What are two-way radios?
Industries have been relying on two way radios for decades to ensure efficient and reliable communication. Some of the industries that choose to operate with radio channels are Public Safety, Utilities and Manufacturing, Hospitality, Security, Property Management, Retail, and dozens of others. They choose radio rentals or to purchase systems as they know radios are durable, cost-efficient, have better coverage, approved for almost any work condition. We have discussed before the durability and reliability of these radios in this blog.
This article will, however, cover the difference between analog and digital options.
Analog Radios
Analog radios have been the standard for radio communications for decades. Analog radios use frequency modulation (FM) to encode a voice signal within a carrier wave. The difference between your voice modulation and the baseline channel frequency is demodulated by the receiving radio and turned back into a comprehensible voice message.
They are simple to use, and suitable for most industries, however they have reached the peak of their advancement.
Digital Radios
Digital radios operate similarly to analog; however, with recent technology, they have been designed to have increased channel capacity, longer range, clearer audio, longer battery life, more security and privacy, and other advanced features. This is due to an added encoding step before the voice signal reaches the carrier wave. The signal is transmitted as an intermittent step change in binary packets (ones and zeroes), instead of a continuous wave.
At Earth Communications we offer radio rentals for Hytera Radios and Icom Handheld Radios. We also offer sales and set-up of these systems.
Wondering how they compare?
The following table gives a breakdown of the comparison between these radios.
Cover
| Analog | Digital | |
| Signal | Continuous sine waves. Has a hard time penetrating certain materials/objects. | Picks up digital signals. Can offer up to 20% more coverage and can push signals through walls and concrete. |
| Power | Draw more energy, which can limit battery lifespan. | 1 digital Watt can be as powerful as 4 analog Watts. Draws power more efficiently, increasing battery lifespan. |
| Compatibility | Only compatible with other analog radios. | Can pick up signals from both analog and digital systems. |
| Cost | Inexpensive and easy to use. | Offer more capabilities and can be more expensive, but the digital components get cheaper and more efficient every year. |
| Future | Manufacturers no longer make analog only radios. | Will slowly take over the radio communication market. |
Are you ready for your solution?
After weighing the pros and cons of these radio systems, are you ready to make a decision on which best suits your needs? At Earth Communications we are ready to offer radio rentals and services to provide your team with the latest technology. Whether you choose our Hytera radios or Icom Handheld Radios, we can find the radio that best suits your needs.
Visit our services page for how to get started with us: https://earth-communications.com/communications-services/two-way-radios/
For rentals: https://earth-communications.com/rentals/two-way-radio-options/