Two-way radios, sometimes called walkie talkies or long range handheld radios, allow for quick and direct communication between two people. Most have a push-to-talk button for voice transmission and some offer VOX (voice operated exchange) that allows hands-free operation. Some have privacy codes that allow for discreet use in a facility with ambient noise and others can work with multiple channels.
What Frequencies Do Two-Way Radios Use?
The frequency of a radio wave is important, as it affects how far the signal can be transmitted. This is referred to as wavelength, and lower frequencies have a longer wavelength than higher frequencies.
VHF – High Frequency / Low Wavelength
As the name suggests, VHF uses a higher frequency than UHF but with a shorter wavelength, which makes it better for penetration of concrete and steel structures when communicating outdoors. It is a good choice for construction, mining and oil companies where workers are off the grid and out of cellular service.
UHF – Ultra High Frequency / Longer Wavelength
As its name implies, UHF uses a longer wavelength than VHF but has a shorter broadcast range, from 300 MHz to 3 GHz. It can penetrate walls and steel when communicating indoors, making it ideal for churches, medical offices, retail shops, hotels, casinos and similar environments.
It is also important to remember that even if two people are on a certain frequency, other devices may be using that same channel at the same time or sharing that same frequency with you, so it is best to keep the conversation brief and efficient. This will help keep the radios from tying up and prevent confusion.
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