleman CR-400 takes only seconds. No special tools are needed, only a friend with a 2 way radio.
1Switch on the CR-400 radio using the on/off knob on the top edge.
2Set the channel selector on your radio and a friend’s radio to the same frequency.
3Turn the “SQUELCH” control knob counterclockwise to the “MIN” setting.
4Dial the “SQUELCH” control knob clockwise on your CR-400 while your friend transmits from the second radio. Stop turning the “SQUELCH” knob when you can no longer hear hissing or static.

How to Find an Online User Guide for Walkie Talkies

Whether it’s an emergency and your Walkie Talkies (2 way radios) are part of your survival plan, or you’re working, hiking, biking, hunting or camping, Walkie Talkies are an inexpensive, effective and guaranteed way for people to communicate in real time. While all Walkie Talkies include the basic communication function, many of them also include other features, such as GPS. If you misplace or don’t have access to your user manual, it might be hard to use your Walkie Talkie to its fullest potential. Performing an Internet search is a simple and easy way to solve this problem.
1Launch your Internet browser, such as Firefox or Internet Explorer.
2Navigate to a search engine, such as Yahoo! or Google.
3Locate the browser’s search window. It will be a large, blank field in the middle of your screen.
4Enter specific search terms into the search window. For example, your search term might be “Motorola Walkie Talkie User Guide CM 200,” or “Motorola Two Way Radio User Guide CM 200.” Notice the brand, model item and user guide are all mentioned in both searches. Also notice that using another term for a Walkie Talkie, two way radio in this case, might be necessary to find the user guide.
5Read the descriptions of the pages that are presented based on your search. Click on the titles presented in blue (the web page links) to view any applicable pages. One of the pages should house a copy of your user manual.

How to Troubleshoot an Amigo Scooter

1Switch your scooter to the “Off” position if you must use a radio frequency (RF) device, such as a cell phone, citizen’s band (CB) radio, 2 way radio or a ham radio, or if someone nearby uses one. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) from these devices affects the performance of your Amigo scooter, such as its braking and movement.
2Replace the battery charger if you see your battery indicator light flash with a 4-1 code. This means the indicator will flash four times, then hesitate and flash once more. This code tells you the battery charger has too much voltage — 32 volts or higher. Locate the battery indicator light on the bottom of the Hi/Lo Speed Control Handle. Your Amigo battery charger has a two-year warranty against material defects.
3Turn your Amigo scooter “Off,” then let it sit for 15 minutes if your it overheats. You will receive a 3-1 code on the battery indicator — three flashes, a pause, and then one flash. Turn your scooter to the “On” position and see if the code clears. Locate the “On” or “Off” Key Extension/Key Switch on the right of the Handle Control Cover. If you still see the 3-1 code, you may need to have the microprocessing controller (MPC) replaced by contacting the Amigo Service Department.
4Unplug your Amigo scooter, then reconnect it when you see the battery indicator flash a 1-1 code, meaning one flash, a pause, then one more flash. This means there may be a short in the connections. You may also need to have the MPC replaced.

How to Operate a Motorola XTS 1500 Radio

The Motorola XTS 1500 2 way radio is designed to allow you to converse with members of your party who are spread out away from you in a large area, such as on a constructions site or on a road trip with separate cars. Upon receiving and setting up your pre-programmed radio, you might have some questions about its basic operations. Perform your own basic setup to get your radio working effectively and efficiently. You can power your device, turn your radio on, find your zone and channel, transmit a message, and receive a message.
1Align the bottom grooves inside the battery chamber on the bottom of the phone with the brackets on the bottom of the inside of the battery pack. Press the pack (metal contacts facing metal contacts) into the battery chamber until it clicks into place.
2Twist the “Control” knob (located on the top of the phone to the left) clockwise until you hear a subtle click and a tone to turn the radio on. Twist the “Control” knob counterclockwise until you hear a slight click to turn it off.
3Move the pre-programmed “Zone” switch (located on the left edge of your radio) to the zone of your choice to select a zone. Turn the “Channel Selector” knob (located on top of your phone between the “Control” knob and the antenna) until you find the channel you desire. If you select a non-programmed channel, you will hear a long tone. Twist the knob again until the tone disappears and you hear static.
4Turn the “Control/Volume” knob up or down so that the listening level is comfortable. Hold down the “PTT (Push-to-Talk)” button (located on the left edge of the radio), and speak into the speaker (located on the front of the radio). You see the LED light (located on the top of the radio) illuminate red while you are transmitting. When you’re done speaking, let go of the “PTT” button.
5Turn your volume to a comfortable listening level, and take your fingers off the “PTT” button to receive transmissions. Listen to the same channel your party is using. If the “PTT” button is depressed, your radio is unable to receive transmissions.

How to Program a Motorola CT250 Radio

The CT250 is a 2 way radio manufactured and marketed by Motorola Inc. Motorola discontinued the radio, but many functional CT250 handsets are still in circulation. The CT250 features either four or 16 available channels, and you can program the radios to communicate with one another by setting the radios to the same frequency channel.
1Power on the CT250 by rotating the power knob in a clockwise motion. You will find the power knob on the top, left-hand side of the radio opposite the radio’s antenna.
2Program your CT250 to the desired frequency channel. Rotate the frequency knob to the desired channel number. The frequency knob is located between the power knob and the device’s antenna. Channels are numbered around the frequency knob.
3Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for all CT250 radios you want to use to communicate with one another. As long as the radios are powered on within range of one another and programmed to the same channel frequency, the radios will communicate with one another.

