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Last month we told you about some exciting changes to Midland's 2012 lineup of FRS/GMRS two way radios. We now have more details and we're even more excited to pass them along to you. Early this year, Midland promised technical and cosmetic upgrades to its line of consumer radios, including new models. Midland has made many enhancements and performance improvements to its entire line of two way radios during the last few years, and they are taking it all to the next level in 2012.

Feature Upgrades
Among new products to be introduced this year is the new GXT2000 Series. According to Midland, the new GXT2000 and GXT2050 radios will each offer a large, easy to read LCD display. A fast charging, higher capacity lithium polymer battery will also be included to provide longer battery life. This battery can charge from 0-90% in about an hour and trickle charge the final 10% in less than another. The battery upgrade will be a welcome one for hikers, campers and others who love the outdoors and need a battery that charges faster and lasts longer out in the field.

In addition to the new models, Midland's 2012 lineup includes two popular, tried and true standards, the GXT1000VP4 and the GXT1050VP4.

All Midland two way radios include a 3 year warranty, proving their commitment to stand behind their products.

2012 Model Specifications
Here is a sneak peek at the lineup of new models with the manufacturer's suggested retail prices. We expect to have them in stock by mid-summer of 2012. Note that actual prices may vary on release.

NOW AVAILABLE! LXT118 (MSRP $24.99) - 22 channels, channel scan, keypad lock, eVOX, call alert, auto squelch, dual power options, keystroke tones, mic and headphone jacks, charges through the headset jack, battery life extender, water resistant.

NOW AVAILABLE! LXT118VP (MSRP $34.99) - This is the LXT118 in a value pack with two radios, beltclips, rechargeable AAA batteries, AC adapter and owner's manual.

NOW AVAILABLE! LXT500VP3 (MSRP $39.99) - 22 channels, silent operation, HI/LO power settings, channel scan, keypad lock, call alert, auto squelch, dual power options, roger beep, keystroke tones, mic and headphone jacks, drop-in charger capable, battery life extender, water resistant.

NOW AVAILABLE! LXT535VP3 (MSRP $49.99) - 22 channels, silent operation, HI/LO power settings, channel scan, keypad lock, call alert, auto squelch, dual power options, roger beep, keystroke tones, mic and headphone jacks, drop-in charger capable, battery life extender, water resistant.

NOW AVAILABLE! LXT560VP3 (MSRP $59.99) - 22 channels plus 14 extra channels, 121 privacy codes, NOAA weather alert radio with weather scan, LCD backlit display, silent operation, HI/LO power settings, channel scan, keypad lock, call alert, auto squelch, monitor, dual power options, roger beep, keystroke tones, mic and headphone jacks, drop-in charger capable, battery life extender, water resistant.

NOW AVAILABLE! LXT600VP3 - (MSRP $69.99) - 22 channels plus 14 extra channels, 121 privacy codes, NOAA weather alert radio with weather scan, LCD backlit display, silent operation, HI/LO power settings, eVOX, channel scan, keypad lock, 5 call alerts, auto squelch, monitor, dual power options, roger beep, keystroke tones, mic and headphone jacks, drop-in charger capable, battery life extender, water resistant.

NOW AVAILABLE! GXT860VP4 - (MSRP $79.99) - 22 channels plus 20 extra channels, 142 privacy codes, NOAA weather alert radio with weather scan, LCD backlit display, vibrate alert, silent operation, HI/MED/LO power settings, eVOX, channel scan, keypad lock, 10 call alerts, auto squelch, monitor, dual power options, roger beep, keystroke tones, mic and headphone jacks, drop-in charger capable, battery life extender, water resistant.

NOW AVAILABLE! GXT895VP4 - (MSRP $89.99) - Camo shell, 22 channels plus 20 extra channels, 142 privacy codes, NOAA weather alert radio with weather scan, LCD backlit display, vibrate alert, silent operation, HI/MED/LO power settings, eVOX, channel scan, keypad lock, 15 call alerts, 5 animal call alerts, auto squelch, monitor, dual power options, roger beep, keystroke tones, mic and headphone jacks, drop-in charger capable, battery life extender, water resistant.

GXT1000VP4 - (MSRP $89.99) - 22 channels plus 28 extra channels, 285 privacy codes, NOAA weather alert radio with weather scan, LCD backlit display, vibrate alert, silent operation, whisper mode, HI/MED/LO power settings, eVOX (9 levels), channel scan, keypad lock, group call, 10 call alerts, auto squelch, monitor, dual power options, roger beep, keystroke tones, mic and headphone jacks, drop-in charger capable, battery life extender, water resistant, JIS4 waterproof.

