2-Way Radio Terminology


Radio terminology can be perplexing, especially if you're new to two-way radios, here's a short list to help you get started. As new Technologies come into play, this list will increase

  • Accelerated Life Test - a Motorola proprietary developmental process of rigorous laboratory testing that simulates years of field use.
  • Built-in Noise Reduction Microphone - reduces background noise to allow clear, understandable transmissions in heavy noise environments.
  • Call Alert - lets a caller "page" you via your radio.
  • Channel Scan - lets you monitor specific operating channels.
  • Priority Scan - allows you to choose one channel to be monitored with more frequency than the others.
  • Operator Selectable Scan - lets you program the channels in the scan list to be monitored and select a priority channel.
  • Scan Nuisance Delete - allows you to temporarily delete a non-priority channel from the scan list.
  • Talk group scan - lets you monitor any combination of trunked systems, subfleets, or conventional channels in the same scan list.
  • Dual Mode Capability - provides the flexibility of trunked and conventional repeater operation from one radio.
  • Private Conversation - allows communication exclusively between the initiating radio or control station and the radio called.
  • Privacy Plus Trunking - provides fast, automatic and democratic communications access not provided by conventional radio systems.
  • Radio-to-Radio Cloning - allows you to duplicate one radio's operating parameters into another like radio of the same sub-band using a simple cloning cable.
  • Internal Voice Operated Transmission (VOX) - lets you activate radio by voice alone, for hands-free operation.
  • Multiple Coded Squelch Capability Private-Line (PL) or Digital Private-Line (DPL) - lets you receive only the calls intended for you, and place calls to only those that accept the designated code.
  • Push-to-Talk Interface - allows a dispatcher to identify transmitting radios and monitor airtime usage.
  • Quik-Call II Signaling - provides an efficient way for dispatcher to initiate a page to an individual or group.
  • Field Programmable using the Radio Service Software - changes can be made to the radio frequencies or other individual characteristics.
  • Talk around - lets you bypass a repeater and talk directly to another unit.
  • Telephone Interconnect - gives you the capability to initiate and/or receive telephone calls using your radio.
  • Time-out Timer - limits the amount of time a user can continuously transmit on a channel.
  • Voice Selective Call Signaling - provides an efficient way to initiate a voice page message to an individual or group.
  • Emergency Alarm - used by radio operators to inform dispatch personnel of critical or life-threatening situations through a data transmission.
  • Programmable Channel Spacing (Wideband Frequency Separation) - gives you more versatility of channel spacing.
  • Alphanumeric Display - lets you name and view channels or talk groups in words instead of numbers.
  • Busy Channel Lock-Out - prevents users from "talking over" each other by restricting transmission if activity is detected on the channel.
  • Horn and Lights Capability - activates a vehicle's horn and headlights when a Call Alert signal is received and the operator is away from the vehicle.
  • Military Specifications Mill Std. 810 C, D, and E - the U.S. Department of Defense's most rigorous standards for radio performance in harsh environments.