Performance is not always about wattage or the size of the equipment being used. In many cases, real performance comes from understanding how the equipment is operated, maintained, adjusted, and sometimes misused. A radio with modest power can often perform better than a more powerful one if it is set up correctly, connected properly, and used with good technique. Antenna placement, cable condition, grounding, battery strength, and even the operator’s habits can make a noticeable difference.
Performance can also depend on how people communicate with each other, even when they are not actively using the radio. Clear instructions, agreed-upon procedures, careful listening, and a shared understanding of expectations can prevent confusion and improve results. Good communication begins before anyone presses the transmit button. Taking the time to plan, coordinate, and correct small problems can be just as important as adding more power.
These tips can help you get better results by focusing not only on the equipment itself, but also on how it is used, how it is cared for, and how people work together.
- Keep all transmissions brief and to the point so that everyone can use the radio.
- Avoid “radio checks’ with other persons unless you have a specific message to pass.
- Hold the portable radio by the radio body. The radio antenna and audio accessories are not for carrying the radio and will damage the radio or the accessory.
- If the signal quality is poor, try moving a few inches or a few feet for better signal.
- Before calling someone on the radio, if possible, you should move to a quiet area where you will be able to communicate more efficiently.
- When talking on the radio, face the microphone and speak with a firm voice within 1” of the microphone. If you are not speaking into the microphone and there is noise in the background, the person at the other end of the radio will not be able to hear you because the background noise will be as loud as your voice or louder than your voice.
- Before giving a message over the radio, make certain the individual to whom you are speaking has acknowledged your call and is listening for your message. You have no way to know that the person at the other end of the radio is listening unless you inquire first.
- Clearly identify the person to whom you are calling as well as yourself or your location or job. i.e. Jane Doe to John Doe.
- After receiving a message, acknowledge receipt of the message by saying OK, 10-4, “got it”, etc. so that they know that you have properly received the message.
- If you did not receive the full message, say “Please repeat”.
- Adjust the listening volume to a level commensurate with the ambient noise in the area. Too often, the volume is adjusted in a quiet area the then people move into a crowded and noisy area which makes it difficult or impossible to hear.
- Use the appropriate audio accessory for your specific situation such as a speaker-microphone, headset or surveillance kit to minimize the radio blaring around people and minimizing not being able to hear in a noisy environment.
- Know what you are going to say before you press the PTT button.
- If using a trunked radio, wait for the PROCEED tone before speaking. If someone else is talking, your radio is inhibited from being able to transmit.
The following tips apply to using a portable radio talking into a repeater some distance away:
- Hold the radio primarily vertical to eliminate cross polarization of the radio signal.
- When inside buildings, if possible, move to the outer portion of the building where the signal is stronger.
- Avoid attempting to talk in a basement, elevator or a heavily fortified area such as a fire stairwell, X Ray room, jail cell blocks, etc.
- Move out into the clear away from buildings for better signal.
- Move to high ground outside a building.
- Move to high locations within a building near the windows
- The side of the building facing the repeater will have better reception.
- Wearing your radio on the belt next to your body will reduce the radio range.
Things that don’t help:
- Shouting in the radio. This often causes distortion making your audio harder to read. Even in a noisy environment talk in a normal voice.
- Transmitting too soon after pressing the PTT. This can cause the beginning of a transmission to not be heard
- Sending a message too fast. The message should be sent at the rate that the other person can receive. Sending faster results in repeats or errors that will slow things down.
- Sending before the other person is ready. They may be distracted, not listening, or not ready to copy the message.
- One way transmissions. If the person does not acknowledge the message, you don’t know that they got it. Many things could have happened to interrupt.
- Being long winded. Not only does it tie up air time that someone else may need, but it also prevents the recipient from asking for clarification on a message. In some systems the radio will timeout, cutting off the remainder of your transmission.
- Using nonsense syllables like “uuuuhhhhh”. Think about what you need to say before transmitting. If you need to think further, say so and release the key.
- Panic. You may be in an emergency, but clear communication is what is needed on the air. Forgetting to release the key, or jabbering on the air will only delay the assistance you need. A basic message is, who are you, where are you, and what do you need.