How to Receive a Nextel Transmission

Sprint Nextel is a wireless communications network that supports iDEN technology. IDEN stands for Integrated Digital Enhanced Network. IDEN technology technology, developed by Motorola, combines cell phone, two-way radio, data-fax modem and alphanumeric pager capability on a single network. Because Nextel supports iDEN technology on its wireless network, to receive an active Nextel transmission, you must have an iDEN mobile phone. With an iDEN mobile phone you can receive Nextel phone calls, “Direct Connect” transmissions (which are two-way radio transmissions routed through the Nextel network), and “Direct Talk” or “MotoTalk” transmissions (which is for short-range, off-network 2 way radio communication).
Receive a Nextel Phone Call or Walkie-Talkie Transmission
1Flip open the Nextel phone (if applicable).
2Turn on the Nextel phone.
3Wait for the phone to connect to the Nextel network. When the connection is established, a connection message should appear in the phone’s display screen. Following the connection message, the phone idle screen should appear in the display. The phone is now ready to receive Nextel transmissions. If the phone’s transmission function hasn’t been temporarily disabled, the connection message will not appear.
Turn On Nextel Transmission (if it’s been Temporarily Turned Off)
4Turn on your Nextel phone.
5Open the phone’s Main Menu. Select “Settings.” Select “Advanced.” Select “Transmitters.”
6Change the option from “Off” to “On.” Select “Yes” to change the settings and turn the transmission feature back on. The phone is now configured to receive phone calls and Nextel walkie-talkie transmissions.

Options for CP200 Programmable Buttons

The CP200 Portable Radio is hand-held 2 way radio that is marketed by Motorola. Its design and simple operation makes it ideal for education, hospitality, medical, retail, manufacturing and security organizations. The radio comes with a number of programmable features, including two programmable buttons that can be preset to your two most-used radio channels. The CP200 radio is available in both four-watt UHF and five-watt VHF models and with either four or 16 channels.
Set Buttons to Channels
You can set the “+” and “-” buttons on the side of the radio to immediately access the two channels you use the most. Turn the channel selector to the channel you want and the volume control next to it to the desired volume. Then press and hold down the “+” button on the side of the CP200 until it beeps. This button is now set to that channel and volume. Repeat with the “-” button. You now have two programmed buttons.
Other Options for the Programmable Buttons
As well as programming the two buttons to specific channels and volume, you can program them to scan the radio’s preset channels, to squelch unwanted noise and to delete unwanted channels from those that have been preset. This feature is used when there is unnecessary voice traffic on one of the channels.
Precautions
All two-way radio purchases require a license and frequency specifications or a two-way radio to copy from when matching to other walkie-talkies.

How to Program a Motorola CP200 Portable Radio

The Motorola CP 200 portable radio is a 2 way radio used in any industry or situation where remote communication is required. Programming a Motorola CP 200 enables users to define and toggle between convenient settings that make work or recreation easier. The Motorola CP 200 has many programmable features and most are pre-programmed for the user by the manufacturer. However, there are a few options that the user can modify once he brings the Motorola CP 200 home, such as setting preferred channels and filtering out unwanted noise.
1Turn on the Motorola CP 200 by rotating the “On/Off/Volume” knob to the right until you reach the desired volume level. The “On/Off/Volume” knob is located to the far right at the top of the radio.
2Set the channels you use most; the Motorola CP 200 lets you program as many as 10 channels. Select the channel by turning the channel selector knob on the top right of the radio. Once you find the channel you want, press and hold the “P2″ button for 2.5 seconds or until it beeps. The “P2″ button is located to the left of the “On/Off/Volume” knob. You have now set this channel and may repeat the process for up to nine more channels.
3Filter out unwanted noise and calls by programming the “squelch” level. Press “P2″ to enter the menu mode. Press the “Up” or “Down” arrows until “UTILITY” displays on the LED indicator. Press “P2″ to select UTILITY. Press the “Up” or “Down” arrows until “SQUELCH” displays on the LED indicator. Press “P2″ to select SQUELCH. Press the “Up” or “Down” arrows until “NORMAL” appears on the LED. Press “P2″ to select current setting.
4Program other user-defined options by using the “P2″ and “Up” and “Down” arrow buttons. Press and hold down the “P2″ button to access the Motorola CP 200 menu. From there, use the “Up” and “Down” arrows to scroll through the programmable options. Use the “P2″ button to select and set most options; the “P2″ button is the action button.

How to Clear out Encryption Keys on a Motorola XTS5000

The Motorola Astro XTS5000 is a handheld 2 way radio popular with government agencies including police, fire and military organizations. The radio allows for encrypted communication with the use of the optional key variable loader (KVL). To protect the encryption keys, users can delete the keys from the radio’s memory. This is called “zeroization.” Once you delete the encryption keys, you will be unable to receive encrypted transmissions until the keys are reinstalled, but other stations will still be able to hear your unencrypted transmissions.
1Turn on the radio.
2Press the right arrow on the four-way navigation panel below the LED display until “ERAS” appears in the display.
3Press the key below the display, that is directly below the word “Eras.” There are a total of three selection keys below the display. This will bring up a menu that gives you the option to erase a single key (Sngl), all keys (All) or to abort the zeroization (Abrt). Press the button that lies below your desired selection.
4Select either “Yes” or “No” by pressing the key below your desired selection. If you press “No,” you will return to the previous menu. If you press “Yes,” the key will be immediately deleted.
5Select a single encryption key by using the left and right arrows to scroll through the keys, after you select “Sngl” on the previous menu.

