Why Do You Need a Business Two Way Radio?

The business band describes a series of frequencies on the VHF and UHF two-way radio bands which are reserved for usage by businesses. They are usually less populated than public frequencies, so they have less cross-chatter with unaffiliated parties. The exact frequencies this band uses depend on your domestic regulator, as this is not a global service.

Do I really need a business two way radio?

Business two way radios are more expensive than consumer two way radios, even though their features are usually very similar. However, there is a number of reasons why you would be better off using more expensive business two way radios for your company, rather than GMRS of FRS radios.

Licensing and Power Issues

We can easily exclude FRS radios from our list, since their 0.5 watt limit on transmission power makes them unsuitable for reliable business usage at ranges which exceed half a mile. GMRS radios, on the other hand, look a bit more tempting. The problem with them is that GMRS licenses are only issued to individuals (and their immediate family members), meaning that every employee of your company who wants to use a radio, would need a license (unless you run a family business, of course) at 80$ per license.

These licenses are good for 5 years, after that they need to be re-issued. A business band license for your business (i.e., all employees) costs 5. While the initial acquisition of business two way radio devices is a bit more expensive, you will actually save licensing money in the long run and enjoy a better service.

Longer Battery Life

Business two way radios usually include much larger batteries, making them able to run more than 12 hours per charge. Consumer two way radios, on the contrary, include smaller batteries which provide around 8 hours of usage.

Accessories

Business radios typically have a better selection of accessories than consumer radios. If accessories, such as headsets or earpieces, are important to your business, you should look at what accessories are available before you choose a radio. Things like rapid chargers and multi unit chargers are only available for business radios.

Durability

Another important factor is the increased durability of business two way radios. While consumer radios are designed for infrequent use, business radio products are designed to hold up to much more abuse. Their construction is much more sturdy and with better materials. Many are build to military specifications. This, of course, in addition to their larger batteries, makes them a bit heavier than consumer two way radios.

Verdict

Bearing the above information in mind, it should now be obvious why a professional who is serious about his communication needs should get a business band two way radio.