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Recalling the first time he operated a 30-pound radio and generator in the field, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Smith realized the most vital component of the device actually weighed the least.

Before microchips and digital bytes enhanced communication into its current form, the outcome of a mission actually hinged on a military radio operator’s precise placement of tiny diode crystals.

“If they had 10 frequencies projected to be used during that time, I had 10 different crystals representing each frequency,” Smith said. “after learning the frequency, I’d find that crystal, pull it out of the box and stick it inside my radio.”

Fast forward more than three decades later, service members use more sophisticated radios covering even more frequencies, but also weigh considerably less.

“When you look at what they’ve got today, you’re just like ‘you’ve got to be kidding me?’” he said. “I think what makes our force as awesome today is the technology that we’ve been able to put into their hands. I think sometimes, how would the war have been different had the soldiers of Vietnam had the tools that we have today? it would have been a whole different world back then. Technology, beyond the shadow of a doubt, has changed our culture more than anything else.”

Now as the senior enlisted adviser to the U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Smith has witnessed many technological changes since entering active-duty service March 1, 1977. How special operations forces fight the wars of today, as well as the challenges of maintaining such a force for the future, were just some of the topics he discussed during his visit to Hurlburt Field, Sept. 15.

“the biggest challenge our force faces today is dealing with the operations tempo and the demands we’ve placed on them,” Smith said. “it is a demanding world out there with the wars going on and the other global challenges we’re dealing with. the pressure on the force has been tremendous.”

Smith pointed out how certain stresses of the process, in combination with the number and durations of deployments, can also affect a service member’s family life.

“in many cases, the spouses are our unsung heroes,” he said. “Their husbands or wives are doing exactly what their nation needs them to do, and we thank them for all of the support they give their spouses.”

Since 9/11, USSOCOM’s manpower has nearly doubled to almost 60,000 personnel, its yearly budget has nearly tripled to more than $10 billion and its overseas deployments have quadrupled.

“I think SOF (Special Operations Forces) has always been quite relevant and the last 10 years have really shown its ability to provide a pretty big bang for a small buck,” he said. “we get an awful lot done with a very small amount of resources. But as far as the future goes, I think the demand upon SOF will continue to grow.”

As the command’s top enlisted leader since Jan. 23, 2006, Smith has given direct feedback regarding the force to three USSOCOM commanders. his insight has been sought on several key issues facing the SOF community including those deployments as well as cultural training, education and quality of life for more than the last five years.

Earlier this year, Navy Adm. Eric Olson, then-commander of USSOCOM, suggested a potential way to reduce those stresses on SOF would include getting them “more time at home,” an idea of which Smith expressed agreement.

“A deployment’s got to be a deployment — we can’t get away from the actual mission components of what we do overseas,” he said. “where we can try to help out is some of the self-induced time away, such as some schools that may not really be necessary. Some of the things that we’re looking at are how to better train in certain locations or minimize the amount of time you have to be away from home in order to train. We’re trying to reduce those sorts of things, to better manage time away from home.”

While on the subject of time, Navy Adm.William McRaven, USSOCOM commander, said during his confirmation hearings that such deployment tempos had an impact on SOF personnel attending cultural and language training.

“For SOF forces, it’s absolutely imperative that we continue to maintain and better ourselves in our cultural and language abilities,” Smith said. “For many SOF qualification courses, cultural and language training is embedded into it. we are a force that works and operates by, through and with, our partner nations out there. it is extremely important to understand and respect other cultures and to at least attempt to speak the language.”

Just as he and his fellow senior NCOs have had to operate in a world much different from the one they first trained in, Smith first saw the need for a separate SOF senior enlisted academy to focus on irregular warfare nearly five years ago.

Today, the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy at MacDill Air Force Base educates SOF and selected conventional force senior enlisted personnel in mission-oriented leadership and critical thinking skills to prepare them to effectively advise, lead and mentor in the future operation environment (joint, combined, interagency) at the operational and strategic levels, according to the Joint Special Operations University website.

“I would say of my entire career and what was my biggest contribution, I would hope that it was to better educate our fellow senior enlisted warrior diplomats and having implemented that plan,” Smith said.

While expressions like “tip of the spear” and “quiet professionals” may designate Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines as being one of USSOCOM’s ranks, Smith said such terminologies have never meant as much to him as the actual qualities they display.

