What functions does your radio need?
Radios have all kinds of functions that you should find out about beforehand. Many of them are indispensable for certain applications. In the following, we present the most important functions.
Here is a list of the functions:
- Pilot tone method.
- Scan function.
- VOX function.
- Radio with integrated GPS.
- Radio with Bluetooth.
Pilot tone method
Pilot tone method, squelch, or selective call – these are all synonyms for the same function.
In this function, a pilot tone is added to the actual signal. This pilot tone enables only those call partners who have set the same pilot tone (assuming the same radio channel) on their device to receive the signal.
This is equivalent to a selective call. But be careful: The pilot tones are standardized. This means that anyone with the same settings can listen in.
This method is also useful if there is a lot of interference in your radio system, i.e. if you can hear a lot of noise. If you then switch on this mode, the noise will be attenuated.
Scan function
Many radios have this function. It is used to automatically search for radioactivity.
But there are also special radios, so-called radio scanners, which have a broader search spectrum, which allows them to find radioactivity on almost any conceivable frequency.
In addition, there are radios that have a so-called dual watch mode. With this, two separate channels can be monitored.
Radio scanners are designed for listening only and therefore cannot transmit. Normally you don’t need a license for such radio scanners, but if you listen in on police frequencies, it is illegal.
VOX function
Radios with VOX (“Voice Operated X-change”) function are a must for many radio activities. In contrast to the PTT application (“Push-To-Talk”), which one is used to with conventional radios, the VOX function allows the signal to be transmitted due to the simple speaking.
In this case, the volume is evaluated at the microphone and as soon as a certain level is reached, the signal is sent.
This function allows the radio operator to keep both hands free for another activity such as riding a motorcycle or flying a paraglider. It should be noted here, however, that the airstream often already reaches the volume level and is thus constantly transmitted.
The VOX function is also useful for monitoring your offspring. For this purpose, an LPD radio with VOX function is a good choice, because it also keeps the electrosmog within limits.
Radio with integrated GPS
Radios with integrated GPS have many uses: hiking, skiing, driving, motorcycling, boating, or even flying.
If a radio has integrated GPS, it can be used to communicate your current position to others, which can be life-saving in emergencies.
Radio with Bluetooth
Radios with Bluetooth connectivity are very convenient. Because you don’t always want to have a cable going from your headset to your walkie-talkie.
Especially when riding a motorcycle, a cable is rather annoying, but also for other sports, the wireless connection via Bluetooth is much more convenient.
10 Meter Amateur Radio – Best Choice
Best choice
Stryker 10 Meter Radio
SR-94HPC 10 Meter Radio offer advanced features, customization settings, and 45 watts AM PEP in a remarkably small chassis. The wrap around cast aluminum heat sink does an excellent job at dissipating any heat that’s generated during transmit.
5,0 Rating
RF gain Of / Auto + 10 Attenuation Levels
Input Voltage: 12/24V
Antenna Connector UHF,SO-239
Digital S-meter Display
Modulation Mode AM/FM
Best 10 Meter Radio for Truck
How To Choose 10 Meter Radio
Best 10 Amateur Meter Radio
1.
PRESIDENT Ronald 10 Meter Radio
- 50 + Watts PEP
- Compact, and capable – with 50+ watts PEP, AM/FM, DW, Mic Gain, RF Gain
4,9 Rating
2.
Stryker 10 Meter Amateur Radio
3.
Stryker SR-655 10 Meter Amateur Radio
4.
President Richard 10 Meter Ham Radio
5.
AnyTone 10 Meter Radio for Truck
- Frequency Range: 28.000-29.700MHz (Programmable)
- Frequency Step: 100Hz, 1KHz, 10KHz, 100KHz, 1MHz
4,5 Rating
We have tested the 10-meter radios and selected the best products for you
Which modulation type should I use for sending my signal
For hobby radio operators, it doesn’t really matter which modulation type is used. What does matter, however, is that both conversation partners also use the same modulation type, because otherwise, the whole thing won’t work.
Since speech or music is very low frequency, they cannot be transmitted simply by radio. They must first be transmitted in a higher frequency range. To accomplish this, there are modulation methods.
What do I need the radio for?
Recently, there is a specially manufactured radio for almost every use: for mountain radio, marine radio, amateur radio, radio for hunting or forestry, radio for motorcycling, paragliding/paragliding, skiing, horseback riding, bicycling, etc.
What types of radio networks are there and which is the right one for you?
A radio network is used for wireless telecommunication by means of electromagnetic waves. There are different types of wireless networks.
