Making the decision to purchase any piece of equipment for your business can be difficult. Especially when it comes to something as vital as communication devices. Two-way radios and body cameras can be necessary purchases across many industries, including hospitality, construction, aviation, logistics, and even schools. Here at Wall to Wall Communications, we don’t take this decision lightly, and we want to make sure that you are buying the correct equipment for your team’s needs. So in this article, we will be talking about the brand Hytera and some of the key frequently asked questions we get asked about their range of equipment.
What is a Hytera Radio?
The Hytera brand has a selection of both professional and very versatile communication devices. These handheld digital devices offer a range of advanced features which many other models don’t. Such as possible GPS, Lone Worker, Emergency Alarm, Man Down, Bluetooth, and even Remote Monitor. These pieces of equipment have been carefully engineered to be durable in most working environments, have optimal performance and ease of use.
An interesting example is the Hytera PDC760 Multi-Mode Radio, which we have on offer here at Wall to Wall Communications. This PMR product truly offers a convergent platform for critical communications across DMR and LTE networks. Powered by Hytera’s very own operating system based on the Android platform, this device is hand-portable and can be described as a ruggedised smartphone. In addition, it also has a mission-critical positioning tracking tool and a third-party application hosting device.
As well as their state-of-the-art radios, Hytera also provides body-worn cameras, which have helped law enforcement for many years. These cameras are perfect for gathering digital evidence which can easily be transported from the field, straight into the courtroom.
For example, our Hytera VM550 is our entry-level bodycam, which offers a compact and lightweight option compared to other models. This camera can aid in capturing evidence both accurately and efficiently, whilst still having a Full HD video capture. As well as this, the Hytera VM55O has a long list of other impressive features, such as 1080p HD video, a 139 degree diagonal lens, 7+ hours of continuous battery life, both wifi and Bluetooth access built-in.
How to Use a Hytera Radio
Once purchasing a Hytera Radio or body camera, our team here at Wall to Wall Communications will happily talk you through the functionality of any of the devices. We can show you how to set one up and how to use them, along with all the features, as well setting them up in a way that works best for your team’s needs.
With multiple years of experience in the communications industry, our team of experts can also offer training when either purchasing or hiring radios. We believe it’s vital to not only provide the correct equipment for all of our clients but also to ensure that you know how to use them. Our main aim is to have your entire team feeling completely comfortable with new equipment and are able to use it in their day-to-day working lives.
Who Owns Hytera and How To Pronounce It?
The Hytera manufacturers are based in China, and they make a range of transceivers and radio systems. This enterprise was founded in 1993 and now operates on a global scale, including right here in the UK. This company is one of the major suppliers when it comes to radios and even ranks as the second-largest global radio terminal manufacturer on the market right now.
So how do you pronounce Hytera?
The word ‘Hytera’ is of Chinese origin and is pronounced with two syllables. Whilst the pronunciation differs from country to country, saying the brand’s name as ‘high-tera’ is accurate here in the United Kingdom.
How to Reset Hytera Radio?
Like most professional radios, Hytera Walkie Talkies can be programmed to match the frequencies allocated to you by OFCOM. This process is referred to like programming and should be done by your radio provider.
Wall To Wall Communications offers this as a free service when you buy radios. You may at some point need to change the frequencies in your radios, for example, if they are being moved to a different site that operates a different category of license. In this case, we are here to support you with any changes you need to make to the programming of your Hytera radios for as long as you own them.
There was a time when the two-way radio was one of the most cutting-edge technological advancements to be available to consumers. Before becoming a more specialized piece of equipment, when the walkie-talkie was invented it was one of the most advanced pieces of technology available to the military.
Nowadays the two-way radio is viewed as a vital part of kit which mostly allows for employees to communicate on sites. However, this was not the case when walkie-talkies were first invented. They were a core part of how the military operated. There remain numerous uses for two-way radios in the current day, although many of their original functions have been usurped by the mobile phone. There is some debate over when the walkie-talkie was invented, but most accounts date the invention back to the 1930s.
Who Invented the Walkie-Talkie?
The first iteration of the two-way radio was titled the “packset” and was invented by Donald Lewes Hings, CM MBE in 1937. Don Hings was a Canadian inventor born in England. There were a number of people and companies working on similar devices at the time, as the world was figuring out the numerous applications of radio waves. What came to be known more commonly as the “Walkie Talkie”, the “packset” was originally designed for pilots to effectively maintain contact with one another. The invention seemed to come at just the right time with World War II looming just around the corner.
