FAQs/Definitions
Portable Radios
Portables are hand held, battery operated radios that are worn on the body and used for short range communication.
Mobile Radios
Mobiles are vehicle mounted radios that use a high powered antenna to provide a longer range transmission than portables.
Base Radios
Base radios are installed in a fixed location in a building and use a high powered antenna to provide the widest range of coverage possible.
--All three of these styles of radio are compatible and can be used together as part of a radio system provided they are all programmed to the same frequency.
Frequencies
Our radios fall into four main categories of frequency - UHF, VHF, trunking and non licensed digital. The two most frequently used spectrums are UHF and VHF and Industry Canada will issue a frequency based on the spectrum selected and the location where you will be using the radios.
UHF is most frequently issued for radios that will be used inside buildings or on sites where there is a lot of construction or multiple buildings that may provide radio obstruction. Industry Canada regulates and issues UHF frequencies and will charge an annual fee for each licensed radio using this frequency.
VHF is most frequently used for longer range transmission and for BC's back country resource roads. Industry Canada regulates and issues VHF frequencies and will charge an annual fee for each licensed radio using this frequency.
Trunking is most frequently used for wide area coverage and dispatching services. Industry Canada regulates and issues trunking frequencies and will charge an annual fee for each licensed radio using this frequency.
Non Licensed Digital Radios use an unlicensed digital frequency and are most often used for groups that need only to talk amongst themselves such as in a hospitality or retail environment. These radios are unable to communicate with licensed radios.
Resource Roads are back country industrial roads that are assigned a specific frequency to allow working vehicles to communicate their location to each other. Sportsmen often use these roads and may require a licensed radio programmed to that frequency to allow them to safely interact with the authorized traffic.
Industry Canada regulates and issues licensed frequencies and will charge an annual fee for each licensed radio using an assigned frequency. A benefit of using Omega Communications is that we will act on your behalf for all Industry Canada applications.