CTCSS Or UHF Radio Scanner Comparison – Which One Is Right for You?

A 2-way radio is basically a radio that can both receive and transmit radio signals, unlike a simple broadcast receiver which just receives the transmitted content. It’s an infra-red transceiver, a radio transmitter and receiver unit in one unit, used primarily for bidirectional, personal voice communication with other wireless users with like radios. These units are very small, weigh less than an ounce, and work by picking up signals from a neighboring wireless device and amplifying it using a RF signal, which is the electrical signal that is carried along with the radio wave. These units can be used in a vehicle or inside buildings. They can receive and transmit signals within a few feet to a few miles. This is why they are often found in cars or other electronic devices.

The basic function of a two way radio is the ability to transmit and receive signals. This is a valuable feature for someone who needs this functionality, but cannot afford a dedicated walkie-talkie unit. A two way radio however has the additional capability to transmit to a larger area, usually over a longer distance. So it is useful for short-distance walkie-talkie operations, as well as longer distances.

The range and power of two way radios will depend on the manufacturer and model. Generally, their range is not too far, although their range capacity may be limited by the duty cycle, which is the total amount of time the radio has been on. The duty cycle is usually measured in hours, which means that the amount of time it takes for the unit to transmit will determine its overall power. Higher wattage units mean better range.

Some 2-ways have the ability to scan, receive, and answer voice commands. Some models can also do automated scans. Some scanners will require the purchase of separate software to enable voice detection. Others can use generic voice recognition technology and allow users to specify the frequency to scan.

There are some commercial agricultural and personal uses for a two way radio system as well. For example, a UHF handheld device may be useful to herd animals and monitor stock, or a livestock tank may support scanner capabilities to locate dead animals and monitor the overall health of the herd. In some cases, long-range communications are required to keep communication between workers and equipment active, such as with farmers in the field. In this case, an appropriate UHF handheld transmitter would be necessary. Some handheld devices can transmit to a fixed tower or a portable one, while others are intended for use in mobile units.

A variety of cTCSS codes are used to specify the operations of a unit. Each code is assigned a value, which is then decoded by the operating unit. Values are managed by the operating unit using a database. Some devices support multiple channels at once; this is referred to as “modes”. If you need more than one channel (such as in a multiple-channels scanner) you will need to configure the receiver accordingly.