Frequency range pmr. LPD and PMR bands

12/17/2017 According to Russian legislation, there are two license-free bands in the UHF range for everyone who needs radio communications: LPD and PMR. They are close to each other on the frequency grid - LPD channels are located from 433.075 to 434.750 MHz, and PMR from 446.000 to 446.100 MHz.
The best thing to do is to use both, since each range has its own advantages. Moreover, Argut radios allow you to do this.
The main advantage of PMR radios is the power level. The permissible power in this range is 0.5 W. In LPD - much less. But on the other hand, PMR has only 8 channels. In a big city this is not much, the channels may be busy. Of course, CTCSS and DCS coding saves you, but it is often easier to switch to LPD channels and use them.
In LPD, the problem is the low level of permitted power. In addition, some of the channels are filled with telemetry and alarm systems, as well as various remote controls. But since there are many channels, the problem is always solvable. LPD has such useful things as auto channels where you can contact and chat about the situation on the roads.
But in terms of communication range, both ranges are approximately the same. In a line of sight zone of several kilometers, communication is provided without problems. Moreover, the connection is very high quality and legible. Sometimes long passages happen. But this requires special conditions and this rarely happens. But 3-5 km in open areas is always possible, and more is usually not required.

What connection do we use when engaging in active sports and recreation?

Cell phone, not always convenient, does not always work.

Satellite, and in some cases this is the only connection with the “greater land”.

Now about everyday realities.

Someone bought point-and-shoot radios, others snatched something more impressive, some had amateur radio, multi-band stations.

When everyone has the same stations, there are usually no problems, everyone can hear each other. And when the stations are different, how to “make friends” between them. After all, not all people engaged in the same type of activity have the same radio stations.

There can be many situations requiring the construction of different stations:

— You’re skiing and want to build a walkie-talkie with a guide.

— You are traveling in several cars on vacation, in a large group.

— You communicate in the mountains with other groups of climbers.

- If you are in trouble, ask for help.

— Interact with other groups during rescue operations.

Let's first look at what types of radio stations there are.

From simple to complex 😉

"Soapboxes"

“Soapbox” - “soapbox” ®

n so they are done according to transmitter power and frequency.

You've probably noticed that walkie-talkies have different numbers of channels: 69 channels, 22 channels, 8 channels. n with a different number of “subchannels”, remember, subchannels do not exist, in most cases you call this terrible word CTCSS tone or digital DCS noise suppressor. What this is, see the appendix at the end of the material.

There are also different markings on boxes, walkie-talkies, or under batteries: LPD, PMR, FRS/GMRS.

Let's figure out what's here and why.

FRS/GMRS is an American standard for household transmitting devices that operate on frequencies that are not allowed for use by the common man in Russia. It is not possible to use these radios legally.

PMR (“Personal Mobile Radio”), 8 channels are allocated for walkie-talkies with a transmitter output power of no more than 0.5 W. The European standard for household transmitting devices (446.00625-446.09375 MHz) due to the grid step of 6.25 kHz, they are not built with practically anything other than the same PMR standard radios. On amateur radio stations, where there is no 6.25 kHz step, you can build by slightly deviating from the given frequency. Registration of radio stations is not required.

LPD (Low Power Device) can be used freely - no radio station registration is required. They operate in the range 433.075-434.775 MHz. The most successful household radio stations for active pastime, especially if you bought the “correct” models that can be tuned to a slightly higher power (up to 3 W), compared to the allowed 0.01 W. There are models with a screw-on antenna; you can replace it with a longer antenna from a professional or amateur radio station, which will greatly increase its receiving and transmitting characteristics.

For a table of frequency correspondence to channel numbers and squelch tones, see the appendix.

P.S. The use of LPD (SRD) radios is not permitted in the following countries: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Portugal, UK, Spain, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Croatia, Turkey.

There are no such restrictions for PMR radios; you can safely travel abroad and use them freely.

As for FRS/GMRS, this range is prohibited primarily in Russia. 😉

Amateur radio stations.

How not all apples are created equal®

So not every Kenwood is a Kenwood.

(radio amateur wisdom)

Good communication doesn't come cheap. With these words I want to start the story about mid-level equipment.

Chinese KENWOOD TK-K2AT, TH-K2AT and TK-150S range 137-174 MHz, or TK-K4AT, TH-K4AT and TK-450S range 420-470 MHz work with any LPD/FRS/GMRS point-and-shoot cameras price less than 100 $piece. These and others similar devices, are sold quite widely in our country.

BUT! Oh, if you only knew how much I myself don’t like such “buts”. Walkie-talkies in this price range, with the stated characteristics, are a pig in a poke.

Reliability = reliability, durability, maintainability.

It’s precisely the reliability in these kitaKenwoods that is lacking.

How quickly it will stop working is also unknown. This is class-quality equipment, whether you're lucky or unlucky, tested from your own experience.

