South Florida Businesses Communicate Better with Radio

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Communication is vital to the success of any growing business. A business that can serve its customers efficiently and quicker that its competition will succeed. Great examples that come to mind are tow truck companies that can communicate back to home base quickly to be alerted of a need or customer service floor people who can see opportunity and alert colleagues from across the store. Communicating in business is key, what matters is how you are communicating and what could improve your communications?

The norm in business today is to use personal cellphones for communications. In a small number of slower moving businesses they work, but Two-Way radio has been a consistent winner among most businesses in terms of speed and reliability. Two-Way Radio allows for instant communication amongst multiple people. No dial tones and no missed calls. Two-Way Radio can resist years of use and most every environment of use. Cellphones need to be upgraded every 1-2 years and are easily broken by a small drop or splash of water.

Small and large businesses alike have been using Two-Way Radios in South Florida to grow their business and become more efficient. A few examples of industries using Two-Way radios in South Florida include:

  • Transportation
  • Trucking
  • Towing
  • Security
  • Ambulance
  • Boating and yachting
  • Waste Management
  • Schools
  • Churches
  • Museums
  • Hospitals
  • Hotels and Hospitality

Radio Waves Explained

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Radio Waves Explained

Radio WavesWith all this talk of radios, walkie-talkies, wide area network, cell phones and the internet, do you ever wonder what exactly radio waves are? We use the term radio in our lives often, but do we really understand how they work, and what types of devices use them to transmit messages? To really understand how your electronic device works, whether that be a radio, handheld or cell phone, you have to understand how radio waves work. 

Radio waves have the longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic wave spectrum. They can vary in their size, anywhere from a few inches to miles long. In nature, radio waves are emitted by astronomical objects like the Earth, the Sun and other planets or created by lightning. We observe these radio waves from other planets and stars by building and using a radio telescope.

In 1867, James Clerk Maxwell proclaimed that there were both light and radio waves that travel in space and circle our Earth. Twenty years later, Heinrich Hertz confirmed Maxwell’s theory and was able to harness radio waves in his laboratory. Once Maxwell confirmed the existence of radio waves, and Hertz studied how to harness their power, we began using them mainly for communication. Because of Hertz’s ongoing work with radio waves, their frequency is now termed a Hertz (Hz).

In a vacuum, radio waves travel at the speed of light. In natural circumstances, they are slowed down by items at varying speeds. Different objects have different rates of permeability and therefore can even stop radio waves from passing through at all. This is why in areas where there are hills, mountains or thick vegetation, walkie-talkies and radios often cannot transmit signal.

The frequency of a radio wave is the inverse of its wavelength, or the distance between top of on wave to the next. We use different radio frequencies to “tune” into different wavelengths and the messages they carry. When using a radio, the antenna on that radio will pick up many different frequencies that are being transmitted during one time. In order to “tune” into one, we have settings that allow us to choose a station, or frequency so that we listen to only one message or set of messages at a time.

Radio waves created by man are regulated by the International Telecommunications Union. These rules and regulations decrease interference by users and designate which frequencies are used for certain communication. The ITU, which is a part of the UN, also governs over other forms of communication, such as the internet, TV broadcasting and aeronautical and maritime communications, just to name a few.

Radio waves transmit signals on the Hertz frequencies of 3 kHz to 300 GHz. These frequencies are split up and in different countries are assigned different functions for communicating. Some are free for civilians to use to talk to family or friends; others are for airline pilots, while still others are for communication between emergency personnel.  On a walkie-talkie, a person is able to set their device to a station, or frequency, and send and receive messages. A wave’s length, or frequency, will determine how far signals can be sent or received, in addition to the area’s terrain and any large objects, such as tall buildings.

In order to send radio signals even farther, companies are now starting to use repeaters that are set high atop tall structures to take in and them send back out radio waves. Using these repeaters, messages can be sent over hundreds of miles and done in a matter of a second. The areas in which repeaters are used are called Wide Areas. In order to use repeaters, you have to buy specific equipment that will work to send and receive signals to and from them. Your normal every day family walkie-talkie will not work.

Now that radio waves have been more thoroughly explained, along with their frequencies and governing body, choosing a communication device that is right for you will be that much easier. Taking into account the area you will be using your device in, its terrain, and location will help you decide which communication device is best suited for your needs.

Key Figures in Radio Technology History

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Key Figures in Radio Technology History

Radio History FiguresThere were many key influences that helped the radio evolve into what it is today. We’ve already talked about how originally the radio was used only in simplex mode, and messages were simply transmitted via Morse Code, to recipients. There was no two-way communication going on, and even speaking was not yet possible via radio waves. But the idea that a form of electrical waves could be sent wirelessly to others across vast distances to send messages was innovative. Once these waves were more thoroughly understood, the advancement of their use happened exponentially.

