FAQ
Q. What sort of range can I expect?
A. Simple answer is – as far as any other 5W UHF Handheld, although with a FDP Radio, you can often expect a greater range due to the radios better than industry standard receiver sensitivity. Our FDP 3dB 5/8 wave Range Extender Antenna improves that again, as it virtually increases the effective output power and receive signal over the standard 1/4 wave supplied.
UHF range could be summed up as – line of sight, height is might, and he with the best antenna wins. UHF signal is very much related to topography.
To borrow from Baycom & Kilpatrick Communications pages:
Consider two people, each using a handheld radio with the maximum allowed 5 watts ouput (It does not matter which brand of radio, 5 watts is 5 watts) and assuming the receivers in the radios are working just fine.
Range using UHF CB is limited to line of sight. That’s pretty well a hard and fast law of physics and practicality. (There are some cases where it’s possible to get extra range with reflections off large objects &/or freak weather conditions, however you can’t rely on that happening).
Put the two people, each with the handheld radio antenna 1.5 metres above the ground on a flat beach. Radio range without any dunes or hills in the way will be about 10km assuming the antenna on the radio will cut the mustard. With the FDP range extender antenna fitted to the radios the range will be 10km for sure.
Reduce the power of the radios to 1 watts and range will probably drop to somewhere in the region of 3km.
Put one person on top of a 6 metre dune, assuming no higher dunes or hills are in between blocking the signal, range will increase to 15km but using the small antenna which is supplied with the radio it may be less. With the FDP range extender antenna fitted to both radios 15km would be very achievable.
Now put one person up on a 70 metre hill and the line of sight should be about 39km…but you probably will not get anywhere near that range because the little antennas on the handheld are just not up to the job. Connect 6dB gain mobile antennas fitted to cars via adapters to the handheld radios’ antenna sockets and the range should be up to 39km.
3dB or 4.5dB gain antennas seem fine out to about 15km vehicle to vehicle and further to repeaters. More than 15km and you might need to start looking at 6dB gain antennas.
If you require greater range you can use whats called a repeater station, these are usually situated on high ground & will relay your signal to other CB users, Range can be between 50 – 150km or more.
Out of interest here in Booral I can access a repeater over 70km away with a FDP radio using just the supplied antenna !!!, However the repeater is situated on a hill which is over 300 metres above sea level, as we say in the communications trade “Height is Might”.
To give some other examples, FKG Traffic Controllers report that they got 16 km on the highway near Toowoomba using FDP radios with Range Extender Antenna, QPP Security managed 7 km talking car to car (transmitting inside the car) on the highway, one with standard antenna, one with range extender, and Hervey Bay SES communicated from Burrum Heads to their Base in Old Maryborough Road which is approximately 15 km. Having said all that, I have a friend who lives 2 kms from me, on the other side of the hill with dozens of houses between us, and I cant get him.
We continually get reports of our radios being able to receive signals when other handhelds cant.
Q. You mention a Battery Save Feature available, what is that?
A. The Battery Save Feature on FDP Radios extends battery life greatly, even up to several days of receive (up to 50hrs standby time – depending on software setting by the distributor or approved agent). Some manufacturers call this a battery management system. Both the FDP Pro and FDP DMR800 have several battery save options available to them by software programming. Very few radio can boast this. At default our battery save is set at 1:2, but higher levels are available.
At default on the FDP Pro you can get up to 30 hrs standby time, and normally a full days typical use from the battery, even at full power.
Also consider reducing the transmit output to LOW to save battery power, when being used over ranges of only a few hundred metres (like in traffic control). It is unlikely the person on the receiving end will notice any difference.
Q. Do the batteries require cycling and can they be over-charged?
A. Lithium ion batteries don’t require full cycling (fully discharging and then recharging) like the old NiCad or NiMH battery packs – so you can recharge anytime. All FDP Charging Cradles are the quick intelligent type and will stop charging the battery when full, and it will only take a couple of hours from a flat battery. However it is still best to turn the power supply off to the cradle when not in use. This also helps re-setting of the charging cradle.
Li-ion Batteries require different care to the older NiCads or NiMH. Do not store a battery in a discharged state, as it can ruin the charging capacity of the battery. Do not leave a discharged battery in a radio that is left ON for excessive periods. This is called over discharging, and is not covered by warranty. This can ruin any rechargeable battery, not just Li-ions. For long term storage, it is recommended that the battery be removed from the radio, and fully charged beforehand.
Q. When working with some traffic controllers, they say my radio is low in volume on their radios or they cant hear me, what can I do?