GXT1050VP4 - (MSRP $99.99) - Camo shell, 22 channels plus 28 extra channels, 285 privacy codes, NOAA weather alert radio, LCD backlit display, vibrate alert, silent operation, whisper mode, HI/MED/LO power settings, eVOX (9 levels), channel scan, keypad lock, group call, 10 call alerts, auto squelch, monitor, dual power options, roger beep, keystroke tones, mic and headphone jacks, drop-in charger capable, battery life extender, water resistant, JIS4 waterproof.

GXT2000VP4 - (MSRP $119.99) - 22 channels plus 28 extra channels, 142 privacy codes, NOAA weather alert radio with weather scan, LCD backlit display, vibrate alert, silent operation, whisper mode, HI/MED/LO power settings, eVOX (9 levels), channel scan, keypad lock, group call, 15 call alerts, 5 animal call alerts, auto squelch, monitor, dual watch, dual power options, SOS siren, roger beep, keystroke tones, HD dynamic audio, mic and headphone jacks, EXTREME Lithium-Polymer battery pack, ultra fast charge, drop-in charger capable, battery life extender, water resistant, JIS4 waterproof.

GXT2050VP4 - (MSRP $129.99) - Camo shell, 22 channels plus 28 extra channels, 142 privacy codes, NOAA weather alert radio with weather scan, LCD backlit display, vibrate alert, silent operation, whisper mode, HI/MED/LO power settings, eVOX (9 levels), channel scan, keypad lock, group call, 10 call alerts, 5 animal call alerts, auto squelch, monitor, dual watch, dual power options, SOS siren, roger beep, keystroke tones, HD dynamic audio, mic and headphone jacks, EXTREME Lithium-Polymer battery pack, ultra fast charge, drop-in charger capable, battery life extender, water resistant, JIS4 waterproof.

We will keep you updated with more information as it becomes available.

Still using your two way radios on wideband? If so, you need to prepare your migration to narrowband as soon as possible, before the end of this year.

The FCC issued a public notice January 5 to remind everyone that the deadline to transition to narrowband is January 1, 2013. This includes private business class land mobile radios and licensees in the 150-174 MHz VHF and 421-512 MHz UHF bands. After January 1, all business radios that operate within these bands must do so using narrowband technology at 12.5 KHz or narrower.

According to the FCC, all VHF/UHF industrial, business and Public Safety Radio Pool licensees must operate on 12.5 kHz (11.25 kHz occupied bandwidth) or narrower channels and all two way radio manufacturers must cease the manufacture and import of radios that include a 25 kHz mode. This applies to all radios purchased after December 31, 2012.

As long as you are licensed for narrowband and your radios support narrowbanding (most radios sold within the last decade do) they should be in compliance. All you may need to do is simply re-program your radios for narrowband if you are still using wideband frequencies. However, if you are licensed for wideband only you will need to update your license for narrowband. In addition, if you are still using older radios that operate in wideband mode only, you will need to upgrade them to support narrowband as well - and you will need to do this by December 31, 2012.

Although a bill has been introduced to delay the transition, our sources have told us that the chances of it actually passing are very low. As such, waiting until the eleventh hour for a possible extension of the deadline may be a risky proposition.

For more information, read the FCC Public Notice DA 12-12 or visit the FCC for full details.

If you need to upgrade your licenses and/or business two way radios, we can help. Give us a call at 1-800-584-1445 today. Don't wait until the last minute to become narrowband compliant. The time to prepare is now.

Business radios are programmed to specific frequencies assigned to licensed users. Consumer FRS/GMRS radios are pre-programmed to the exact frequencies assigned for those services. In addition to the GMRS frequencies, there are other standard frequencies for general use. These are known as dot or star frequencies.

Here is a chart of dot, star and other fixed or pre-programmed channels:

There are scenarios in which two way communications are necessary or even critical, but the prospect of equipping everyone with a handheld two way radio is not affordable, feasible or even practical. In such a situation, the logical solution may be to use a wireless base station, intercom or callbox.

You may already be familiar with the classic wired intercom system used in some businesses and homes. Essentially, it consists of a box with both a speaker and microphone that communicates with another intercom box in another room or location. These devices are usually mounted on a desk or wall and hardwired throughout the interior of an office building or home.

Today it is not uncommon to find wireless intercoms substituted for many of the traditional wired devices. A wireless intercom is actually a two way radio that, like the older, traditional intercom, is typically mounted in a fixed location. The intercom is programmed to communicate with other intercoms and two way radios within or around the facility. Wireless intercoms provide more flexibility than the old wired systems because they can be installed easily in existing locations without the added cost of actually wiring a building and can interact with a variety of other radios, including handheld portables.

