“This practical radio can easily increase productivity by keeping users communicating, yet streamlines their radio use – allowing them to concentrate on the job at hand. With the GP328, communication could not be easier.”

Motorola has been around for a long time. They are a trusted brand and are often preferred by radio dealers throughout New Zealand due to their reliable product and great warranty support.

The GP328 is available in two models – the 4 channel or the 16 channel, which are priced accordingly, so you are able to get the cheaper 4 channel model for about 25% less than the 16 channel. Pricing for the 4 channel is generally about $999 and $1400 for the 16 channel.

Motorola lists the benefits of the GP328 as:

• Wide range coverage within the workplace
• Simple to operate two way radio
• Contact people who are mobile
• Manage one or more facilities

To view the complete Motorola GP328 Specification sheet, click here to download.

The GP328 has many accessories which can enhance the radio. A good radio technician will also be able to fully customise the radio to suit whatever your requirements are. Adding the right headsets, microphones, batteries, chargers or carry cases can enhance your productivity.

Genuine Motorola accessories are of the highest quality and are available for purchase from any Motorola dealer.

By add the proper radio accessories you can turn your professional two way radio system into the complete communications solution.

There are many kinds of accessories which you can purchase to add features to your radio. Some accessories like batteries are an essential part of the radio, but you can buy different kinds of batteries to suit your needs.

Here are some of the more popular radio accessories.

Batteries

Usually available in a variety of capacities, the battery works hand in hand with your radio ensuring you get optimal performance when you need it most.

Most batteries are made from one of three different chemistries; nickel metal-hydride (which is the most common), nickel cadmium or lithium-ion.

The cost of course varies depending on which battery you choose, but on average you could expect to pay $130 for a genuine Motorola GP328 battery.

Charging Accessories

Without a charger your radio battery would only last a day, so the complete radio package would include a radio, battery and charger. You can get a single fast charger, or if you have multiple radios you might like to opt for a multi unit charger bank which fits six radios at once.

Radio chargers work on 110V in the United States and 230V in the UK, Europe and most other countries.

In Vehicle Accessories

If you haven’t got a mobile radio installed in your vehicle, you might like to look at handheld radio in vehicle accessories. The “car kit”, once installed, turns your handheld portable radio into a virtual mobile radio. It includes features such as in vehicle charging and an external antenna to increase your coverage.

If you don’t want the full blown installation, there is always the travel charger which can be plugged into your cigarette lighter to keep your radio charged no matter where you travel.

Audio Accessories

If holding the radio up to your face to talk and listen isn’t practical, there are many different accessories that can solve your problem.

Remote speaker microphones can be plugged into your radio set which can then be clipped to your belt or put in your bag. You are able to attach the mic to your lapel and use this to transmit and receive. If you don’t want your message broadcast through the microphone you can attach an optional earpiece so you can listen to your messages without anyone else listening in.

If you don’t mind speaking into the radio, but want to listen privately you can opt for a listen only earpiece. It looks just like a walkman ear phone, but fits snugly into one of your ears. These are often used by security personnel to enable them to listen to discrete messages.

If you work in a noisy environment it might be hard to hear anyone speaking to you over your radio. A noise cancelling headset would be perfect for you. Just like a pair of earmuffs, they block out the surrounding noises so you can hear your radio perfectly. If you want to be completely hands free you can opt for a headset with a noise cancelling VOX (voice activated) mic.

Carrying Accessories

Sometimes using the battery clip to stick your radio to your belt just isn’t secure enough. Luckily leather carrying cases are available which hold your radio perfectly and securely clip to your belt or harness. You’ll never have to worry about dropping your radio again. These are perfect used in conjunction with a remote speaker mic.

Two way radios are very complex which is why you’ll mostly only find a few very good radio technicians or engineers in New Zealand. It is a very specialized industry which takes years of training to become proficient at.

So what does conventional simplex mean?

In basic terms conventional  simplex two way radios operate on a fixed frequency which is programmed into a channel on the radio set. If the radio has multiple channels then multiple frequencies can be programmed into the set. You can only operate on one channel at a time.

Simplex means that only one person can talk at once. So when the transmitting radio has the PTT (push to talk) button down transmitting your voice, the receiving set must wait until you have released your PTT before they are able to transmit back to you.

Conventional radio doesn’t just mean talking between two radio sets. You can transmit to any number of radios as long as they are within your transmit radius and they are on the same frequency (channel) as you.

Conventional radios are set to set with a range of between 1-5 kilometers. The range depends entirely on what kind of power your individual radio set has. Most licenced conventional radios have a range between 4-5km leaving the PRS or ‘Free to Air’ radios at the lower end of the scale.

So what is licenced and unlicenced?

A licenced radio means you have applied to the Ministry of Commerce (Radio Spectrum Management) for a licence to operate on a particular frequency. If the ministry approves your application you will be allocated a frequency which is private to you. You are then able to have a radio technician program your radios with your frequency. No one else is able to transmit on your frequency like you would get on PRS. You must pay a yearly licence fee to the ministry and every time you have a radio programmed with your frequency the radio technician must report this to the Radio Spectrum Management.

You are not limited to one channel, you are allowed to apply for as many channels (frequencies) as you like, each channel is liable for a yearly licence fee.

An unlicenced radio uses shared frequencies which the Ministry of Commerce has allocated as public channels. There are a number of channels available and most PRS radios have the option to choose between at least 40 different pre-programmed frequencies.

Two way radios are used in countless industries  and for some, using two way radios can be a matter of life or death.

Think of your local policeman, if he’s in a dangerous situation he will need to call for backup. Two way radios make communication instant; there’s no dialling a number, waiting for the phone to ring and the other person to pick up. By pushing a button on the radio you will be instantly broadcast to whoever is listening on your frequency.

Traditionally two way radios work on an analog system. They are simplex communication devices which means only one person can talk at a time. Not like your telephone which has

photo credit: ThreadedThoughts

full duplex, This, as you know allows you both to talk to each other at the same time.

Some people might think this is a disadvantage which is why radio manufacturers such as Motorola are now making digital radios which are capable of full duplex operations just like your ordinary telephone – but without the phone bill!

There are two types of two way radios, unlicensed and licenced.

Unlicensed means anyone can use them. A common name for an unlicensed two way radio is a CB Radio (Citizen Band Radio), GPRS (General Public Radio Service) or amateur radio. If you have a CB radio you share the channels you talk on with anyone else who is in range, which means your conversations are never private. You may have to switch channels to get a free channel again. This can be annoying, but there are no ongoing charges with CBs, once you buy the unit you can start talking.

Licenced two way radios are what most commercial industries use. For example police, ports and civil defense to name just a few industries. There are special radios which are able to be programmed to specific frequencies which you lease on a yearly basis. This means that only someone with your radio frequencies can talk to you. This keeps communication fairly private, however some people may still be able to listen in on your conversations if they have the right equipment. You’ve probably all heard of someone with a police radio scanner?

A scanner allows the person to listen, but they can’t communicate back.

We are an informational website for your two way radio communications needs. You’ll find all kinds of information, specific product specifications and general advice.

If there is something specific you’d like to read about, please contact us and we’ll see what we can do.

Look forward to seeing you here!

The Team at TwoWayRadios.co.nz