Kenwood is a good manufacturer of professional equipment at reasonable prices. If your Kenvod kit breaks down, remember Kenwood has nothing to do with it, it has never even seen these stations.

There are so-called “two-bend” radio stations that combine the ranges that interest us, the so-called two-meter range and the 70cm range, they are named so not by chance, this is a display of the wavelength in the name. These are frequencies of 137-174 MHz and 420-470 MHz, the second, as you remember, includes household radios “soap boxes”.

So why do you think the 2-meter range is interesting to us? And in fact, very many.

The first and very important argument is that the rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations work on it.

Secondly, a huge “army” of radio amateurs communicates in this range.

Third, it has good coverage in mountainous and wooded areas; the 70cm range benefits only in dense urban areas.

When engaging in active sports and recreation, it is very foolish to assume that you, your friend or other people around you will not need any outside help. Count on mobile phone It’s not possible everywhere, and you’ve encountered this yourself. Therefore, being able to ask for help in a timely manner can be very important. When arriving in a new area, find out the frequencies of radio stations: guides, voluntary rescue teams and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. For the Ministry of Emergency Situations, this is the usual frequency of 164.450 MHz, but you must find out on your own what frequency the local rescue services’ receivers and their call signs are tuned to.

The calling frequency of radio amateurs (usually 145.500 MHz), all surrounding radio amateurs conduct their communications here, and many have stationary equipment of much higher quality and finely tuned than in the Ministry of Emergency Situations. You understand, some people are so addicted to their hobbies that they are ready to spend a lot of money and all their free time on their hobby in order to achieve good results. It should also be noted that radio amateurs repeatedly received distress signals and transmitted information to rescuers, which is how many lives were saved at different times.

Taking this into account, we can conclude that having a 2-meter range in your walkie-talkie is not superfluous. Radio stations at this level require registration if you are going to use them legally. There is nothing complicated about this, but more on that later.

Yaeski-yaeski.

Yaesu– a well-known brand

among radio amateurs

and is synonymous with high quality

amateur radio stations.

The good combination of price = quality simply forces us to take a closer look at the models of this manufacturer. Here are three models of portable stations that are worth paying special attention to.

YAESU FT-60R

YAESU VX-3R

YAESU VX-6R

All three two-band stations are priced in ascending order.

Briefly about the advantages and disadvantages of these. They are all very similar in their characteristics.

YAESUF.T.-60 R

Pros: Full 5W transmitter power, price, ability to use: lithium, metal hydride and nickel-cadmium branded batteries, ability to operate on batteries. Dustproof, waterproof.

Minus: a bit large and heavy compared to the other two. The headset connector is not very well thought out; you have to press it with a rubber band to keep it from falling out.

YAESUVX-3 R

Pros: Very compact and light, 130g. Dustproof, waterproof.

Cons: Weaker transmitter, no more than 3W. Only lithium brand batteries.

YAESUVX-6 R

Pros: Full 5W transmitter power, compact, average size between FT-60R and VX-3R. In terms of moisture resistance requirements, the station complies with the JIS-7 standard (immersion to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes). Only lithium brand batteries.

The Yaesu VX-120 stands apart; it can be described as “reliable.”

This walkie-talkie has only a two-band range, but its merits are not in a wide reception range but in reliability. Waterproof and shock resistant to military standard MIL STND 810 C/D/E.

Radio Options

The antenna is the best amplifier.

Whatever “cool walkie-talkie” you have

with a bad antenna it doesn't matter.

Antennas.

All antennas that come with radio stations have very weak characteristics due to their broadband. Since we need antennas for very narrow ranges, we can purchase them and benefit in quality and communication range.

Yaesu ATU-6B (420-470 MHz) is a good antenna for seventy, if you install it at an LPD station, for example, four hundred Midland, you will benefit greatly in communication quality.

Yaesu /Vertex ATV-6XL Antenna for the range 136-174 MHz, adjusted to the required frequency by trimming. A cutting map is included in the kit.

Cut it to a frequency of 145 MHz and the second to 164 MHz and get the most efficient antennas for these frequencies.

Opek 601HV antenna for two bands 136-174 MHz-420-470 MHz. Has slightly higher gain than a standard antenna. It is a little flimsy, requires careful handling, and breaks badly at the junction with the reel. IN lately very unstable quality. With minor home modifications, it shows slightly better results than standard antennas for the FT-60 or VX-6.

When using radio communications at a considerable distance from each other, the use of antennas tuned exactly to the frequency on which you are working is mandatory, since when using standard multi-band antennas there is a chance of being without communication or receiving only fragments of phrases.

Headsets - PTT

Headsets or also handsfree are very convenient, as they free your hands from the radio station, but you can also quickly receive information transmitted to you.

Push-to-talk is a remote unit on a wire that connects to your walkie-talkie with a microphone, speaker and transmit button. In most cases it also has a headphone jack.

A very convenient thing, regardless of the type of station. The radio can be in an internal pocket (for example, so as not to freeze) or in a backpack, and the push-to-talk button is brought to a convenient place and connected to the station with a twisted wire.