A callbox is essentially the same type of device as an intercom, only a bit more rugged. While both types of devices operate the same way, the intercom is typically a lighter duty call box used primarily indoors between rooms or offices, while the callbox usually refers to a heavy duty unit designed to be more secure and weatherproof for indoor/outdoor use.

A callbox typically consists of a box mounted on a post or wall, with a front speaker, mic and call button or keypad. They are used for a variety of applications and are often found at or near gated entrances, warehouse delivery doors and loading docks, fast food ordering stations and drive-thrus, golf courses, roadside assistance stations, parking lots, resorts, hospitals, college campuses, airports and other public locations.

Ritron is a leading manufacturer of wireless callboxes and intercoms. The company offers a full line of fixed mount communication devices using two way radio technology. Based in Carmel, Indiana, Ritron is somewhat unique in the respect that their products are made in the United States.

Ritron's intercoms are designed with convenience and security in mind. The Ritron JobCom® Display Series Wireless Intercom/Base Station (JBS) is a wireless, 10 channel intercom designed for stationary use in a specific area, such as a reception desk or in a shop. It can be mounted to a wall for secure operation or sit on a desk for convenient access.

The Ritron JBS Series intercoms are also designed for both interactivity and interoperability. They feature 21 business-only, pre-programmed, user selectable UHF or VHF frequencies with 2 Watts of power. The JBS -446D operates on UHF frequencies. The JBS-146D operates on VHF frequencies (including MURS) and can be programmed to receive NOAA weather channels and weather alerts. Both models also feature a large, 1 Watt speaker with loud, clear audio output, 51 privacy codes, Channel Scan, Call Tone, 2-Tone Paging Decode, DTMF ANI Encode, Programmable Soft Key and an easy to read LED display. Both models operates on 110VAC or 12VDC (with optional adapter) and are packaged in a steel enclosure for added durability.

As for callboxes, that is one of their specialties. Ritron manufactures several series of callboxes, called the OUTPOST® Series, designed for specific uses.

The Ritron OUTPOST® Series Callbox consists of a UHF or VHF two way radio transceiver that can be programmed for long range communication with virtually any other brand two way radio. According to Ritron, these callboxes offer up to five times the range of other wireless systems and are repeater capable to extend the range of the callbox.

The Ritron RQX-451 supports 77 UHF frequencies and the RQX-151 supports 27 VHF frequencies including MURS. All models are field or PC programmable and are wide or narrow band frequency compatible. The callboxes can be powered by 6 D cell batteries for a 100% wireless installation or wired for optional external AC power. Other standard features include an External Power Fail Alert, Low Battery Alert, Call Tone and Adjustable Speaker Volume.

The OUTPOST® 1 Series Callbox comes in two versions: the Basic and the XT. The Basic version is intended for use indoors in controlled environments such as inside a warehouse, manufacturing plant, remote area of a large building or in other interior locations where simplex radio communication is needed. The XT version is designed specifically for use outdoors in an all-weather environment. It is enclosed in a fiberglass housing with a stainless steel faceplate attached to the front of the housing with tamper-resistant fasteners. The XT is ideal for use around facilities such as golf courses, construction sites, gated entrances, outside large buildings or other exterior, fixed locations.

Intercoms and callboxes are a well-established form of fixed, two way communications. However, although traditional wired devices still have their uses, wireless radio intercoms and callboxes add a dimension of flexibility and interoperability to the mix, as they can also provide safe and secure communication to mobile, handheld or stationary base station radios as well as other fixed stations - without the costly installation of a wired system.

For an in-depth discussion about intercoms and callboxes, listen to The Two Way Radio Show Episode 23 - Callboxes and Intercoms.

View this video introduction to the Ritron OUTPOST® 1 Series Callbox!

Haunted attractions, or haunts, as they are called, are big business. While many of them are small, mom and pop operations, some are much larger; collectively they generate millions in revenue each year, creating an entire industry that is all their own.

Tony Wohlgemuth knows the haunt business inside and out. Tony and his wife, Donna, own and operate Kersey Valley Spookywoods, a haunt located on a 55 acre farm in High Point, North Carolina. It is huge compared to the typical haunt and bills itself as "North Carolina's largest haunted attraction". Spookywoods employs 150 actors during the haunt season.

Tony uses up the whole farm. "Most of your haunted houses are going to be inside a grocery store, a vacant store, or a warehouse setting", Tony says. "We're really unusual as far as the size goes and being outdoors."

Kersey Valley Spookywoods features numerous attractions, such as The House of Darkness, Corn Maze, and of course, the famous Spookywoods. With 150 actors and so much going on at once, quick and reliable communication is critical to the entire operation. To keep things running smoothly and on cue, Tony and his crew rely heavily on their arsenal of two way radios.

