35_595822 bindex.qxd 6/21/05 10:12 PM Page 355 Index analog systems, business replacing lost, 338 • A • radio systems, 112 rotators, 269 AA batteries, 289 ANL (Automatic Noise rubber duck, 37, 95 AAA batteries, 289 Limiting), 82 rules and regulations, 51 ACARS (Aircraft Communica- ANT connection, CB shortwave listening, 216 tion Addressing and radios, 84 trapped, 216 Reporting System), 185 antennas vertical, 94–95, 216 active antennas, 216 active, 216 whip, 37, 95 active channel indicator, antenna warning indicator, applications, licensing, 48–50 CB radio, 83 CB radios, 84 approach and departure adapters, 234–235, 255 base, 77, 95 frequencies, 183 AF Gain (audio-frequency beam, 37, 94 APRS (Automatic Position gain), 36 building, 216–217 Reporting System), 138 air shows, recreational radio business radio systems, 115 ARES (Amateur Radio transmissions, 200–202 CB radios, 94–96 Emergency Service), 106 air traffic communication, collinear, 95, 123 armed forces facilities, aviation radio, 184–185 directional, 37 government radio Aircraft Communication GMRS and, 76 transmissions, 189–190 Addressing and ground plane, 36, 95 ARTS (Automatic range Reporting System home radio installation, transponder system), 76 (ACARS), 185 265–268 ATIS (Automatic Terminal airports, public safety radio insulated backstay, 128 Information Service), 183 systems, 14–15 lip mounts, 77 atmospheric changes, radio AIS (Automatic Identification loaded, 95 signals, 32–33 System), 125 mag mount, 37 audio and control signal alkaline batteries, 292 Marine HF radio service, connectors, 253–254 allocations, frequencies, 127–129 audio interference, 303 27, 39, 41 Marine VHF radio audio modifications, rules AM (amplitude modulation), service, 123 and regulations, 51 34, 148–149 masts and towers, 267–269 audio-frequency gain amateur radio. See also mobile, 77 (AF Gain), 36 ham radio COPYRIGHTEDmobile radio installa- MATERIALAutomatic Identification characteristics of, 43–44 tion, 281 System (AIS), 125 discussed, 40, 135 MURS (Multi-Use Radio Automatic Noise Limiting licensing, 140 Service), 110 (ANL), 82 shortwave listening, 210 omnidirectional, 36, 77 Automatic Position Amateur Radio Emergency on-glass, 281 Reporting System Service (ARES), 106 positioning, 95 (APRS), 138 American Red Cross, purchasing consider- Automatic range emergency commu- ations, 45 transponder system nication, 106 quads, 96 (ARTS), 76 amplitude modulation (AM), range, maximizing, 71 Automatic Terminal 34, 148–149 regulated equipment, 42 Information Service (ATIS), 183 35_595822 bindex.qxd 6/21/05 10:12 PM Page 356 356 Two-Way Radios & Scanners For Dummies aviation radio disposing, 298 business radio systems ACARS (Aircraft energy capacity, 288 analog systems, 112 Communication gel-cell, 287 antennas, 115 Addressing and lead-acid, 287, 294–295 campground intercoms, 18 Reporting System), 185 lithium-ion, 75 channel selection, 115 air traffic communication, mobile radio installation, delivery vehicles and 184–185 277–278 drivers, 18 approach and departure nickel cadmium, 293 digital systems, 112 frequencies, 183 nickel metal hydride, discussed, 12 civil aviation frequen- 75, 293–294 dot channels, 113–114 cies, 181 9V, 290 emergency communica- frequencies, finding, purchasing consider- tions, 18 182–183 ations, 45 encrypted signals, 112 ground control frequen- rechargeable, 292–295 fire disasters, 18 cies, 183 refrigerating spare, 295–296 installation and IFF systems, 186 safety issues, 296–298 maintenance, 112 lingo, 186 spare sets, 69, 296 licensing assistance, multicom frequencies, 183 standard voltage, 287 112, 114 MWARA (Major World Air storing and handling, marina operations, 18 Route Area), 185 297–298 monitor functions, 115 public safety radio systems, types and ratings, 288–289 multicast systems, 112 14–15 zinc-carbon, 292 multisite systems, 113 tower frequencies, 183 beacon stations, shortwave multi-use services, 110 unicom frequencies, 183 listening, 213 narrowband, 113 user population, beam antennas, 37, 94 operating rules, 115 scanners, 151 beeps and rings, call PLMR (Private Land Mobile tones, 64 Radio), 110–111 block monitoring, info- professional providers, • B • sharing activities, 17 111–112 baby monitors, as radio books, radio training, 20–21 PTT (Push to Talk), 115 device, 10 boom microphones, 262 radio service selection band plans, shortwave bootleg amplifiers, 51 considerations, 45 listening, 211 bootlegging, 330 requirements assess- base antennas, 77, 95 breaking conversations, ment, 112 base-quality, CB radios, 92 CB radio use, 89 rules and regulations, 17–18 batteries breathing, correct radio sales, lease and rental AA, 290 use, 66 services, 112 AAA, 289 broadcasting scrambled signals, 112 alkaline, 292 rules and regulations, 51 selection considerations, battery