Batteries

There are different types of batteries: lithium, metal hydride and nickel-cadmium. Briefly about the pros and cons of using them in radio stations.

Lithium - have the largest capacity, with a modest battery size. Accordingly, long-lasting energy output. Their disadvantage is that they are very afraid of negative temperatures, they quickly lose tension and the ability to continue working.

Metal hydride batteries have a lower capacity with the same dimensions, and are not as afraid of negative temperatures as lithium ones. They do not have a “memory effect” and can be recharged without waiting for complete discharge. But they have a relatively high self-discharge current. This means that they lose charge when they are simply sitting in storage awaiting use. In one week of storing a charged battery, you will lose somewhere around 20% of the capacity, respectively, 20% of the operating time.

Nickel-cadmium batteries have the lowest capacity of those listed above. They can deliver the highest current. They have a “memory effect” and require complete discharge before charging again. But their advantages are low self-discharge current. Therefore, they still enjoy the attention of operational services.

Battery cassettes

Convenient devices for AA batteries type AA. They can help out a lot when you can’t find an outlet to charge the station.

Disadvantages: due to the many intermediate contacts between the power elements (batteries), micro resistances are obtained that prevent normal current output; the station will not operate at full power and for as long as on a standard battery. Inserting higher-capacity AA batteries there and using it instead of a standard battery is also not profitable due to micro resistances. All connections need to be wired with short (about 10-15mm) and thick wires. Well, that's a completely different story.

Increasing the radio communication range within a group in a given area.

If your area of interest is around a static object (house, lodge, tent camp, etc.), then there you can install a stationary base antenna with good characteristics reception (for example Diamond X-50) and receive to a small portable station connected via an adapter. or install a station with a high transmitter power and a more sensitive receiver, which equals better reception weak signals(for example, a car FT-2800 for “deuce” or FT-7800, FT-8800 for both ranges), but in both cases use thick wires (7-10mm) with a small attenuation coefficient for the range you choose.

If there is such a “base”, but there is no person in it, everyone is scattered around the bush, and it is impossible to shout from one portable station to another due to the range or terrain. You can connect an Echo Repeater (Parrot), which is a small digital tape recorder, to the “base” station, for an average of 60 seconds of recording. connected instead of a push-to-talk switch to the station.

It works very simply, records the voice received on base station, at the end of the reception, switches the station to transmit mode and plays your words on the air. This is heard by you yourself and the correspondent who is not available in direct radio visibility. He answers you and the cycle is repeated the required number of times. The cost of such devices is comparable to the cost of two simple ones or one good point-and-shoot camera.

Frequencies for broadcasting.

2 meters - 144-146 MHz

Here is a small illustration explaining the frequency distribution in the range 144-146 MHz.

Let's start with what frequencies you should NOT work at, say, while skiing or boarding. Do not operate on frequencies that are marked with a color other than green in the labels above. With your negotiations, you can interfere with other broadcast participants, and they, in turn, will interfere with you. Don't make each other uncomfortable.

Where you can, as you probably guessed, at those frequencies marked in green, but there are several caveats. Frequency 145.500 and two frequencies on the right and left are underlined, usually used by radio amateurs to conduct local communications with each other. Therefore, do not occupy these frequencies either. There remain 25 frequencies in the two-meter range, among which you will definitely be able to choose a free one. Be respectful and polite to everyone on air, and everyone will be polite to you.

Frequency bands intended for unlicensed use according to the rules and laws of different countries.

(PMR446, Personal Mobile Radio - Personal mobile radio) is a European license-free mobile radio system in the VHF band with a frequency of 446.000-446.100 MHz and a maximum output power of 0.5 W. Intended exclusively for private use by the public. The range is intended for use in Russia and European countries.
In this range, the use of stations with a power of up to 0.5 W is permitted in the United States.

PMR frequency grid

No. Frequency
1 446.00625
2 446.01875
3 446.03125
4 446.04375
5 446.05625
6 446.06875
7 446.08125
8 446.09375

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LPD
LPD (LPD433, Lower Power Device) is a license-free mobile radio communication system in the VHF range with a frequency of 433.075-434.775 MHz and a maximum output power of 0.01 W. Intended for private use by the public. The range is intended for use in Russia and some European countries.

