10 Must Answer Questions to Choose the Best Two-Way Radio

Need help choosing the best two-way radio for your needs? Today's 2 way radios offer many features. Understanding those features and how they apply to your intended use will help you choose the right radio.  Take this short quiz to help you.

We're listed in Technorati now!

HWSXC8EV7X7U - We're listed in Technorati now!

BlueTooth Two-Way Radio Adapter Now Available

Want to talk on your two-way radio using a bluetooth headset? We now carry the SENA SR10 Bluetooth Two-Way Radio Adapter.  It works with ICOM, Kenwood, Motorola, Midland, and Yaesu two-way radios.  You can also connect the SR10 to your cell phone or GPS.  It comes with hardware to mount on a motorcycle handlebar, or you can clip the SR10 to your belt.  It can be used with any of the common bluetooth headsets on the market today.

Digital, Waterproof, GPS - ICOM's Newest Two-Way Radio

Read our article on the new ICOM F3261D Product Review
Let us know if you like it!   To order ICOM's new F3261D radio visit us today.

$25 off Each Kenwood ProTalk Radio

Kenwood ProTalk Rebate - $25 off Select ProTalk Two-Way Radios + Free 6-Bank Charger!  Click here for details on the Kenwood ProTalk Rebate

FCC License Fees Decrease

FCC fees for Public Land Mobile Radio Service licenses have been reduced.  Beginning September 4, 2012, the FCC fee for 'Shared Use' licenses using 30-470 MHz frequencies will decrease from $260 to $210, plus a $60 application fee.  'Exclusive Use' licenses using 470-512MHz, 800MHz, and 900MHz will decrease from $460 to $410, plus a $60 application fee.  Both license types are good for 10 years.

Check out the 'Resouces' section of our website. We cover topics such as 'Choosing a Radio', 'Getting a License', 'Understanding FCC Bands', and many more topics.  Here's just a sample of what we have on our website.

Understanding FCC Bands

The FCC has divided the frequency spectrum into different sections called ‘Bands’ or 'Services'. Bands consist of a range of frequencies. Some bands are licensed and some are not. The following table outlines the different service bands used in land-mobile and marine two-way radios, along with important features of each.

Primarily FCC Services Used for Two-way Radio Communications
Service	Frequency Spectrum Range	License Required	Length of License	Approximate Cost of License	Max Channels	Max Watts	Antenna Type	Repeaters Allowed	Usage Type	Comments
FRS	UHF 462 & 467MHz	No		0	14	1/2	fixed	No	personal only	Limited range due to low power.
GMRS	UHF 462 & 467MHz	Yes	5 yrs	$85	22	50	any type	Yes	personal only	Must be 18 years or older to receive a license, any family member, regardless of age, can operate your radio units.
BRS / PLMR	VHF: 150-174MHz UHF: 421-512MHz	Yes	10 yrs	$55 + $150-250*	512	100 +	any type	Yes	business only	Frequency ranges for other equipment can range from Low Band VHF to 1400MHz. * $150-$250 is for frequency coordinator.
MURS	VHF 151 & 154MHz	No		0	4	2	fixed*	No	mixed use	Must be 18 years or older. *Can use an external antenna up to 60ft to extend range. Good for use at temporary job-sites.
Marine VHF	VHF 156 - 162MHz	No*		0	48	100 +	any type	N/A	mixed use	For harbor and waterway use. Each marine channel is assigned a specific use (i.e. distress, navigation, etc.). * To operate in international waters you must have a license.
Digital & eXRS	ISM 900MHz	No		0	1000+		any type	yes	mixed use	eXRS is a digital proprietary design, rather than an official FCC service. Digital radio range is similar to UHF.
Note: The equipment you use must be certified for use within the service you wish to use.

