Amateur radio has been a popular niche hobby for decades, with ham radio and Single Sideband (SSB) radio being two of the most popular equipment types. Many hobbyists use amateur radio as two-way communication for personal use or during emergency and disaster relief situations.
If you wish to start using amateur radio in India, you will need to get two things: an amateur radio licence from the Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing (WPC) under the Ministry of Communications, and your own amateur radio equipment.
Here are some of the basic features of amateur radio equipment you need to know:
What is the difference between ham radio and SSB radio?
Ham radio equipment like the ICOM IC-705 has the widest frequency range (1.8-1300 MHz) with estimated base ranges of over 80 km and handheld ranges of 32 km. This makes it useful for long-distance communication as well as in disaster situations such as searching for lost hikers in the wilderness.
Radio communications make use of AM transmissions, which have two frequency types: Lower Sideband (LSB) frequencies below 27.185 MHz, and Upper Sideband (USB) frequencies above 27.185 MHz.
Single sideband (SSB) radio kits like the ICOM IC-M710 use – as their name suggests – just one of the AM sidebands available. This results in less bandwidth usage and allows the user to access a wider range of frequencies within that band without interference. However users are still limited within their selected sideband. Ham and SSB radio equipment may also overlap in terms of frequencies accessed.
As SSB operates on a narrower bandwidth the sound quality of the call will be a little weaker compared to ham radio – however SSB is still a viable option for basic amateur radio communications.
While ham radio frequencies can typically be tuned with a knob, marine SSB kits in particular may have certain preset channels they can be easily tuned to. This makes them more user-friendly for usage out at sea especially as users also do not necessarily need an official license to operate SSB radios.
Overall both ham and SSB radio have their benefits and disadvantages depending on the use case. Ham radio is the more flexible option for amateur radio communication, but SSB radio can still be useful in work or commercial settings where basic communication needs to be assured.
Using SSB radio
1. Connect radio and antenna
Attach and adjust your antenna to access the proper SSB radio signal.
2. Adjust “Squelch”
The “Squelch” knob on an SSB radio helps determine how strong a signal needs to be before you can clearly receive it and is the most crucial SSB radio control. The higher the Squelch, the stronger a signal needs to be before you receive it.
3. Set appropriate frequency
Set the frequency to channel 19 for SSB communications and adjust accordingly until the signal is at its lowest pitch.
4. Adjust volume
Adjust the volume accordingly to prevent shouting. The universal way to get started is to push the transmitter button, say ‘Break’, and then wait a minute or two before entering the conversation.
Using Ham Radio
1. Set Receive Frequency and Transmit Offset
The Receive Frequency and Transmit Offset settings help you find new stations in your area and ensure you hear what’s being transmitted (without additional background noise). You can also use the Variable Frequency Oscillator (VFO) and Memory Modes to choose which channel to listen to and what information is transmitted.
2. Adjust subaudibe tones
Subaudible tones include clicks, beeps, or other sounds when someone is transmitting information through Morse code. You can toggle this setting on or off depending on what you need or want to hear.
3. Toggle background noise
The Digital Squelch System (DSC) prevents noise from interfering with your ability to hear transmissions clearly on your radio system. Turn it off or on as needed.
4. Communicate
Press the Push To Talk (PTT) button when talking into the microphone to begin speaking into the transmitter and sending your voice through airwaves as radio waves. Release the PTT button when finished speaking so others can talk. Common ham radio etiquette is to wait until another speaker finishes what they have to say before speaking.
Get Reliable Amateur Radio Equipment at Tecomart
Since 1994, Tecomart has been providing reliable amateur radio equipment, marine navigation equipment, and marine communication equipment to clients across the globe. Our range of amateur radio equipment ranges from handheld transceivers to SSB radio kits to amateur ham radio accessories.
Contact us for more information or visit our FAQs to learn more about our products and delivery services.
While many of us typically rely on handphones or smartphones to communicate with those around us, there are certain situations where you may not be possible to get any cell phone coverage at all – rendering even the most high-tech smartphones useless.
That’s where radio communication equipment comes in to bridge this essential communication gap. Whether on land or out at sea, having the right radio communication equipment is key to keeping yourself as well as your colleagues, crewmates, or even loved ones safe.
In an emergency situation where cell phone coverage is down or extremely weak, radio communication is still possible via the nearest radio tower connection. In other words, a reliable radio could make all the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.
Here’s a quick overview of some radio communication equipment available for land and sea use:
Radio Communication on Land
There are many equipment options for radio communication on land, some of which may require a radio licence. These equipment can be used for personal or emergency communications.
1. CB Radio
Citizen Band (CB) radio is an amateur radio communication equipment that is more useful over shorter distances, such as picking up nearby emergency or distress signals.
