Two-way radios have been around since the 1940s, when they were primarily used by the military and police. But that doesn’t mean two-way radios haven’t kept pace with the latest technology. The term “digital age” may have become something of a cliche, but it’s a genuine reflection of a technological development that has had a profound effect on the way things work. Two-way radios are no exception to the rule.
Old-fashioned analogue two-way radios had some limitations. Among these, is their unfortunate propensity to broadcast absolutely every sound they picked up. In noisy environments, and at times when the signal was poor, that could lead to delays, with people repeating messages or struggling to decipher what was being said.
Since instant communications are the primary reason for using two-way radios, the switch to digital can be seen as an important advancement. Simply put, digital two-way radios digitally encode voices, scrubbing out background noise in the process. When the digitised information arrives at its destination, it is converted back to voice with none of the interference that would otherwise have been broadcast.
But digitisation achieved far more than just better sound quality. Security used to be a problem for analogue two-way radio users. With a bit of know-how, outsiders could access radio frequencies and listen in. Digital transmissions, on the other hand, are encrypted, allowing for secure communications. It also allowed for new features to be included. For example, GPS tracking, text messaging, and job ticketing are now basic features you can expect from a digital two-way radio system.
Even in a business context, digital two-way radios aren’t always a necessity. However, they do have several advantages, some of which we’ve already discussed. The benefits are:
Dgital two-way radios must be licensed. While this might sound rather daunting, you can obtain a licence quickly and easily, and Radiocoms can carry out the application process for you. The main reason why OFCOM licences are required are in users’ best interests. The radio spectrum is a finite resource, so it must be managed. Licensing coordinates frequencies to avoid interference.
There are several two-way licensing options with different cost structures. These include:
If you’re a Radiocoms customer and need help choosing and applying for the right licence, we’re here for you. Our customer support and consultancy services guide you through your digital communications transformation.
At Radiocoms, we aren’t tied to any specific brands, but with our decades of experience in radio communications, our team is expertly positioned to identify quality and recommend the best digital two-way radios to our clients.
Selection criteria include:
Our top picks are MOTOTRBO R7 Digital Two-Way Radios and MOTOTRBO R2 Digital Two-Way Radios. The MOTOTRBO R7 radio is tested to meet military specifications, so it is the tougher of the two, but in everyday contexts, the MOTOTRBO R2 checks all the boxes you need.
Which will work for you? Or would a less advanced system better suit your needs? To get answers that match your unique requirements, talk to Radiocoms. We’re dedicated to finding the right fit for your operational needs.
If you would like further information, or to discuss your requirements onsite:
Book An Appointment | Arrange A Quotation | Call 033 3939 0022
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