2013年1月6日星期日

Midland X-tra Talk GXT400

With winter in full effect, many outdoor enthusiasts are prepping to get out and enjoy the season’s snowfall. But as you’re packing your skis and boots, don’t forget to think about safety. 2 way radios such as Midland’s X-tra Talk GXT400 ($79.95) come in handy if you get separated from your party as you’re swooshing down the slopes or if you need to set up a rendezvous time to meet at the lodge. These FRS (Family Radio Service) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radios claim a range of up to 10 miles in GMRS mode; unfortunately, real-world testing proves otherwise.
Outfitted in black and silver, the GXT400 has a utilitarian look, and at 4.1 by 2.1 by 1.4 inches, it’s easy to grasp in your hand. Unfortunately, with the four AA batteries in place, the radio weighs a hefty 4.4 ounces–not exactly the lightest device we’ve seen. You get two sturdy belt clips, though, to transport the devices when not in use. The Push To Talk (PTT) button sits on the left side, the right hosts external microphone and speaker jacks, and the power/volume-control knob and the antenna sit on top of the device. On the face of the radio, you’ll find the backlit LCD, which is easy to read, and five keys: Lock/Call, Menu, Monitor/Scan, Up, and Down. The buttons are rubberized and well spaced for easy one-handed use. While the GXT400 is not waterproof, it is splashproof.
The GXT400 is chock-full of features, including 22 channels (7 FRS/GMRS, 7 FRS, and 8 GMRS), 38 privacy codes to block unwanted transmissions, a vibrating alert, a 10-channel NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio, and five call tones. You also get a hands-free function (a pair of over-the-ear headsets is available for $20) and two microphone-sensitivity settings, which you can switch depending on your environment. Unlike the Cobra MicroTalk PR 4250 WX, however, it doesn’t have a digital compass, a stopwatch, or a clock. These aren’t deal breakers, but they are nice extras that we appreciated in the Cobra. To conserve battery life, you can switch from high- to medium- or low-power settings when distances are shorter, and the radio switches to power-save mode after 5 seconds of inactivity. If you don’t feel like carrying around extra AAs, Midland offers a $40 rechargeable nickel-metal-hydride battery pack that includes a pair of batteries, a dual desk charger, an AC adapter, and a DC cigarette-lighter adapter.
Typical of FRS and GMRS radios, the GXT400 has a transmission range that varies based on geographic factors and other conditions such as terrain, physical obstructions, and line of sight. We tested the GXT400 in Virginia and the San Francisco Bay Area, and performance was a bit disappointing. On FRS channels, we managed to travel only a half mile before one of the radios stopped receiving transmissions; on GMRS channels, we eked out 3 miles. On the bright side, the sound was clear. At the park and the beach, the GXT400 fared much better. We got 1.5 miles on FRS channels and about 5 miles on GMRS channels. While the GXT400 fell below its claimed range, it’s common for most consumer-grade GMRS radios, especially those operating at less than 5 watts, to undershoot their optimal range.
The GXT400 fared well in our battery-drain tests, in which we disabled its power-saving mode and continuously monitored a weather channel. The radio lasted a little more than six hours, one hour longer than the Cobra.

Motorola Talkabout T4500

At first glance, Motorola’s tiny Talkabout T4500 radios look like mere props, rather than walkie-talkies with a two-mile-range. Combine its ultradurable plastic casing with the T4500′s compact weight (5 ounces) and low price tag ($25 for the pair), and you have the perfect toy for the kiddies on the playground.
Each Motorola Talkabout T4500 radio measures just four inches from the bottom of the device to the top of the antennas and two inches from one side to the other, which means a unit will fit perfectly in a pocket or a child’s hand. The radio’s blue-plastic body has a textured look, with slightly indented ridges along the sides and a constellation of speaker holes on the front. Above the speaker, you’ll find four control keys: two that adjust the volume or the channel, a power button that also toggles between functions, and one that “calls” its mate with a high-pitched ring. The Push To Talk button sits along one edge within easy pressing distance of a thumb (for lefties) or a forefinger (for righties). The radio also has a minuscule screen that’s just big enough to display the channel or the volume.
The T4500′s most notable attribute is its ability to withstand abuse, though Motorola sacrifices an easily removable battery cover to achieve this end. (You’ll need a coin or similar tool to replace the three AAAs.) However, this minor irritant is soon forgotten when you realize how durable these units are; we were able to drop the T4500 on a hard surface several times without affecting the device. Other features occupy the low end of the spectrum; for example, you get a low-battery alert and the ability to scan for clear frequencies over 22 channels, though the T4500 lacks subchannels and privacy settings. Motorola also asserts that this Talkabout is weather resistant, but we were unable to test the claim.
We tested a pair of T4500s in the urban jungle of San Francisco. We immediately noticed its poor speaker performance; while in a crowd of people, we could barely hear when someone was attempting to call. This problem could be averted if the radios had a vibrating call function.
The 2 way radio also demonstrated less than inspiring range. We hadn’t wandered a half mile apart before the signal broke up considerably. However, as children shouldn’t be wandering that far from their playmates, the T4500 should work fine for them.
On the plus side, the T4500′s battery life is great. Motorola gives a rated time of 25 hours of 5/5/90 (5 percent transmitting, 5 percent receiving, and 90 percent standby) use; we were able to get about 35 hours out of the radios.

Xact WristLinx X2X

Xact Communications doesn’t promise that you’ll get the best-performing or most feature-laden two-way radio when you buy the WristLinx X2X. But it is the first wristwatch two-way radio, and that novelty alone is worth quite a bit if you’re a gadget hound, a proud geek, or a kid with Dick Tracy aspirations.
The X2X isn’t exactly svelte, weighing in at 3.1 ounces, and it will look big on your wrist unless you’re Shaq or the Hulk. The band is adjustable, however, and while the device isn’t supercomfortable, we got used to it over time. It will attract some stares, though, especially when the short antenna is raised–a must for good reception.
From a features standpoint, the X2X is fairly limited, both as a watch and as a two-way radio. The watch only tells time, and the two-way radio has 22 channels but no subchannels. Channels 1 through 14 transmit on FRS frequencies; 15 through 22 transmit on GMRS frequencies. You get a small, removable rechargeable lithium-ion battery, as well as an AC adapter for charging it via the device’s headset jack. The headset itself is optional; if you purchase it, you can use the X2X hands-free with the voice-activation (VOX) feature. And the unit is compatible with other two-way FRS and GMRS radios.
We didn’t expect great performance, and we didn’t get it, but the X2X functions well enough as a 2 way radio. The volume is ample as long as you’re not in a noisy environment. Xact says that in an open space, you can communicate with another X2X up to 1.5 miles away; compare that with the 2-mile range of most FRS radios. In our tests in interference-ridden New York City, we did manage to talk over two units six blocks apart. Standard FRS radios don’t do much better. The battery lasts only a day with heavy use.
We can’t recommend these walkie-talkies to hikers and campers, but for puttering around the mall and talking cross-campus, these babies (listed at $50 each) are worth considering. We had fun with them.

