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2 way radio

The 2-way radio is one of the most common pieces of communication equipment so much so that many people don’t realize they’re already using one. For the fact is, a cell phone belongs to this family of radio equipment that can both receive and transmit voice messages. The exchange of conversations in cellular or mobile phones are actually carried by two different radio frequencies.

This type of radio is also often called a transceiver for it can both transmit and receive. Hand-held versions, particularly in the vintage military applications, are usually referred to as walkie-talkies (not to be confused of course with the idiomatic expression “walk the talk” which has nothing to do with radio communication).

Hand-held transceivers are activated through either a push-to-talk or press-to-transmit buttons. Punctuating messages with “Over” is de rigueur in 2-way radio communication to avoid both parties talking at the same time and creating confusion on their channel. On the other hand, saying “Over and out” to the other party would signify that the exchange of transmission is ended and the radios would be shut down, oftentimes to conserve battery power, and contact would be re-established at a predetermined time.

Technologies for this type of radio also include multi-channel systems operating on varying radio frequencies. Operating one channel at a given time, an operator who is usually stationary selects the party to contact through a control panel. The hand-held, multi-channel radios also have built-in channel selector buttons to enable shifting back and forth to parties assigned to the different channels.

Each channel may be assigned for specific purposes or functions, or devoted to a certain geographic location, making the applications of 2-way radio technology a valuable tool for such industries as construction and transportation.