To keep things organized, the staff and radios are divided up into groups and Tony has managers who monitor everybody. "There's a lot of chatter, especially, you know, trying to get the show started; a lot of communication going on", Tony explains. "Our biggest challenge is, there's just so much talking going on, you know, that it's just hard to get through." To minimize the traffic, he constantly stresses a company policy of radio use during radio meetings: "don't talk unless you've gotta talk... don't talk unless you have to."

Typical haunts operate after dark. Spookywoods is unusual in the sense that they operate both day and night. The long hours have an impact on their radio communications strategy. "Battery life is so important to us", says Tony. "We open at night, obviously, for the haunt but we use the same radios during the day at our corn maze. So these radios are on from, say, 11 in the morning all the way to 11 at night."

While battery life is an issue, Tony doesn't let it affect the show. He says, "Some of our managers have two radios, so when one dies they just pick up another."

Although two way radios are important to the operation, it is equally important that they are not seen and certainly not heard by the guests. Almost every radio operator, guy and ghoul alike, is a visible part of the haunt and more often than not in character or costume. A two way radio in the hand of a spook can certainly ruin a scare or effect. For this reason the radios need to be small, lightweight and easy to hide. A hidden microphone and headset are critical. Tony makes this point perfectly clear. "Earphones are important because we don't want the customers to hear what's going on."

When it comes to mics and headsets, a surveillance earpiece with a PTT mic is ideal. "We like to be discreet and have the cables coming up behind our neck and you don't even notice we've got a radio on", Tony says. "Which I think is great; you know... we're quiet... you don't hear a bunch of chatter and the customers respect this. They don't know that we're in communication. And it's great when trying to catch somebody doing something."

Safety and security concerns also make the radios an indispensible part of the haunt. Guests can get out of hand and people can become unruly. "It's kind of nice to have that discreet communication", Tony says. "Like I could talk to our sheriffs and they don't even know I'm talking to the sheriff."

Kersey Valley Spookywoods utilizes two way radio communications in nearly every part of the operation to make the haunt entertaining, safe, secure and profitable. At the end of the night, it seems Tony considers his radios well worth the investment.

Updated March 29, 2021
Each year, as autumn sets in, the air begins to cool, the leaves begin to die, and the night comes early to cast its eerie shadow upon the earth even before the day is done. The world becomes cold, bare and dark.

Then the haunts begin.

From mid-September to the end of October, thousands of haunted houses and spooky amusement attractions, or haunts, open across the country. Some are small, home-grown amusements or events operated by local charities, churches and civic groups. Others are larger, commercial attractions that feature professional performers and slick, high tech shows. Small or large, they all offer one thing in common: a unique experience derived from devious diversions and fun filled frights for those who like to be scared silly or out of their wits, just for kicks.

Some haunts are simple shows with inexpensive props and volunteers dressed in home-made costumes performing improvised scares. Others are high tech, carefully orchestrated events with actors, effects and gadgets to add a touch of virtual reality and heighten the fright. But there is one item nearly all respectable haunts rely on besides the costumes, make-up and fake blood: two way radios.

Good radio communication is very important to haunts for several reasons. The first is safety. Attractions of any sort where patrons gather for entertainment always present safety concerns. Attractions intended to scare those patrons increase them. A situation in which an actor gets assaulted, a patron has a heart attack or gets hurt, something catches fire or some other emergency occurs requires immediate attention, communication and response.

Security is also important. Patrons may become unruly or a fright can get out of hand. Patrons may vandalize sets and props or otherwise take advantage of dark surroundings to engage in other inappropriate activities. Communication is important to ensure property is protected, liabilities are limited and everyone enjoys themselves appropriately.

Third, no matter what, the show must go on. Ensuring actors act on cue, props perform as they should and effects execute on time ensure the haunt itself will have the desired effect and not drop dead during delivery.

Communication can be important or even crucial for other operations as well, such as parking, ticketing, concessions and crowd control. In short, the ability to communicate quickly, efficiently and collectively can make the difference between the overall success or failure of a haunt. To ensure success, two way radios are a practical means to that end.

If you're thinking about creating a haunt or currently operating one, choosing the right two way radio is important to consider. Will your haunt be located indoors or outside? Does it encompass a small or large area? Do you need to communicate with only a few key operators or an entire cast and crew? Will it operate for a just few hours a night or all night and all day? How your haunt is set up and how it will operate will largely determine the type of radios you need. There are several types to consider.