Uniden Eco Trek FRS 420

Uniden products typically don’t look like the average two-way radio, and the Eco Trek FRS 420 is no exception. It sports a similar casing as the step-up Eco Trek 440, though you won’t find as many high-end features in the 420. That said, this radio is no slacker. It’s a reliable, strong performer with a price that’s hard to beat. Uniden products typically don’t look like the average two-way radio, and the Eco Trek FRS 420 is no exception. It sports a similar casing as the step-up Eco Trek 440, though you won’t find as many high-end features in the 420. That said, this radio is no slacker. It’s a reliable, strong performer with a price that’s hard to beat.
Sibling rivalry
Like the Eco Trek FRS 440, the Eco Trek FRS 420 has a pretty unconventional design. Its casing is primarily white, with cosmetic light-blue highlights. There’s also a rather unusual antenna integrated in the Sportsclip, which sits atop the radio and locks onto a belt loop or a handbag strap. Should you find yourself without a belt or a purse, the FRS 420 is lightweight (6 ounces) and compact enough (5.25 by 2.2 by 1.2 inches) to fit comfortably in a pocket.
While this unit shares the same design as the company’s FRS 440 radio, it lacks an included headset, weather channels, and an FM radio. It does, however, have more than you’d expect in a 2 way radio in this price range. In addition to a silent vibrating call alert, the FRS 420 offers five different call tones, making it easy to identify your incoming calls from those of other Uniden radios. It also includes a power-saving mode, which kicks in after five seconds of inactivity, and a channel-scanning feature that allows you to search for activity on all 14 channels and 38 subchannels.
Power radio
As with the FRS 440, we were generally pleased with the 420′s performance. Not only were we able to communicate clearly with another FRS 420 from up to 1.5 miles away before suffering significant signal loss, but the automatic squelch feature did its job, reducing weak signal noise and preventing unwanted radio clutter.
Although Uniden claims a battery life of up to 50 hours using three AA alkaline batteries (not included), we managed only 40 hours during our tests. Still, that’s pretty impressive, considering most radios come eke out between 30 and 35 hours of use. An optional nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable battery pack is available, but such cells don’t typically last as long as alkalines.
Overall, Uniden’s Eco Trek 420 has all the features and style that recreational FRS radio users could need. Plus, it’s a good value at $40, though you’ll be able to find it for less, particularly when sold as a pair.

About Two-Way Radios

2 way radios are radios which can receive and transmit, in contrast to broadcast receivers which can only receive. They are available in stationary, mobile and hand-held configurations. The hand-held versions of two-way radios are often called walkie-talkies. Cell phones are also considered two-way radios, as they can both transmit and receive data simultaneously.
History
The first two-way radio technology was available as early as 1907. In 1912, military and commercial ships were equipped with two-way radios. The first mobile two-way radios were introduced in 1923 in Australia by a Senior Constable of the Victorian Police. The first units were installed in Victorian police cars and took up the entire back seat. In 1933, the technology spread to the United States, where the Bayonne, New Jersey police department installed two-way radios into its police cars. They were also widely used amongst ground and air troops during World War II. Today, two-way radios are compact and easy to use for a variety of personal and commercial purposes.
Function
Two-way radios are used to facilitate contact between two or more parties when visibility or distance is an impeding factor. They are practical devices for staying connected to a group. Police and fire stations, security personnel and even soldiers in the military utilize two-way radios.

About 2 Way Radios

Types
There are many different types of 2 way radios. Each family has a variety of sub-types and specific radio models. Conventional two-way radios operate on a fixed RF channel, with the proper channel being chosen by the user. Trunked two-way radio systems automatically pick up the physical frequency channel.
Simplex two-way radios use a single channel for receiving and transmission. Aircraft and Marine systems are usually simplex radios. Duplex two-way radios transmit and receive on two different channels and typically require a repeater or base box to function.
Push-to-talk two-way radios are usually found on modern cell phones and walkie-talkies. They feature a button that, when pushed in or in one direction, allows transmission. When the button is not pushed or pushed in an opposite direction, messages may be received. Analog, digital and hybrid are other types of two-way radios.
Frequencies
Two-way radios are capable of operating on many different radio frequencies. These frequencies are assigned by the country in which the radio is being used. Each country assigns frequencies based upon international agreements to different two-way services. In the United States, for example, there is an assigned block of 22 different channels. A channel is a shorthand term for a specific frequency.
Formats
Two-way radios are available in two primary formats–Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF). A UHF station requires 3,000,000 watts to operate over a range of 60 miles, while a VHF station uses only 100,000 watts over 60 miles. Outdoor usage is best suited to VHF. If the radio will be used mostly indoors, UHF may be the best choice. Typically, the lower the frequency, the more effective it is for long range use.

