Two Way Radio Installation Information
This page is intended to provide customers of MyTwoWayRadios.com with information about installing their new radio system, or getting new radios to work with their pre-existing radios.
Programming
Two-way radio systems can be simple, or quite complex. Dependent on the amount of signal needed, whether or not you have a pre-existing radio system, the use of repeaters, appropriate programming etc. are all factors of whether or not installing a radio system is going to be easy, or challenging. First and foremost, be sure that you have programming for your radios taken care. At checkout, prior to you purchasing new or used radios from us, we have an option that is required for you to select whether or not you would like to have your radio programmed (for free). Whether or not your programming is going to require a particular file you have (you can mail us the disk and we willl program the radios for you before shipping them out) or if you can handle programming on your own using a programming cable and a PC, then you are good to go and select that option.
Programming the radios appropriately is paramount in the success of either installing a new radio system, or getting new radios working with your existing radios and system. The use of a repeater of course, is the next step in the process. Some smaller work environments do not need a repeater. Essentially, a repeater works as a boosting unit making the transmissions stronger, carry further and louder. With this process comes some red tape however.
If you plan on using a repeater, you need to make sure that you have appropriate licensing. Using a repeater boosts the signal so much that it can be picked up on by the FCC meaning hefty fines if you don't have the appropriate licenses. It's more inconvenient to pay a fine and be shut down, then it is to take care of this step prior to installation and use of a repeater.
Repeaters
When should you use a repeater in your system? It's simple. Your best tool in testing the output of your radios, and the distance needed to cover your workplace, is your ears and the transmit button. Does it sound good? Is it "loud and clear"? If not, then you have two options: Either purchase higher end, higher powered portable two-way radios, or attempt to install and configure a repeater to boost the signal. Purchasing the appropriate repeater within the appropriate frequency range for your radios is the first step. The next step is making sure that you have put the repeater in an optimal location. It is typically best to place the repeater in a central location, one that is likely going to pick up transmissions from all areas of your work environment, boost them, and then send them back out to the other radios. It's as simple as that!
Hiring Professional Help
When to say enough is enough, and hire a professional? For whatever it's worth, installing a complete radio system optimally isn't for everyone. It can be challenging, require patience, a lot of testing for optimal performance and an acute knowledge of technical devices. It's okay to hire someone to do the job for you. Usually after paying someone for a service, you feel as though they did something you couldn't have achieved on your own, as they are a professional in their field and have a lot of experience and trial and error behind them. Our sister company EdgeTech Wireless does offer case by case installation of radio systems.
You have the choice of hiring a local professional, or hiring a company like EdgeTech wireless who will fly anywhere in the country where you might be located, and completely install and optimize a system for you. If you are looking to purchase radios from MyTwoWayRadios.com and are in need of installation for a rather large radio system, with multiple repeaters and other performance enhancing alterations, it might be best to contact us ahead of time and talk about what options are best for you. You can simply call our Toll Free number at (888) 763-4730 to inquire before your purchase.
Even if you choose to purchase a bundle package, or individual products from us, it's important to know what you are going to do for the next step. We want all of our customers to know that there are helpful and knowledgable people on the other side of this website, we aren't simply an eCommerce site selling products and warranties.