Radios were first used in large ships out on the ocean, were before carrier pigeons were the only means of far away communication. In Australia, two-way radios were put into police cars by Senior Constable Frederick William Downie, and in World War II two-way radios were used by men on the ground and in the air, and by both Allies and the Nazis.

Before delving deeper into the historical timeline of the evolution of the radio (and subsequently the two-way), we would like to first start with the influential people who made that progress possible.

Heinrich Hertz

Although James Clerk Maxwell had already theorized that electromagnetic waves existed, Heinrich Hertz was the first to actually prove it. In 1886 and 1887 Hertz developed an apparatus to prove that electromagnetic waves could be sent and received wirelessly, using scientific methods to weed out all other possible variables that could have affected his results. In addition to his research on electromagnetic waves, he also began studying the photoelectric effect, which would later be built on and proven by Albert Einstein. Sadly, Hertz did not realize the importance of his findings. When asked of its importance, his response was that it had little value in the real world and was not significantly important. In 1894 Hertz passed away from Wegener’s granulomatosis, a form of vascular inflammation that affects the small and medium blood vessels. The hertz (Hz) is a unit of measurement named after Heinrich, defined as one cycle per second (Hertz History).

Samuel Morse

Before voice waves were able to be transmitted via radio waves, a system of dots and dashes was used to send messages. Samuel Morse, Alfred Vail and Joseph Henry invented the American telegraph back in 1836. Morse created the “language” used to send messages, beginning with only numbers being translated at each message end. Soon Vail took that system one step further and included letters. Before voice waves were sent over the air, Morse Code was the only way to get messages out quickly, and in many facets of the government there were jobs solely dedicated to learning and typing out of this code (Learn more on Morse).

Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla, a scientist originally from Serbia who came to the United States to work for Thomas Edison, is best known for his work with alternating current machinery. He was an electrical and mechanical engineer, and soon after coming to America, struck out on his own creating new inventions. He sold the patent rights to his AC machines to George Westinghouse in 1884, and with financial backing kept researching in New York City for many years. He was known as a bit of an eccentric, or mad scientist, as his ideas were extremely futuristic and ahead of his time. One of his inventions, the Tesla coil, was used in the progression of radios. Today his popularity has made a come-back, with the Tesla car company basing many of its principles on his work (Learn More about Tesla).

Reginald Fessenden

Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian mathematician, moved to New York City in 1886 hoping to get a job working with Thomas Edison. He knew little about science or electricity, but told Edison he was a quick learner. After being put off a number of times, Fessenden finally got a job with Edison Machine Works  and quickly moved up in ranks. In 1892 he became a professor for the electrical engineering department at Purdue University (after Edison Machine Works lost funding and had to lay off many workers, including Fessenden). And in 1893 George Westinghouse himself recruited Fessenden as chair of the electrical engineering department at the Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh). Fessenden’s main research was in the use of voice/sound transmission via radio waves. He began working for the United States Weather Bureau to prove that weather information could be sent using a better developed apparatus and forgo the need for telegraph systems. In December of 1900, using funding from the weather bureau and his own inventions, Fessenden transmitted a sound wave about a mile away. This is thought to have been the first sound wave ever sent using radio waves. After Fessenden’s stint with the weather bureau ended in 1902 due to patent disagreements, two wealthy businessmen from Pennsylvania created NESCO (National Electric Signaling Company) to carry on with Fessenden’s research. The base for the research was in Massachusetts, where Ernst Alexanderson comes in. Fessenden believed that a high frequency alternator-transmitter was needed to send sound waves across far distances, and the gentleman put up to that task at GE was Ernst Alexanderson (More on Reginald Fessenden).

Ernst Alexanderson

Taking the research and work of Hertz and putting it into practical use, Alexanderson created a radio transmitter that was used in the early 1900s to send radio waves over great distances, called the Alexanderson alternator. Originally from Sweden, Alexanderson worked for GE in Massachusetts and using his transmitter, was the first to send out music over the radio. Under the order of Reginald Fessenden, Alexanderson created a 75 kHz alternator and played Christmas music over it that was heard by Navy ships and shore stations all along the East coast. The first television broadcast was also to his home in Schenectady, NY. Alexanderson kept working well into his later years, consulting for GE and RCA. He passed away in 1975 and is buried in Schenectady (More on Alexanderson).

Edwin Armstrong

Like many of his counterparts, Edwin Armstrong was a prolific inventor. Over the course of his life he held over 40 patents, and many of his inventions for the radio were used in both World Wars in which he also served. He invented the regenerative circuit, the superheterodyne receiver and the modern frequency modulation (FM) radio transmission (Read More). Unlike many of his radio inventor predecessors, Armstrong was very withdrawn and quiet. He did his research on his own, having never worked for or been funded by a company or government entity. He questioned his professors and colleagues, and kept his patents as his own. Many of his inventions were created in his parents’ attic in Yonkers, and it wasn’t until the death of the professor of electrical engineering at Columbia did Armstrong take a scholarly position (31 years after graduation from Columbia himself). Many of the inventions that Armstrong created are still in use today, including regeneration, heterodyne radio and FM radio. Sadly, after years of litigation over FM patents with RCA and new FCC laws pushed in place by RCA (who was a strong proponent of AM rather than FM radio) Armstrong committed suicide in 1954. He left a letter to his wife, apologizing for fighting with her, and jumped out of his 13th floor apartment. His wife carried on with his court dealings, and many lawsuits were eventually settled in his favor.

