Car radio: key features. How to choose a good car radio?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Mobile phones are so firmly established in the daily life of each of us that we can no longer imagine our existence without mobile communications. But, unfortunately, there are situations when it is impossible to use modern communications. This is where authorization comes in. Anyone can buy it, but not everyone can make the best choice.

Authorization is…

Car walkie-talkie is an alternative to a mobile phone. This is an affordable and economical form of communication.

Car radios belong to a specific category of goods. This indicates that the production costs associated with their manufacture are several times higher than those for the production of mass segment products.

Who is included in the circle of users by authorization

Car radio can be used for both professional and amateur purposes. Without a radio station, the work of a trucker is impossible, since this device is the only means of communication betweenwagons. Taxi drivers, minibus drivers use this device to keep in touch with the dispatcher who sends orders, and with their colleagues - other drivers. In the field of law enforcement, the car radio has taken root for a long time. Police officers, patrol inspectors need constant and prompt communication to transmit particularly important information related to their work (for example, about the escape of a criminal, the characteristics of an intruder, information about the movement of a particular vehicle, etc.).

Also, couriers are users of the autoradio station. At the amateur level, motorists, hunters, tourists own these devices.

Car radio: how to choose? Key Criteria and Specifications

• Power. The optimal indicator is 10 watts. Such power will ensure the correct functioning of the device, and in the event of an emergency, it is possible to connect an external amplifier.
• Case. It can be made of plastic, plastic with metal and just metal. The car radio, the reviews of which confirm its practicality and the maximum level of security, is a device with a metal case.
• Weight. One of the main technical characteristics of a radio device. It can be 56-700 grams. Specified by the manufacturer. Note that if the model is equipped with a replaceable AA or AAA battery, then the weight indicators are indicated without taking into account the weight of such batteries. If a lithium power source is used, the weight parameters of such a radio take into accounthis mass.
• Height. As well as the previous parameter, it refers to the technical characteristics. Varies between 80-585 mm.
• Height with antenna. In most cases, this indicator is also indicated. It is within 118-228 mm.
• Antenna. As a rule, the radio is equipped with an antenna. It can be removable or non-removable. Inexpensive models of radio systems are equipped with a fixed antenna.

• Operating ranges. It should be remembered here that a license is required to use certain frequency bands. Operating bands not licensed in the Russian Federation are CB, PMR and LPD.
• Number of supported channels. For the operation of the radio at short distances, a device with 40-100 channels is suitable. Accordingly, if the purpose of the device is communication over long distances, then the number of supported channels should exceed 100 items.
• Modulation type. Authorization can function in amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), or both the first and second at the same time.
• Waterproof case. This addition will be appreciated by avid fishermen, tourists.
• Working time without recharging. Depending on the power of the rechargeable batteries, the operation time of the radio in offline mode can vary from 5 to 65 hours. In general, it is assumed that the radio operates in 90/5/5 mode: 90% in sleep mode and 5% for receiving and transmitting.
• Standby time. Consumes a minimum amountenergy. Can be from 10 to 100 hours.
• Working time in receive mode. Consumes an average amount of energy between the standby and talk modes. is 1.6-12 hours.
• Working time in "talk" or "transmission" mode. Can be 1.4-16 hours. If the walkie-talkie is purchased for the purpose of frequent use for its intended purpose (talking), then special attention should be paid to this parameter.
• The presence of a built-in GPS-receiver in the authorization. Allows you to accurately and quickly determine your location and satellite coordinates. The accuracy of identification depends on the number of satellites that are in the field of view of the GPS receiver.
• Complete set. The ideal option would be if a car radio purchased for use on systematic car trips will have a headset, charger, and batteries in the kit. The latter can be lithium or in AA, AAA format.

• Ability to lock the device keyboard from accidental pressing.
• Support instant setting to SOS channel. Car radios that support this function are easy to recognize: a specially designed separate button of the corresponding designation is located on the keyboard.
• Support vibrating function. Thanks to this feature, the walkie-talkie can be used in places where complete silence is a prerequisite for staying.
• Support flashlight function. An LED is built into the top of the car radio,which acts as an illuminator.
• Ability to adjust the level of noise reduction. It implies that the authorization has a regulator that allows you to make a rational choice regarding the level of operation of the squelch.
• Manufacturer. If the radio is purchased in connection with the peculiarities of work, it is recommended to choose well-known brands. A self-assembled car radio will be an economical and mega-interesting activity for amateur designers.

Advice from experienced motorists

As practice shows, first of all, when choosing a radio station, one should be guided not by the technical features of the device and its quality characteristics, but by the purpose of the acquisition. And then, based on this, to determine the optimal technical characteristics. After all, if you need a walkie-talkie for primitive needs, such as maintaining communication over relatively short distances, what's the point in buying an expensive device with a wide range of action? If the device will be used rarely (1-2 times a year), there is also no need to purchase expensive models.

How to choose a walkie-talkie for a trucker?

The basis of all the basics in long-range business is a car radio. How to choose such a device for a trucker? For this category of users, the radio station operating in the MW band is in greatest demand.

Fixed car radios specialized in this band provide excellent range. At the same time, for the presenceObstacles such as forests, hills and mountains have no influence on the signal and its quality.

Thus, choosing a walkie-talkie, a trucker pays attention to:

• support for communication in the 27 MHz band on the 15th channel of the radio network;
• support for amplitude modulation;
• authorization power.

Car radio for a taxi driver - what is it?

Requirements for radio stations for taxi drivers and drivers of minibuses are slightly different from those required for the operation of devices by truckers. The main requirement is the ability to quickly communicate with the dispatcher's room in an urban environment.

Besides this, you need to pay attention to the following:

• The operation of the walkie-talkie in the NE range.
• Number of channels. A certain dispatching station owns the corresponding channel. Therefore, the more channels, the better. For small settlements, walkie-talkies with 40 channels or more are quite suitable, for megacities - over 200.
• Power. The preferred indicator is 10 W.
• Functionality. The radio should be easy to operate and have useful features (channel memory, satellite positioning, etc.).

Which manufacturer to prefer

The radios TM MegaJet, Midland, Alan, Kenwood have proven themselves on the market of automotive devices. A reliable manufacturer is a guarantee of quality, practicality and reliability. Of course, the device of a world trademark is not cheap, but ifthere is a desire to have a really high-quality product, you can buy used car radios.