2. Ham radio
Ham radio is popular for off-grid communication, but usually requires some degree of training ending in an accredited licence. However once you receive your licence, you will also get a unique identification call sign enabling you to conduct two-way communication with emergency and ham radio frequencies. There are several types of ham radio transceivers each of which have their own benefits and drawbacks:
Handheld transceivers: Similar to a walkie-talkie and good for outdoor use, but with limited range and functionality.
Mobile transceivers: Small and typically installed in vehicles such as cars or trucks, but loses signal quickly when removed from vehicle.
Handset transceivers: Similar to Land Mobile Radio with a ‘walkie talkie’ look. More compact and portable than mobile transceivers, but with limited range. UHF handheld radios like the ICOM IC-F2100D are suitable for urban environments as they can best penetrate buildings.
Very High Frequency (VHF) radios like the ICOM IC-M330 or ICOM IC-M37 are a great tool for radio communication on the water. They are perfect for distress and safety signals, ship-to-shore communication and other calls to shore, navigation, and NOAA weather channels.
Single sideband (SSB) radios work by transmitting high frequency (HF) waves that span a larger distance than lower frequency (LF) signals. These HF frequencies have longer wavelengths than VHF transmissions, meaning SSBs can cover thousands of miles. The range and quality of your SSB signal depend on the antenna’s length and radio set-up.
SSB radios complement VHFs, and are not a replacement for VHFs.
3. GMDSS
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is a worldwide communication network between ships, shore stations, and aircraft in an emergency. It enables ships to alert other vessels or shore authorities during emergencies, coordinate search and rescue expeditions, or provide general and safety-specific broadcasts as well as bridge-to-bridge communication.
Our customers have trusted Tecomart as a reliable radio communication equipment supplier since 1994. We provide the best communications products and solutions for our customers so that you can remain safe and connected whether on land or out at sea. Get in touch for more information on our products and services.
Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems like the ICOM IC-7020S are professional, push-to-talk wireless communication systems that public safety groups often utilise for vital communication. LMR systems are widely employed in the commercial world – including in industries such as fishing – in addition to public safety. Handheld portable radios, vehicle-mounted digital mobile radios, stationary base stations, repeaters, and other LMR accessories are all common components of LMR systems.
A user makes a call over LMR by pressing the push to talk (PTT) button, speaking, and then releasing the button to switch the radio to receive mode. Many public safety agencies have since transitioned from basic analogue LMR systems that only supported speech to more powerful digital LMR systems that can handle both voice and data.
There are numerous LMR standards available today, including Project 25 (P25), Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA), Digital Mobile Radio (DMR), Digital Private Mobile Radio (dPMR) and Next Generation Digital Narrowband (NXDN).
This article will discuss the pros and cons of digital land mobile radio (LMR) for mobile critical communications.
Benefits of Land Mobile Radio
1. Reliable and robust nature
Because of the sturdiness of land mobile radio communication equipment and the multiple failsafe mechanisms incorporated into LMR radios and networks, LMR communications have an excellent reputation for reliability. This makes them ideal for crisis communications as well as outdoor-based professions. Some models like the ICOM IC-455 even come with loud-speaker-microphone functions to better help the user take charge during an emergency.
Modern LMR technologies like DMR, P25, TETRA and NXDN are all open standards that can function over regular IP networks due to their digital nature. In addition to speech, digital LMR allows users to transport a specific amount of data for more precise communication.
2. High-grade security and encryption of transmitted data
Because of its tight ties to law enforcement, land mobile radio systems typically contain robust security features including military-grade encryption of all speech and data transfers. As a result, public safety agencies and commercial entities alike can be assured that their communications are secure at all times.
Disadvantages of Land Mobile Radio
1. High power usage
While a major benefit of land mobile radio is its wide network coverage, this comes at the expense of high power usage as more battery power is required to transmit across great distances for extended periods of time. High-power digital mobile radios thus require large batteries to keep working around the clock which not only have a large electrical footprint but can take up space too.
2. Limited spectrum usage and user-friendliness
Land mobile radio is a poor consumer of scarce radio spectrum, which may make it difficult for inexperienced users or professional groups to locate accessible frequencies. As a result spectrum regulators have lowered LMR bandwidth in order to cram more users into the available spectrum – leading to deteriorated data transmission results.
3. Limited bandwidth
Land mobile radio can only supply low-capacity data with its restricted bandwidth, which is fine for brief text-oriented data services but excludes high-bandwidth data applications such as videos or images. As a result, LMR users may have difficult accessing internet data to retrieve important information in the field.
Finding a reliable Critical Communications Supplier
Despite its disadvantages digital land mobile radio is still an excellent piece of radio communication equipment for first responders, emergency response teams, and public safety organisations, among other scenarios. LMR enables you to immediately and directly connect to key personnel as quickly as possible in a crisis situation, especially when the issue at hand may be time-sensitive.