LPD frequency grid

No. Frequency
1(1) 433.075
2(2) 433.100
3 433.125
4 433.150
5 433.175
6(3) 433.200
7 433.225
8 433.250
9 433.275
10(4) 433.300
11 433.325
12(5) 433.350
13 433.375
14 433.400
15 433.425
16 433.450
17(6) 433.475
18 433.500
19 433.525
20 433.550
21 433.575
22 433.600
23(7) 433.625
24 433.650
25 433.675
26 433.700
27 433.725
28 433.750
29 433.775
30(8) 433.800
31 433.825
32 433.850
33 433.875
34 433.900
35 433.925
36 433.950
37 433.975
38 434.000
39 434.025
40 434.050
41 434.075
42 434.100
43 434.125
44 434.150
45 434.175
46 434.200
47 434.225
48 434.250
49 434.275
50 434.300
51 434.325
52 434.350
53 434.375
54 434.400
55 434.425
56 434.450
57 434.475
58 434.500
59 434.525
60 434.550
61 434.575
62 434.600
63 434.625
64 434.650
65 434.675
66 434.700
67 434.725
68 434.750
69 434.775

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In which countries are the PMR and LPD bands allowed?
This data will help you make right choice radio communications without violating the legislation of the European country where you are going to travel. Having a walkie-talkie, you will always stay in touch with each other, regardless of availability mobile operator. In Russia, LPD and PMR bands are allowed, and registration license-free radio stations canceled in 2007.

country use conditions
Austria allowed Free
Belgium prohibited Prohibited
Germany allowed freely
Holland allowed freely
Greece allowed freely
Denmark prohibited prohibited
Ireland prohibited prohibited
Italy is allowed from channel No. 1 to No. 20 freely
Iceland allowed Free
Spain prohibited prohibited
Cyprus allowed Free
Latvia prohibited prohibited
Lithuania prohibited prohibited
Luxembourg prohibited prohibited
Norway allowed Free
Poland allowed Free
Portugal prohibited prohibited
United Kingdom prohibited prohibited
Slovakia allowed Free
Slovenia allowed Free
Türkiye prohibited prohibited
Finland prohibited prohibited
France allowed Free
Sweden allowed Free
Switzerland prohibited prohibited
Croatia prohibited prohibited
Estonia prohibited prohibited

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PMR (446 MHz)

country of use Terms
Austria allowed Free
Belgium allowed Free
Hungary allowed Free
Germany allowed Free
Holland allowed Free
Greece allowed Free
Denmark allowed Free
Ireland is allowed freely, but subtones must be checked
Italy general permission allowed
Iceland allowed Free
Spain allowed Free
Cyprus allowed Free
Latvia is allowed, you must have a station type approval
Lithuania allowed Free
Luxembourg allowed Free
Madeira and Azores allowed Free
Malta allowed Free
Norway allowed Free
Poland allowed Free
Portugal allowed Free
United Kingdom allowed Free
Slovakia allowed Free
Slovenia allowed Free
Türkiye permitted personal permit
Finland allowed Free
France allowed Free
Croatia allowed Free
Czech Republic allowed general permit
Sweden allowed Free
Switzerland allowed Free
Estonia allowed Free

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FRS
FRS (Family Radio Service) is a license-free personal mobile radio communication system over short distances in the Americas in the UHF range at frequencies 462 MHz - 467 MHz.
The range includes 14 simplex radio channels with a step of 25 kHz. The power of radio stations is 0.5 W.

FRS frequency grid

No. Frequency
1 462.5625
2 462.5875
3 462.6125
4 462.6375
5 462.6625
6 462.6875
7 462.7125
8 467.5625
9 467.5875
10 467.6125
11 467.6375
12 467.6625
13 467.6875
14 467.7125

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GMRS
GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) is a license-free range intended for use in the United States and Canada and includes 16 radio channels with a step of 25 kHz. The power of radio stations is from 1 W.
In this range, a distinction is made between lower GMRS and upper GMRS. Most often, low-cost, non-professional radios use lower GMRS to expand the FRS range. GMRS 462 MHz - (462.5625-462.7250 MHz), power allowed up to 2 W in the United States.

-Why are they needed?
- frequency ranges. What is it and which one should I choose?
-subtones, why they are not “subchannels”;
-radio communication range (power, antenna and terrain);
-energy consumption and weight. An important topic for tourists;
-accessories. headsets and laryngophones;
-how to communicate.

Everyone used to go without one, but walkie-talkies add an enormous amount of convenience and safety to your adventures. For example:

In the mountains there is a connection within a bundle, a group. If, of course, you are tired of shouting “freedom railings” and “got it” through the wind;
-within a group on any hiking trip where there are 10 or more participants, a walkie-talkie for the navigator, leader and leader will give the leader a ton of comfort and save extra nerve cells if the group is stretched. You can stop “elks” that have run far away;
-between cyclists. I don’t understand how cyclists lived without walkie-talkies) People ride constantly at different speeds, and stopping, waiting for everyone at every fork, gets boring;
communication with people who went on reconnaissance saves time;
-in search and rescue operations;
-when some people go to the radial exit, and some are waiting for them at the base. Any event where there is a permanent camp. Alpine activities are the same;
-in a civilization where it is a pity to call a mobile phone while roaming;
-on a ski slope, where everyone skis separately, but wants to meet and go home at the same time or be able to signal for help.

Now let's get down to business.

About frequencies.

A little physics. Just a little bit.