It was during the war when it became evident just how useful these “Walkie Talkies” could be. Being able to instantly communicate over long distances whilst still allowing for mobility completely changed the dynamic of communication. At the start of the war, the devices being used were made of metal, could weigh upwards of five pounds, and were about 17 inches tall. Iterative advancements in form factor were made afterward with their continued use.
During the war, there was a period of intense research and development with the Model C-58 Pack Set emerging as the device which garnered the most widespread use and earned iconic status. This was a fantastically well-designed machine both in terms of performance and production, with tens of thousands of units being produced. Some of the features championed by the C-58 included a range of antennas and power supplies, privacy measures in the form of voice scramblers, and even a filter to reduce the noises emerging from battlegrounds so that messages could be easily interpreted despite gunfire and noisy vehicle engines.
Galvin Manufacturing was a big name in the two-way radio industry during this time and made its fame with the acclaimed Motorola, the car radio. This company pioneered two major developments in the technology, the handie-talkie in 1940, as well as creating the FM-band two-way radio technology. These first saw use in police cars in 1941, and shortly afterward in the war on the battlefield in 1943.
Giving soldiers the ability to coordinate whilst separated was truly a game-changing innovation in warfare and became a vital part of how soldiers would be organized in the battlefield. This piece of innovative technology being a part of the war likely saved countless lives simply through them being able to communicate more efficiently. . However, it was in the consumer market where the two-way radios really began to thrive.
Consumers
Before really hitting widespread adoption by consumers in the 1970s and 1980s, walkie-talkies were already being used by a number of children for toys, and by businesses which required a lot of coordination and communication within a geographic location. One particular industry which had almost immediate widespread adoption was the truck and lorry driving industry.
Regulation in the US for unlicensed frequencies and channels started being introduced in 1977, although the idea had been around since as early as 1967. In the UK, similar licensing regulations were put into place throughout the 70’s to the point where Ofcom’s regulation of the radio wavebands and channels are today. With the introduction of mobile phones, the usage of two-way radios started to become a more niche necessity, made particularly true by the introduction of smartphones as of 2005. Nowadays the landscape is much more different, although their importance to the people who use them cannot be understated.
Current Day Two-Way Radios
The two-way radios of today certainly have a lot of unrecognizable features compared to their older counterparts. Be it lone worker protection features, GPS location tracking, Fire panel alert integration, VOIP Telephone system interconnects or text messaging,there has certainly been a lot of progress since the first “packset”.
Their efficiency in terms of distance covered and the clarity of signal has also improved. In terms of usage, they are still being used by a variety of businesses that need constant and instant communication, especially in areas without Wi-Fi or mobile network coverage, and friends or families separated by distance.
Before purchasing this piece of equipment, it’s important to know how to talk on a walkie-talkie effectively. Buying or hiring these pieces of equipment is to allow your communication to be more concise and efficient, but without knowing the basics of these devices, it can in fact hinder your team’s ability to talk to one another.
In this article, we showing you how to talk on a walkie-talkie, how to identify yourself before speaking and how to keep your messaging short and sweet.
Learn Two-Way Radio Talk
Learning some of the key two-way radio lingo before picking up your communication device is a great idea, especially if you’re going to speak with a large group of people. There are the more well known phrases, such as ‘Over’, which signify you have done talking and are reading to receive a reply. But there are also some less established words, which are very commonly used in two-way radio conversation.
For example, ‘say again’, means to repeat the last message that was spoken. This can be used if you didn’t quite understand or hear what the other person was saying and need them to reiterate it. There is also ‘Go ahead’, which means that you can respond and that the individual on the other end of the conversation can in fact, go ahead with their message.
Another common phrase is ‘Roger’. Again, you may have heard of this one, but in two-way radio speak, it means that a message has been heard and if in fact understood. When communicating with radio, ‘Roger’ is used when the action that you have been asked to do, is being carried out.
‘Stand-by’, is almost the opposite of ‘Roger’. It means that you have heard the transmission, fully understood it but you can’t respond right at that moment. The team should ‘stand-by’ and await your response.
Whilst you use ‘Over’ to signify that you are done talking, if you are planning on leaving the channel all together, then using the phrase ‘Out’ makes it clear that the channel is now clear for other users. Finally, ‘Affirmative’ is a simple yes and ‘Negative’ is a no.
