Two-Way Radio Systems - Your Questions Answered

Will a two-way radio system save me money?
Correctly chosen, a two-way radio system will considerably increase operational efficiency, by eliminating wastage of time and fuel. Most users find that the savings achieved, repays the cost of the equipment within one year of operation - plus the bonus of convenience, upon which it is impossible to put an exact value.

What range can I expect?
Range is determined by geographical conditions. Open ground gives good range and hills restrict it. The subject of range can be best illustrated as follows. Imagine a scale, contoured model of your locality, with a small but powerful lamp fitted to the top of your base station antenna mast. Areas on the model illuminated by the bulb, will be in the service area. Antenna efficiency and siting are other factors affecting range. The higher a base station antenna can be placed, the better will be the coverage. High power (5 watt) handportables, fitted to equivalent antennas, will have nearly the same range as 25 watt mobiles. Fitted with small flexible antennas, range by comparison will be limited.

Handportables or mobiles?
Handportables are normally used for applications where communication is required in defined areas e.g. airports, warehouses, factories, farmyards etc. Mobile units are normally required to achieve the maximum geographical coverage.

Can I communicate within buildings and yards?
Yes. UHF radios are found to give solid coverage within buildings and the immediate areas around them.

Can mobiles talk to mobiles directly?
Yes, if required. When applying to the DTI for your licence, you can opt for either one or other of the following methods of operation:

Mobile to Mobile: All radios on the system are channelled to the same frequency, and can talk to one another. If a base station is included in the system, it operates the same as a mobile, but the DTI insists that its power is limited to 5 watts - one fifth of the power of the mobiles.

Mobile to Base Station: Radios work on split channels, so that mobiles can only talk-to and hear the base station, which then relays messages from one mobile and another. These bases operate at full power, and guarantee the best possible coverage, but have to be continually manned.

Can I operate an unmanned (Talkthrough) Base Station?
Yes. Zycomm provide automatic wide area repeaters in most areas, for users unable to man their own base stations full time. Licences for private automatic base stations to provide unattended operation, are limited by the DTI to select users in emergency situations and to authorised agricultural users.

Are channels shared?
Sometimes, on a regional basis, but the DTI do endeavour to reallocate channels only in areas outside an existing users service area, so interference is minimal.

Can I connect to the national telephone network?
Direct interconnect to the BT network is possible with DTI approval. Companies operating large internal telephone systems may be granted permission to access them.

Can I use the radio in more than one vehicle?
Yes. Mobile radios generally fit into a bracket using either a clamp or four thumbscrews, with power lead and antenna connections. Spare brackets and leads can be purchased to allow changeovers. Mobile mounts/chargers are available for handportables. These connect the radios to the vehicle battery and to a more efficient roof mounted antenna, and recharge the battery pack. In a reasonable service area, this may well be an acceptable alternative.

Can I tell if calls are received when I am away from the vehicle?
Yes, by fitting one of our Selcall options. These provide lights that show a call has been received or activate a pocket pager that is carried by the driver, and bleeps when the call is received by the mobile. Our latest Micro-controlled digital selcall system will also display the callsign of the caller.

Do Zycomm offer free surveys and demonstrations?
Yes, we offer a no obligation demonstration facility, to users considering the introduction of two-way radio systems into their organisation. Our sales engineers will arrange to visit your premises at a mutually convenient time. For users considering a base station installation, a temporary base will be established at your office, and you will be driven in a vehicle with a mobile to strategic points within the required service area to ascertain actual coverage.

Licencing, approvals and reliability
All Zycomm equipment operates on frequencies which require a licence issued by the DTI. Currently a licence covering up to ten units costs £120.00. Our equipment is DTI approved, and designed to withstand the rigours of operation in vehicles ranging from cars, agricultural machinery and heavy plant. In the unlikely event of breakdowns, we maintain fully equipped workshops and field engineers to deal with any problems - rapidly.

What does the equipment cost?
Following our free site survey, we will submit a firm quotation giving details of capital cost, together with leasing proposals as an alternative.

Extended warranty
At the end of the normal 12 month warranty period, extended on-site or return to workshop warranties can be arranged to suit customers requirements.

Zycomm Repeaters
Zycomm own and operate a number of community repeaters at sites throughout the UK - each site covering specific regions and offering users:

• Wide Area/Regional Coverage - Mobile to Mobile or Base to Mobile.
• 24 Hours/Day - 365 Days/Year Usage - with complete privacy and no call charges.
• Instant Equipment Availability - and no licensing requirement.