Have you seen the waves yet? For those who haven't seen it, here they are:

Here's the actual physics. How often waves oscillate is measured in Hertz (Hz).

All! All physics!
Our state (Russia) helps us with the further choice of the number of hertz, where the following ranges are allowed for general license-free use:

CB (26-27 MHz)

LPD (433-434 MHz)

PMR (446 MHz)

For those with a radio operator's license, a two-meter range of 144-146 MHz is open. For those without a license, but running quickly through the forests, too. This same range is the only way to organize communications at an alpine event between the group and the base due to its greater range compared to LPD and PMR.

Other ranges cannot be used. They are for airplanes, sailors, police, etc. There they will punish you for hooliganism, because you will really interfere (for example, due to ignorance, babble on frequency 16 of the sea channel, which serves to send an SOS signal).

The physics shown above tells us that the CB will perform better in rough terrain, but:

Walkie-talkies in this range are large, you can’t put them in your pocket, they require a lot of voltage to operate, and they are heavy.

But all these long numbers make people, especially unprepared ones, depressed and despondent. And you don’t need to know them! Just imagine: you want to switch to another frequency and you have to dictate to someone new number... on the radio... darkness! Humanity strives for ways to make everything simpler and more convenient. People agreed that they would communicate on certain frequencies and gave them numbers - shorter and easier to remember. These numbers were called “Channels”.

And they made walkie-talkies in which you can only set the channel number; they don’t even have a keyboard or knobs to set an arbitrary frequency.

Now it’s enough to just say “Vasya, go to the eleventh.” If Vasya has such a channel radio, then he doesn’t even need to know what LPD is, what frequencies it has and other crap. As a rule, he doesn’t even need to know that he has LPD. You just need to select the number 11 on the screen.

Channel radio from Midland LPD range with selected channel 11
Typically, on such channel radios, the channel is selected using two arrow buttons, by “scrolling” the numbers in a circle.

Important point: please note LPD and PMR channels do not intersect with each other! If one person has an LPD channel radio and another has a PMR channel radio, then they will not be able to communicate!

You can determine the range of your walkie-talkie by looking at the instructions, googling the model of the walkie-talkie, or, which is usually faster and will work “in the fields” - simply by looking at how many channels the walkie-talkie offers to choose. If 69 - LPD, if 8 - PMR.

Who wants to be able to communicate in all bands, buy yourself a channel radio with LPD and PMR (for example, Midland GXT-850) or frequency radio. For example, I have a frequency Baofeng UV-5R, which is in the photo above, it can also reach the two-meter range. This walkie-talkie has two modes (switched by the red button on top).

1. Frequency mode. In it, on the keyboard of the walkie-talkie, I type the numbers of the frequency in which I am going to work. Like a phone number.

In the top line of the radio on the left (frequency) the frequency of LPD channel 2 is dialed, which is selected on the radio on the right (channel). Now you can communicate with each other using these two radios.

2. Pre-recorded channel selection mode. This walkie-talkie has 128 memory cells in each of which I can record my frequencies from a computer using special wiring and give them my name. Firstly, this is useful when I want to contact a channel radio of some range, but I don’t remember by heart that terrible long frequency number. I will record a traditional LPD and PMR grid into the radio and select the desired channel if necessary. Secondly, no one will judge me if I suddenly want to communicate with my friends not in a generally accepted channel, but on a frequency between channels, for example, and I’m too lazy to enter it manually every time. I can record it in the radio and give it the name “DRUH 1” for example. Or in my crowd it is customary to communicate on a channel with a certain subtone (what this is will be discussed below), I can also record this from the computer, and then select it with the arrows as on a convenient and simple channel walkie-talkie.

There are even walkie-talkies without screens at all.

Channels are poured there only through a wire from the computer and are selected on it with a separate toggle switch. Such walkie-talkies are the cheapest, but you won’t be able to reconfigure them in the field, and in order to contact the owner of another customizable walkie-talkie (either channel or frequency), you need to remember by heart what is written inside its electronic memory. Then the person with the customizable walkie-talkie will have a chance to connect with you.

Subtones

(incorrect name: “subchannels”, “additional channels”) What is it and why are they needed?

If channels were invented to make it more convenient to connect with someone, then subtones were invented to disconnect someone from this :)

Everyone who turned on the walkie-talkie heard builders, taxi drivers, and store security guards every time, but he didn’t want to hear them. For such cases, subtones were invented.

By turning on one of the analog (CTCSS) or digital (DCS) subtones (codes, as they are also called), you will stop hearing everyone else who does not have the same set enabled: channel + subtone.

For example, mine Midland walkie talkies GXT 1050 (channel LPD) 38 analog and 104 digital subtones. If I use one of the LPD channels, the probability that someone is already communicating on the channel I selected is 1/69, and if I turn on one of the analogue subtones, then this probability is 1/2622. It seems I will be in silence :) And with the subtone, the chaotic “PSHSH” practically disappears.

