Frequently Asked Questions About 2-Way Radios at Warehouse Radio, Inc.

Frequently Asked 2-Way Radio Questions

What the professional salesman needs to know !

HOW FAR CAN I TALK?
The secret law of the radio universe is that the distance you talk out-of-doors is essentially the same. It is independent of who made the radio, how much you paid for it or even its power...rather it is determined by three things and three things alone: antenna height, antenna height, and antenna height! Theoretically If you are holding your walky at an altitude of 5'5" standing on an absolutely flat lake-bed and someone is doing likewise you will overcome the curvature of the earth at 5 miles and begin to talk to one another...in practice modern radios are good for a mile or more out in the open on average terrain.

REPEATERS EXTEND TALK RANGE
A repeater is an artificially high antenna. The higher the antenna, the farther the user will talk. For details see:

WHAT IS THE WARRANTY? Depending on model Motorola radios carry a one-year or two-year warranty. Moreover a warranty extension to 3 or 4 years is available on most models for an extended warranty surcharge. (This is not insurance the user is responsible for casualty incidents.) Simply return the defective product to Warehouse Radio, 3038 State St. Columbus IN 47201 for replacement.

WHAT IS THE CODED SQUELCH OPTION? Also known as "Private Line" this feature is now included at no extra cost on new radios. It works to prevent a user from being amused, confused, or annoyed by other users on the channel...they are still there but you don't monitor their "traffic."

Many older radios, e.g. the SP10, P10 and the P50 models require optional extra cost boards to install this feature.

Motorola Portable radios programmed by computer:
SP50 and SP50+, P1225, GP300, GP350, P200, and P110,
Visar™, HT600, HT1000, HT750, HT1250, EX500, EX600, CT150, CT250, CT450, CP150, CP200, and PR400 chassis

Motorola Mobile radios programmed by computer:
M100, M120, M130, M208, M216, M400, GM300, SM50, SM120, M1225, CDM750, CDM1250, Maxtrac™, Maratrac™, CM200, CM300, & PM400 chassis

Radios programmable directly by end users:

SP10 & SP21

Pro, Pro+, M-Series

154.570 Reallocated to "MURS"	Blue
154.600 Reallocated to "MURS"	Green

WHAT LICENSING IS REQUIRED IN THE US? All 1/2 watt Talkabout product requires no license as provided in the Family Radio Service. Additionally..
NO LICENSE Multiple Use Radio Service "MURS" is available for properly type-accepted equipment on 151.820 MHz, 151.880 MHz, 151.940 MHz, 154.570 MHz, 154.600 MHz. 2 Watts power limit.
See http://www.walkytalky.com/murs.htm

Finally a very helpful site to develop a better understanding of GMRS vs MURS and more is: http://www.provide.net/~prsg/

Other Motorola, Spirit, and Talkabout GMRS radios are powerful enough to come under the aegis of the FCC licensing requirements. Licensing paperwork is technical and can be time-consuming therefore many users have retained third-party application preparation help. The cost is currently c. $350 for a 10 yr license for an unlimited number of radios. A good contact is:

The License Ladies
National License Service
(317) 849-5866

INTERNATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Every country regulates the use of the airwaves ("R.F.Spectrum.") with its own governmental entity. In the USA it is the Federal Communication Commission. In Canada it is the Strategis Client Services Industry Canada . In England Ofcom is responsible for the allocation, maintenance and supervision of the UK Radio Spectrum

In Europe it is often the Postal-Telecommunication bureau. These entities determine who uses which frequencies in their domain and technical considerations such as power, channel spacing, and what performance characteristics will be allowed...e.g. equipment used in the domestic US for motels may be reserved for the police in Africa...therefore end-users should carefully determine what equipment will be appropriate for their proposed geo-political area and what they must do to comply with applicable local licensing requirements.

Do not forget to specify local voltages available from the mains (often 220v) and the plug pattern (i.e. European or U.K.) needed for portable recharging equipment.