EMERGENCY ACTION PLANNING > Blog > Communication > TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS PART IIIC
TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS PART IIIC
Disaster Communications Tools IIIC
In this report, you will learn about commercial two-way radio communications equipment.
We will review, and provide links for additional information for:
Personal Radio Services:
Citizen Band Radio (CB)
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
Family Radio Service (FRS)
And
Amateur Radio, also known as HAM Radio.
What we will not cover are;
Aviation Radio
Marine Radio
Previous posts on Disaster Communication can be found here:
Part I: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-vk
Part II: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-vw
Part IIA: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-vP
Part IIIA: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-y4
Part IIIB: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-yc
Part IIIC;
Personal Radio Services
Amateur (HAM) Radio
Radio Range
Two-way radios will only transmit and receive at a specific distance.
A manufacturer stated radio range is rated by the Mountain top to Valley floor capability.
This range will vary with the antenna and maximum power output available.
As the radio comes down from the mountain top, range will be limited by the curve of the earth, hills, buildings, trees, and other obstructions.
Two-way voice communications range with commercial radio devices is directly related to the power output, the antenna being used, and obstruction between the two radios.
This is consistent with all types of commercial radios.
In a built-up area like a city. The maximum effective range can be between .5 miles to 5 miles. This is dependent on power output, antenna, and obstructions.
There will always be exceptions to these rules of radio range.
Personal Radio Services
Personal radio services provide short-range, low power radio for personal communications, radio signaling, and business communications not provided for in other wireless services. The range of applications is wide, spanning from varied one and two-way voice communications systems to non-voice data transmission devices used for monitoring patients or operating equipment by radio control. Licensing and eligibility rules vary. Some personal radio services require a license grant from the FCC, while others require only that you use equipment that is properly authorized under the FCC’s rules. See specific service pages for the licensing and eligibility details about each individual service.
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/personal-radio-services
Citizens Band (CB) Radio
According to the Federal Communications Commission, the citizen’s band radio service (CB) is a private two-way short distance voice communication service for personal or business activities of the general public.
Be aware. There is nothing private about CB radios. Anybody tuned into the channel you are transmitting on can hear you. This is applicable to all two-way radios.
This is a short-range one to five-mile voice to voice radio communications device.
There are 40 channels available in the CB range. Channel number nine is reserved for emergency communications or for traveler’s assistance. Some units offer SSB.
What is SSB? Single sideband (SSB) is used both for amateur (ham) radio and is a capability in some CB radios that include this feature. SSB is another way that the radio waves are carried over the air. SSB radios will transmit and receive the standard channels along with lower sideband and upper sideband channels, giving you more channels to operate on. Another benefit of SSB radios is additional power. The FCC allows 12 watts of transmit power for SSB, however, both sending and receiving CB radios need to have the capability to communicate on those channels.
Uniden BEARCAT 980SSB
Uniden BEARCAT 980SSB 40- Channel SSB CB Radio with Sideband NOAA Weather Band;
CB radios are available as mobile devices which are mounted inside vehicles. These can also be used as base stations in a residential or business environment.
Midland 75-822
Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB-Way Radio
Portable CB radio with 40 CB channels, 10 NOAA channels, and 4 Watts of output power
Power with six AA batteries or included cigarette lighter adapter for mobile use
Instant access to NOAA Radio, channels 9 and 19; Dual Watch monitors channel 9 and additional channel
ANL (automatic noise limiter) and squelch control for improving reception and eliminating noise
Your actual range will be limited by the power output, antenna, curve of the earth, hills, buildings, trees, and other obstructions.
There are no age or licensing requirements to use a CB radio.
General Mobil Radio Service (GMRS)
According to the Federal Communications Commission, the General Mobil Radio Service is a licensed radio service for short-distance two-way voice communications using handheld radios, mobile radios, and repeater systems.
The GMRS is available to an individual for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of the license holder and their immediate family members.
There are 30 GMRS channels, and most GRMS radios have multiple privacy codes that allow use while other people are using the same frequencies.
You may apply for a GMRS license if you are 18 years or older and not a representative of a foreign government. If you receive a license, any family member, regardless of age, can operate GMRS stations and units within the licensed system.
What this means is that one person in a family can get a license, then anybody in the family regardless of age can use a GMRS radio to communicate with other members of the family.
I am licensed for GMRS use with my family.
For licensing information:
https://quality2wayradios.com/store/GMRS-FCC-License
https://midlandusa.com/why-do-i-need-a-gmrs-license-how-do-i-get-it/
Note, these are third party websites that have no affiliation with Emergency Action Planning LLC.
Or call the FCC hotline at 1-800-418-3676. If you have any questions you can contact the FCC direct at 1-888-225-5322.
Midland – MXT115 & GXT1000 Bundle
Midland – MXT115 & GXT1000 Bundle
The 15 Watt MicroMobile walkie talkie is equipped with 15 High/Low Power GMRS channels and 8 Repeater Channels for increased communication range.
The MXT115 features 15-Watts of power and detachable external magnetic mount mobile antenna offers the capability for extended range beyond that of the average GMRS radios.
The GXT1000VP4 offers a 36-mile communication range in open areas with little or no obstruction.