Second LPD channel and fifth analogue subtone on the Midland radio

Moreover, this is not encryption; everyone who has the same channel/frequency they will hear you, closed in subtone. Therefore, it is useless to swear at the builders who interfere with you - most likely they are also closed to subtone and do not hear you.

And we must understand that this is not a separate channel, the subtone only prevents your radio from sounding if someone else’s broadcast is on the same channel as yours. A walkie-talkie is not a mobile phone, on one channel only one can speak, the others are listening. If there is a subtone, when you start a transmission, you may not know that at that moment the taxi drivers are also saying something, and the transmission will not work. In general, get out of town and you will be happy there :)

There is such a problem with subtones that if channel frequencies are adopted the same all over the world, and all manufacturers make the same channels, then subtones can be done by anyone as they wish. Those. to connect by subtones of a walkie-talkie of one model, you just need to set it to the same value on each, and to connect different models I need to dance with a tambourine. I have to dance like this because I have radios from different manufacturers. My models are very popular, and the question may often arise not only for me: “How to combine subtones from different manufacturers?” You'll meet someone in the forest...

Analogue subtones(CTCSS) . They can be labeled as they wish. In some walkie-talkies (like my Baofeng UV-5R) they are called by their natural identifier - a frequency tone that is broadcast along with the voice.

In the Baofeng Uv-5R radio, the analog subtone is selected in menu item 11.
I don’t enter the subtone frequency (71.9) here, but select it using arrows from the list in the radio’s firmware.

It is this frequency that is written in the first column in the table of subtone correspondence from a cheerful guy with a cool haircut (Column heading - Freq, from “Frequency” - frequency) (You can easily find similar tables on the Internet yourself). And in other walkie-talkies, manufacturers followed the same logic as with frequency channels - they decided not to confuse the user’s brain with long numbers and called subtones serial numbers. But each manufacturer has numbered a slightly different list of tone frequencies. Someone numbered 38 subtone frequencies, someone 39, someone 43, 48, 50, 64. Then they began to copy these lists from each other, trying to achieve compatibility... In general, now the easiest way is to determine which list in one radio or another they were used - according to the number of available subtones. On the vast majority of LPD / PMR radios there will be 38 of them. And then the numbering can be seen in the column headed “38”. You already saw what it looks like in the photo before last on a Midland radio with a fifth analogue subtone.

Digital subtones (codes) (DCS). For them, the natural designation is a three-digit number.

In the Baofeng Uv-5R radio, the digital subtone is selected in menu item 10.

The same nonsense as with analogue ones, only the manufacturers have not yet agreed on which impulse is considered a zero and which one ( binary system do you understand). As a result, the designations "n" ("direct") and "i" (inverse) appeared. These are not two different incompatible worlds. For every direct line there is a fully compatible inverse one. And some, like Midland, simply gave them serial numbers (it will look like the same photo “Midland with the fifth analog subtone”, only above the subtone number there will be an inscription not “CTCSS”, but “DCS”).

Radio power

There are two misconceptions:

PMR works at longer distances because... its maximum permitted power in the Russian Federation is 100 times greater than LPD (10 mW LPD and 0.5 W PMR);
-The more powerful the radio station, the cooler it is.

Let's deal with the first one. Everyone has seen the speedometer of a car. Judging by it, the average car CAN accelerate to 200-odd kilometers. Why are such cars not prohibited for driving in the city, where the maximum permitted speed is only 60 km/h? Yes, because they CAN also drive at the speed limit. If the driver violated the speed limit, the driver is fined, not the car manufacturer. It's the same with walkie-talkies. Almost all walkie-talkies sold in Russia have a power of 5 W or more, but they all have a button or menu item that switches the walkie-talkie to a low-power mode, which is within the permitted range. All! The manufacturer made sure that the radio could be used within the law, and it is honestly sold in the Russian Federation. And the fact that physical the face uses it at higher power - everyone sneezes.

That is, in fact, the power of the radio, whether LPD or PMR, is the same. As a rule, most models have a power of about 5 W.

Now about the power of the radio in general. The distance at which the radio can be heard is proportional to the square root of the power. Those. to double the range, the power must be increased by 4.

Example: A 5 W walkie-talkie (the majority of them) reaches a certain area, say, 3 km. The same 8 W radio will reach only 3.7 km. And an 8 W battery consumes much faster than a 5 W battery. Are 700 meters worth it? And you with a more powerful walkie-talkie will be heard a little further, but you will hear the rest of the “losers” with low-power walkie-talkies the same way. By the way, radios in the LPD and PMR bands still operate in the line of sight. Behind the houses and curves of the terrain, no one will hear anything anyway, no matter how much power there is. Although in theory you can contact the ISS flying overhead.

Do you really need range at all? In practice, not often. Of the options for using radio communications that I have listed, range is only needed when part of a group is leaving radially or during search operations.

