Author: Nicky Jackson, Marketing Campaign Manager, MCA
One of the most common questions asked about two-way radios is “How far will I be able to transmit and receive with this radio?”, unfortunately, there is no simple answer to that question. There are many factors that can affect the range and efficiency of a two-way radio: terrain, environment, the radio’s power and even the antenna effect the radio transmission. Let’s discuss these factors and find out the best tips for combating them to help you improve the range of your two-way radio.
Terrain
Issue: The greatest factor that affects range is the terrain that the radio will be used in. In a perfect scenario, a two-way radio can transmit and receive up to 30 miles… but that is from an extremely elevated surface with completely flat terrain below. Even from standing on the ground with no obstacles to interfere with the signal, the curvature of the earth cuts off the straight-lined radio waves at 6.5 miles. So, when trees, hills, valleys, and buildings are thrown into the mix, it’s easy to see how a radio’s range can drop to under a half mile.
Tip: The best way to ensure you’re getting maximum range is to know your terrain before you buy. If you are needing radios for use in a fairly open area, then a VHF model radio is best for you. The longer radio waves of a VHF radio give a greater range over open spaces, but they cannot penetrate through obstacles as well as the shorter, faster waves of a UHF radio. That makes UHF the best choice for use around structures and in dense areas.
Antennas
Issue: When it comes to range, the higher up you go, the further your signal travels, so having a tall antenna, means your radio is set up for maximum range. Ideally, you want a radio with at least a 6” whip antenna, which has an average price of around $20. Most modern two-way radios have removable antennas, so upgrading your antenna is a low-cost, easy way to improve range performance.
Tip: If you are a mobile (vehicle) radio user, be sure your antenna is mounted on the outside of your vehicle, preferably on the roof, so you can get the antenna as high as possible.
Power
Issue: Having maximum radio power will also help to improve range and coverage. Fully charging your batteries before radio use means you are transmitting and receiving with as much power and strength as possible.
Tip: If your full battery is not quite giving enough power to reach the edges of your talk zones, you may want to look at trying out an alkaline battery pack. The average li-ion battery contains 1.2V of power, where an alkaline battery pack with disposable AA batteries will put out 1.5V. That may mean the difference in getting the message out or not.
Just out of range?
Issue: When you are on the edge of your range, and you are struggling to communicate to other radios, there are a few tricks that you can use to increase your range just enough to hear or talk when you need it.
Tip: (1) First off, Climb. Get to the highest point you can so your radio will have a greater line-of-sight. (2) Second, Stand Up. Most people don’t think doing something so simple would yield dramatically different results, but the simple act of standing can increase your range over 1 mile! (3) Third, Use High Power Mode. Initiating High Power Mode will give a significant boost to your signal which improves your coverage and can give a boost to your range in dense areas. (4) If all else fails, try the Monitor Function. Turning on Monitor will open your radio up to all signals on your frequency and will boost its receiving power. You will hear all the static and sounds occurring on your frequency, which can mean the difference in hearing an important message, and hearing nothing.
Building Up Your System
Issue: If you are in need of some serious range upgrades, you may need to look towards Motorola Two-Way Radio Repeater options, like the Motorola SLR 5700 or Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) devices that are part of larger and more robust Distributed Antenna Systems.
Tip: A repeater will pick up weakened radio signals and repeat them back out with a boost of power, giving you up to twice the range your two-way radio would normally be able to achieve. Repeaters are great for large outdoor areas that have many hills and valleys that would normally cut the radio signal short. They are also typically installed with a large antenna in the highest area possible to get the maximum line-of-sight and range.
BDA’s are ideal for increasing range within buildings and down into basements. Concrete and metal do serious damage to radio signals and limit range severely, but by adding a BDA can amplify your transmit and receive strength and help get through those barriers. But moreover, a complete Distributed Antenna System, that incorporates multiple BDA’s, fiber lines, and strategically placed antenna nodes will boost signal coverage substantially.
If you wish to learn more about improving your range through repeater systems or our more comprehensive DAS solutions, contact us today.
We are glad to assist you in getting the range you need to drive your business forward. Partner with Mobile Communications America (MCA) as your turn-key BDA and DAS System Integrator to ensure that front-line public safety personnel in your building can communicate—no matter where they are.
MCA provides services every step of the way—including consultation, engineering testing, iBwave design, full turn-key installation efforts and continued maintenance and monitoring of your system. We can provide monthly payment plan options—no capital required.
For more information or to schedule a site test, call 1-866-958-7821 or visit www.callmc.com/das.