Small lightweight business radios
These are generally a prime choice for haunts. Small radios can be hidden more easily in costumes and are lightweight, yet durable. Business class radios also use commercial UHF/VHF frequencies that can be assigned for use specifically for the haunt, ensuring more direct communication between those radio operators and at greater range. Batteries used in business radios typically last longer as well, allowing the radios to be used in haunts with long hours without the need of a recharge. The most popular business class radios for haunts are Motorola CLS1110 and CLS1410 two way radios. They are very small, extremely lightweight radios and have a long battery life. The Kenwood TK-3230DX is also a good choice and is particularly rugged for its size.

900 MHz digital radios
if you are buying all new radios and need them to communicate with your cast and crew on separate, multiple channels, 900 MHz digital radios are an option. The advantages? Radios such as the Motorola DTR600 and DTR700 offer direct, one-to-one calling over multiple channels (30 for the DTR600 and 50 for the DTR700). This allows you to call either an individual radio or an entire group. Motorola also offers the DLR series: the DLR1020 features 2 channels and the DLR1060 has 6 channels.

These radios utilize Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology, offering more privacy and greater security for your haunt attraction than FRS, GMRS and some other UHF/VHF radios. The best part? They are all license free! Since these radios operate at 900 MHz, anyone at any age can operate them for either consumer or business use without the need to purchase a license from the FCC. So, whether you operate a small haunt for charity or a large one for profit, these radios have you covered.

Consumer grade radios
For small, non-commercial haunts on a tight budget such as churches or civic groups, consumer grade radios may be acceptable. These radios are generally small, lightweight, and inexpensive. They usually not as rugged and durable as business class radios, but if they do break they are a lot less expensive to replace. Consumer radios are not intended for private communication. They operate on FRS/GMRS frequencies, which are open, shared channels; the radios will operate fine, but don't be surprised if you receive interference from other area radio users or your conversations are overheard.

Consumer radios also have shorter battery life than most business radios and the range is usually not as good. However, some consumer radios are more durable than others and there are ways to work around some battery issues. If you have limited funds and resources and your haunt is not a large commercial operation, a good consumer radio can still be worth the investment. Radios such as the Midland GXT1000VP4 and the Cobra PX500-BG are a good value at a good price as they include headsets, batteries and charger. The PX500-BG radios are also small, compact and lightweight, allowing you to carry and conceal them easily.

There is one new FRS walkie talkie that is an exception to the "consumer grade" category. This is the Wouxun KG-805F Professional FRS Two Way Radio, and is a great option for haunts that need more rugged durability and battery life without the business radio price. This is because the KG-805F is a business grade radio. Unlike most other FRS radios, the KG-805F is capable of operation on up to 2 watts of power, the maximum for FRS. It is also available in short "stubby" antenna model for low profile operation.

Base stations and intercoms
Wireless radio base stations, intercoms or callboxes that are strategically placed throughout the perimeter can provide instant or emergency communications in situations where it may not be economical, practical or even feasible to provide portable handheld two way radios to individual staff members. These intercoms can usually be mounted to a wall or post in central areas or zones and programmed to specific frequencies to talk with other intercoms or two way radios in a group. They can also often be programmed with prepared messages and alerts to act as emergency callboxes. The Ritron Jobcom Base Station/Wireless Intercom is a perfect example of such a device. Larger, permanent attractions and perennial haunts may find this solution to be both desirable and cost effective.

Accessories
Choosing the right type of radio also includes choosing the right accessories. The type of headsets, mics and other equipment attached to your radios depend largely on your haunt and the effect you want to achieve. Simply operating a radio in your hand in full view of the guests can ruin a good scare and possibly the whole show. Chances are, there will also be a lot of noise and the radio operators on both ends need the ability to both speak and hear clearly above the shrieks, screams and other cacophony.

If your radios need to be hidden but headsets are not that critical, a D-Ring type of earpiece with a PTT mic attached could suffice. Our XLT DR110 D-Ring Earpiece with PTT Mic is a stable, flexible earpiece with a "D" ring that loops around the left or right ear. The earpiece rests against the ear instead of inside it, making the DR110 a good option when sharing an earpiece with several people.

For something a little more discreet, yet easy to wear, an earbud with earclip is an ideal solution. The XLT EB210 Earpiece with PTT Microphone is lightweight, comfortable and features an adjustable height earbud style earpiece to accommodate almost any, er, human ear, left or right. The push-to-talk button/microphone can be clipped onto your lapel or hidden inside your pocket.

If you want the radios to be completely hidden inside or under a costume with no easily discernable wiring, a surveillance earpiece with PTT mic would be the way to go, such as the XLT SE440 2-Wire Surveillance Earpiece with PTT Mic The clear, "surveillance-style" eartube is difficult to see in the dark. It also features a quick release style mushroom tipped surveillance earpiece. The Push-to-talk button/microphone is on a separate wire that can be linked to your lapel, placed in a pocket, or slipped down a sleeve. Think "men in black" and you'll have the idea.

