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Q - How far will the radios talk?
A - The range depends on the frequency, terrain and design of the
system. Most portables will talk approximately one mile and mobiles
will talk approximately six to eight miles. If a repeater system
is used, portables will talk up to twenty-five miles and mobiles
will talk up to thirty miles.
Q - Is a license required?
A - Yes, a license is required from the Federal Communications Commission
which is valid for 10 years which can be renewed thereafter.
Q - How do I obtain one and what
is the cost?
A - Give our office a call and we will make recommendations for
a license agency that assists customers in filing for their license.
The cost varies with the type of license but typically is $300 -
$500 and $50-100 to renew after 10 years.
Q - Can I have my own private
license?
A - Yes, the license on conventional radio systems is private for
you as the licensee, however as the frequencies become more congested
is likely you will have someone else on your frequency a few miles
away.
Q - Can someone else hear my conversations?
A - Yes, with scanners prevalent as they are, your conversations
will likely be heard by others. Scanners can receive most of the
frequency bands thru the 800 megahertz range.
Q - Is there a way to make my
radios not be heard by others?
A - Scrambling devices are available for some models of radios that
allow only radios with decoders installed to receive the signal.
Additionally, newer high frequency systems make it more difficult
to track radio conversations.
Q - What types of radios are available?
A - The most common radios are portables and mobiles. The portables
are available in four or five watt depending on the frequency and
mobiles are from twenty-five watt to one hundred watts.
Q - Can I install the mobile radios
myself?
A - In most cases the dash mount radios can be installed by the
customer especially if they are mechanically inclined. We recommend
the larger trunk mount radios be installed by someone experienced
in radio installations due to the extensive wiring that is involved.
Q - What is the difference between
VHF and UHF radio systems?
A - VHF radio systems are typically used for direct base to mobile
communications. They require a high antenna location for the base
to provide the wide coverage needed which can be expensive. UHF
radios on the other hand are normally lower power dash mount mobiles
and transmit to a repeater system located on a hilltop, tower or
other high location.
Q - What type of radio system
do you recommend for a small operation?
A - We typically recommend the customer his own private repeater
or to rent the use of a repeater located in the area for a small
monthly fee. Ohio Valley 2-Way Radio owns and operates several repeaters
that are available for rent.
Q - What type of payment is required
for my initial purchase?
A - Our terms are Net 30-days to established customers. The initial
purchase would require full payment upon completion of installation
of the radios.
Q - Can the radios be leased?
A - Yes, we have several agencies that provide lease/purchase terms
to spread out the payments over time at very competitive prices.
Most have a purchase option at the end of the lease.
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