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Which Two-Way Radio Service is Right for You?

BTECH Radios — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 14:36:57 +0000

Choosing the right two-way radio can be confusing. You can’t just buy a pair of radios and start talking on them. Most two-way radio services require licensing of some sort, and radios designed to be used in those radio services must be certified by the FCC. The most popular two-way radio services are:

Private Land Mobile Radio Service (PLMRS)
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)
Amateur Radio Service (ARS)

Private Land Mobile Radio Services(PLMRS)

The Private Land Mobile Radio Servicesis used by public safety agencies, utilities, railroads, manufacturers, and other businesses to meet many different communication needs. Frequencies include:

30 −50 MHz (Low Band or Low VHF Band)
150 −172 MHz (High Band or High VHF Band)
450 − 470 MHz ( UHF). Some urban areas have additional UHF frequencies from 470 − 490 MHz, and 490 − 512 MHz.

Low band radios have more range than VHF or UHF radios, but require larger antennas. VHF radios work well in outdoor environments, while UHF radios often perform better in urban environments, inside buildings, and when both indoor and outdoor users must communicate with one another.

Commercial, public safety, and government users must obtain an FCC license to use PLMRS radios. When you obtain a license, you’re assigned specific frequencies, and the radios you use must be used only on those frequencies. The radios require an FCC Part 90 certification, and are not programmable by end users.

We recommend the BTECH UV-82C for PLMRS use. This radio is Part 90 certified and can be used on both VHF High Band and UHF frequencies. Its features make it an excellent choice for PLMRS use.

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

The General Mobile Radio Service is a service available to individual users (no licenses will be granted to businesses, organizations or other entities). The GMRS uses channels around 462 MHz and 467 MHz. The most common use of GMRS channels is for short-distance, two-way voice communications using hand-held radios, mobile radios and repeater systems. In 2017, the FCC expanded the GMRS to also allow short data messaging applications including text messaging and GPS location information.

To use GMRS radios, you need to apply for a license (no test required) that costs $70 for 10 years. This license covers the licensee (must be an adult) and his or her immediate and extended family members. The licensee’s GMRS system may consist of one or more transmitting units (stations).

GMRS radios must be certified to FCC Part 95A or 95E specifications. They are generally preprogrammed to the GMRS channels and may include some Family Radio Service (FRS) channels. We suggest the BTECH GMRS-V1 for use on GMRS frequencies. It comes with GMRS two-way and GMRS repeater channels pre-programmed, and its many features make it very easy to use.

Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)

In the United States, the Multi-Use Radio Service is an unlicensed, two-way radio service. Established by the FCC in 2000, MURS radios have a power limit of 2 W, may not be connected to the public telephone network, or used with repeaters. This makes them suitable for only very short-range applications.

MURS radios require Part 95J certification and are generally locked to MURS channels only. We recommend the BTECH MURS-V1. It is very easy to use—even for young family members. The radios display the actual frequencies and CTCSS tones (aka PL tones or privacy codes) the radio is transmitting, unlike children’s FRS walkie talkies.

Amateur Radio Service (ARS)

Amateur radio operators can use many different frequencies, including HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies. In the VHF and UHF range, the amateur radio bands include:

6 m: 50 – 54 MHz
2 m: 144 – 148 MHz
1.25 m: 222 – 225 MHz
70 cm: 420 – 450 MHz
33 cm: 902 – 928 MHz

To use amateur radio equipment, you need to pass a license test (the license is free but there can be a fee for administering the exam). More information about how to become a licensed radio amateur, can be found on the American Radio Relay League website. Radios used in the ARS must at minimum be Part 15B certified. We recommend the BTECH UV-5X3 for amateur radio use. It is a tri-band radio that can be operated on the 2 m, 1.25 m, and 70 cm amateur radio bands.

As you can see, each of these services has advantages and disadvantages. Whichever service is right for you, however, BTECH can supply the cost-effective radio you need.

Service	License?	Advantages	Disadvantages	BTECH Radio
Private Land Mobile Radio Service (PLMRS)	Yes	Multiple frequency ranges. Requires frequency coordination.	Radios not programmable by end-user. Requires frequency coordination.	UV-82C
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)	Yes. $70/10years.	Can be used with repeater for extended range. License covers immediate family members.	Radios not programmable by end-user. Licensee must be an adult. Cannot be used for business purposes.	GMRS-V1
Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)	No. Licensed by rule.	Inexpensive radios No additional licensing to use Can be used for business purposes	Radios not programmable by end-user	MURS-V1
Amateur Radio Service (ARS)	Yes. Applicants must take a test.	Most versatile in terms of frequency availability and selection. No age limit.	Cannot be used for business purposes.	UV-5X3

Improve the performance of your rubber duck with a rat tail

BTECH Radios — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 14:34:24 +0000

Hams often complain about the performance of the “rubber duck” antennas that come with their handhelds. There’s even a question in the Technician Class question pool about rubber duck antennas. Question T9A04 reads, “What is a disadvantage of the “rubber duck” antenna supplied with most handheld radio transceivers when compared to a full-sized quarter-wave antenna?” The answer is, “It does not transmit or receive as effectively.”