Our Recommendations
For most commercial haunts, the recommended solution is the Motorola CLS1110 or 1410 radio and XLT EB210 earpiece with PTT microphone. For larger haunts, a Ritron Jobcom Base Station/Intercom placed in one or more strategic locations around the haunt is also recommended.

Behind every scary haunt is a scary spook. More often than not, such old fashioned terror is brought to you by modern technology. The next time you visit your favorite haunt, watch out for the ghoul creeping up behind you. Aside from the normal paranormal baggage or props, He, she, or it(?) may just be packing a two way radio.

Let's talk about ARTS. No, we're not talking about music, movies, impressionist paintings or the theatre; we're talking about Vertex Standard ARTS. Vertex radios and ARTS?, you ask. What's that all about?

ARTS™, also known as Auto-Range Transpond System, is a type of technology used in two way radios - more specifically, Vertex two way radios. In fact, Vertex Standard built ARTS as a standard feature in all of its portable radios, such as the VX-231, VX 351 and VX 354. That's great, you say. But what is ARTS? What does it do?

The Auto-Range Transpond System (ARTS) is a feature used to detect and alert you when you and another ARTS-equipped radio station are within range of each other. When ARTS is in use, your radio will transmit for one second every 55 seconds in an attempt to handshake with the other radio. If no signal is received or your radio is out of range of the other for more than two minutes, it will emit a beep alert or tone. Once you and the other radio station are within range of each other again, your radio will receive a transmission from the other radio and beep to acknowledge the reconnection.

From an operator's perspective, ARTS is a simple concept and a feature easily explained and understood. But that's only the beginning.

Then there is ARTS II.

ARTS II takes ARTS to a whole new level. It uses MDC 1200 encode/decode for selective signaling. MDC (Motorola Data Communications) transmits data on a radio's voice channel in bursts at a rate of 1200 baud (hence the term MDC 1200). This data includes information about the radio doing the sending, such as its Unit ID, status and pre-defined messages. By utilizing MDC1200 signaling, ARTS II allows each radio user to know exactly which specific radio or radios are in or out of range. ARTS II is a standard feature in the Vertex VX-450 Series portable radios (including the VX-451 and VX-459) and VX 4500 and 4600 Series mobile radios.

Although the technology used to bring ARTS to the world of two way radios is a bit complicated, the concept itself is rather simple and the feature is easy to set up and use. Such a feature can also be a very important tool when you need to stay in touch or monitor employees, team members or other radio operators in your group. The video below demonstrates ARTS and ARTS II in action to help you visualize the potential uses for and value of this feature.

And that's basically all there is to it. Congratulations! You are now a Master of ARTS.

We are now in the middle of the 2011 hurricane season. Hurricane Irene recently stormed across the Atlantic, hitting the Bahamas and the Eastern seaboard of the US. Another storm is currently forming off the coast of Africa and has a 70% chance of becoming a tropical depression within the next 48 hours. If you live or work in areas prone to hurricane activity, there is only one question to ask. Are you ready?

Do you have a Hurricane Preparedness Kit? If not, FEMA has a checklist of Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit so you can build your own.

The first two items on FEMA's list are obviously the most critical: water and food, in that order. The third item on the list? A Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.

Radios that meet the requirements suggested in FEMA's list include the following:

Two Way Radios

Midland GXT1000VP4 Radios With Headsets and Charger - The GXT1000VP4 is a powerful 5 watt radio designed for use in all types of weather. It is durable, water resistant, supports NOAA weather channels, NOAA weather alerts and includes a 3 year manufacturer warranty.

Motorola TALKABOUT MS350R Two Way Radios - The MS350R is a brand new high performance radio from Motorola. The MS350R is designed specifically for use in extreme weather conditions. It also features 11 weather channels and a built-in flashlight. The MS350R operates on rechargeable and disposable batteries, is submersible and also floats. The package even includes an Emergency Preparedness Checklist Sheet.

Motorola TALKABOUT T9680R-SAME Two Way Radios - The Motorola T9680R is one of Motorola's most powerful consumer two way radios. It is built as a Hazard Alert radio and features Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology, adopted by the National Weather Service to alert the public to emergency events in their specific area. SAME monitors the NOAA weather stations for you pro-actively and alerts you to emergency weather and hazard conditions. Like the MS350R, The T9680R operates on both rechargeable and alkaline batteries.