How to Use 2 Way Radios

1Decide on the distance you will need to use the 2 way radios. This is a big factor when you buy two-way radios. Whether you need 10 miles, 20 miles, etc there are all sorts of two-way radios that will meet your need.
2Buy the best two-way radios for your needs. Whether you want to be able to converse with your workers on a site or someone down the hall, this will be a deciding decision on which two-way radio you want to get.
3Justify buying and using two-way radios. With the cell phone, most people will think that two way radios are ancient and not necessary. Take the following scenario into account. You have workers at a construction site and someone gets hurt and needs immediate attention. Using your cell phone, you have to dial the number and wait for the person to answer–precious time, when you have an emergency on your hands. With a two-way radio, you press a button, yell “SOS,” and should get an immediate response.
4Use the two-way radios when taking a long distance trip. If you have multiple cars traveling a long distance, it makes communication much easier. Again, by the time you raise a person on their cell phone you could miss the spot where you wanted to pull over. Using the two way radio gives you immediate response to your needs.
5Find your child. Ever have your child wonder off and become frantic because you can’t find them. If you have given them a two-way radio and taught them the way to use it you should never have to worry about this again. This is especially helpful in the woods or in locations where a cell phone will not work.
6Compare two-way radios with cell phones. The problem with cell phones is they may need to be charged and you may not be able to get a signal at any particular time. Two way radios need batteries–which you can carry with you–and don’t rely on network signals to be used. Therefore, in an emergency two-way radios may be the better of the two options.

How to Improve 2 Way Radio Performance

1 Hold the radio away from your body. If you hold your radio to your belt, for example, your body blocks the radio waves, since your body contains mostly water.
2 Use your radio from a high advantage point. Radio waves travel farther when they are emitted from higher elevations.
3 Get a radio with a body and antenna of equal length or near-equal lengths. When you have balance in the size of your radio and antenna, you get more power out of your radio.
4 Buy your 2 way radio in pairs. In this way, you can get the full use of all of the features of your radio because the person you’re communicating with will have a radio that shares the features of yours.
5 Keep your lips about two inches from your two-way radio and speak in a normal volume, but in a clear and controlled voice. If you yell into the microphone, the signal becomes distorted.
6 Keep the antenna of your two-way radio vertical to get the best reception. Raise the radio above your head while using an external microphone to shield it from loud noises, and cup your hand over the microphone. You can also turn your body away from the noises.

How to Program Motorola 2 Way Radios

1Press the Menu button until the code starts to flash on the display panel. Press the plus or minus buttons to select an eliminator code. Press the PTT button to set the code. Eliminator codes minimize interference.
2Program a channel to be skipped when scanning. You can skip noisy channels as well as channels you just don’t want to listen to. Press and hold the plus or minus button for at least three seconds. The channel will be removed from the scan list. You will need to do this again if you turn the 2 way radio off.
3Program the channel you skipped back in. Simply turn the radio off and then back on.
4Program the sensitivity levels. This is useful if you have voice activation enabled. Press Menu until an icon depicting a face talking appears. Press the up or down button to change the sensitivity. Level 3 is for quiet environments; 2 is for most environments and 1 is for noisy environments.
5Program a call tone. Press the Menu button three times. Press the minus or plus buttons to choose a tone.

How to Get a Business Two Way Radio License

1Gather the information you need for your business license application. You need to know which frequency band you want to operate on (VHF or UHF). Also, how many mobile radios will operate on your system?
2Check the specifications for your 2 way radio system. You need to know the seven-character emission designator code; the power output of your radio system’s amplifier and its antenna; the structure of the antenna (such as a pole antenna, a freestanding tower, or an antenna that is mounted on the side of a building or on the roof). You also need to know the height of the antenna, and the height of the building the antenna is mounted on (if applicable).
3Calculate the latitude and longitude of your antenna location (written as degrees, minutes and seconds). You can use the Itouchmap Resource link included in this article to quickly obtain this information.
4Determine how far above sea level your antenna site is (measured in meters). You can use the GPSVisualizer Resource link to help you determine the elevation of the site terrain using latitude and longitude.
5Use the “Frequency Coordinators” Resource link to help you find the most appropriate radio frequency in the industrial/business radio pool for your communications. The FCC-authorized Frequency Coordinator will also file your license application for you with the FCC.

How to Clone a Two-Way Radio

2 way radios allow individuals to communicate with one another by tuning into the same frequency and pressing a transmission button. Before two radios can communicate through the same frequencies, they must be programmed with specific information. When large groups of people are utilizing two-way radios, it can be convenient to clone the programming on the radios. This process requires the use of a cloning cord, which can be purchased from your two-way radio’s manufacturer. This will save you from having to program each of the radios individually.
1Purchase a cloning cord for the specific make and model of the two-way radios you are cloning.
2Connect your programmed radio to the two-way radio that has yet to be programmed via the cloning cable.
3Follow the instructions that came with your cloning cable for how to clone the make and model of two-way radio. If your cloning cable did not come with instructions, you will find them in the manual for your two-way radio.

Can You Trace Two Way Radio Transmissions?

Single Tracer
If the radio transmits long enough, a highly directional and portable antenna can be used. This type of antenna only picks up signals when pointing almost straight at the target. By slowly turning the antenna 360 degrees, the transmission direction can be found. Move in the direction of the signal and eventually the transmitter will be found.
Triangulation
A minimum of three stations with the same frequency and directional antenna systems are needed. By orienting their antennas to receive the maximum signal strength from the transmitter, the location of the radio can be narrowed down significantly. This requires some coordination between the three stations.
Ping
Unlike cellular phones, 2 way radios cannot be traced through the ping method.

