Elementary Specifics On Two-Way Radio Systems

Content is received and transmitted by a two-way radio. The operator in possession of the radio can participate in a conversation with other operators having a two-way radio, which operates on a similar frequency or channel. A two-way radio is also referred to as a walkie-talkie.

The operator of a two-way radio can either transmit or listen all at once. This mode is usually referred to as a half-duplex mode. If the operator desires to talk, but he was originally listening, then all that he has to do is to push the Push to Transmit Button. On the other hand, a mobile phone has a full-duplex mode, which means that you can both receive and transmit conversation simultaneously. This is because mobile phones work on two frequencies - whereas a two-way radio works on only one frequency.

There are only certain frequencies by which two-way radio systems can operate. Every country assigns this specified frequency for such radios and therefore these frequencies vary from country to country. For instance, a whole block of 22 channels are assigned by America to the general Mobile Radio Service. Operators can communicate on their two-way radios using any of these frequencies.

The allocation of these frequencies are done by the government depending on their own regulations and policies. The traffic-per-frequency and the availability of the frequency are initially determined. The topography is then checked, and how the radio signals will be traveling in urban and forest areas. It makes calculations on noise intrusion and congestion, and also considers other technical aspects. The final step is the creation of the proposal which a special technical committee should approve.

After getting the approval, the government then assigns the frequency. Numbers and titles are given to frequencies for easy recall, - for instance, between 27.695 MHz and Channel 10, the latter is surely easier to remember. The frequency that is given to two-way radios can be thought of as a bridge between them. You can find many frequencies being assigned to government departments and utility companies for their utilization. This is necessary because these organizations deliver critical services and their two-way radios must always be prepared for use at any and every point in time. Though utility companies and other organization use channel numbers for easy identification of frequencies, amateur radio operators tend to work with several frequencies because they are not bound by any law that demands them to use fixed channels.

The robustness of the frequency is one huge factor that affects the quality of the conversation between two-way radios. There are many factors that can affect the range of a two-way radio-system. Some of these factors include the noise in the atmosphere, atmospheric refraction and reflection, antenna characteristics, transmitter power, signal-to-noise ration, type of receiver and the height at which the antenna is positioned.

You will find that majority of two-way radio systems operate in the UHF and VHF bands, which is also the one used by mobile systems. Since a two-way radio makes use of line-of-sight broadcast, communication can be blocked by tall buildings that are within the line-of-sight. Atmospheric noise, weather and the frequency that is used are some more factors that can impact the quality of the conversation. There are a variety of applications by which two-way radios are used. Utility company workers, cops, hobbyists, hotel employees, as well as amateurs make use of 2-way radios.

These are the fundamentals of two-way radios.