Midland XT511 Base Camp Two Way/Emergency Crank Radio - The Midland XT511 is a powerful, all-in-one two way radio that is the perfect choice for any emergency kit. It is, for all intents and purposes, the "Swiss army knife" of radios. It features an FRS/GMRS radio, flashlight, an AM/FM clock radio with an alarm, and NOAA weather alerts. The Midland XT511 offers five power options, including an AC wall power adapter, DC vehicle adapter, rechargeable battery pack, alkaline batteries and can be powered and charged using the Dynamo hand crank. The XT511 also includes a USB connector so you to charge your USB enabled devices (including many cell phones) in case of a power outage.

NOAA Weather Radios (receive only)

Midland WR-120 Weather Radio - The WR-120 is a basic All Hazards Alert weather radio and supports the Public Alert system and SAME technology. When a weather or civil emergency alert is issued in your specific area , an alarm goes off and a text alert is displayed. The WR-120 also features an alarm clock with snooze, a blue backlit display, battery backup, color coded alert light, and external antenna jack. The WR-120 is also tri-lingual and supports English, Spanish or French languages.

Midland WR-300 Weather Radio - The WR-300 offers many of the same features as the WR-120. In addition the WR-300 allows you to choose between an alarm alert, an LED alert, or both.

Midland HH54VP2 SAME Handheld Weather Radio - The Midland HH54VP2 is a small, portable handheld radio ideal for use when travelling. The HH54VP2 supports all NWS hazard alerts utilizing S.A.M.E. technology. The HH-54VP2 also provides other emergency alerts such as Amber Alerts, biological hazard warnings, civil emergency messages, nuclear power plant warnings, fire warnings and landslide warnings. The HH-54VP2 also features an alarm clock with snooze, a large, backlit display with continuous backlighting option, user selectable alerts, color coded alert indicators, and battery backup.

Midland HH-50 Pocket Weather Alert Radio - The Midland HH-50 is an extremely compact weather radio that easily fits in your pocket and auto scans for emergency and weather alerts from the moment you turn it on. The HH-50 supports all hazard alerts issued by the National Weather Service as well as other types of emergency alerts, messages and warnings. Its extremely low cost, light weight and small footprint make it a good choice for a small emergency kit in the car or on the go.

Whether at home or away, on land or water, a radio is an indispensable item for any emergency preparedness kit. When a weather emergency hits your area, alerts and updates on ever changing weather conditions can be vital to your safety or survival. Two way radio communications can also be critical in such emergencies, especially if you lose your landline, cell phone service or power. For more information on emergency weather radios, listen to The Two Way Radio Show Episode 13 - Emergency and Weather Radios.

Don't be caught off guard during the next weather alert. Assemble your Hurricane Preparedness Kit now.

UPDATE: We now carry a complete line of emergency preparedness and survival kits, including the Emergency Zone Severe Weather Emergency Kit. Add your choice of two way radio and be ready for an emergency or weather disaster now!

If you spend a lot of time shopping around for two way radios, at some point you may have come across the term "intrinsically safe". If you're somewhat new to the world of walkie-talkies, you probably have a few questions. What is an intrinsically safe radio? What does it do? What makes an "intrinsically safe" radio different from any other radio? Why would I want one? Why would I need one? Why would I even care?

The word intrinsic refers to the essential or real nature or value of something. In electronics it refers to the very nature of an electronic device as being electrical; an item that operates using electricity. Any electronic device, by its very nature, carries and electrical current or charge, therefore the chance of an electrical spark or heat eminating from the device is inherently present or a possibility at all times.

Intrinsically Safe means the device is safe to use in hazardous environments where the presence of a potential spark, heat or flame could potentially create a safety hazard. In the case of two way radios, this is especially important. Since radios are electrical, they do have the potential to generate sparks and heat, and there are many situations in which a radio may need to be used in potentially hazardous or explosive environments.

Such environments include oil rigs and refineries, gas mains, coal mines, engine rooms of seafaring vessels, chemical plants, factories, emergency scenes involving First Responders, and other environments where there are potentially explosive or hazardous materials.

Hazardous environments fall into different divisions and classifications. The details are outside the scope of this discussion, but essentially they fall into three basic classifications:

• Class 1: flammable vapors and gases
• Class 2: flammable dust
• Class 3: flammable fibers

In such environments, two way radio communication can be very important and even critical to operations, yet standard two way radios should not be used because they can make a potentially hazardous situation even more dangerous.

These situations require the use of Intrinsically Safe radios.

In order to be designated Intrinsically Safe, radios must be designed and housed in such a way as to prevent or eliminate the possibility of generating even the tiniest little spark. They must also limit the amount of heat produced by the radio. The batteries used in the radios must also be specially designed to prevent sparks and eliminate short circuiting. Even the radio housing itself must be designed and constructed of materials to prevent or eliminate friction, which can create static electricity and generate sparks.

In addition to the radios, any accessories used, such as microphones and headsets, need to be intrinsically safe.