If you still need range, then:
-you can go to the two-meter range (do not go to other frequencies except the interval 144-146 MHz, and do not flood in it);
-buy a longer antenna. For example, my Midland radio has a non-removable antenna, but in Baofeng, instead of the standard antenna, you can screw on a longer Nagoya antenna and enjoy life;
-buy digital walkie-talkies for yourself and the whole group. For example Baofeng DM-5R. With the same power and antenna, the radio communication range and quality will be greater.
- finally stand up higher :)
The main thing to remember is that any information on the seller’s website about the communication distance is nothing more than marketing and a “spherical horse in a vacuum.”

Energy consumption

A hot topic for tourists and those who work with walkie-talkies for a long time away from an outlet. There are some nuances here.

I’ll say right away that the answer to the question: “How long does the battery last?” No one will give you the exact answer. It all depends on the nature of use. The radio eats up several times less for reception than for transmission. Do you prefer to listen or talk?

Walkie-talkies can be powered by AA/AAA batteries/rechargeable batteries (like my Midland GXT 1050, which runs on my favorite AA batteries) or powered by their own batteries (like my Baofeng UV-5R).

It would seem that for an autonomous trip you need to take Midland and that’s it. But in reality, if you think about it, everything is a little more complicated.

Below I will give calculations for my walkie-talkies. Of course, it is not necessary that you will have exactly the same choice, but the conclusions will be interesting, and you will be able to study your options by analogy (although the Baofeng UV-5R is a VERY popular walkie-talkie, and among channel radios I often see my Midland or slightly younger models , not very different from it). There really is something to think about here.

The weight of the equipped Midland radio is 277 grams, the weight of the Baofeng UV-5R is 212 grams or 221 with an enlarged antenna.

Weight of 1 IKEA (2450 mAh) or Eneloop pro (2500 mAh) battery is 31 grams. The Midland radio requires 4 of them, i.e. the set weighs 124 grams.

The weight of 1 standard Baofeng UV-5R battery is 79 grams.

Those. It’s easier to take batteries to Baofeng. But…

Midland is still a slightly better tuned radio, including in terms of energy consumption (it’s not for nothing that it’s more expensive. And it’s also an overpayment for the company) and in theory it will work longer. And I can use AA elements from it in a Garmin GPS, a headlamp or my Powerbank to charge my phone.
I can equip the Baofeng UV-5R with: a) an extended battery, b) a 6 AAA battery pack (looks the same as a standard battery), c) a 6 AA battery pack (looks also like an extended battery).
The photo shows a walkie-talkie with a standard battery and an extended battery (actually an AA battery pack, but there is no difference in size)

On the left is the Baopheng Uv-5r walkie-talkie with an enlarged branded 6 AA battery/batblock, on the right is the same walkie-talkie with a standard 6 AAA battery/batblock

Baofeng UV-5r walkie-talkie and extended battery or AA battery pack

Open AA battery pack

Baofeng UV-5r battery weight plate. IKEA LADDA batteries were inserted into the batblocks, but you can insert whatever you want.

Suppose I go to live in the taiga, on a 6-kilometer hike, generally for a very long time outside of civilization, and I take walkie-talkies with me, hoping to charge them.

In the case of Midland, I take out 4 AA cells from it and connect them to the ROBITON MobileCharger, which can charge 4 AA/AAA at once.

What if I take Baofeng UV-5R?

Option 1. I take a battery pack for it. It doesn't matter for AA or AAA format.

Both have 6 batteries. Here I will definitely have to use at least two USB outputs. One for ROBITON MobileCharger and 4 batteries, the other, for example, for the “frog” ROBITON SmartCharger Traveler for two more. (I carry both in my travel electronics kit) And if the first device is busy, then I can charge only ⅔ of the radio using two “frogs”. Sadly.

Option 2. I take Baofeng UV-5R with a standard battery. And I can charge such a battery with one frog ROBITON SmartCharger Traveler, but that is wildly inconvenient (Baofeng batteries do not hold up well there). So I'll take a glass to charge the Baofeng's battery from USB.

USB charger on the left, charger on the right going to standard set upon purchase.

That's the math. Moral of the above: Choose a radio based on your tasks, conditions and available equipment.

Useful gadgets

Pouches. In theory, they keep the radios alive and prevent them from getting lost. Although it feels great in the breast pocket of jackets. It’s convenient to keep the walkie-talkie on the shoulder strap of your backpack; maybe you’d like to stick a pouch there too? In any case, you may find a lanyard with a carabiner/loop to be appropriate.

Germs. All the radios I see fit in there, except for the healthy CB (27 MHz). From there you can hear and talk. The cord is adjustable and comfortable.

Headsets. They are more convenient, especially on a bicycle. They are inconvenient if you keep the walkie-talkie in your backpack, and the headset is on you - you will definitely tear it off when you take off the backpack. Also, if you take off and put the walkie-talkie somewhere, and do not remove the earphone cord from it, then you will not hear the walkie-talkie if someone is trying to shout to you. Be careful when choosing - not all headsets will fit all models at once.