There are digital radio networks and analog radio networks, but there are also radio networks that cannot be easily divided into these two categories, such as Freenet (part of the former mobile radio B network).
Here’s a list of the radio systems:
- Analog radio networks (CB radio, PMR radio, LPD radio, SRD radio).
- Digital radio networks.
- Freenet radio network.
Since no radio has access to all radio networks, you have to choose one or two radio networks. There are radios that can participate in more than two radio networks, but this is rather the exception. To make this decision easier for you, we will present you with the radio systems with their advantages and disadvantages.
What analog radio networks are there, and what are their advantages and disadvantages?
All radio networks have a carrier signal. The signal to be transmitted is stored on this carrier by means of modulation, which is then made audible or visible again by means of demodulation.
Analog radio networks can be used to transmit signals such as speech, sound (Morse telegraphy), and even images. Since each radio network transmits the carrier signal at a different frequency, there are various analog radio networks that are not compatible with each other.
Buying Guide
You can compare and evaluate radios based on these factors. In the following section, we would like to show you which factors you can use to compare and evaluate two-way radios. This will make it much easier for you to decide whether a particular radio is suitable for you or not.
In summary, these are:
- Size.
- Type.
- Intercom function.
- Water protection.
- Range.
- Automatic squelch.
- Battery life.
- Power supply.
Size
The size is an important decision factor for both mobile and handheld radios. For radio stations, on the other hand, it does not play such a big role.
Since mobile radios are usually installed somewhere, the size is very important, because you need to know in advance whether you can store the device in a certain place or not.
For handheld radios, the size is also crucial because you will be carrying the device around with you all the time. Therefore, it should not be too big. However, the disadvantage of small handheld radios is that they usually also have fewer functions and also less transmitting power.
Radio stations are often operated on a table. And since almost all radio stations fit well on an office desk, the size does not matter so much when buying a radio station.
Type
Under type, we have summarized the characteristic that describes for which user the radio was designed.
Among them are:
- Amateur radios, designed for amateur radio operators.
hobby radios, designed for hobby radio operators (everyone). - Company radios, designed for radio operation within companies/security organizations.
- Marine radios, designed for seafarers.
- Aircraft radios, designed for pilots/air traffic controllers.
- Radio scanners, designed for people who want to listen to the radio, but do not want to transmit actively.
Depending on what type of user you are, you should be more interested in one type of radio than the others. And according to that, it is important that you pay attention to each radio. Basically, radios differ in the way they establish wireless connections with each other, or in the radio networks they can participate in.
Communication technology
Here is a list of communication techniques and their characteristics:
- Full duplex: With this radio, you can transmit and receive at the same time.
- Semi/half-duplex: With this radio, you cannot send and receive at the same time, that is, while you are sending, you cannot hear what your radio partner is saying.
- No communication technology: Typical for radio scanners, with these radios you can only receive.
- A baby monitor, for example, the radio must have the communication mode full duplex, if you want to soothe the baby via radio.
If this were not the case, the baby would be transmitting all the time (since it is crying and the VOX function is turned on) and the baby monitor near it would not be able to receive what the parents are sending back at the same time.
When riding a motorcycle, it is also advantageous to have a radio with a full-duplex, because even there the baby is constantly transmitting due to the wind and the switched-on VOX function.
But there is the alternative to attach an external PTT button on the handlebar, so the VOX function is no longer needed and the wind only affects the radio quality. Half-duplex operation is standard for radios. Radios with a full-duplex operation are rather rare and therefore also associated with increased acquisition costs.
Automatic Squelch Control
The President brand has launched the Automatic Squelch Control (ASC) feature. This is an “intelligent squelch” function that assesses both field strength and sound quality, and based on this can work more selectively than simple squelch controls.
Most radios have, in addition to the automatic squelch, a squelch control with which you can filter out the noise at your own discretion. This has the advantage that you can also make signals audible, which are filtered out by the automatic squelch.
Battery life
If you are out and about, a device should be able to work for certain hours without you having to plug it in anywhere.
The key here is to find the best compromise for you because it is often the case that long-range radios have short battery life and low power radios can easily be used for 15 hours at a time without having to recharge.
Power supply
The type of power supply is an important purchase criterion for both mobile and handheld radios. In order to get the most out of mobile or handheld radio, you should find out about it beforehand.
If it is possible to connect the mobile radio to a cigarette lighter, then the radio is particularly suitable for use in a car.
If the handheld radio is powered only by rechargeable batteries, which can not be replaced by batteries, you should perhaps order a spare battery.
Or can you operate a handheld radio by a crank, then this is especially suitable for an activity where you have no sockets available for a long time.