“To be SOF means to be competent, wise and understanding of the environment that you’re operating in,” he said. “it means understanding who the enemy is and who the friendlies are. it means understanding the difference and balance between kinetic operations and non-kinetic operations. it means understanding what tools to apply to a situation to achieve the desired outcome. That’s what distinguishes SOF from all the other forces.”

As he prepares for his retirement from the Army, Smith also shared how he developed his leadership vision and managerial philosophy throughout the years.

“I think deep down in every operator’s heart and memory is the time that he spent on a team,” he said. “Those were probably some of the best of times, but I had to start moving through the ranks and leave that world behind. Then you start looking forward to other challenges and how you can best serve in the role.”

But even as he retires, Smith remarked how some core values of the SOF and general forces military have always remained constant despite the speed-of-light advances in technology.

“A lot of people talk about how we have the greatest force that we’ve ever had,” Smith said. “I don’t necessarily agree with that. our force today is just as good as the men who have served before them. one thing that has absolutely not changed is the willingness of each generation in our country to stand up and meet the demands of securing our freedom and protecting our interests.”

A basic two-ways radio has a receiver to catch signals and a transmitter to send them. These systems are available in various types such as handheld style, mobile or tuck mounted radios.

If you have thought of buying portable two-ways radio and are perplexed whether it will prove beneficial or not, then the answer would be in positive. Two-ways radio is one of the ideal means to save money particularly when your company is already making use of cell phones to communicate. Though the initial costs are higher in two-ways radio compared to cellular or Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR) systems, you get some real benefits in the form of lower flat rate airtime which is usually available in wide area portable two-ways radio. By using portable two-ways radio, you can reduce wastage of time and fuel or vehicle expenses as well. thus, billable hours of employees can be increased and revenues can also be raised.

However, there are various reasons considering which you should make your decision of buying a portable two-ways radio. VHF and UHF both technologies fulfill the purpose of communication. however, you need to first analyze your requirement and study the pros and cons of both technologies and then only get a two-ways radio.

If you need a radio to operate in the central parts of a major city or say in a heavy industrial area, UHF might be a better choice over VHF. It is due to the fact that UHF has lesser chances of interference. however, you can have satisfactory performance form VHF as well provided you choose frequencies carefully so that interferences from industrial area can be avoided.

If you need to use this wireless handheld radio in more than one city, then in that situation, VHF radios which operate on the special frequencies will prove to be best as well as an economical choice. here it needs to be considered that these special frequencies which are also referred as ‘traveling frequencies’ might not prove as a good choice in a situation where a good number of wireless equipments are present. for instance, in trade shows, exhibitions and other similar situations. In those kinds of situations, it is better that you opt for UHF technology based portable tow-ways radio as there are least chances of any obstacle.

Single channel or fixed frequency based VHF and UHF equipments in the TV band are not considered as a good choice for traveling purposes. It is so as all VHF and most of the UHF TV channels are often positioned in one or another location; so it is quite obvious that frequency conflicts will take place. To avoid these frequency conflicts, it is better to use frequency-agile UHF based two-ways radio.

However, in a situation when the smaller and less-visible antennas become significant like when there is a need to conceal the transmitters on the body, you should opt for UHF portable two-ways radio. UHF will be a right choice if high-performance antennas are needed to be used to extend range.

On the other hand, VHF technology based portable two-ways radio is ideal for the areas with vegetation or where it is possible for the signal to pass through the objects. so, VHF is ideal for outdoor purpose while if the application requires the combo of both outdoor and indoor, UHF based radio comes forth.

You must know that there are a number of situations where VHF based portable two-ways radio will be the right choice in comparison to UHF systems and also at substantially lower prices. Nevertheless, there are certain situations where UHF will prove as an ideal portable two-ways radio. no doubt there may be complication of using one or another type of two-ways radio and other factors should also be considered. If you find yourself unable in making the right choice, then it is recommended that you seek the advice of your dealer.

Here it is also important to note that portable two-ways radio has several benefits over a cell phone. All you need to do is to push a single button and you are linked to one or more individuals. It is very easy to use these radios because of their push-to-talk features. These features in these radios enable the user to communicate immediately with anyone who is on the network. These radios have been designed specifically to ensure their working even in extreme conditions. Also, they provide the user with rugged features not delicate ones similar to cellular units.

You must compare both UHF technology based portable two-ways radio and VHF technology based radio and then consider your own requirements to have optimum benefit out of these radios. thus you can enjoy flat monthly fee with unlimited talk and without any worry about per minute airtime cost.