indicator, 62 services, how to use, 19 109–110, 112 battery packs, 74–75, 295 shortwave listening, shared/subscribed C, 290 208–209 systems, 113 characteristic voltage, 288 BRS (Business Radio simulcast systems, 112 chargers, 78, 296–297 Service), 43 single-site, 113 coin cells, 290 building and fixing radio star channels, 113–114 D, 290 systems, 21–23 talk groups, 116 discharging, 296–297 business communications, trunked systems, 116 disposable, 291–292, 295 CB radio use, 81 volume control, 115 35_595822 bindex.qxd 6/21/05 10:12 PM Page 357 Index 357 voting, 113 calling channels, 90 PTT (Push-to-Talk) wideband, 113 calls, making, 89 switch, 82 business user population, car operation, 92 public address, 82 scanners, 150–151 channels, 81–82 radio checking, 89 busy indicator, radio controls characteristics of, 43–44 recreational radio use, 14 and features, 36, 62 clarifier controls, 85 reference sites, 80 communications basics, 89 roger beep, 94 communications tests, 88 RX/TX indicator, 84 • C • controls and features, 82 sideband controls, 85 C batteries, 290 delta tune controls, 85 signing off, 89 cable ties, stocking up on, 236 discussed, 11–12 S-Meter indicator, 83 cables Distant/Local controls, 86 squelch, 82 coaxial, 250 don’ts, 96–97 SWR (standing wave ratio) direct-burials, 273 doubling, preventing, 94 indicator, 84, 93 ladder line, 270 driving service uses, 81 traffic checks, 86, 89 multiconductor, 250 emergency channels, 86 trucker channels, 90 shielded, 250 emergency communica- uses for, 81 straight-through, 305 tions, 91–92 volume control, 82 twin lead, 270 foot warmers, 96 weather controls, 86 twisted-pair, 250 freebanding, 97 CERT (Community call indicator, radio frequencies, 81 Emergency Response features, 62 gain controls, 82 Team), 106, 179 Call key, radio features, 61 ground connection, 85 channels call signs, radio etiquette, handles (radio nicknames), business radio systems, 115 37, 67–68 88–89 CB (Citizens Band) call tones, rings and high-end radios, 85–86 radios, 81 beeps, 64 history of, 79 channel selectors, CB calling channels, CB home operation, 92 radios, 82 radios, 90 how to use, 86–90 channel sharing, FRS and campground intercoms, kickers, 96 GMRS, 56 business radio licensing and require- channel spacing, 72 systems, 18 ments, 80–81 LCN (logical channel camping, outdoor radio lingo, 89 number), 175 use, 70 location messages, 86 locking out, 155 car operation, CB radios, 92 microphone connectors, 82 Marine HF radio carbon microphones, 262 microphone controls, 85 service, 126 cardioid microphones, 262 microphone selection, memory, 76 CB (Citizens Band) radios 93–94 scanners, 146 active channel indicator, 83 mini rigs, 92 trunking systems, 158 ANL (Automatic Noise NB (Noise Blanker), 82 charging batteries, Limiting), 82 noise and interference, 78, 296–297 ANT connection, 84 87–88 chatter, privacy codes, 63 antenna selection, 94–96 ongoing conversations, children, secretive radio antenna warning breaking in, 89 links, 17 indicator, 84 outside of US use, 84 Citizens Band. See CB radios base-quality, 92 PA speakers, 84 civil aviation frequencies, business communica- power indicator, 83 aviation radio, 181 tions, 81 priority watch channels, 90 35_595822 bindex.qxd 6/21/05 10:12 PM Page 358 358 Two-Way Radios & Scanners For Dummies civilian agencies, condenser microphones, 263 government radio conducted interference, 324 • D • transmissions, 191–192 configuration settings, D batteries, 290 clarifier controls, CB scanners, 156 DAB (Digital Audio radios, 85 connectors Broadcasting), 210 cleaning tools, 232 audio and control signal, data channels, trunking clear message, radio 253–254 systems, 158 etiquette, 37 coaxial power, 252 daytime/nighttime behavior, cloning function, direct current, 251–252 shortwave listening, 220 scanners, 164 female, 251 DCS (digitally coded clothing, for emergencies, 107 jacks, 251 squelch) privacy CLOVER digital signals, 212 male, 251 code, 63 clubs, joining, 148, 344 Molex, 252 dead spots, 331 coaxial cables, 250 pins, 251 dealers, scanners, 166 coaxial power connec- plugs, 251 delivery vehicles, business tors, 252 powerpole, 252 radio systems, 18 collinear antennas, 95, 123 RF, 254, 283–285 delta tune controls, communications receivers, shells, 251 CB radios, 85 scanners, 148 stocking up on, 234–235 demodulation, 33 communications tests, contests, ham radio, 137 departure frequencies, CB radios, 88 control channels, trunking aviation radio, 183 communications-grade systems, 158 desk microphones, 263 receivers, shortwave control connections, Digital Audio Broadcasting listening, 214 computers, 305–307 (DAB), 210 Community Emergency controls and features, radio Digital Selective Calling Response Team (CERT), components, 36 (DSC), 123–125 106, 179 conventions, recreational