Humble walkie-talkies have helped us communicate since the Galvin brothers invented them in 1940. Meant for police and military use, they are now a common sight in all sorts of workplaces.
But there are lots of things people miss about two way radio frequencies. And boosting your knowledge can help you choose the best two way radios for your business.
Read on for a quick guide to two-way radio frequencies.
Two Way Radio Frequencies: Hertz and Wavelengths
Hertz refers to the number of cycles a radio wave goes through in a second. Imagine a point on a graph, then a radio wave passing through it. A complete cycle means the wave has passed through that point. That is 1 hertz.
Wavelength refers to the distance from one point on the first wave and the same point on the following wave. You can picture this as one mountain peak to the mountain peak behind. Longer waves take longer to finish a cycle.
Higher frequency radio waves have shorter wavelengths. And vice versa.
Through Walls and Over Hills
High frequency, short wavelength radios pass through objects like walls and trees better. As such, they suit indoor use. But their radio waves travel less distance.
Lower-frequency, long-wavelength radios travel further but struggle to pass through objects. They suit outdoor, open-space settings where the distance between team members is greater.
Let’s have a look at the different types of two way radio frequencies and their uses.
Very High Frequency (VHF)
Most VHF radios are between 138-174MHz. This lower frequency, longer wavelength travels great distances in open settings. Outdoor businesses, guides, and sports teams use VHF for this reason.
Humanitarian groups working in rural areas use VHF too. And it enables them to coordinate their efforts over large distances.
VHFs struggle in dense, urban settings, though. Walls and structures absorb their radio waves. Dense tree cover could also be a problem. These settings are better suited to ultra-high frequency (UHF) radios.
Ultra-High Frequency (UHF)
These are 400-512MHz. This higher frequency passes through walls and objects better than VHF. This makes UHF ideal for indoor business settings. Warehouses, large offices, and hospitality settings work best with UHF radios.
Their short wavelengths mean they travel less distance than VHF. If you work in open-space settings, UHF will struggle to keep its clarity over distance. Choose VHF for these types of settings.
800 and 900 MegaHertz (MHz)
Police, firefighters, paramedics use these frequencies. They are popular with logistics, fuel, and manufacturing companies too. Their frequencies pass through objects with ease. But you may need a special license to use them.
800 and 900 MHz radios use control centers to modulate and direct their radio waves. Their high frequencies mean they rely on these control centers to cover a large area. They work best in urban settings.
Regardless of your radio frequency, two way radios need to be in good condition to work well. For tips on upgrading your radios, check out this article.
Over and Out
We hope we helped you get to grips with two way radio frequencies. They are essential tools in all sorts of businesses. And choosing the best radio frequency will let you use them to their greatest benefit.
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