Portable two way radios are a convenient and relatively low priced means of communication. two way radios are transceivers – that means they can both receive and transmit messages simultaneously. They are unlike broadcast receivers (such as the ordinary radio) which only receive messages or signals. A good example of the two way radio concept is the mobile phone and the hand held radio referred to as the walkie talkie. There are different categories of portable two way radios and each has its benefits and the circumstances for which it is most suitable.

The conventional portable two way radios operate on a fixed RF (radio frequency) channel. even where a two way radio has the ability to tune into more than one channel, the user is required to select only one since the radio can only operate on a single channel at a time. Radios with multiple channel capability have a button or a channel selector as part of their control panel. Often, the frequency regulator responsible for a certain area will allocate different channels to different organizations. For instance, one channel can be assigned to a cab company in order to facilitate communication between the dispatcher and the taxi drivers.

A trunked radio is another type of portable two way radio – it uses a set of pre defined rules to automatically pick the radio frequency channel on its own. Digital versions of the trunked radio have the ability to multiplex – in other words, they can handle multiple conversations using the same frequency channel.

The other type of portable two way radio is the duplex radio. it can transmit and receive messages on different frequency channels. Equipment used for communication in a duplex system can only function where there is certain core infrastructure such as a repeater and a base station. the base station is used to re-transmit the signals received from one portable radio to the others as long as both radios are within the range of the base station’s signal reach.

There are three types of duplex system radios – the half duplex that requires the user to press a push button before relaying a message, the full duplex which can simultaneously receive and transmit signals and the hybrid duplex which applies both the half and full duplex systems. the advantage of this type of radio is its ability to extend the geographical area within which communication takes place between the end users.

Another classification of portable two way radios is the analogue radio and the digital radio. the analogue includes the AM radios used in aircraft and the walkie talkie. Its advantage is that, in areas with weak signals it has a better ability to communicate (but only as long as good quality equipment is used). the digital radios include the standard safety radio. This portable two way radio allows simultaneous communication between multiple users and can also send non voice data such as a text message.

The radio spectrum, a scarce resort

One of the most basic activities in a cockpit is tuning the radio to the assigned frequency of whoever we want to talk to. Contacting ground control, the tower or one’s own company is done by turning a few knobs until the right numbers show in the radio control panel display and we can talk.

Air traffic controllers see the same thing slightly differently. They do not normally have to tune their radios. The proper frequencies for their sector or other working position are pre-set and need no further attention.

With the matter being so pedestrian and the actions so routine, few of us realize that the ability of pilots and controllers to talk to each other is in fact dependent on one of the scarcest resources in aviation, namely the radio spectrum allocated to aviation use.

Many other disciplines have their own radio spectrum and we all guard jealously what we have been given and for good reason. With so many users wanting to use the radio waves, the incumbents better watch or the use it or lose it principle kicks in. Luckily, the frequencies most widely used by aviation (118 – 137 MHz) are not coveted so strongly by others. Our problem is different but not in the least less serious.

VHF fundamentals

VHF is a line-of-site system. this means that two stations can talk to each other assuming that they are tuned to the same frequency and they can see each other (from a radio point of view). If one of the stations is below the horizon of the other station, communications becomes impossible.

Being tuned to the same frequency means that both stations are tuned to the same pre-defined frequency which is within the aviation band. these pre-defined frequencies are separated by agreed spaces, expressed in kHz. The spaces ensure that communications taking place on adjacent pre-defined frequencies do not interfere with each other. and herein lies the problem

You can only pre-define a limited number of frequencies with the required spacing between them if you are to stay within the aviation band. There are many more sectors, towers and other aeronautical stations that need their own, discrete frequencies than there are frequencies available. so what do we do?

The line-of-sight character of VHF radio waves offers a solution of a kind. you can re-use the frequencies if you ensure that the usage areas of each are separated sufficiently so that no interference occurs. Frequencies only used close to the ground can be re-used much more readily than can those used at higher levels. The horizon of these latter is much wider and hence aircraft hundreds of miles away might be heard by a center that has nothing to do with it if the frequency assignment is not done properly.

Reuse not enough? Cut the spacing

I am not sure who was the first one to bolt a radio on an aircraft, but the idea caught on quickly and soon enough the problem of frequency shortages was born.

Originally the spacing between the frequencies was 200 kHz, providing just 70 channels between 118-132 MHZ as the band was back then (1947). in 1958, he spacing was reduced to 100 KHz, doubling the number of channels to 140.