Knowing your lingo is imperative when it comes to communicating with a two-way radio, but so is knowing your Phonetic Alphabet.
The Phonetic Alphabet is used to indicate through symbols and code what a speech sound or letter sounds like. Typically, over a two-way radio, it is necessary to clarify a key part of a message. You can do this by spelling something out using the Phonetic Alphabet, ensuring that your message is heard loud and clear.
Identify Yourself On The Channel
Identifying yourself when speaking into your radio is extremely important. This is because there is no limit to how many people can be on one channel at any given time. If you are looking to communicate with your team, proclaiming your name in your message will help them identify who is speaking and that they are the ones who need to receive your message.
Not only is this important for both yourself and your team, for all round effective communication, but it’s also good manners and polite two-way radio etiquette. A good example of this is: “Wall To Wall Communications, this is Jamie22, OVER”.
This will efficiently get the attention of your desired audience as well as clearly identify who you are before communicating your message with the rest of your team.
Keep It Short And Sweet
When using a two-way radio, it’s important to remember that only one person can speak at any one given time. With this in mind, it’s best to keep all your communication to a short and clear few seconds, allowing all communication to be as concise as possible. This gives all the team a chance to acknowledge your message and reply within a timely manner.
The great thing about two-way radios is their sufficient way to quickly communicate in multiple situations. These handheld devices mean that you get portability and convenience whilst also not skimping on the effectiveness for all of your communication needs.
Two-way radio that are commonly referred to as ‘walkie talkies’ allow you to do just that, walk and talk, so it’s no surprise its use has only increased in popularity since its early creation in 1937. An important factor of these two-way communicators is the simplicity in both their operations and design. Making sure you have the right device for you is the first step in achieving two-way radio success.
There are always looming questions with radio products, for example, how do you connect two walkie talkies together? And how do walkie talkies communicate?
Here at Wall to Wall Communications, we can help with all your questions, queries and contemplations on everything radio. With a range of device options available, you can find the best fit for your communication needs and wants.
How Do Two-Way Radios Communicate?
Essentially, the way walkie talkies work together is by using specific frequencies to signal to one another information. Two-way radios are handheld and portable, meaning that no wires are present and unlike mobile phones, they do not need a signal tower to be able to communicate with one another. These devices work wirelessly, using radio waves. Two radios will be one a collection of shared frequencies meaning that they will be able to pick up the other and effectively communicate.
When it comes to using these devices, it’s important that the individuals communicating ensure that they are on the same, shared channel or frequency. As they talk, their words are converted into radio waves and are broadcasted across the frequency, the second walkie talkie will then receive that radio wave and convert it back into sound via the speaker to be heard by the second radio user.
How Do You Connect Two Walkie Talkies Together?
For two-way radios to communicate with one another, they have to be on the same channel or frequency.
For license free radios, or PMR446 models, they come with the frequencies already programmed in by your provider. These channels are pre set and the only way to connect with other walkie-talkies would be to purchase the same brand from the manufacturer. However, when it comes to commercial radios, you can choose between the UHF (ultra high frequency) band or VHF ( band very high frequency). Being on the same frequency means that the two radios can communicate with each other.
All commercial, licenced walkie-talkies can work together, despite their model or brand, if they are on the same frequency. This is of course, only to a certain extent, depending on the technicalities and overall limitations of your chosen device, but for the most part, syncing up two different radios is possible.
In addition, there is no limit for how many walkie talkies users can communicate. If you have a larger team, having two-way radios on board could be vital, as you can have as many people being able to speak to one another as you need. Whilst there is no limit for how many people can have access to a channel, only one person can speak at any given time. This is due to the shared frequency band. With walkie talkies being a two-way communication device, it means that unlike normal radios, they can both send and receive information. As the shared channel is used for both these functions, it means that only one person can speak at one time.
How Do Two-Way Radios Operate?
Two-way radios are powered by rechargeable batteries, meaning they can be charged many times before the batteries degrade. Typically, these batteries will last between 24 and 32 months.
Like most batteries, there are many other factors which affect the longevity of them. A good example of this is temperature. The temperature impacts how effective the batteries are. Commonly, these types of batteries perform the best when working at room temperature. Lowering the ambient temperature causes chemical reactions to proceed more slowly, so a battery used at a low temperature produces less current than at a higher temperature. As cold batteries run down they quickly reach the point where they cannot deliver enough current to keep up with the demand.
