Radio communication...

Two way radio communication through walkie-talkies: Two-way audio radio communication is possible with two-way radio handsets. These are commonly known as walkie-talkies. The maximum range within which two-way radio communication is possible with a walkie-talkie is about 20 miles. In the US, two-way radio communication using walkie-talkies are provided by two radio services, the GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) and the FRS (Family Radio Service). To use the GMRS, a license from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is required. The license fee is approximately for a period of 5 years. A GMRS license is granted to adult individuals to communicate with his or her family members. The FRS does not require a license.

Walkie-talkie sets are ideal during vacations, outings, hunting trips, ski trips, trips to an amusement park, and for communication between two vehicles. The leading brand names of two-way radio equipment are Motorola, Kenwood, Cobra, Midland and Uniden.

Digital Radio Communication: Communication technology has undergone a sea change. Nowadays digital radio communication has become very popular. This technology provides communication of a very high quality and hence is widely used. Digital radio communication technology is utilized in digital television broadcasting, digital audio broadcasting, radio pagers, mobile telephones, wireless networking, blue tooth applications, wireless local loop, broadband wireless access and satellite radios, amongst many other uses.

Microwave radio communication: Microwave radio communication is used to transmit data using radio waves between two specific locations, which could be from a few feet to hundreds of miles apart. The data can be video, audio or text. TV broadcasters use this technology to transmit across the country. This technology allows the free movement of TV cameras without being hindered by wires and cables. All base stations use microwave radio communication for data transfer from satellites. The downside of this system is that its efficiency is affected by changes in weather conditions.

The wide use of radio communication technology, and the assortment of equipment made by companies the world over, has led to communication bottlenecks, because of compatibility issues. This has spearheaded research and development of technology to make radio communication an interoperable system. A routing switch is now available that allows emergency interoperability of all radio communications, and proves very useful for public safety systems. Incorporating this technology makes it possible for mobile and portable radio communication equipment to interoperate. The hardware is designed to sense and interpolate radio signals, which gives control over radio communication. It receives and routes radio signals to users who may be on different systems and frequencies. This gives a discretionary edge to the command vehicle or base station where the equipment is installed, to block, allow or to carry out selective routing of all radio communication in the area of operation. In emergencies, where systematic communications are vital, this versatility of interoperability is indispensable. The hardware is very handy and can be easily mounted on cars, pickup trucks or even motorcycles.

Radio communication is essentially wireless transmission and reception of data through signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The type of data transmitted can be audio, video, or text. Radio communication technology available today enables two-way digital and microwave radio communication, which is used in a wide variety of applications.