In 1959 the upper limit of the aviation band was expanded to 136 MHz, giving us another 40 channels, bringing the total to 180.

In 1964, the channel spacing was halved again to 50 kHz, resulting in 360 channels being available.

These dates show not only aviation’s ever increasing hunger for frequencies, but also the evolution of aviation radios. in the 1950s no radio set would have been suitable for work with 50 kHz spacing. By 1964, 50 kHz was the standard with more to come.

The channel spacing was further cut to 25 kHz in 1972, doubling the available channels to 720. Seven years later, in 1979, the upper limit of the aviation band was once again expanded, this time to 137 MHz and this delivered another 40 channels, bringing the total to 760.

In 1995, the proposal was made to reduce the channel spacing to 8.33 kHz. Theoretical number of channels: 2280

This may sound like radio channel nirvana but in real life things are never that simple.

The underlying reasons for the channel hunger

The need for ever more frequencies was driven mainly by the dramatic increase in the number of control sectors in the en-route ATC environment. As traffic grew, air traffic service providers had to split sectors into ever smaller chunks to enable controllers to cope. Each new sector needed its own frequency and most of the sectors were in the upper airspace, hence the re-use distance between identical frequencies was very big. this translated into a seemingly insatiable hunger for ever more discrete frequencies.

Curiously, there seemed to be a mismatch in the magnitude of the problem as seen in the US and in Europe.

While traffic density on the Eastern Seaboard of the US was in fact higher than the busiest areas in Europe, the US frequency managers had no problem satisfying the FAA’s demand for new frequencies. at the same time, in Europe, with its lower traffic density, the alarm bells were being sounded that frequency doomsday was nigh.

So what was happening?

To understand this, it is important to remember that frequency managers in European States were part of the communications side of things, often coupled with the old postal monopolies, and they were not really given to international cooperation or worries about aviation’s problems outside their own land. That aviation was no longer a purely domestic affair had apparently not really touched them.

Although the States never formally admitted this, most of the frequency shortage was due to poor management of the available frequencies. Valuable frequencies were dormant, never used or simply left there in the dust after the organization originally using it had long disappeared.

The airspace users did raise the issue, brought several examples but to no avail. The local czars of frequency management did not relent and hence there was no other choice but to look at technology based solutions.

The choice between 8.33 kHz channel spacing and VDL Mode 3

While the immediate driver behind the effort to find a solution to the frequency shortage was the fear of skyrocketing delays, experts had been saying since the late 1980s that the complete aviation communications system needed overhaul. The VHF AM voice system and the freshly identified future need for air/ground digital link communications all argued for a common solution that would address the frequency shortage as well as the future communications needs.

Keep in mind that in other areas of communications huge advances were taking place at around the same time while aviation was still trying to make up its mind whether or not to replace a voice communications system that had changed little since the 1940s and which was clearly struggling to keep up with demand.

In the United States a system called VDL Mode 3 was being proposed. this system would have enabled four digital channels to be used on every existing 25 kHz channel and would have provided non-voice data link capability also. There were not many believers outside the US in the feasibility of this technology though and it has still not been implemented anywhere.

In Europe, the splitting of the channel spacing to 8.33 kHz was being put forward as the best solution. Missing a once in a lifetime opportunity, the industry did not examine any long-term alternatives.

The 8.33 decision and what followed

As mentioned earlier, the airspace users were not at all convinced about the need to spend money on aircraft modifications when in their view the frequency shortage was mainly due to poor management of the aviation spectrum.

It was in this ambivalent mood that the industry gathered to attend the ICAO European Regional Air Navigation Meeting (EUR RAN) in 1994 where proposals to address the frequency shortage were also to be discussed and decisions made.

For the current generation of ATM decision makers it may be of interest to mention how most decisions were made back then. Seeking a solution to the frequency shortage, 8.33 kHz was picked up without ever considering possible alternatives and without looking at cost-benefit aspects, user impact or the longer term communications requirements. Clearly not something to bring back. ever.

The airspace users, with the specter of even more serious delays hanging over their heads and with their protests brushed aside, had no choice but to note the mandate: 8.33 kHz in European upper airspace as of 1st January 1998.

The ICAO European Air Navigation planning Group (EANPG) was charged with organizing the introduction of the new channel spacing. The EANPG in turn requested EUROCONTROL to develop a transition plan and manage its implementation.