How to Register My Two-Way Radios

Filing for a GMRS License Online
1Go to the “Universal Licensing System” Web page on the FCC website. If this is your first time using the FCC online Universal Licensing System, you mustto fill out the FRN registration form to receive a FRN registration number. You need this number to gain access to the Universal Licensing System. There will be a “Register” link provided on the Web page.
2Log into the Universal Licensing System. Click on “Apply for a new license.” To operate a GMRS or FRS/GMRS 2 way radio, you must apply for a “General Mobile Radio (GMRS)” license. The two-letter radio service code used for General Mobile Radio Service licenses is “ZA.”
3Follow the prompts to fill out and submit your licensing application.
Filing for a GMRS License Using the Paper Form
4Contact the FCC to obtain FCC Form 160 (which is designated as the “CORES Registration Form”), and FCC Form 605 (which is designated as a “Quick-Form Application for Authorization in the Ship, Aircraft, Amateur, Restricted and Commercial Operator, and General Mobile Radio Services). Print both of these forms from the FCC website by going to the FCC’s “Form Page”. You can also request that the form be mailed to you by calling the FCC’s Forms Distribution Center at 1-800-418-3676.
5Register with the FCC to obtain a FRN registration number. You can do this through the mail by filling out and submitting Form 160. You can also register online. You’ll need this number to fully fill out your GMRS license application. If you register the form by mail, you’ll need to wait for the FCC to respond with your FRN registration number before applying for the GMRS license.
6Fill out and submit FCC Form 605 to apply for a GMRS license. The form is self explanatory. When asked to fill in the “Radio Service Code,” fill in “ZA.” “ZA” is the two letter radio service code used for General Mobile Radio Service licenses.

How to Program a Kenwood Two-Way Radio

Set Default Channel Frequency
1Turn the 2 way radio off and hold down the “Menu” key. Turn on the radio and release the “Menu” key after approximately 1 second.
2Use the arrow keys to select a channel.
3Press the “Menu” button again.
4Use the arrow keys to select a frequency within the channel selected in Step 2.
5Press “Menu” and repeat steps 2 through 4 for each channel you want to program. Press “PTT,” “Mon” or “Cal” to exit.
Scanning for Channels
6Turn the radio off and hold down the “Menu” key. Turn on the radio and release the “Menu” key after approximately 1 second.
7Press either the up or down arrow until “Sc” flashes on the screen.
8Press “Menu.” Press either the up or down arrow until “Sc-on” flashes on the screen.
9Press “Menu” then “PTT,” “Mon” or “Cal” to exit.
10Press and hold the up arrow until “Scan” appears on the screen. The Kenwood radio will scan and connect to compatible frequencies in range of the radio.

How to Program a Two-Way Radio

1Charge the radio’s battery before programming it. Place the battery in the charger and plug your charger into a functioning wall outlet. You will see a flashing green light illuminate on the charger, letting you know the battery is charging. The light will remain a steady green when the battery has finished charging. If you see no indicator light at all, the battery may be inserted incorrectly. Remove the battery from the charger after it has fully charged and insert it in the back of the two-way radio with an audible click. Fasten all battery latches, which are located on the bottom or edges.
2Turn the 2 way radio on by twisting the “On/Off/Volume” knob located on the top of the radio. Turn the knob clockwise. You will hear a click and then noise. Adjust the volume to a comfortable listening level.
3Specify the zone of channels you wish to explore. A zone is made up of 16 channels, and your radio offers eight zones to choose from. Push the “Menu” button, then the “Up” or “Down” button continuously (located on the front of the radio) until you see the word “Zone” appear on the display. Push the “Menu” button again to select the “Zone” function. Use the “Up” or “Down” keys again to highlight the desired zone, then push “Menu” to select it. Choose the same zone as those in your party with whom you wish to communicate.
4Select a channel within the specified zone. Turn the “Channel Selector” knob (located on top of your radio) counterclockwise or clockwise to cycle through the different channels. Use the same channel as those with whom you wish to communicate.
5Send a call by first selecting the zone and channel of the person you wish to call. After you’ve set your radio, hold the speaker (located on the front of the radio) up to your mouth, push the “PTT” (Push-to-Talk) button (located on the left edge of your radio) with your fingers and speak into the microphone. When you are finished speaking, let go of the “PTT” button to hear a response. Confirm that the volume has been turned up loud enough to hear your party.

How Does a Two-Way Radio Work?

Radio Waves
A 2 way radio is simply a regular radio that is equipped with a transmitter and receives a signal from only one other transmitter.
Radio waves work by converting data (of any kind, but in this case sound) into a sine wave. A sine wave is a form electronic signal that is based on oscillating electrical current. (To oscillate means to change between two points.) A sine wave moves repeatedly between two points of high and low voltage; this change is known as the amplitude of the wave.
These electrical currents are generated by just one object, but they will naturally affect any conductive material in their vicinity, because they cause electrons to move in all directions. Transmission is the process of electrically boosting this occurrence.
Encoding Information
A sine wave does not carry information on its own. For sound data to be transmitted, it needs to be converted into a sine wave itself, then attached to a “signal” sine wave. This can be done by altering the amplitude– hence the term amplitude modulation, or AM, as in AM radio. A two-way talk radio uses amplitude modulation.
Carrier Signals and Information Signals
The rate at which a sine wave oscillates is known as the frequency of the wave. The sine wave of each data stream has its own frequency, which enables us to tell one wave from another.
To locate a particular signal that is being transmitted, any signal-receiving device must be calibrated to pick up a particular speed of sine wave. A two-way radio will usually only pick up one frequency–namely, the one coming from its partner or partners. The radio is also equipped with a tuner, which filters out all other signals.
A standard two-way radio can send and receive signals, but not at the same time. A cellular phone, however, is merely a form of two-way radio that can.
Microphone
All two-way radios contain microphones. A microphone is a device that converts sound into electrical patterns, which can then be sent over the radio. The microphone does this using the vibrational energy all sound produces. There is a variety of ways in which microphones do this, but all involve some type of internal device that is physically vibrated by the sound that reaches it.
Speaker
2 way radios also contain speakers. A speaker works according to a similar principle as a microphone, but in this case, the electrical patterns are being converted into sound waves, then amplified. The speaker picks up these signals from radio broadcasts and transforms them into amplified vibrations, which the ear and brain translate into sound.

