VHF2-Way Radio Provisioning
Standard Operating Procedure
Updated: Apr 27, 2017
DOCUMENT NUMBER: SOP203
TITLE: VHF 2-Way Radio Provisioning
PURPOSE:
This document describes the required components and procedures for testing VHF radios. This document is intended for use by all field personnel at all Greenland and Alaska sites. If unit fails any part of the test then return unit to IT&C staff.
BACKGROUND:
Two-way radios (also called walkie-talkies), allowing for a few exceptions, all work essentially the same way. There is a battery that powers the unit which is typically rechargeable. Volume can often be controlled with the use of a knob or button on the unit itself. When using the radio to communicate, the transmission is activated with the use of a Push-To-Talk or "PTT" button. Simply press the PTT button and speak into the microphone and your voice is sent over the air! When the PTT button is released, the receiver becomes active, allowing other radios to communicate back.
A two-way radio, in its most basic description, is a "transceiver". This means that it is a device that can both transmit and receive content. Radios communicate with one another using certain frequencies. The radios can "speak" to each other only when they are set to the same frequency. The two most popular frequency ranges that two-way radios use are called "VHF - Very High Frequency" and "UHF - Ultra High Frequency". VHF frequencies are best for exclusive outdoor use, as these frequencies will hug the ground and travel further in open areas. UHF frequencies, the more popular of the two, tend to penetrate obstructions and will work well both indoors and out.
Most two-way radios have the capability to work on multiple "channels". A specific frequency can be assigned to each channel, giving the radio many different alleyways of communication. Businesses often take advantage of channels by assigning a channel to each department. This keeps employees from being distracted by irrelevant conversations while still allowing management to easily communicate with all groups. On consumer or family radios the channels are useful as a way to cut down on eavesdroppers or interference when in an area where there are many radios in use.
The maximum range of a two-way radio will vary, depending on any number of things. In the unit itself, the range will be directly linked to the wattage of the unit and the antenna. The higher the wattage and better the antenna, the more range your two-way radio will be able to achieve. Outside factors can also affect range. Certain terrain, solid obstructions, or even day-to-day weather can be factors that will affect the maximum range your radio will transmit. Despite high range claims by manufacturers, we usually tell our users not to expect more than 1-2 miles in an
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Standard Operating Procedure
Updated: Apr 27, 2017 environment such as a city or town.
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Standard Operating Procedure
Updated: Apr 27, 2017 DETAILS:
Components Required for Testing
• VHF 2-way Radio o 1 Conditioned and charged VHF Radio battery o 1 VHF Radio Antenna
VHF 2-Way Radio Test Procedures
• Connect antenna to the radio • Insert the Conditioned and charged VHF Radio battery • Power the radio on. • Tune the radio to Channel 2 • Using the radio being tested and another VHF radio also on Channel 2, press the PTT (Push to Talk) on the radio being tested and say “This is a radio test 123 321 Radio Test Complete” Make sure the audio was clear on the other radio • Using the second radio on Channel 2, press the PTT (Push to Talk) on the second radio and say “This is a radio test 123 321 Radio Test Complete” Make sure the audio was clear on the radio being tested.
Items Included in VHF 2-Way Radio Kit
• 1 Hard Case • 1 VHF 2-Way Radio • 1 antenna • 2 batteries • 1 wall charger
Instructions
• Affix a tag through the case lock loops • If assigning to a group, write the group name on the tag. • NOTE: Kit MUST be issued to groups as kitted with all accessories listed above. No Exceptions
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