There are four good reasons why you should choose Falcon Direct as YOUR communications supplier. 1.800.489.2611.

Here are four good reasons why you should choose Falcon Direct as YOUR communications supplier!

Pictured above are four of the more common antennas used on personal 2-way radios. The two on the left are VHF antennas. The two on the right are UHF antennas. These happen to all be Motorola antennas but they are representative of the antennas used on virtually all portable radios with the exception of the Motorola CP100, XU and XV Series radios which have non-removable antennas (wonder what you do when you break one?).

Let's start with the VHF antennas. The short one (about 4" high) is chosen by many users for cosmetic and ergonomic considerations. The longer one (second from the left) is around 7" high. So what's the big deal about three inches? Technically, the long antenna is TWICE as efficient as the shorter one. The same theory applies to UHF antennas. The UHF antennas on the right are a little shorter (about an inch) and the long one is considerably skinner than the VHF. The full length VHF antenna is about the diameter of a "fat" (think Mont Blanc) ball point pen. The UHF antenna is a little thinner than a pencil (think of a speedometer cable - those of you who can remember such a thing...).

So - we have established two thoughts. Long antennas perform better than short ones. This same benefit makes them more efficient in reducing the effects of RF exposure that is suspected by some to cause cataracts, brain cancer, and other related health issues, but that's another story for another time. For now, it is important to note that we KNOW of such things. The second thought is that we can now tell at a glance whether a radio operates in the VHF or UHF frequency band just by looking at the thickness of the standard (long) antenna. Most antennas made by Motorola will give you another clue. Some are actually marked (very few) as VHF or UHF. Most have a series of rings at the base of the antenna. Four rings is VHF and five rings is UHF. So what's our point? Simply this.......

If you bought your radio down at the supply house, through a catalog, or at the store, it is most likely VHF, operating on unlicensed (legally) frequencies in the MURS (Multi Use Radio Service). That saved you a couple of bucks and made the sales job a lot easier for the clerk/salesperson. Of course you could have had UHF for about the same money but that would have been too much trouble for your sales unprofessional. By the way - these comments are addressed to business and institutional users. ALL public safety users are required to be licensed and many favor VHF, but they are generally free of restrictions applicable to business and institutional users.

Now, let's say you've got a "fat" antenna - no license required. You beat the system! Or did you? There are only five MURS channels available and they are for use by anyone having the breath of life. Got interference? Tough! Don't have enough coverage? Too bad - You can't add a repeater on MURS channels. Suddenly, that skinny antenna (UHF) is looking like a better deal even if you do have to get a license! So what if you are already using UHF with a license and without giving call signs? Oh, it's no big deal - just a violation of the FCC rules unless you are using one of those toy FRS radios. The potential fines for violations of FCC rules can cost you up to a couple of thousand dollars per day. Or - maybe it IS a big deal. For what it's worth, it's not your suppliers responsibility to comply with the FCC Rules. The responsibility is YOURS! By the way - if you are using GMRS radios for business use, YOU are in violation of FCC Rules. The same is true if you are using UHF "color dot" frequencies without an FCC license.

How about your radios? Did you save a few bucks by purchasing a radio with fixed internal frequencies? Did you know that for the same money or maybe less, you could have obtained a radio that could be upgraded to repeater operation or could be maintained at a fraction of the cost of a "consumer" radio. Speaking of radios, did you know that FCC licensed users are required to broadcast station call signs at least once within each hour? Are YOU compliant? Still think there is no value in dealing with a professional? We don't think so!

Want to know the answer to these perplexing questions? That's what we are here for! Use us. You'll be glad you did!

In the meantime, you can click here to learn more about the Motorola radios that can best serve your needs. Or, if you prefer an American made alternative, click here. If you would like to talk, give us a call at 1.800.489.2611.

The Falcon Team
At your service!