General Radio Information

You can...if you don't mind weak reception and replacing them every few months.

Two-way radios purchased off the shelf from retail stores are known as Family Radio Service (FRS). They are typically used by family, friends and associates to communicate within a neighborhood or other short-distance environment because they operate at a maximum 1/2 watt power and cover a range of less than one mile. While they may be used for business-related communications, FRS radios are not built to withstand daily usage in a business environment. You may end up spending more in the long run replacing broken radios than you would by purchasing high-end portable business radios.

That depends on where you will be using your radios.

If you will be using the radios in an outdoor setting that is free of obstructions, VHF may be best suited for your needs. VHF signals travel a greater distance and closer to the earth as long as there is nothing in the way of the signal.

UHF is better suited for all-around usage (indoors and outdoors) because the UHF signal is stronger and can penetrate buildings and other obstructions such as interior walls.

Channels are used to segregate work teams within the jobsite. Each work group can have their own channel to minimize disruptions in other departments. We suggest one channel for every 10 radio users.

You might need a radio repeater, which is both a receiver and transmitter, in order to ensure the radio signal reaches all the radios. The signal may be diminished or even blocked if used in a high-rise building with a basement or a large campus with many buildings.

A radio repeater will receive a weak or low-level signal and retransmit it at a higher level or higher power without degradation.

Yes. If you do not have one already, visit the FCC website to obtain and apply for the appropriate license.