 

FRS Radio Service (Family Radio Service)

The FCC does not require a license to use the FRS service. The FRS is intended to be used by family, friends, and associates to communicate within a neighborhood or while on outings. Most consumer radios now support both FRS and GMRS (see next section). If you purchase a FRS/GMRS dual service radio you can use it for FRS only (and avoid the need for a license) by staying within the FCC's rules for FRS. Be sure your radio is certified for FRS use, and that you are only using the FRS channels (usually channels 8-14). Also, the radio must be used in “low power” mode. When set to low power mode, the radio will automatically limit it's power to one half watt or less. All FRS transmissions must be one half watt of power or lower.

 

GMRS Radio Service (General Mobile Radio Service)

GMRS is a more powerful service for an individuals and their immediate family members. GMRS does require a license. Refer to the chart for requirements. Equipment must be certified for use in the UHF 450-470 MHz GMRS band, have a maximum power rating of 50 watts using any antenna.

 

Business Radio Service (BRS) or Private Land Mobile Radio (PLMR)

Two-way radios that are sold for business use, must operate on frequencies that are listed by the FCC under “Private Land Mobile Radio” band (also know as BRS or PLMR), MURS, or the ISM band.  Most commercial applications need the service an FCC PLMR license affords to ensure availability of communication channels for daily business use.  An FCC license must be obtained to operate on the PLMR band.

 

The FCC licensing cost for BRS/PLMR frequencies is less than that of the GMRS licensing cost, but the licensing process is more involved and the total cost is affected by the need for a Frequency Coordinator. Before applying for a license, the business must contact a Frequency Coordinator to be assigned frequencies that are not already used in their area.

 

After receiving your frequencies, you can complete the FCC license application using the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS). See our section on this website 'Getting a License' under 'Resources' for information on FCC licensing and a link to the FCC Universal Licensing System.  Once obtained, the license is good for 10 years, and can be renewed for a relatively small fee.

 

Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)

MURS is an unlicensed service that can be used for business as well as personal use, but since it is open to everyone you may find the lack of privacy and channel interference to be a problem in a business setting. Your radio must be MURS certified to use MURS. MURS is a good option for temporary job sites.

 

Digital & eXtreme Radio Service (eXRS)

Digital two-way communications operate on the 900MHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) band. This band does not require a license. However, most digital business radios also can operate on either VHF or UHF analog frequencies. You may use your radio on the digital frequencies without a license, but you would need to ensure the analog channels on your radio were not used unless you have a license.

 

Some digital radios are marketed under the category name “eXRS”. eXRS is a type of digital radio. It also does not require a license and can be used by anyone for any purpose (business or personal). Digital radios, including eXRS, use a technology called Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). They operate in the 900MHz ISM band only (no analog channels). Several radios are marketed under the name eXRS, or 900MHz radios. Despite the name, the system is a proprietary design, rather than an official FCC allocated service. If the radio has 4 to 5 watts the range is similar to what is achieved with UHF radios.

Help on Narrowband Compliance - Kenwood ProTalk Radios

Need help updating your Kenwood ProTalk® fleet for narrowbanding compliance?

Kenwood’s cloning feature provides a simple, cost-effective solution to narrowband existing radios. Kenwood Radio users have two options to narrowband their existing ProTalk® radios:

1. Utilizing the cloning function, you can update your existing fleet of ProTalk® radios to make them narrow band compliant. By using a new Kenwood ProTalk® radio purchased after August 1st, 2012 as the Master Radio, users can update the frequency list of their existing radios to narrowband compliant when they perform the cloning function.

2. Or you can send your Kenwood ProTalk® radios to Comquip and they will reprogram Kenwood ProTalk® radios at no cost other than shipping and handling. You will be charged the following for return shipping and handling:

1-5 Units $8 per radio
6-12 Units $6 per radio
13+ Units $5 per radio

Please contact Comquip directly for additional details 877-533-5331 -- www.comquipsales.com

Vertex Standard Rebate - Hurry Ending Soon

The Vertex Standard Rebate ends on August 17th. You can save $20 to $40 off each radio. See what radios are covered in the Rebates section of our website.