Intrinsically safe two way radios are manufactured according to strict codes and regulations set by the National Fire Protection Association. The manufacturing facilities and processes are supervised by Factory Mutual, an insurance and loss prevention company approved by the US government to oversee enforcement of the NFPA codes.

Due to these more stringent manufacturing requirements, Intrinsically Safe radios are considerably more expensive than their standard counterparts. However, the safety considerations built into these radios are worth far more than that. After all, you can't put a price on safety.

Radios manufactured as Intrinsically Safe carry the FM (Factory Mutual) Approved certification mark. Icom, Motorola, and Vertex are major brands with one or more models of intrinsically safe two way radios.

This chart lists popular makes and models of intrinsically safe radios currently available from Buy Two Way Radios.

Questions? Leave us a comment below. You can also give us a call, e-mail us or enter our live chat from 8 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday!

One of the most important things to have with you when you are out on the water (besides something to keep you afloat) is a means of two way communication, such as a radio. If you are a boater, you probably already know how important it is to have a radio on board.

Marine VHF radios are commonly used on seafaring vessels both large and small to communicate ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore for everything from routine contact with ports and marinas to emergency distress calls. These radios operate using VHF frequencies from 156 to 174 MHz.

Marine radios operate very much like your typical land-based two way radio, but with some differences in channels, wattage, range and features. VHF marine channels are different than those used for land based radios and are specifically for use in marine environments. They are allowed to operate between 1 and 25 watts. Because transmissions primarily occur over open water, their range will generally be much greater than land-based radios.

Marine radios also offer many additional features not found on most land-based radios, such as emergency weather alerts and weather-proofing. It is not uncommon for marine radios, particularly handheld units, to be submersible in water and even float.

One important feature often found in a VHF marine radio is Digital Selective Calling, or DSC. DSC is part of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS). A Class-D (DSC) Digital Selective Calling-capable VHF radio has a second receiver to monitor Channel 70 (DSC channel) activity at all times while receiving another channel. DSC allows the user to send a distress signal at the push of a button without using a microphone to exchange position information with other boats or stations. As of March 25, 2011 marine radios are now required by the FCC to be Class-D DSC complaint.

The FCC has set specific requirements for users of marine radios operating within US jurisdiction. The FCC states: Depending on the size, purpose, or destination of a ship, its radio station must meet certain requirements established by law or treaty.

On October 25, 1996, the FCC released a Report and Order in WT Docket No. 96-82, 11 FCC Rcd 14849, FCC 96-421 (pdf), eliminating the individual licensing requirement for voluntary ships operating domestically which are not required by law to carry a radio. Voluntary ships are those that are not required to have a radio. WIth a few exceptions, most recreational vessels are considered voluntary.

According to the FCC, domestic vessels are those that do not travel to foreign ports. If your vessel travels to ports in other countries, you will need to have a license. The FCC rules require certain vessels to be equipped with radio equipment for safety purposes. These rules are set in accordance with international agreements.

Marine radios typically have 88 channels, however not all of those channels are allowed to be used by everyone. Certain channels are reserved for specific types of communications or for specific groups, such as commercial ships and the Coast Guard. For instance, Simplex channels, 3, 21, 23, 61, 64, 81, 82 and 83 CANNOT be legally used in U.S. waters by the general public. Channel 16 and Channel 9 are emergency channels and are reserved specifically for emergency communications. Channel 16 (for voice) and channel 70 (for digital DSC) being monitored 24 hours a day by the US Coast Guard.

In addition to the other requirements, there is one other very important rule to note: Marine radios are specifically intended for marine use. It is illegal to operate a marine radio on land.

There are two basic types of VHS Marine Radios, fixed mount and handheld. Fixed mount radios are installed or mounted in your vessel. Handheld radios are carried with you like any other handheld two way radio or walkie-talkie.

Examples of fixed mount VHF marine radios are the Icom IC-M412 (available in black or white) and the Cobra Marine MR-F80B-D Class-D Fixed Mount Submersible VHF Radio. Examples of handheld marine radios are the Midland Nautico 3VP, and the Icom IC-M36 VHF Marine Radio. Cobra, Icom, Midland and Uniden are all popular brands of marine radios.

When shopping for a marine radio, it is important to note that while antennas are typically included with handheld radios, an antenna is not included with fixed mount marine radios and are purchased separately. This is because the antenna will be mounted somewhere externally on the vessel itself. Marine radio antennas vary in size, length and type and your choice of an antenna may vary depending on where and how it will be mounted on your vessel.

For more information about the basics of choosing and using a marine radio, listen to The Two Way Radio Show Episode 16 - An Introduction to Marine Radios.