A. The fault is not with your radio. You will find that the other operator is using an older 40CH wideband radio or using an illegal import, programmed in wideband or have only a wideband receiver (typically Baofeng). Any of the newer 80CH narrowband type approved radios will sound lower in volume on an older 40CH wideband radio. One adjusts the volume for best clarity. This will become less and less of an problem as 80CH becomes the norm. The ACMA requires this issue to be mentioned in all new radios manuals as part of type approval to Australian Standards. Wideband radios are being phased out (you can’t buy a new one anymore), and the ACMA had intended to make the use of 40CH wideband illegal but that has been withdrawn. Some of the older 40CH radios – particularly cheap low wattage types, are simply deaf, when it comes to receiving narrowband transmissions.
The whole narrowband/wideband volume thing can be a bit of a headache for traffic control companies, controllers and us. Ideally for traffic control, where often environment noise is high, and safety is an issue, radio types shouldn’t be mixed, but that is sometimes easier said than done.
Also make sure that you are holding the mike right up to the corner of your mouth.
Q. I don’t quite understand what is meant by Frequency Receive Mode (FDP Pro).
A. This is a frequency receiving (no transmit) mode between 430-500Mhz on the FDP Pro. You can scan for new frequencies of interest here, or if you know the frequency – type it in via the keypad.
Q. Can I monitor a CB channel and listen to the built-in FM Radio at the same time on the FDP Pro?
A. Yes – you can monitor a particular CB channel whilst listening to music and such, with the built-in FM Radio. If someone starts to talk on the monitored CB channel, the FM Radio will mute, and go over to that particular channel. Once that channel goes quiet, the FM Radio will cut back in.
Q. Does the IP rating still apply if I am using a speakermike with the radio?
A. Unfortunately the rating only applies if the radio’s accessories port cover is on, and it is fitted correctly
Approved Radios?
Information kindly provided by Baycom Communications.
Recently ACMA, the radio licensing body here in Australia, have been very concerned with the amount of unapproved & non standard radio’s coming in from overseas, especially budget priced handheld radio’s from China.
With Internet sites such as eBay, people have been obtaining VHF or UHF handheld transceivers at what seem like bargain prices.
Therefore are they legal to use in Australia?
The answer is nearly always NO, unless you are a licensed radio amateur & you use them only on the amateur bands.
Did you buy your radio off the Internet & if so did it cost less than $100?
If so the chances are it’s illegal to own and/or use here in Australia.
The ACMA are already cracking down on illegal use of these radio’s starting off in the major cities & the penalties for using or even owning a radio of this type can be very serious.
This is what ACMA has to say:
“Supply of non standard radio communications devices is an offence under Section 160 of the Radio Communications Act 1992, and can attract substantial penalties of up to $13,200 – Operation and possession of non-standard radio communications devices are offences under sections 157 and 158 of the Act. Non standard devices have the potential to cause harmful interference to licensed radio communications services.”
Q. How can I tell if my radio is approved for use in Australia?
A. Look at the back of the radio or under the battery compartment to see if it’s got a C tick mark or RCM.
The user manual and/or box it came with will normally also shows the approval mark & number.
This is usually followed by the supplier’s registration number – Example N3215
New labeling requirements now require the C Tick mark to be changed over to the RCM mark. No registration number is required with the RCM mark.
Q. My radio has a C tick mark or RCM mark – therefore can I use it on all the frequencies that it’s designed for?
A. You can only use it on frequencies that you, your company or organization (i.e. SES) are licensed and approved for;
if the radio is a UHF CB then you can of course use it legally on all the CB channels
Q. My radio hasn’t got a C tick or RCM mark, surely I can still use it on the UHF CB frequencies?
A. NO unless it’s got a C tick or RCM it can only be used on the amateur radio frequencies with the appropriate license
Q. I have a non C ticked radio what should I do?
A. First option is to get rid of it ASAP or sell it to a licensed radio amateur. The other option is to obtain an amateur radio license yourself; it’s a great hobby & it is now fairly easy to get what’s called a foundation license.
There are often local radio clubs who would help you obtain a license.
Please look at: www.wia.org.au for further details & list of local radio clubs.
Q. My radio is not C ticked, what frequencies can I use it on?
A. You can only transmit on the amateur bands (with a license) that’s between 144 & 148 MHz or 430 & 450 MHz (assuming it is a VHF and or UHF radio).
The radio has to locked to these frequencies & cannot be capable of transmitting outside these frequencies.