FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What is the range of the radios?

The range of radios is dependent on several factors. The power of the radios, the topography of the land, obstacles (trees, metal, windows) and the frequency range of the radios. A guideline is 1-5 miles for a portable and 5-10 miles for a mobile. A repeater or multiple repeaters will allow long distance range within a region.

 

What is a portable radio?

 A portable is a handheld unit. It is sometimes called a handi-talkie, an HT or a walkie-talkie

 

What is a mobile radio?

 

A mobile radio is a unit installed in a vehicle. It is sometimes referred to as a FM radio, a MB, or a CB (although a true CB is a Citizen Band radio)

 

What is the difference between the frequency bands (i.e.; VHF, UHF)?

VHF (Very High Frequency) is the 150 MHz range, UHF (Ultra High Frequency) is the 450 MHz range. Low Band is the 35-50 MHz range. There are now 700, 800 and 900 MHz radios available. Most of the 700-800 are used for Public Safety and the 900 is primarily digital. The low frequencies follow the curve of the earth; the high frequencies are more line of site and have more tendency to bounce around.

 

Do I need a FCC License?

Yes; unless you are using the license-free DTR radios or the MURS channels. The DTR radios are digital radios that operate on 900 MHz and are frequency hopping. The MURS channels are 5 frequencies set aside by the FCC. Multi Use Radio Service (MURS) radios are restricted in power to 2 watts and are VHF frequencies. There are some GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) UHF frequencies available that do not require the coordination part of license, but still requires a license through the FCC.

 

What are MURS frequencies?

The MURS channels are 5 frequencies set aside by the FCC. Multi Use Radio Service (MURS) radios are restricted in power to 2 watts and are VHF frequencies. The MURS Service at a glance as described by the FCC is

Multi-Use Radio Service
Private, two-way, short-distance voice or data communications service for personal or business activities of the general public.
Also Known As	MURS
Established	2002
Service Rules	Part 95
Part Of	Personal Radio, Citizens Band (CB)
Related Services

 

 

 

 

 

      The CP110MURS Radios are capable of working on the  MURS channels.

 

What power do I need?

The portable radios (handhelds) operate in 1-4 watts for UHF and 1-5 watts for VHF. The mobile radios (in vehicle) operate in 1-110 watts (Average is 40 watts). The power you use depends on what you are licensed to operate. The higher the power the more strength you are sending out which should respond in better range. The antenna will be more help in increasing your range. A good antenna with a good ground is more beneficial than more power.

 

What is the difference between the battery chemistries?

NiCad, NiMH, Li-Ion.

The vintage chemistry is Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and is now becoming obsolete. It is notorious for developing a memory effect. It remembered if you only used it for two hours and would only maintain a charge for two hours. The batteries will eventually develop spots that cannot be removed.

Nickel-metal hydride batteries are the most common batteries being shipped with radios, today. They have very little memory effect.

Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries are becoming more popular. The standard battery can be swapped out for the Li-Ion battery as an option, look for the drop-down menu under the radio selected. This battery has NO memory effect and weighs less (noticeably less).

 

 

What is included with the radio purchase?

Motorola Portable Radios are shipped with the radio, antenna, charger and battery. Motorola Mobile Radios are shipped with the radio, mounting bracket, microphone, microphone hang-up clip, and power cable.  

 

What accessories are preferable?

The most popular accessory for the portable radios is the remote speaker microphone, sometimes referred to as a lapel mic. It allows the audio to be brought up closer to the ear and allows transmitting on the radio without removing the radio from your side. This is preferred because it reduces frequency of the radio being dropped. The earpiece is popular and allows the audio to be brought into the ear and eliminates others from hearing the audio. The handset for mobiles allows the audio to be directed in to the handset, eliminating others from hearing the audio. External speakers for mobiles are popular. An external inside speaker is good for increasing the volume of the audio, especially preferred for loud vehicles. An external outside speaker allows audio to be directed to the outside of the truck when you are a jobsite.  

 

What is VOX?

VOX is Voice Activated Transmission. I know the initials don’t work, it has to do with the word vox is a Latin word for voice and the x is representative of transmission; or something to that manner. The benefit of VOX is the hands-free communication, no need to push a button. BEWARE; many times VOX radios transmit some audio that is not necessarily wanted to be sent; a cough, an unpopular comment, ect…. This is normally activated when used with an audio accessory. Many of the newer radios have the VOX capability in the radio itself, so any audio accessory can be VOX. 

 

Can I text on a radio?

The digital radios have capabilities for texting. The DTR can have a list of preset messages for easy scroll to and sending of 5-10 Quick Notes. The MotoTrbo can be configured with text messaging. The radio must be ordered with the option to enable texting. 

 

What antenna should I use for my portable?

Antennas are specific to the frequency of the radio. There are standard and stubby antennas. The stubby antenna is shorter and will reduce the range of the radio. Many of the models of the radios use the same antenna, some are different. If you use the wrong antenna you could break off a pin in the antenna jack. Please contact me if you have any questions on antenna compatibility. It may save you an unnecessary repair. 

 

What antenna should I use for my mobile?

Basically there are two types of mobile antennas; a quarter-wave and a gain. The gain has the best range but is taller. A VHF gain antenna is approximately 36 inches tall and is cut to your frequency. The UHF gain antenna is cut also. It has a load in the middle and is about thirty inches tall. The quarter-wave antenna in VHF is about twenty inches tall and UHF is about ten inches tall. There are many types of mounts for the antennas. The hole in a roof allows the metal in the roof to become part of the antenna (the ground plane). If the roof is fiberglass or if you do not want a hole in your roof; there are other alternatives. Please contact me; we can work with our installers to get the best solution for you. 

 

Are colors available?

There are some radios that can be ordered with colored housing. They are the high-tier radios; XTS models. There are nylon cases available that can be ordered for most radios in orange and yellow. There is a minimum quantity. Please contact me to get the correct case. 

 

What programming information is needed?

The radios are not programmed (or are programmed to default frequencies). The radios operate on licensed frequencies that must be programmed by the supplier unless you have permission from Motorola, the programming cables and software to do your own programming. We need to know the transmit frequency and transmit pl/dpl (private line / digital private line) code and the receive frequency and receive pl/dpl code of each frequency. The frequency is located on the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) license. The pl/dpl is assigned by the supplier. If you do not have a code at this time we can assign a pl code. If you have existing radios with a code, the radios will not work together until they have the same codes. If you are unable to determine your pl code, we may be able to read your radio. It would need to be brought in or sent to our shop to read it. Some radios have a display that enables a name to be assigned to the channel. We need to know what names you want assigned to the channels. We need to know any other features you want enabled for example scan, VOX, low power, quick-call tones (popular with Fire Departments). Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.