WWW.AI-MAG.COM 037MIC CHECK ONE TWO ONE TWO - MIC CHECK ONE TWO ONE TWO
that channel regardless of their CTCSS pre-fix.
You will be able to broadcast on channel 4,
but because you transmission contains no
CTCSS prefix, it won’t be heard by the people
at the other end. In effect, CTCSS gives us
a way of “sorting” transmissions within a
relatively tight bandwidth but it doesn’t give
a secure network. People can still listen in
relatively easily.
CTCSS frequencies are standardised but
different manufacturers call the system
slightly different things, for example Motorola
refer to it as “PL Tone” and Kenwood refer to
it as “Quiet Talk”. Regardless of what they are
called, they are generally intercompatible.OTHER RADIOS
Some older or higher-end radios may be
compatible with the PMR446 frequencies
and channels, but they may require manually
programming. Some will require you to do
this via a computer using a special connector
cable, whilst others may allow you to enter
the frequencies into the radio itself using a
keypad. If you are buying second hand or used
radios, something that might sound like a deal
perhaps won’t include the right programming
data cable. Sometimes it can be difficult
to connect older data cables to modern
computers and the cables themselves can be
rather expensive. On top of this, software to
install on your computer can be difficult to
download and install. Most pre-programmedPMR446 standard radios are ready to use
out of the box and license-free meaning you
can use them wherever and whenever you
want, although some more powerful radios
may require you to purchase a license to use
them. It’s best to check this at the time of
purchase. If you have an older radio that needs
programming but you don’t have the correct
software or cable, some specialist businesses
provide a reprogramming service for most
popular brands.BATTERIES
Radios of course need their own power
supply and by and large, this is provided by a
dedicated battery pack. Older radios will use
NiCd-type packs and newer ones may have a
smaller, lighter and more capacious LiPo or LiFe
pack. Usually these are charged in a docking
station or in a dedicated charger a little like
camcorder batteries or similar. A decent radio
will see you through an average skirmish on
just one charge but if you intend on playing at
weekender games or extended events make
sure you can purchase additional packs to keep
your radio up and running. Some radios are
capable of being powered by regular AA cells in
an emergency, but don’t expect great battery
life. Smaller hobby radios or “Walkie-Talkies”
may even be powered solely by AA batteries
and whilst they are easily replaced, don’t expect
them to last for very long, you’ll certainly need
spares at longer games.SO WHICH RADIO SHOULD I BUY?
Choosing a specific radio is down to you. If you have a team or
players that you regularly game with it might be a good idea to
use the same make and model as them as you can guarantee
compatibility between not only communications but extras
like batteries and chargers. If you are taking your first foray
into the world of radios though, and you need to purchase
from the ground up, it’s a good idea to go with trusted and
known brands. Motorola, Kenwood and iCOM are names
that you might be familiar with and all three have their
own widely recognised plugs and fittings which will come
in handy when it comes to next months feature where we
will discuss the next step when it comes to comms. That is
PTT switches, headsets and how they work together.MIL-SPEC LOOK ALIKES
Because the right look is important to
many airsofters, it can be tempting to
invest in one of the many Mil-Spec style
replica radios, PRC-148 and 152s are quite
popular. Many of these replicas are either
non-functioning radio boxes or basic
PMR446 radios made to look like their
military-issue inspiration. If you have been
reading Ai in the past you will notice we
have been looking at the TRI PRC-152 radio
systems in detail.We are massive fans of these radios but
you should bear in mind that although
they can be programmed to the PMR446
channels, you will need a license to
operate them due to their output power.036-037 OPEN COMMS.indd 37 29/05/2018 11:49