How to Make A Two-Way Radio Antenna

1Attach the base to the doweling. The first thing you want to do to is attach a sturdy base to the 1-inch doweling. The base can be square or round depending on the available materials. Firmly fix the wooden dowel to the base using a nail or a screw. Use wood glue on the bottom of the dowel before tightening it flush to the base if you are worried about stability.
2Attach the metal disk at the top of the antenna. Strip the end of your .16 mm PVC wire and place it between the aluminum metal disk and the top of the wood dowel. Tighten the disk to the top of the dowel using a nail or a screw. Make sure the stripped end of the wire is logged tightly enough between the pieces so that it can not be pulled out.
3Wind the wire tightly around the shaft of the dowel. When winding make sure the coils are flush against one another and tightly wound down the shaft of the rod. Once the wire has been completely wound around the dowel down to the base secure the wire tightly to the wooden base using a wood staple. You can use a staple gun or a hammer if one is not available. Continue to unravel the PVC wire until you are satisfied with its length. Remember, this is the part of the wire you will connect to your two way radio receiver, so make sure it is long enough to connect from where you plan on putting the antenna. Using the PVC tape wrap the dowel and wire tightly and completely for protection and insulation.
4Place the antenna near a window. Take the wire that is extending from the antenna and attach it to the tuner on your two way radio. Your antenna is now ready for use with a 2 way radio.

How to Program Motorola Two-Way Radios

1Program an interference eliminator code for a channel on one of the 2 way radios. Press the “Menu” button until the text code starts to flash in the display. Press the plus or minus button to select a code and then press “PTT,” also called the push-to-talk button, to program the code. Choose any code.
2Program the interference eliminator code to match on the second radio. The radios will not communicate with each other unless you’ve have programmed the same code into both radios. If you want to communicate with many different radios, don’t program a code at all, and leave the code display at its default setting of zero.
3Program a call tone. The call tone is a distinctive alert that your radio will make to alert others in your group that you want to talk. Press the “Menu” button three times. The current call tone flashes and “CA” flashes. Press the plus or minus button to program and hear the tone.
4Transmit your call tone to other radios by pressing the button with the music note icon. The corresponding radios must all be on the same channel and interference eliminator code.

How to Increase Power on Two-Way Radios

1Turn the 2 way radio on and tune to the frequency on which you’d like to transmit.
2Look for the output power switch. On Icoms, the switch is marked “H/L” which stands for High/Low. On Yaesus, the switch is the “3″ button and is marked “TX PO” for Transmit Power as a secondary function for the switch. On Motorola, it’s the “C” button with a secondary function marked “Low.”
3Alternate between high and low power. Press the “H/L” button on the Icom to toggle between low and high output power. “Low” appears on the display when Low is selected. Press the Secondary Function button and then the 3 button on a Yaesu. “High” will appear on the display, letting you know that High Power is selected, the default. Use the channel selector knob—the larger of the two knobs on top of the radio—to change between High, Mid and Low power. You’ll see the power level on the display. Press the Secondary Function button again to save your setting. On the Motorola, press “C” to toggle between low and high power. “Low” will appear on the screen when operating in low power mode.
4 Choose the high setting from Step 3, monitor the frequency and then press the PTT button to talk.

How to Buy Two-Way Radios

1Look at your budget. If you want to save money and expect to use the radios over short range (less than two miles), choose FRS radios.
2Choose GMRS radios–a newer type–if you need range up to five miles.
3Apply for a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license, which you’ll need to use a GMRS radio. You’ll need to complete FCC Forms 605 and 159 (Form 605 can be filed electronically at wireless.fcc.gov/uls/applications/).
4Purchase multiple radios from the same manufacturer. Although all FRS and GMRS radios use the same frequencies, their other features (such as so-called privacy codes) don’t always work between brands. GMRS radios share some channels with FRS radios. If you’re replacing an FRS radio, buy a GMRS unit.
5Take the range claims of 2 way radios with a grain of salt. FRS purports to reach two miles and GMRS up to seven miles, but walls, hills, trees, people and almost anything else will reduce that range.
6Look for a scanning function if you like to listen in on other people’s conversations. A scanning radio will search across its channels for activity.
7Pick units with a vibrating call feature if you need to remain quiet while you use them (during your clan’s paintball war, for instance).

How to Use Uniden Two Way Radio Controls

1Grasp the 2 way radio in one hand and look at the face. Below the screen you will see five buttons. Four buttons surround a center button. The top right button in the group is the On/Off button. It’s marked with the universal symbol — a circle with a line horizontally through the top. Turn the radio on by pressing this button.
2Increase the volume by pressing the Up button. The Up button is the uppermost button on the right side of the radio. If you were grasping the radio in your right hand, it would be where your thumb would naturally rest. Turn the volume down with the button below it.
3Choose a channel by pressing the “Chan tone/scan” button — the center button in the group of five — and then pressing the Up or Down buttons to scroll through channels.
4Press the PTT button to talk. The PTT button is on the other side of the radio from the Up and Down buttons. The Monitor button is below it. Use the Monitor button to listen for weak signals on the current channel.
5Try some of the other buttons in the group of five. The left bottom button is the Menu button. Navigate through the menu by pressing the Menu button and then pressing it again to advance through the different on-screen modes like Scramble, VOX level, Call Tone and Key Lock. Keep pressing it until you get back to “Normal.” Transmit a call tone with the right bottom button, the Call button. Press the Call button to send the tone and then press PTT to talk. PTT will cancel the call tone.

