Anyone using truck mounted radios insted of cell phones? I have been looking at mounting radios in all the trucks for the added benefits of gps and the like. Any opinions would be helpful. :feedbackThanks.
Radios instead of cell phones?
Ron's Asphalt
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We have 12 vehicle mounted motorola 40 watt radios (no repeater) and 1 in the office. Average range is 20-40 miles depending on the quality and position of the antenna and how much crap is in between locations. We renew our FCC license every so often (I think it 5+ years) and it is dirt cheap once you own the radios ($400 ea). One of the bigger landscapers in town used to have 100 watt truck radios (better range), but I don't know if they are available anymore.
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FCC licenses are every 10 years. 100 watt radios are available.. You need to license whatever you plan on using. There are companies that coordinate/help you through the license process. 100watt radios are 3 times more expensive than 40 watt radios.. Its a doubling of power, but in reality a very small gain in signal strength. A "gain" antenna can make up for this.
The initial coordination of a frequency would probably cost $500 or so.
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7,997 Posts
Ditto to Mark, We run a repeater off our system iam good for at least 100 miles , we also use a trunked system to avoid poaching:wink the other wrecker companys do not and i can set here and listen to them talk smack about everyone , Huh my name was brought up alot over the last two weeks seems the one company that is dishing me the hardest for wrecking was the same company that took out a bridge two years ago with a crane that bounced on a trailer and totaled the crane and 1millon in damage to the bridge.
Anyway Ron its a trade off the guys dont always want to carry the bulky two ways, they do carry there cells so like said the two ways are a good back up.
FYI Moto has a set of 25 milers for 125 bucks that really do work understand your gonna get stepped on by everyone running in that Freq but no tower rental.
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621 Posts
We use Motorolas . We pay a tower fee of $180 a month and it includes all our radios , yap as much as you want . Quality & location of antennas are the key for good reception too . I run a scanner too in my truck . Everyone has cells too .
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306 Posts
we use 2 way
I have had UFH FM 2 ways for 25 years. No dailing to talk to other truck, we are on a trunking system with 2 talk groups. We also have direct incase of a major power outage and a tower here at shop and office. We use a repeater and it covers our whole area. We have a handheld if we need to be out of equipment. All trucks have radios.
The best part is less time to contact another person, just pick up mic and press button. No dailing or taking eyes off road. We have control over who the drivers are talking to. If we had cell phones they could call who they wanted. Calls come to office then dispatched, an orderly flow of information. If someone has a problem they call and all people in company hear the issue and can respond.
One time my daughter was plowing and had a flat tire. In a few minutes there was 3 trucks in the parking lot, it was a bad part of town. The good part as I said before is the whole company is intune with the working of the company and the snow event. If something changes all employees hear what is going on.
For super secret talk we have voice scrambling on management equipment. This allows talking with no one listening. Also everyone has their own cell phone if they dont want others to hear they can call office on phone. We discourage phone calls unless it is a private conversation.
We also use Kenwood as they are good priced and take the abuse of salting and plowing.
I have had UFH FM 2 ways for 25 years. No dailing to talk to other truck, we are on a trunking system with 2 talk groups. We also have direct incase of a major power outage and a tower here at shop and office. We use a repeater and it covers our whole area. We have a handheld if we need to be out of equipment. All trucks have radios.
The best part is less time to contact another person, just pick up mic and press button. No dailing or taking eyes off road. We have control over who the drivers are talking to. If we had cell phones they could call who they wanted. Calls come to office then dispatched, an orderly flow of information. If someone has a problem they call and all people in company hear the issue and can respond.
One time my daughter was plowing and had a flat tire. In a few minutes there was 3 trucks in the parking lot, it was a bad part of town. The good part as I said before is the whole company is intune with the working of the company and the snow event. If something changes all employees hear what is going on.
For super secret talk we have voice scrambling on management equipment. This allows talking with no one listening. Also everyone has their own cell phone if they dont want others to hear they can call office on phone. We discourage phone calls unless it is a private conversation.
We also use Kenwood as they are good priced and take the abuse of salting and plowing.
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