This is a very important detail that needs to be remembered. to this day, airspace users tend to blame EUROCONTROL for the whole 8.33 issue when in fact EUROCONTROL was only the agent appointed by ICAO (the States you may say) to carry out the implementation. They did an excellent job and it is not EUROCONTROL’s fault that they had to orchestrate the realization of a less than optimal solution. If we consider that EUROCONTROL had to deal with all the ICAO member states in Europe (49) and had to manage the creation of a mixed 25 kHz/8.33 kHz environment, the eventual achievement of the goals is even more laudable.

Mr. Murphy and the 8.33 implementation plan

If it can go wrong, it will – states Murphy’s first law and this was certainly true of this implementation.

EUROCONTROL, quite correctly, had decided early on to establish a project oriented organization to handle the matter and they also had the good sense of requesting the participation of outside experts from organizations like IFATCA and IATA to ensure direct links to the end-users of the new system.

Right from the start the project was up against a time problem. With the first project steps being taken only in early 1996, the 1 January 1998 deadline was clearly a big question mark. so, the first delay kicked the deadline back to 1 January 1999 and the second delay to 7 October 1999.

Why the delays? The rate of equipage of course was the primary and decisive factor.

In many mandated aircraft equipage scenarios you see the equipage curve rising slowly in the beginning, as only a few aircraft are fitted, then as the deadline approaches, the curve becomes very steep but usually does not reach 100 % before the mandate date. what does this mean?

Obviously, airspace users do not want to spend money too early and fly around with the new equipment without it bringing any benefits. when the time comes and fitting becomes inevitable, there is a mad rush to equip, which in turn can result in a shortage of equipment and an overloading of the shops performing retrofits. in the end, inevitably, there are aircraft left out in the cold, not being able to meet the mandate

All of this had happened in the case of 8.33 and then more.

When the project started, there were no 8.33 kHz capable radios on the market. a few pre-production samples had been produced, but nothing anyone could buy. in spite of the clear mandate, the presence of the competing VDL Mode 3 system and the fact that 8.33 would only be required in Europe somehow led the manufacturers to slow product development and not produce anything until their customers came with definite orders. The customers on the other hand were reluctant to place orders until closer to the mandate deadline which had to be put off as a result of low equipage rates because of a scarcity of radios a vicious circle if ever there was one. at times meetings of the 8.33 project team had an air of most participants wishing the whole thing would just go away.

Then there were the aircraft themselves. No matter how advanced the new radios were 8.33 kHz is a very small distance between channels and trials on various aircraft revealed surprising behaviors. Radios on the Boeing 767 for instance worked well while the doors were open but started to produce interference the moment they were closed.

Controllers were fretting about what would happen if pilots regularly mistuned their radios. True, for the first time ever, the numbers seen on the radio control panel do not show the real frequency of an 8.33 spaced channel and this can be confusing.

Issues with the new radiotelephony expressions were also on the agenda for while.

In the end however, the final deadline came and went and the new system worked pretty well. apart from a few isolated incidents no problems were reported and 8.33 kHz, like any other part of the ATM system, became part of the European scene.

Next steps?

In the meantime, EUROCONTROL has continued to manage the implementation of 8.33 kHz, extending its use also into the lower airspace. They have fulfilled and continue to fulfill the role assigned to them by the EANPG and the benefits specific to 8.33 kHz will no doubt continue to accrue. It is even rumored that the FAA also wants to look into 8.33 kHz channel spacing for introduction in the US.

Did the benefits materialize?

It all depends on how you want to measure the benefits. If the measure is the number of requests for new frequencies that could be accommodated, then the outcome of the exercise is definitely positive. at the very first Frequency Block planning Meeting held after the introduction of 8.33 kHz channel spacing, 57 of the 59 requests were accommodated, an absolute first. The level of subsequent request satisfactions shows a similar pattern.

It is very likely that a comparison with a do nothing scenario would show that investing in 8.33 kHz was not a bad idea.

On the other hand, 8.33 kHz did create the impression that the problem was solved and the motivation to really address the shortcomings of this obsolete communications system has all but disappeared. Back around the time the 8.33 kHz decision was made, it might have been easier to also initiate the development of a new system that would by now provide services to the pilots on a par with what passengers are getting in the near future.

As it is, we are left with a legacy system which will be much more difficult to replace on an industry level now, not least because of the sad shape airlines are in these days.