How to Protect Two Way Radio Equipment From EMP

Electronic devices are vulnerable to an electromagnetic pulse, or EMP. Solar storms and atomic explosions high in the Earth’s atmosphere cause such EMPs. It is not difficult to protect against EMP damage, especially for small items like amateur or public safety 2 way radios. You can buy products that will protect your radios or you can improvise EMP shields from other items. There are several simple options.
1Measure the size of the radio equipment to determine how large a volume you need to protect. You may want to store other small items like a laptop computer; USB hard drives and thumb drives; cell phones; and electronic badges, keys, or other vulnerable items. Plan to locate the EMP safe near a cold water pipe, where the safe and the pipe can be connected by a soldered copper grounding strip, or to bury an anodized aluminum garbage can underground, as maximum protection from extreme EMP events.
2Use a nonfunctional microwave oven as an EMP safe. As long as the oven is intact physically, with no gaps between the door and the body, it will function as an EMP shield. While it will protect against some threats, for better protection, solder a braided copper grounding strip from the metal body of the oven to a cold water pipe (ground). This will protect against interior arcing from an extreme event.
3Use a commercial laptop or gun safe, if it is made from metal. For the best protection, solder a braided copper grounding strip from the metal body of the oven to a cold water pipe.
4Use a commercial anodized aluminum garbage can for larger items. The lid must fit tightly without gaps. Items in the can should be isolated from the metal interior by nonconducting materials packing peanuts, cardboard boxes or even by coating in paraffin wax. Like a microwave oven or metal safe, for the best protection, solder a braided copper grounding strip from the metal body of the oven to a cold water pipe.
5Bury a garbage can if you cannot solder it to a cold water pipe (or other ground point). Dig a hole deep enough that the lid is at least 18 inches from the surface when seated in the hole. Pack the can and then seal the gap between the lid and the can with waterproof tape or strips of cheesecloth soaked in melted paraffin wax.

Proper Two Way Radio Etiquette

Diction
Hold the receiver several inches away from your mouth. Speak slowly and clearly so that the listener may understand you, and spell unusual terms if necessary. There may be static or background noises competing for the listener’s ear.
Brevity
Keep messages short. For large amounts of information, break it up into key ideas. Write down your message ahead of time to avoid filling the airwaves with long pauses and superfluous speech such as “uh” and “um.” Short messages allow a listener to break in if they need a message repeated.
Sounds
Transmit only speech on a 2 way radio. The Federal Communications Commission forbids the transmission of “sound effects (music, whistling, etc.) or obscene, profane, or indecent words.” Also avoid noises strictly intended to attract attention or cause alarm.
Privacy
Others have access to a public frequency. Do not discuss personal information that you do not want the world to hear and never transmit false or misleading information. Accidental listeners may not recognize humor.

Two Way Radio Dispatching Procedures

Think Before Speaking
To keep the airwaves as clear as possible, it is important for the radio user to think about his message before opening the airwaves for communication on a 2 way radio. This is especially important in emergency services, where the radio must be clear for emergency messages that may need to be relayed. Once you have thought about the information you are about to convey, then you can radio in your call or complaint. If necessary, write the message beforehand or take small notes so that no part of the message is lost in excitement or frustration.
Identify Yourself
It is important to identify yourself to your dispatcher, even in small communications operations. It is possible that outsiders can interfere with your radio transmission, so you will need to make sure that the dispatcher knows who is speaking. After pressing the push to talk (PPT) button, make a statement like “Sispatcher, this is Unit Number One,” then wait for a response from the dispatcher before proceeding. In some operations, a first-name identifier is acceptable, but other operations will require you to have a special unit number to identify yourself. In taxi companies and police forces, this number is usually the same as the identifier labeled on the taxi cab or patrol car.
Clear the Channel
After you have finished your communication, it is necessary to clear the channel. This lets the dispatcher and other recipients know that your message is complete and you have nothing further to say. A common way to convey this is to simply say your unit number followed by the phrase “Clear.” A good idea is to wait for the recipient to clarify your message before clearing communication. This ensures that no part of your message was lost. Radio interference is a common cause of translation difficulties. User error is another major factor; sometimes, communicators release the PTT button prematurely and cut off part of their messages.

2 Way Radio Information

Configurations
2 way radios come in two standard configurations, Family Radio Service and General Mobile Radio Service. FRS radios operate on 1/2 watt of power and can transmit on 14 different channels. GMRS radios are higher powered, operating on 1 to 2 watts of power and transmitting on 22 different channels.
Distance
Two-way radios are able to transmit at different distances, depending on variances such as topography, weather, obstructions and lightning. Operators can attain long distances in ideal situations, but actual distance is usually far less than the maximum claimed by manufacturers. On average, two-way radio operators can expect transmission distance to be around 2 miles.
Batteries
Most two-way radios operate on standard AA or AAA batteries, while some models come with a rechargeable battery. Some two-way radio models enhance battery life by switching to low-power settings that kick in when long amounts of time pass between transmissions.

Types of Two Way Radio Antennas

Dipole Antenna
The most basic type of radio antenna is called the “dipole.” A dipole antenna is made essentially from one single wire oriented horizontally, with a connection in the center. The two sides of the wire on opposite ends of this connection are called the two “poles.” Dipole radio antennas are very efficient for their small size, but typically have limited one-directional range. They are widely used as general purpose antennas.
Small handheld 2 way radios with short rubber antennas use the dipole design. Inside of these rubber antenna housings is a simple dipole wire. This gives handheld radios good multi-direction reception. Another common example of the dipole design is the “rabbit ear” antenna used on televisions. In this example, the two opposing “ears” are actually two ends of a dipole mounted in a V-shape, with the connection placed in the center.
Yagi Antenna
A Yagi antenna is essentially made of several dipole antennas linked together. The core of a Yagi design is a simple rigid dipole antenna placed horizontally, with a connection in the center. Another horizontal dipole antenna is placed at a 90-degree angle to the first wire, and shares the same connection point. Finally, two more horizontal dipole wires are connected to the ends of the original antenna. The result is an antenna that resembles a two “H” letters placed side-by-side.
Yagi antennas are very efficient at transmitting and receiving in one direction. This makes them useful for two-way radio communications where both stations are fixed locations, such as buildings or parked vehicles. The Yagi antenna design enables radio communication over longer distances than a simple dipole.