Laryngophones. In theory, it’s cool because the wind doesn’t blow into the microphone. This thing takes the voice off your neck. But you need to learn how to use it and keep it in the right place.

Tangents. The remote PTT button is not always combined with a microphone (then it is a headset). This is convenient to attach to the handlebars of a bicycle.

How to use the device?!

From what you need to know for the simplest negotiations, regardless of the model and everything else.

On the side of each walkie-talkie there is a PTT (Push to talk) button, also called a “push-to-talk” button. While someone else is talking on the same channel, pressing it is USELESS and unnecessary. This is not a mobile phone, you CANNOT SHOUT OVER your interlocutors. They won't hear you as long as someone is holding the button. In radio communications we learn to be polite - we wait until the end of the speech on the radio, press it, and say our part. They said, they let me go, the radio switched to signal reception mode.
It’s good to train yourself to speak not immediately after pressing the button, but after waiting a second at the beginning of the transmission and at the end (we pronounce to ourselves the number 21 or any other two-digit number that is not a multiple of 10 or the conjunction “and”). The fact is that you do not know how the interlocutor’s radio is configured; she needs to quickly distinguish the signal you are transmitting from random interference on the air, and if she does not do this in time, then the beginning of your phrase will disappear. The incident that symbolizes this mistake, the mountaineers will understand me:
First: - So you decided, I untie the knot at the end?

Second: - Untie it.

What was that? “Yes, untie” or “Don’t untie”?

In order to understand to the interlocutor that you have finished transmitting information, and now your walkie-talkie will switch to receiving mode (you release the PTT), at the end of the phrase it is customary to say “Reception”
- Everything is fine with us, how were you received? Reception.

Got it, you're fine, lights out. end of connection.

At the beginning of the communication session, it would be good to make sure that the interlocutor can hear you and, if there are more than two of you in the work group, tell him who and who is calling (first the call sign of the one they want to hear, and then yours).

At this moment, Petya realizes that some sound is coming from the valve of his backpack. He remembers that he has a walkie-talkie, so he probably missed the communication session. Petya begins to take off his backpack and fish out the walkie-talkie. Vasya can’t stand it and repeats.

Petya, answer Vasya as you hear me. Reception.

Petya finally took out the walkie-talkie.

Petya is in the channel, I can hear you well. Reception.

That's probably all for now.

Expand discussion thread

What is LPD?
LPD - low power radio station (from the English Low power device). LPD radio stations operate in the ultra-short wave range - VHF (UHF), usually above 400 MHz, which allows you to achieve good quality and range of communication with low transmitter power (for more details, see Radio communication range). Devices with low radiated power, operating in a designated range, are designed to operate at a distance of up to 2-3 km, do not interfere with other radio equipment and minimize the harmful effects of radiation on the human body. The battery energy consumption of such devices is also lower. There are no disadvantages that are inherent in the CB range (atmospheric and industrial interference, unpredictability of propagation). Due to their characteristics and miniature design, LPD radios are gaining increasing popularity among non-professional users who do not need to achieve a communication range of more than 3 km.

What is the CTCSS code?
CTCSS - tone coding in a noise reduction system with a constant tone (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System. The tone coding function is necessary to divide correspondents (users) into groups working on the same radio channel. Only those correspondents who have the same CTCSS code (tone) can listen and transmit within “their” group. For those who are not configured for the required CTCSS code, these transmissions will be suppressed as unnecessary noise and nothing will be heard.
Tone squelch CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System) is an access control method in radio communication systems based on the presence in the desired signal of audio tones of a certain frequency that lie outside the modulation frequency range (outside the audible range) at frequencies below 300 Hz.
When transmitting, a subtone signal is sent (below 300 Hz) certain frequency(determined by the CTCSS code), which upon reception is instantly recognized by the CTCSS squelch as “friend” or “foreign”. If the code is “own”, then the radio station turns on for reception and plays the message, if it is “foreign”, then it does not turn on and the correspondent does not hear anything.
The radio's receiver will only activate when the specified CTCSS tone it is programmed for appears. CTCSS is a standard feature on most modern radio equipment. However, the number of stitched sub-tones in LPD radio stations is 38, in amateur radio stations 39.
In practice, this can be used like this (provided that the remaining radio channels are busy or unusable for some reason):
- if one group of people should do one type of work, the second another, etc., and they should not interfere with each other;
- some radios are configured to one CTCSS code, some to another, etc.;
- the boss can manage different groups by switching the code.

CTCSS is used to organize multiple independent and practically non-interfering groups of subscribers on the same frequency. Virtually no interference - because only one subscriber of any of the groups can transmit anything at any given time, and only subscribers of the group to which the transmitting subscriber belongs will receive his message.
Different manufacturers refer to CTCSS by different names. For example, Motorola designates CTCSS as PL (Private Line), GE`s / Ericsson as CG (Channel Guard), and Kenwood as QT (Quiet Talk).