NOAA Weather Scan that will automatically scan through 10 available weather (WX) band channels and locks onto the strongest weather channel to alert you of severe weather updates. NOAA Weather Alert will sound an alarm indicating that there is a risk of severe weather in your area.
MicroMobile and GXT1000VP4 walkie talkies each have 142 privacy codes that give you many channel options so unwanted transmissions are not heard.
These radios give the best range when there is a clear view between the two radios, in other words, you have a line of sight. Your actual range will be limited by the power output, antenna, curve of the earth, hills, buildings, trees, and other obstructions. GMRS radios are best suited for inter-family communications at short range one to five miles.
Family Radio Service (FRS)
The FRS has 22 channels in the 462 MHz and 467 MHz range, all of which are shared with GMRS.
The usual range of an FRS device on channels 8-14 is less than one-half mile, but longer-range communications can be achieved depending on conditions.
Some FRS radios do provide an NOAA weather scan option.
FRS radios operate at 2 Watts of power.
There are no Licensing Requirements.
Uniden SX507-2CKHS
Uniden SX507-2CKHS
NOAA weather channels with alert – receive emergency/weather broadcasts from the NOAA national weather service.
Waterproof Jis7 floating design – rated at 3 feet submersion for 30 minutes.
142 privacy Codes and 142 direct call Codes
Offers 22 FRS channels.
14 hours of battery life – rechargeable AA NiMH batteries.
Manufacturers state general ranges from 20 to 50 miles.
These radios give the best range when there is a clear view between the two radios, in other words, you have a line of sight between the operating radios.
Your actual range will be limited by the curve of the earth, hills, buildings, trees, and other obstructions.
FRS radios are best suited for inter-family communications at short range 0.5 – 1.5 miles.
Amateur (HAM) Radio
I will mention the HAM radio because it is an option. The most complicated, but an option.
Ham radio can provide communications around the block, around the city, around the state, around the country, and around the world.
Ham radios are unique because they cover a very broad spectrum of frequencies as opposed to the radios that were mentioned above.
And you absolutely must be licensed to use one.
You do not need to be licensed to listen to one. If you were to buy a small handheld portable ham radio device it would be very good for listening on a broad spectrum of frequencies within your community which would give you a heads up on specific types of information.
For more information, contact your local Amateur Radio Club or the National Association for Amateur Radio at http://www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio
BF-F8HP
BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio
The BF-F8HP is the most powerful BaoFeng capable of transmitting 8 watts! A PC03 FTDI Programming Cable is Recommended for Easier PC Programming
The BF-F8HP is the third and final generation of the UV-5R. Some new features found in the BF-F8HP are the three selectable power levels (Low – 1w, Med – 4/5w, High-7/8w); the BF-F8HP has a better high-gain antenna (7″) that was not available in earlier models; the BF-F8HP also brings back the customizable tri-color display that was not found in second-generation UV-5Rs. The BF-F8HP also comes with a Full IN-DEPTH 76 Page User Manual that will help you get aquatinted with all the New Features!
***Note***
This type of radio may no longer be available for purchase after September 30, 2019.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/08/29/2017-17395/personal-radio-service-reform
Icom IC-718 HF All Band Amateur Base Transceiver 100 Watts – Original Icom USA
IC-718 HF All Band Transceiver
The HF bands allow you to communicate over long distances covering many km even to the other side of the world. With the superior performance found in the IC-718 such as wide dynamic range, high C/N ratio, and full duty operation you will find making these contacts easy. Experience the combination of the latest RF and digital technology, along with the size and simplified operation. You will see the IC-718 will be the most practical rig you will ever own.
The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual
Discover the excitement of ham radio. The Amateur Radio Service offers a unique mix of public service, technology, and experimenting with electronics–all with an emphasis on fun. Some hams use their skills to provide communications during emergencies and disasters when all else fails. Others enjoy talking to people across the country and around the globe, and operating portable radio equipment from anywhere. The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual will guide you as you get started–as you select your equipment, set-up your first station, and get on the air!
Summary:
Personal Radio Services: Include Citizens Band Radios, General Mobil Radio Service, and Family Radio Service.
They all operate on different wavelengths and different wattage outputs.
Effective range can vary between ½ mile, up to 35 miles depending on the geographic location of the radio, the power it is using and the type of antenna.
General Mobil Radio Service requires licensing. This license allows all family member to use GMRS radios to talk with each other. License is good for 10 years.
Amateur radio is known as ham radio, it allows you to talk around the world. They are the most complicated of all the personal radios.
Amateur Radio requires training and licensing in order to transmit on them.
Determining your communication needs will assist with identifying a two-way radio that can be of help when the cell towers are down.
There is nothing private about two-way radios. Anybody tuned into the channel or frequency you are transmitting on can hear you. This is applicable to all two-way radios.
Stay Tuned:
In part four of the Disaster Communications report, we will cover procedures of Two-way-radio etiquette and Developing a Disaster Communication Plan.
Two-way radios operate much differently than your cell phone.
You cannot listen and talk at the same time.
To effectively use a two-way radio proper radio communication protocols, need to be learned, practiced and used.
Go to https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/resources/ and download a copy of Two-Way Radio Etiquette.
Till next time
“Be Safe”
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