Welcome To FRS 2 Way Radio - UHF 2 Way Radio!

UHF 2 Way Radio is the Ultra High Frequency version of radio &means that the radio waves that are used are shorter. Their sound range is shorter but this is not always bad. Because they are shorter they are better for penetrating a more rugged terrain, like a forest or wooded area. Hunters may find them very useful. They are also better at finding a pathway through obstacles so they are better in highly populated cities and inside buildings. UHF radios have more frequencies so this makes them better for highly populated areas. There is less chances of interference from other communication devices.

A UHF 2-wary radio requires a license from the FCC, unless it is only used on the Family Radio Service channels.  If it is used for business or other purposes a license is needed.  Do not even start using your radio before you get the license because the fines for doing so are large.  FCC rules state that a hand held 2-way radio can only use up to 5 watts of power. A vehicle mounted UHF 2-way radio runs on the vehicles battery power.  Desktop base station models use wall mounted AC power sources.  Mobile and base station radios are more powerful and can use up to 100 watts of power.

Cell Phones vs. UHF 2-way Radio

A UHF 2-way radio can be much better than a cell phone in some cases.  The speed of connection for a radio is much faster than a cell phone.  If you need to get help in an emergency, a 2-way radio is a better bet.  Wireless public address systems can be set up to receive messages from radios & this allows multiple people to receive a message at one time.  This is also helpful in an emergency situation. 

Many large stores use radios to allow customers to contact store managers from anywhere in the store using a customer assistance box.  Wireless outdoor call boxes can allow communication with 2-way radios from emergency posts.

In an emergency, dialing a cell phone may not be possible.  Picking up a radio, you just have to push the talk button and your message is immediately transmitted.  In case of a natural disaster like a tornado or snow storm many cell phone towers will become overloaded.  2-way radio communication is uninterrupted.   Radios are typically more durable than cell phones also.  If you drop one, you will typically not suffer any damage, whereas cell phones can sustain major damage if dropped.  Some radios can be purchased that come with MIL-Specs.  This is military specifications.  They are certified to work under stress.  They also will have varying degrees of IP designation which addresses the different levels of stress they can withstand.  Again durability is an advantage that UHF 2 way radios have over cell phones. 

The sound is usually much better on the radio than on the cell phone.  Sometimes calls are dropped in the middle of a conversation with cell phones.  This is not a problem with a 2-way radio.

Obviously, with a UHF 2 way radio the distance they work from is a major disadvantage to using a cell phone.  The radio will work up to 2 miles unless there are absolutely no obstructions between the two devices.  Radios do have limitations but in specific situations like a larger work area or just a smaller geographic area they have many advantages over cell phone use.