Usually, the solution is to buy a better antenna. Here at BTECH, we sell the Nagoya line of HT antennas (https://baofengtech.com/accessories). These antennas are fantastic accessories for our BTECH radios.

Another way to improve the efficiency of your handheld antenna is to add a counterpoise, also known as a “rat tail” or “tiger tail,” to your antenna. As shown in the figure at right, the rat tail is simply a short piece of wire that connects to the ground side of the antenna connector. In normal use, the radio’s whip antenna operates against whatever kind of ground it can find. It works, but isn’t very efficient. With a rat tail, however, the rubber duck becomes much more efficient, meaning that you’ll be able to get out farther and receive weaker signals.

They couldn’t be any easier to build. For a 2m rat tail, simply cut a 19.5-in. piece of hookup wire, strip one of the ends, then form a loop that will go over the antenna connector where the rubber duck screws in. You can solder the spot where the end of the wire forms the loop so that the loop stays intact. Another option is to use a crimp-on ring terminal at the radio end of the rat tail. Before crimping on the terminal, make sure that it will fit over the stud.

Now, all you have to do is slide the loop or the terminal over the stud and screw in the antenna.

Keep in mind that the rat tail will be shorter on other bands. For the 1.25 m (220 MHz) band, the rat tail should be about 11.5 inches. For the 70 cm (440 MHz) band, the rat tail should be about 6.5 inches.

Finally, keep in mind that the rat tail makes whatever antenna you’re using more efficient. What this means is that you’ll get even more of a performance boost if you use a rat tail with a Nagoya antenna. This combination may be just what you need if you find that you’re only making a repeater marginally.

Step by Step: Getting a GMRS License

BTECH Radios — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 13:54:29 +0000

There are several choices when it comes to selecting a service for family or business communications, including the Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS), the Family Radio Service (FRS), the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS), and the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). Of these four services, GMRS is arguably the most capable. For example, although many GMRS channels are on the same frequencies as FRS channels, GMRS users can use higher power than FRS users, can set up repeaters to extend the range of their radios, and have access to limited data applications such as text messaging and GPS location.

These capabilities come with a price, however. While the CBRS, FRS, and MURS can be used without obtaining a license, an FCC license, costing $70 for ten years, is required to operate a GMRS system. You must be 18 years or older (and not be a representative of a foreign government) to obtain a license, but a single license allows any family member, regardless of age, to operate GMRS stations.

The first step in applying for a GMRS license is to first get an FCC Registration Number, or FRN, if you don’t already have one. First, go to the Commission’s Registration System (CORES) and click REGISTER. Answer whether the FRN is for an individual or business and whether the address for the contact is within the U.S. and click CONTINUE. Complete the registration information (the form is shown below) and click SUBMIT. The CORES system will assign you an FRN as soon as you finish completing the form.

The next step is to apply for your GMRS license. Go to the FCC License Manager and type in your FRN and password, the click SUBMIT.

The next page will show your current licenses. I am a licensed radio amateur, so the screenshot below shows the status of my amateur radio license. To apply for a GMRS license, click on “Apply for a new license.”

On the next page, select the last item—ZA – General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)–from the drop-down menu, then click CONTINUE. Answer the applicant questions, then click CONTINUE. On the next page, enter your name and address, then click CONTINUE.

On the next page, you’ll be asked if you have ever been connected with a felony. This is something relatively new on all FCC license applications. Answer the question, then click CONTINUE.

On the next page, you’ll be presented with a summary of your application (as shown below). If you wish to change any of the information, click the appropriate EDIT button.

Click CONTINUE TO CERTIFY to proceed to the Certification page. On this page, you simply certify that you are eligible to hold a GMRS license. Enter your name and a title, if you have one, then click SUBMIT APPLICATION. Next, you’ll see a confirmation of your application. Click CONTINUE FOR PAYMENT OPTIONS to proceed with payment. On the next screen, log in again with your FRN and password, and you’ll get a page like the one below with a variety of payment options. I chose to pay with a credit card.

Enter your payment information, click the Continue with Plastic Card Payment button, and then step through a series of screens to make your payment, and you’re done!

Eventually, you will receive an email verifying your credit card payment and notification that you’ve been issued a GMRS license. To download or print a paper copy of the license authorization, log in again to the FCC website and click the Download Electronic Authorizations link on the My Licenses page.