FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

	Walkie-Talkie Terminology? Can you help?
	Why use Business Radios (BRS) vs. FRS/GMRS?
	What is a repeater? What is a Duplexer?
	Do I need an FCC License to operate a Walkie-Talkie?
	Does 123radios.com assist in obtaining an FCC License?
	Do FRS/GMRS Walkie-Talkies really reach 18-30 miles?
	Can I use a US walkie-talkie in Canada?
	Do you have Product Manuals on your web-site?
	What is your Return Policy?
	What is your Policy in regards to purchases made for gifts over the holidays?

Walkie-Talkie Terminology? Can you help? What is a Channel? Do I need a multi-channel radio? - A multi-channel radio allows the user to store multiple frequency/code combinations on the radio which enables you to switch between workgroups with ease. Typically, a manager will use a multi-channel radio while the employees will use a single-channel radio. How much wattage do I need? - Wattage is a major factor in achieving the range and coverage of a particular structure or region. The higher the wattage, the better the coverage and the crisper and clearer the communications will be. UHF Band or VHF Band? - 85% of the walkie-talkies we sell are UHF band. UHF are best suited for indoor use, urban areas or outdoor use where the terrain is hilly or in urban areas. VHF is best suited for outdoor use, in flat open areas. Why are handheld two way radios limited to 6 miles coverage? - All handheld two way radios are limited by line-of-sight communications. 6 miles is a practical limit where beyond that, the curvature of the earth restricts the line-of-sight. Need more help? - Try our Find-A-Walkie-Talkie Selection Tool. Why use Business Radios (BRS) vs. FRS/GMRS? There are four primary bands used in walkie-talkies. FRS, GMRS, MURS and BRS. FRS is a Family Radio Spectrum and can be used by individuals or for business use. The downside to FRS is that it is limited to .5 Watt of transmitting power and frequency congestion. No license required. GMRS is the General Mobile Radio Service. A UHF band that the FCC provides primarily for family use. Unless you were licensed prior to 1987 to use GMRS as a business, the FCC no longers provides GMRS licenses to business users. License required. MURS is the Multi-Use Radio Spectrum. A VHF-band limited to 2-Watts which can be used for individual or business use. The downside to MURS is that it is VHF only, not the preferred UHF band and due to limited frequencies, there is frequency congestion. No license required. BRS is the Business Radio Spectrum. Deployed by the FCC for business use. License required. So why use BRS for business? Primarily, because it is the business radio spectrum that the FCC authorizes for business use. Although business users can use the FRS band, FRS radios are not designed for harsh business use, are limited to .5 Watts and are subject to frequency congestion. Need more help? - Try our Find-A-Walkie-Talkie Selection Tool.

FCC Licensing Information

Please see our complete FCC Section.

Does 123radios.com assist in obtaining an FCC License?

Please see our complete FCC Section.

Do FRS/GMRS Walkie-Talkies really reach 12-18 miles?

The short answer is NO. Claims of FRS/GMRS walkie-talkies reaching 12 to 18 miles are based on optimum conditions. All handheld walkie-talkies are based on line-of-sight, therefore terrain and structures can greatly reduce range. For the most part, the range of a handheld walkie-talkie is about 1 mile.

Do you have Product Manuals on your website?

123radios.com has most of the Product Manuals linked directly to the product. Go to the Search window, find the product for which you are looking for the User Manual and if it is available, it will be directly below the product image.

What is your Return Policy?

Please see our Service Section for complete information regarding our Return Policy.

Can I use a US Walkie-Talkie in Canada?

It depends? Each country authorizes different frequencies. Two common Canadian business frequencies are 458.6625 and 469.2625. So a US radio that can be programmed to meet Canadian frequencies can be used in Canada, but radios that have built-in US frequencies typically would not contain frequencies authorized for use in Canada. So, US walkie-talkies will work in Canada, but may or may not be legal depending on the radio's frequency capability.

What is a Repeater? What is a Duplexer?

A Repeater can be thought of as a go-between, between two walkie-talkies and is used primarily to increase the useable range. Repeaters come in various wattages, with the low-end repeaters starting at 5 watts, while high-end repeaters can range from 50 watts or higher. The FCC requires that repeaters be licensed.

A Duplexer is used in conjunction with a repeater and is used to eliminate one antenna from a repeater environment. Repeaters require two frequencies to operate, one for transmit functions, the other for receive functions. Typically, these two frequency pairs are 5MHz apart from each other. For example, a repeater may use 464.6125MHz as the transmit frequency and the 469.6125 as the receive. The walkie-talkie is then programmed opposite of the repeater, so the walkie-talkie receives on 464.6125MHz and transmits 469.6125MHz. The duplexer is used to share one antenna for both transmit and receive functions. For duplexers to operate correctly they must be tuned which is done by the manufacturer. If you do not have a duplexer, you will need to complete and separate antenna systems. (See Repeater Antenna Separation requirements)

Repeater Antenna Separation requirements. If you use multiple repeaters, antenna need to be installed with certain separation in order to prevent RF interference. The standard recommendation is that repeater antenna should be installed at least 45 feet from each other and at different heights. It is recommended that each antenna be at a plane at least 5 to 8 feet above or below other antenna.