When it comes to purchasing or even hiring this piece of equipment, it’s important to consider any additional costs that may come with it. Batteries can be a maintenance cost which could need regular upkeep if not used in the optimum conditions.
Here at Wall to Wall communications, we can help you make all the decisions surrounding your two-way radio purchase or hire. We have a team of specialists, which are happy to answer any and all of your questions, as well as give you bespoke advice based on your current needs.
A two-way radio is imperative for roles where individuals need to communicate on a regular basis. With just a push of a button, a two-way radio allows a whole team to talk freely. Whilst also being convenient, these pieces of equipment are highly cost effective and are usually a lot more robust in dangerous working environments.
In this article, we will be giving you the top things to consider when purchasing or renting out two-way radios for your business, including what range you should look for, which batteries are best and everything about handsets.
What is Your Working Environment Like?
When it comes to purchasing a two-way radio, knowing the environment where this piece of technology will be used is very important. For construction, security, events management and other, similar roles, a two-way radio can be extremely essential. However, each role requires something different when it comes to their communication device.
For example, if you’re working on a construction site, this environment can be dangerous, leaving valuable pieces of equipment in danger of being broken or damaged. Looking at how hard wearing your two-way radio is can be really important in this situation. Opting for a shock-proof model will mean that the radios will be more resistant to breakages when dropped or knocked.
You will need a license to operate your two-way radio, unless it operates on a pre-programmed, licence free frequency approved by Ofcom. This is within the band 446.0 to 446.1 MHz, however, this doesn’t usually provide the overall coverage a business would require and we recommend getting your communication devices licensed.
When purchasing or hiring with Wall To Wall Communications, we can help you with this process. Our team of communications specialists can aid you in utilizing your two-way radio to the best of its abilities and getting you all the information you will require about the licensing process.
What Range Do You Need?
Next to consider would be the range you require. The maximum range capable on a consumer two-way radio using the PMR446 frequency on a transmit power of 0.5w, according to Ofcom, is up to 10km.
Whilst this is quite a distance for a communication device, it’s important to consider obstacles that may prevent your two-way radio reaching its full potential range.
If your working environment has a lot of dense or solid objects, this can dramatically reduce the range of your two-way radio. Walkie-talkies can struggle to communicate in certain situations, such as in lifts, tunnels or underground. These spaces are called ‘dead spots’ and it can be a massive problem for construction, mining and even densely packed shopping centres.
For example, when working underground, you may have to add a Leaky Feeder System to your radio. A Leaky Feeder otherwise known as Radiating Cable, is an antenna technology that our team is able to install that allows you to get sufficient coverage in dead spots. Effectively, a Leaky Feeder is a long antenna, which is made from a coaxial cable that has small sections of copper shielding. This shielding has been stripped away and allows for the radio frequency signals to escape more efficiently. When these Leaky Feeders are mounted either permanently or for a temporary time in an emergency situation.
How many radios will be required?
When it comes to either buying or renting your two-way radios, it’s always best to consider how many people in your employment will be requiring a handset.
Our team of experts can always help with this. With our wealth of experience, we are always on hand to offer advice or insight to aid you in making a decision on what would be best. Whilst getting a twin set may be enough for personal use, when it comes to facilitating a business, you could find yourself needing many more. A busy warehouse will require multiple two-way radios is a good example of this. When you have a large team, it can be easy for information to get lost in broken communication. Having a reliable and dependable method of talking can be essential for many businesses.
What Battery Type Will I Require in My Two-Way Radio?
Batteries are another important part of purchasing a two-way radio. Some two-way radios are powered by alkaline batteries or even lithium batteries. You will regularly see lithium batteries in a two-way radio as they are lighter and offer a better energy to weight ratio, making them more effective.
Some walkie-talkies come with rechargeable batteries, which when plugged into the dock, will recharge for you. This is great if you don’t have regular access to a power outlet, when working outside or across open waters. When renting or purchasing a two-way radio, we always recommend looking into which battery type would suit your needs, as this can be an additional maintenance cost that comes with running this piece of equipment.
Making the decision to purchase any piece of equipment for your business can be difficult. Especially when it comes to something as vital as communication devices. Two-way radios and body cameras can be necessary purchases across many industries, including hospitality, construction, aviation, logistics, and even schools. Here at Wall to Wall Communications, we don’t take this decision lightly, and we want to make sure that you are buying the correct equipment for your team’s needs. So in this article, we will be talking about the brand Hytera and some of the key frequently asked questions we get asked about their range of equipment.
