Two-Way Radios FAQ's

Q. What is the best way to care of my Motorola rechargeable batteries?

A. These battery tips will help you obtain optimized performance and a longer life cycle from your Motorola rechargeable battery.

1. Charge your new battery overnight before using it:
a. Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride: 14 to 16 hours.
b. Lithium Ion/Polymer: 2 to 3 additional hours after the charger light turns green.

This is referred to as “initializing” and will enable you to obtain maximum battery capacity.

2. New, NON INITIALIZED batteries can be stored in well ventilated, cool and dry areas without significant cycle loss as follows:
a. Nickel Cadmium: up to 2 years
b. Nickel Metal Hydride: up to 2 years
c. Lithium Ion/Polymer: up to 1 year

3. Batteries which have been in storage for more than 2 months, should be fully discharged and recharged.
a. Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride: 14 to 16 hours.
b. Lithium Ion/Polymer: 2 to 3 additional hours after the charger light turns green.

4. When using a Motorola rapid charger, leave battery in charger for an additional 2-3 hours after the green light appears.

5. Do not leave your radio and fully charged battery in the charger when not charging. Continuous charging will shorten the battery life.
(Do not use charger as a radio stand).

6. Only Charge a battery when it needs it. (We suggest you carry a spare. This is the most effective solution for users requiring longer
operating time.)

7. Do not return fully charged batteries to the charger for an “extra boost”. This action will significantly reduce cycle life.

8. Stabilize Battery to room temperature (72 degrees F) before charging. Charging below 40 Degrees F and above 104 degrees F will
decrease cycle life.

These simple care and instructions protect your rechargeable batteries from extreme charging temperatures and enhance their performance and useful life.

Specify Motorola brand rechargeable batteries. They are designed and precisely manufactured by Motorola engineers to ensure optimum portable radio performance. It just makes good sense.
Source: Motorola Battery Selector 01-023-BAT.

Q. How do I determin my batteries age?

All Motorola batteries come with a 3 digit date code on the manufacturer’s label. The first digit indicates the year of manufacture and the last 2 digits indicate the week of the year. With proper maintenance your Motorola battery will perform for years. A good rule-of-thumb: If your safety depends on your Two-Way Radio you should replace your batteries after 2 years of service.

Q: How do I determine the best solution for my business?

A: Partnering with us is an important first step. We spend time learning about your business and how your specific operation works. Then we use this knowledge to develop customized solutions. It may be as simple as spending five minutes discussing application and results desired, or it may require a site audit to determine the best, cost-effective system. In any case, we will design a system that provides the results you need now and prepares you for the future.

Q: How should I charge my portable radio?

A: All portables require a battery to supply power to the unit. If the batteries are charged correctly, the units will provide a longer period of operation. Plus the life of the battery will be increased. It is always best to turn off the radio prior to charging and, when possible, drain the battery prior to charge. Never transmit when the portable is in the charger. Charge the battery for a full cycle, typically meaning a normal charge time of 10 hours for standard charger and one hour for rapid chargers. Never leave the battery in a charger for extended periods.

Q: Is an FCC license required to operate two-way radios?

A: Yes. All business frequencies require an FCC license. We provide our customers with all details necessary for a valid FCC license. We can assist and obtaining a license and will help determine which frequency to use and which service best suits your operation of two-way radios. Systems that are operated as SMRs or wide area trunking may be licensed by the system owner and do not require the end user to apply for a license.

Q: How much do portable radios cost?

A: The cost of portables range from $300 - $1300 depending on such variables as: Quality, Durability, Battery Type, Frequency, and Features.

Q: What is the range of portable radios and what’s the difference between UHF and VHF?

A: Coverage is reliant on power, antenna height and terrain. On-site portable radios will typically cover from 1 –3 miles in radius, while wide-area radios can offer coverage up to a 30-mile radius from the repeater site.

Due to the characteristics of radio waves, UHF radios generally offer better building penetration and therefore are ideally suited for indoors as well as for areas of high building density (cities). VHF radios are better suited for areas where there is vegetation, where the signal can pass through objects. For this reason VHF radios are ideal for outdoor use. Where the application requires a combination of indoor and outdoor use, a UHF radio is preferable.

Your sales consultant will know by your specific application which radio will best fit your needs.

Q: What are the benefits of a two-way radio versus a cell phone?

A: Cost and Dispatch Capabilities.
Push a button and be connected to one or one hundred individuals. Two-way radios are easy to use with a push-to-talk feature, which enables the user to communicate instantly with anyone on the network. Two-way radios are designed to be utilized in extreme conditions and offer rugged features. Flat monthly fee with no per minute airtime cost, unlike cellular phones. Low monthly costs, which include unlimited talk-times.

Q. What is the talk range of the radio signals?
A. 2-way radio coverage range is approximately 1-mile outdoors. Indoor coverage varies based on construction of the building where the equipment is being used. Large Convention Centers are normally covered within a given Hall. In hotel applications, at least multiple floors are covered.

If you have specific coverage questions please call 800-771-9191. We have a database consisting of past rentals, which can help you to choose the right equipment for your work area.

Q. What kind of accessories do you offer with your radios?
A. For 2-way radios we offer Audio Accessories including: Speaker Microphones, Light Headsets, Double Headsets and Ear microphones.

Q. How long do batteries last?
A. On average Motorola radio batteries last about 8 hours.

Q. Do I need a FCC license to rent from you?
A. No. We have National FCC Frequencies that are programmed into your radios. Additionally we can program/match radios to your frequencies should you request that option.

Q. What is a Repeater?
A. A repeater is installed in a fixed location with the intent of coverage enhancement. Multi-story buildings are covered more thoroughly and dead spots are removed. The building’s construction, number of floors and the presence of steel and concrete determine range.