There are many other influential figures in the history of radio, and countless inventions that have not only set the stage for radio, but also TV and telephones. Many of the theories established or inventions created for radio made their way into many other areas of technology, such as transmitter towers, ships, cars, and the list goes on. Battles have been lost and won on the basis of radio, and it has been said that a large part in why there were any survivors from the Titanic were because of the use of radios. Since the late 1800s we have been using radio waves to send messages, and we still do today. From our firefighters saving our lives to our government keeping our land safe, radios are in our past, present and future. Keeping us connected and informed, radio technology has been and will keep doing for us what no other form of communication has yet to do.

UHF VS VHF

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UHF VS VHF

UHF vs VHFWhen using two-way radios, signals are typically transmitted via VHF (30 MHz to 300 MHz) or UHF (300 MHz to 3,000 MHz) waves on the radio spectrum. There are pros and cons to each. In some instances it is better to use radios set to the VHF frequencies, and in others the UHF frequencies. In addition to two-way radios, these frequencies are also used for television, cell phones and the internet.

If you are thinking about buying two-way radios, for personal or commercial use, it is good to know the differences between these two sets of radio frequency bands. Knowing what your radio is capable of, what type of environment you will be using your radio in, and what frequencies are designated to what use in your country are all important when deciding on what type of radio you will buy. Here are some differences between UHF and VHF, and how it affects how you use your radios.

VHF

The ITU (International Telecommunication Union) has designated VHF (very high frequency) radio waves at 30 to 300 MHz. These waves are longer than UHF waves (typically one to ten meters) and are most often used for long distance communication.

The key to transmitting radio waves a long distance along VHF waves is to keep both the transmitting radio and receiver above all possible interfering objects. VHF frequencies, due to the length of their wave, are unable to transmit through many objects like walls, hills and dense forests. Typically, transmissions sent along these waves are sent and received high above the earth. Air traffic control uses 118-137MHz for all communication, and air navigation beacons use 108-118 MHz. In addition, FM radio and television also use VHF frequencies, where most of their signals are sent and received high atop towers spaced all over cities and counties.

In each country, VHF and UHF frequencies are assigned to certain designations. Here are just a few:

  • 7-1001 MHz – Cable TV
  • 30-46 MHz – Licensed two-way land mobile communication
  • 43-50 MHz – Cordless telephones
  • 87.5-108 MHz – FM radio broadcasting (You’ll recognize these numbers as they pop up the same on your car radio)
  • 156-158 MHz – Marine Radio (maritime emergency and contact frequency)
  • 162.40-162.55 MHz – NOAA Weather Stations

On two-way radios, antennas can be used to increase the distance that signals are transmitted. Below 30 MHz, wavelengths are too long to do this. If using your radio on VHF or UHF, an antenna right on your radio can help with communication over longer distances.

UHF

UHF (ultra-high frequency) radio waves are shorter waves designated from 300 MHz to 3,000 MHz. They are 1 decimeter to 1 meter in length, and are also affected by mountains, hills, buildings and walls, more so than VHF frequencies. One advantage to UHF over VHF is that antenna can be much smaller when used on higher frequencies. At times, a base antenna is needed for a radio using VHF, whereas a small antenna on the radio can be used for UHF. In addition, there are many more frequencies available using UHF, which can be extremely useful in areas with a higher population density. In contrast, the shorter wavelength of the UHF decreases the distance at which signals can be transmitted. The line-of-sight between sender and receiver is much shorter with UHF waves. With both VHF and UHF radio signals can be intensified and sent over longer distances using both antenna and repeaters.

There are many things that affect the signal strength of radio waves. Physical obstructions, solar wind, moisture and the time of day all degrade the strength of radio waves. The higher the frequency, and shorter the wave, the more these easily degraded the waves are. So VHF waves degrade less and can be sent over much longer distances versus UHF waves. In order to increase these distances, we can use repeater signals that receive messages from various radios, and use larger antenna to then send the signals back out.

In addition to repeaters, all over the world are large towers and masts that receive and send radio signals constantly. Because these towers reach high above most buildings and are often set in open fields, they are able to send and receive transmissions from much greater distances. When used with the many frequencies available on UHF, a massive amount of data is sent through each tower every day.

For personal use, a simple analog radio set to VHF is more than capable of sending and receiving messages for great distances (as long as physical obstructions are not weakening the signal). For commercial use, radios using UHF waves give large populations access to many more channels than VHF. Add to that repeaters high atop towers, and distances can be increased to hundreds of miles.