Radio Equipment
The first important question to ask yourself when purchasing a UHF PRS Radio is where and how are you wanting to use it and what type of set do you need Vehicle/Base mount or Handheld.
Base Set or Vehicle Mounted radios often cost more than handheld equipment, but for a home base or vehicle environment they have advantages because they are usually fitted with better, larger, higher gain antennas and they are powered externally meaning there is minimal voltage drop and no problem with replacing or charging batteries.
It is uncommon for base/vehicle mounted sets to have an output power of less than 5w, have a built-in antenna or take batteries. However, there are 'accessories' you may need and they can vary a lot in price. If you are thinking about purchasing a base/vehicle mounted radio you may want to consider shopping round. Below is a shopping list of things you may need.
-
UHF PRS Radio (in Australia they are know as UHF CB - operating frequency 476-477 Mhz)
-
UHF Antenna (Tuned between 476-477 Mhz for PRS)
-
Power supply (will leave this decision to you... If you are powering your radio off your car you should be ok, but if you are running it in a home/base environment, then you will probably need a 12v power supply of some sort. You can purchase 12v radio power supplies from electronic stores or two way radio service shops.)
"Base Set Radio"
"Handheld Radio"
Handheld radios are far more portable, compact and cheaper than a base rig. However, they do require regular charging (or battery replacement) and to achieve same range as a base set still require an external antenna system to be fitted. Having said this, they are often the best choice if you are unsure that a 'base set' is required or if you want some flexibility to move or freedom to change vehicle or location.
-
Output Power: Most importantly, it is recommended you get as powerful unit as possible. 2w+ is good, 5w is ideal. Manufacturer rated operating distances are usually only accurate when operating from hilltop to surrounding country, note: In a real-life urban environment it is unlikely you will achieve anything near the manufacturer's claims.
-
Removable Antenna: Being able to take the antenna off and plug an external antenna and lead in can be helpful in pore reception situations.
-
Batteries: It is helpful if your radio takes a common battery type AA AAA (or) for radios with special batteries, it can be helpful to purchase a spare battery and have it on hand in case the radio goes flat 'in the field' and you aren't near a charger.
Wellington Radio Shops.
