UHF CB or PRS Radio Q & A

WHAT RANGE WILL A UHF CB OR PRS RADIO GIVE ME?

Generally speaking, range for a CB radio or PRS radio could be anywhere from 1 to 20 kilometers depending on terrain, type of antennas used and atmospheric conditions. The typical range to expect from a mobile UHF CB or PRS radio is about 4 to 10 kilometers. Home base station setups with larger roof mounted base antennas will usually give more range than the ground level mobile units.

WHAT IS THE BEST ANTENNA FOR MY MOBILE UHF CB OR PRS RADIO?

This is a tough question to answer and there are 3 variables. As a guideline, the higher the antenna the better it will work. Mount your antenna as high as possible on your vehicle and try to get at least 50% of it over your roofline. It won’t matter what brand name, colour or style, the antenna length is more important than other considerations and it must be tuned for the UHF frequencies that you intend to use. The longer antennas will not necessarily provide better distance.

DO I NEED A LICENSE TO OPERATE A UHF CB OR PRS RADIO?

No.

HOW MANY CHANNELS DOES PRS HAVE, AND ARE ALL RADIOS THE SAME?

New Zealand's Personal Radio Service (PRS) currently has 80 channels, expanded from the original 40 in 2011. All UHF CB/PRS radios are limited to 5 watts output and operate on this same channel set, but that doesn't mean a $150 set is as good as a $500 set. It's like saying that since all AM/FM car stereos pick up the same stations, a $200 unit is as good as one that sells for $1,000. Factors like receive sensitivity and selectivity, noise filtering, and modulation quality all vary between models. You get what you pay for. Features like mic and RF gain controls, built-in meters, noise blankers and more will also vary between different CB or PRS radios.

Over what distance will handheld two-way radios communicate?

Handheld radios usually operate in the 1 to 2 watt range and sometimes up to as much as 5 watts output (but note that higher power levels will more quickly drain your batteries). The lower powered radios might provide useful radio coverage at ground level over about 1 kilometre, assuming that one or both radio users are inside buildings or structures. Outside, coverage may be more than 2 kilometres if relatively free of obstacles.

What if I need to talk over a greater range, say 15 km, with handheld radios?

A 5 watt radio may give you a 15 km range in optimal conditions, i.e. no obstacles in between and clear atmospheric conditions. To gain more, it may be possible to use a telescoping antenna on a UHF or VHF handheld radio, greatly increasing your usable range versus that provided with the short flexible antenna typical of most handhelds. You may also have the option of installing an outside antenna at one end of the link. Depending on your desired coverage area, you might see a 10 to 15 km range, or more if one end is high above the other and clear of obstacles.

If you still need longer range, you should consider using a repeater. A repeater is a specially built receiver and transmitter pair that receives signals from low power handheld or mobile radios and retransmits them using a better antenna and more transmitter power. Consequently, the repeater can extend the range of a typical handheld by great distances. The actual distance depends on the system design and location. Where a repeater is located high atop a mountain, it may be possible to communicate with another station well over 100 km away.

What is the difference between a VHF handheld and a UHF handheld?

The terms "VHF" and "UHF" refer to parts of the radio spectrum. VHF refers to radio signals in the 30 MHz to 300 MHz range and includes many public safety and business communications systems, FM broadcasting, and aviation radio. UHF refers to radio signals in the 300 MHz to 3000 MHz range. As demand for radio usage has increased and technology has improved, many applications that once used VHF have moved, or are moving, to UHF.

Why should I use handheld radios instead of a mobile phone?

A mobile phone is ideal for making phone calls. It is not ideal for short-range, point-to-point communications where you need to make frequent, quick contacts, since dialling and waiting for a connection introduces delay every time. With a handheld radio, you push the talk button and speak without delay. If you need several people talking to each other at once, you simply put them on the same channel. Each time one user speaks, everyone on that channel hears them.

How much power do I need in my two-way radio system?

How much power you need depends on how you plan to use the radio system. As a general rule, you should always use the least amount of power necessary to establish your communications. This reduces interference to other users in the local area. Handheld radios normally operate in the 1 watt to 5 watt range. Mobile (vehicle-mounted) two-way radio equipment typically operates from 5 watts up to 50 watts. The right power level depends on the needs of your system, your terrain, and your licensing.

Choosing the right UHF CB, PRS, or licensed commercial radio setup depends on your specific environment and operational needs. For expert advice on selecting and installing the right two-way radio system for your business or property, talk to the team at Mobile Systems Limited. Get in touch with our specialists.