It is a pity that the EUR RAN meeting in 1994 did not have the vision to look beyond the immediate solution to the problem of frequency shortages.

Do you ever wonder how life was before the invention of two way radios? Technology advancement has been the solution to the several life problems including communication. A brief memory of how the two way radios were developed tells us the suffering humans were subjected to before the advent of the two way radios. The creation of two way radios was during early 1900s, prior to that you have to stretch your imagination: How do you believe pilots communicated with the ground? How did the secret service protect the VIPS effectively? How was war run? this are some of the questions that make one realize the worth of technology in our day to day existence and appreciate how far we have come

Two way radios in the contemporary world has many diverse applications, ranging from private, industrial and armed forces roles. Our dependence on these gadgets is not only incredible but also remarkable since these gadgets are the medium of communication in many different circumstances. We make use of two way radios in a variety of different ways including: camping, mountaineering, sport hunting, serious industrial operations, policing, army and merchandising businesses.

Two way radios are operated by selecting the proper channel and using the buttons on the radio. this type of two way radios are generally reserved for particular functions or specific geographical places. they can be used by the following groups: pilots, safety personnel, business workers and marines. The conventional radios use fixed RF channels for communication although the trunked radios have a system that picks the physical radio frequency. The other two way radios are the simplex and the duplex two way radios that are classified primarily based on their mode of operation. The technique or procedure of these two way radios vary relying on the function and the business that manufactures it. Before purchasing it is best to know what purpose you have for a two way radio and how the functions in these two way radios you propose to purchase will meet with your communication needs.

The following features make these fantastic gadgets that can only be summed as the objects of desire. Rechargeable battery lasting 8 to twelve hours or much more, illuminated LCD displays, rapid chargers, headsets, weather alerts, privacy codes, fingers free, USB charging port, key stroke sign and emergency alert button for you to use when in a disaster. two way radios also come with variety of other user pleasant functions such as light, as well as fat and thin plastic casing designed to military specifications. The other benefits are the consumer and the company radios that use the GMRS and FRS frequencies. When using them one will need a license from the federal communication commission though.

You will always feel safe in the company of these surprisingly reliable wireless two way radios wherever you are, what ever you do and whoever you are with, for you will aspire to have more enjoyment and you will be inspired to expand the boundaries of your businesses and achieve much more revenue from effective company conversation.

Visit Two way Radios for more information.

Portable two ways radios are no longer confined to police and military departments. now, these radios are easily accessible even to the general public and more and more people have gone in for them. these portable radio handsets offer wireless connectivity if you happen to be in a shopping mall with your friend or family and help in tracing each other, if one of them is nowhere to be found. however, before you decide to buy one for yourself, it is better to know which one is better for you. since UHF and VHF are two technologies that have been employed in these wireless systems; it would prove helpful to know the difference between the two.

A huge number of people believe that portable, handheld two way radios with UHF technology have certain inherent benefits over VHF. however, if you go through the facts, you would find that similar to any other technology, both UHF and VHF have merits and demerits. So, it is not necessary that UHF would be the right choice in every situation.

Before going in for any particular devices, there are numerous factors that you need to consider such as where do you want to use these two-ways radios and how and for what purpose or application will they be used. furthermore, you cannot keep aside the cost factor as it is always of prime consideration. Additionally, there are other factors that may affect your buying decision like whether you would use the equipment across the different cities or it would confine to a limited territory.

In simple words, you can say that a UHF system does not have an edge over the VHF in terms of technical capabilities. the foremost advantage of UHF is that it supersedes the probability of interference due to its more available frequency spectrum.

There is no denying that interference due to inauthentic outputs from other radio frequency equipment is comparatively less in UHF frequencies. it is just because of some of the transmitters being operated at frequencies which are likely to cause some problem. even the digital devices or electrical equipment which are in UHF frequencies tend to experience lower obstruction. it is possible as the noise gets less intense with the expanded frequency.

Another important factor is ‘cost’. When you have decided to buy two ways radio, keep in mind that UHF portable handheld radio will cost you more in comparison to the similar VHF radio. however, the higher cost of UHF equipment is not unreasonable as expensive ultra-high frequency components are used in it. also, the components in UHF radio are more in number and it is also made up of better material. other manufacturing costs in UHF are also higher specifically the amount of time consumed in adjusting the equipment and its performance verification. it should be noted here that though, the cost difference between UHF and VHF is on the decline these days; it is unlikely to vanish altogether.

