Two-Way Radio Installations: How Complex Can They Be?
22/09/2023
Two-way radio installations may sound simple – particularly when there’s a misconception that two-way radios (commonly known as walkie talkies) will work in any place, in any environment, at any time.
But the reality is that the best use of two-way radios comes with having the right two-way radio installation. And by that we mean, what a school has won’t be the same as a petrochemical site and vice versa.
In this blog, we’re going to look at two-way radio installations in more detail, and explain to you how they differ, and why they differ, for different business users.
Two-way radio installations – A simple guide
At the core of every installation is the following rules of thumb:
• What radios are requested or recommended (i.e., is the business going to be using licenced radios)
• How much space on site requires coverage (the more space to be covered, the more equipment required to complete the installation)
• What environment the radios are to be used in (a wind farm won’t have the same installation as a multi-building school, for example
• Are the radios required across multiple sites in multiple locations (it makes the installation potentially more complex)
• Is there need for a back-up solution, should the primary system fail or have coverage problems
So, let’s start from the top of the bullet pointed list and work our way down.
Licenced v licence-free – only one requires a formal installation
If you’re a business that’s happy to use licence-free radios, the good news is that you won’t need any kind of complex infrastructure or installation. Licence-free radios work straight out of the box and operate on open frequencies, so you’re good to go straight away.
The bad news is licence-free radios have limited power output and you can experience channel interference from users outside of your business.
Licenced radios are always recommended, and if you’re using them then you’ll need to know that they require an OFCOM licence before you go ahead and choose the right system and installation.
Once you opt for a licenced radio, it’s key to point out that most two-way radio systems will require a form of installation. And the requirements of your system may increase the cost of your OFCOM licence – check the blog out above to find out more about this.
Covering enough space to communicate
The thesis here is that the more space you need to cover, the more complex the installation may become. This is because:
• You need clear, reliable coverage across a large surface area
• You likely have a range of physical and virtual obstacles in the way of achieving reliable coverage
Looking at both ends of the scale, you have the likes of schools, where space (and number of buildings) is manageable for a back-to-back solution/installation, where only programming of the licenced radios is required.
On the other end you have large petrochemical sites, where space is vast, and the need for reliable communication is not only critical, but vital in respect to worker safety. Thick steel structures make it harder for radio signal to penetrate, and so a repeater (signal booster) is often required.
Not only that, but big sites often need to speak to multiple teams at once. Sometimes these teams are spread across different geographical locations, so the system and infrastructure becomes more complex, much smarter, and more robust.
The influence of environment
Environment has a big influence on two-way radio installations. Take an offshore wind farm as an example. You don't just have turbines fixed into the seabed (or floating on it), you have substations connected to the grid, vessels coming and going, and onshore facilities that need a constant open dialogue with the farm itself.
This means you don't just have a 'one size fits all' approach for a system or installation. You need a multi-operational solution that incorporates the need for things such as IP system connectivity, multiple antennas, repeaters and other install equipment that is designed to connect people from control rooms to wind turbines.
If you're unsure how your environment impacts a potential two-way radio installation, then contact us today for more information.
The multi-site approach
If you have multiple locations that all need to work in harmony together, then it's important that you craft the right solution, when it comes an effective two-way radio system. Once you enter the real of multiple sites, you start to delve into more sophisticated installations and solutions. Here's a few examples of multi-site systems and how they influence the installation behind them:
- IP Site Connect - this involves a series of repeaters that are linked together via an IP network. The system can be used across 15 geographical locations, with up to 200 users able to communicate on the system at any given time.
- Capacity Plus for Multiple Sites - this is a digital trunking system that offers ultra-reliable coveragre for up to 15 sites, where up to eight voice repeaters, and up to 12 dedicated data repeaters provide cost-effective coverage with almost no point of failure.
- Capacity Max - This is the ultimate in two-way radio systems, and is built on ultra-smart IP connectivity. It seamlessly offers network coverage across a wide scale, offers multiple layers of system redundancy, and has digital capabilities beyond any other system. With back-up solutions in place, not a single point of failure will bring the system down.
The need for a Plan B
A back-up solution, or a Plan B, is a smart way to approach two-way radio systems and solutions. Much like using a phone, signals can drop, and conversations can fail, if the primary system in place goes down or has a fault.
Having back-up repeaters, back-up batteries, and other things in place can help ensure you never experience crippling downtime. And a back-up solution can form part of a two-way radio installation.
Two-way radio installations with Eemits
We’ve been recommending and installing two-way radio systems for over three decades. Working with businesses across the UK, we have a team of experts who create and cater for companies who are big and small.
No single solution we install is “out of the box”, we tailor everything to our customers needs. The infrastructure of their two-way radio system is carefully crafted and is designed with ultra-reliable coverage in mind.
If you’d like to learn more about how we work with two-way radio installations, then contact us today. You can also reach us on 0800 328 0100 between 8:30am and 5:15pm, Monday to Friday.
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