When it comes to battery life; VHF scores better as its battery life is always longer compared to its contemporary UHF. if you want to have larger wireless installation, the cost of antenna splitters, antennas and preamplifiers is often quite low for VHF equipments; but they give better performance.

So, from the point of view of cost, VHF finds favour with the masses; while UHF device has lesser chances of interference. still the choice can be affected by a number of applications issues:

No matter whether you go in for VHF or UHF, diversity systems are most often suggested. Further, it holds more importance for UHF as it is UHF frequency that gets troubled by dropouts because of multipath.

It would also be noteworthy here that in some specific situations, VHF devices work better compared to UHF. for instance, since the VHF frequencies tend to be lower, it is quite possible that they work better even when the transmitter and receiving antenna are not in each other’s sight. As a matter of fact, most of the UHFs are considered as ‘line of sight systems’ as they can provide more range compared to VHFs.

Handheld portable two-ways radio with VHF and UHF technology fulfils different needs of different individuals. it is up to you to first know about the technology and then make your decision. anyways, the fact is that two ways radios are the simplest way to stay connected wirelessly. Though their access is only to a limited area but their cost-effective features make them different, useful and affordable from other means of communication. above all, you do not have to worry about the time of engaging in conversation, as you do not pay any network provider for any service. once you buy one, you begin to enjoy its fruitfulness.

Two way radios use radio signals to allow communication between two people. they work not unlike a telephone, but they just transmit to a specific signal that only the other radio it is paired with can hear. Walkie talkies are another name for this type of device, and they work over miles and miles, making them perfect for whatever use you see fit, including camping, work, and construction.

Most people get the FRS/GMRS two way radio for their nonprofessional and regular needs. Department stores tend to carry these kinds of two way radios. the FRS and the GMRS come from the types of signals the two way radio offers. Depending on the channel, you could either be using FRS, GMRS, or both, depending on the type of signal you are using. the first few channels in the spectrum are shared between the two types of signals. the devices being used by your group must all be set to the same channel in order for you to communicate with each other. a radio set to channel 7 will listen for and permit you to hear people talking on that channel and when you talk on that radio it will send your voice over that channel.

There is zero assurance of privacy with these units as there is no way to know who is listening so caution as to what you communicate over a two way radio is strongly recommended. as you decide to pick a channel, make sure you have the type of range you want, as well as your preferred level of privacy. with an FRS only channel, government regulations are in place that set it only at .5 watts, giving it a range of up to a half mile. with GMRS channels, the radio uses its maximum power output, so you get a much better range.

Unfortunately, you need FCC clearance to use GMRS frequencies, so be sure not to use those channels unless you do get it. when it comes to privacy, switch to alternate channels if you hear other people on that channel as well and want to talk to someone else privately. You might not get complete privacy if you are in a crowded area, like an amusement park; therefore, you could use a privacy code that comes with many mid range radios, which will divide up one channel into about 121 subchannels that you can work with. This provides thousands of possibilities for channels you can use to talk with.

Where: El Concilio Community Center, 1314 H St.

Info: The ASMJC Freedom Forum will be welcomed. The group is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian organization at Modesto Junior College whose purpose is to promote awareness and involvement in relation to global, national, state and local politics. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, call Yamilet at (209) 338-5716.

• HAM RADIO LICENSE CLASS

Escalon

• ANNUAL CHURCH YARD SALE

When: Today, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 2000 Jackson Ave.

Info: Escalon United Methodist Church will be having a huge sale, with items including furniture, linens, books, clothing for children and adults and other treasures.

Stevinson

• CHARITY SHOOTING TOURNAMENT

When: Sept. 10, 9 a.m.

Where: Rooster Ranch Wings & Clays, 26166 N. Kelly Road

Info: The 2011 Summit Mortgage Corp. Sporting Clays Charity Tournament “Pull” supports The Salvation Army. Cost is $100 per shooter preregistered or $125 per shooter on the day of event. The price covers entry fee, shells and lunch. All proceeds benefit The Turlock Salvation Army Community Center. For entry form, go to salvationarmyturlock.org, or contact (209) 667-6091 or .

Send Region items to Region, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; call (209) 578-2330; fax (209) 578-2207; or e-mail .

Portable two ways radios are no longer confined to police and military departments. Now, these radios are easily accessible even to the general public and more and more people have gone in for them. these portable radio handsets offer wireless connectivity if you happen to be in a shopping mall with your friend or family and help in tracing each other, if one of them is nowhere to be found. however, before you decide to buy one for yourself, it is better to know which one is better for you. since UHF and VHF are two technologies that have been employed in these wireless systems; it would prove helpful to know the difference between the two.

A huge number of people believe that portable, handheld two way radios with UHF technology have certain inherent benefits over VHF. however, if you go through the facts, you would find that similar to any other technology, both UHF and VHF have merits and demerits. So, it is not necessary that UHF would be the right choice in every situation.

Before going in for any particular devices, there are numerous factors that you need to consider such as where do you want to use these two-ways radios and how and for what purpose or application will they be used. furthermore, you cannot keep aside the cost factor as it is always of prime consideration. Additionally, there are other factors that may affect your buying decision like whether you would use the equipment across the different cities or it would confine to a limited territory.

In simple words, you can say that a UHF system does not have an edge over the VHF in terms of technical capabilities. the foremost advantage of UHF is that it supersedes the probability of interference due to its more available frequency spectrum.

There is no denying that interference due to inauthentic outputs from other radio frequency equipment is comparatively less in UHF frequencies. It is just because of some of the transmitters being operated at frequencies which are likely to cause some problem. even the digital devices or electrical equipment which are in UHF frequencies tend to experience lower obstruction. It is possible as the noise gets less intense with the expanded frequency.

Another important factor is ‘cost’. When you have decided to buy two ways radio, keep in mind that UHF portable handheld radio will cost you more in comparison to the similar VHF radio. however, the higher cost of UHF equipment is not unreasonable as expensive ultra-high frequency components are used in it. Also, the components in UHF radio are more in number and it is also made up of better material. other manufacturing costs in UHF are also higher specifically the amount of time consumed in adjusting the equipment and its performance verification. It should be noted here that though, the cost difference between UHF and VHF is on the decline these days; it is unlikely to vanish altogether.

When it comes to battery life; VHF scores better as its battery life is always longer compared to its contemporary UHF. If you want to have larger wireless installation, the cost of antenna splitters, antennas and preamplifiers is often quite low for VHF equipments; but they give better performance.

So, from the point of view of cost, VHF finds favour with the masses; while UHF device has lesser chances of interference. still the choice can be affected by a number of applications issues:

No matter whether you go in for VHF or UHF, diversity systems are most often suggested. Further, it holds more importance for UHF as it is UHF frequency that gets troubled by dropouts because of multipath.

It would also be noteworthy here that in some specific situations, VHF devices work better compared to UHF. for instance, since the VHF frequencies tend to be lower, it is quite possible that they work better even when the transmitter and receiving antenna are not in each other’s sight. As a matter of fact, most of the UHFs are considered as ‘line of sight systems’ as they can provide more range compared to VHFs.

Handheld portable two-ways radio with VHF and UHF technology fulfils different needs of different individuals. It is up to you to first know about the technology and then make your decision. Anyways, the fact is that two ways radios are the simplest way to stay connected wirelessly. Though their access is only to a limited area but their cost-effective features make them different, useful and affordable from other means of communication. Above all, you do not have to worry about the time of engaging in conversation, as you do not pay any network provider for any service. Once you buy one, you begin to enjoy its fruitfulness.

Many people will buy a Uniden compact hand held radio scanner to listen to emergency services. While this may be a hobby to some citizens, others will use their police scanners for other purposes. Journalists, investigators, ambulance chasers, and volunteers will use their handhelds to find leads for their next big story or case.

While many owners will call their Uniden devices police scanners, their radios can actually do much more than tapping into police transmissions. in fact, they can receive a lot larger range of frequencies than necessary to listen to police conversations. some hand held radios can pick up signals from traffic control towers, ambulance services, fire departments, racing teams, and much more.

Uniden Bearcat scanners are very popular. There are many different models on the market, all with their own set of useful features. Basic models typically have 100 channels to can work with, while the more advanced models can have up to 25,000 channels. with all those choices, there has to be a scanner that is just perfect for you.

Today’s scanners are light and portable; they can easily fit in your jacket pocket. they have powerful microprocessors and micro electronics, which are still being improved. Modern Uniden police scanners come in all sizes. The larger in size, the more features they will have. All Uniden radio types are designed to scan and monitor local VHF and UHF bands in their respective RF frequencies. in addition, these radio communication receivers can handle modulation systems, such as AM, FM, and WFM. As you can see, Uniden hand held radios are much more than a simple listening device to spy on your local law enforcement department