Tecomart has been one of the top and most reliable radio communication suppliers in the Asia-Pacific region since 1994. We believe in offering our clients cost-effective and high-quality communications solutions for both communication and navigation. Unsure which form or brand of LMR to buy to suit your needs? Contact us today to learn more about our products and services, or read more in our FAQs.
Nobody wants to be in a blind-leading-the-blind situation when you are out on the big blue, whether you’re on a fishing expedition or simply sailing the endless seas.
That’s why buying quality marine navigation equipment such as marine radar is so critical to ensuring a safe journey on the ocean for yourself as well as any crew or passengers onboard. Some marine radars even come equipped with fishfinding capabilities to help you locate a prime catch.
But how do you decide which marine radar you should buy for your vessel? Here are some of the key factors that will affect your choice of marine radar to help you find the best fit for your needs.
1. Vessel size
When buying your marine radar you should always consider the size of your vessel first. Your vessel size and fuel capacity not only affects the physical size of the radar you can get, but may have an impact on its power usage and limitations too. Two of the most common types of radars are open array and radome radars – and the right one for you will depend on your vessel size.
Open Array Radars have rotating arms with wider antennas and 1.1° to 3.5° beamwidth that offers the sharpest focus to pick up on small targets. Due to their large size they are suitable for larger power boats or sailboats that feature pilothouses or radar arches.
Smaller boat owners who need to keep things compact should consider smaller radome scanners like the ICOM MR-1010RII Marine Radar that can be mounted inside a 1.5 to 2ft. dome with fewer moving parts and still generate decent images with 3.5° to 7° beamwidth. Radome radars also tend to use less power, which is ideal for smaller or personal operations.
2. Vessel needs or objectives
Vessels with a specific purpose are best equipped with marine radars that have additional features to help you achieve your intended objectives. For example, fishing vessels may work best with radars that come with integrated fishfinding features.
If your original choice in radar does not come with fishfinding features, an additional Echo Sounder or FishFinder like the Furuno FCV-628 can help to enhance your navigational capabilities.
3. Required power or range
Before buying your marine radar, you’ll have to consider its required power and range. Make sure that your vessel is able to provide the required power before buying a radar. It is also important to consider the following factors and how this could affect usage in day-to-day situations:
Capability during all weather and time conditions
Frequency of use
Terrain and choppiness of waves
4. Other factors
Apart from these 3 key considerations many other factors may affect your decision to buy a marine radar. Some things to consider include:
Standalone or multifunctional: A multifunctional display provides a broad array of radar capabilities and saves you valuable helm space. However if you are a serious user of radar features and a frequent boater who prefers steadfast display, a standalone might suit you better.
Pulse or Solid-state: Pulse radars are more ‘old school’ and still use older technology, but are reliable even if broadband services are down. Solid-state radars use up-to-date broadband technology for better definition and display but require more complicated maintenance.
Finding a Reliable Marine Navigation Equipment Supplier
If you are looking for boat radar for sale or a trusted supplier of marine navigation equipment and radio communication, you don’t need to look any further than Tecomart. We have provided high-quality, affordable communication solutions for our clients for navigational and communication purposes since 1994. Contact us to find out more about our products or see if we’ve answered your questions in our FAQs.
A marine vessel’s communication system is one of the strongest ways to protect and ensure the security and safety of your crew while out at sea. Effective radio communication keeps ships apprised of their relation to other vessels, their relation to the shore and potential sandbanks or other dangerous physical features, and allows the staff onboard and those on the shore to share important information concerning weather patterns and safety protocols.
When choosing radio communication equipment for your vessel, you are typically spoiled for choice. However this article will focusing on three main types of communication devices: Very High Frequency radios (VHF), Single Side Band radios (SSB), and Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS).
Calls to shore and other ship-to-shore communications
NOAA weather channels
Navigation
While these uses make the VHF invaluable onboard, they do still have their limitations. VHF is limited by line of sight, meaning a clear and unobstructed path is necessary between the transmitter and receiver in order for the radio signal to work. Separate marine VHF antennas help overcome this by raising the height of your antenna.
VHF radios use 3 key methods for communication: simplex, duplex and Digital Selective Calling (DSC). Simplex and duplex both transmit and receive standard voice communications, whereas DSC transmits and receives digital communications.
Simplex communication sends and receives communications on the same frequency, and is suitable for ship-to-ship communication. It has a range of about 20 nautical miles (depending on conditions), and is also the method in use for channel 16, the international safety channel used for distress calls and coordinating rescues.
Duplex communication transmits and receives on different frequencies, usually with a shore-based repeater station in between. While the repeater ensures a greater range of communication of around 40 nautical miles, VHF line of sight limitations still apply.
DSC uses simplex communication and is bound by the same range restrictions. However it can also send a greater variety of digital messages.
Single Side Band (SSB) Radios
SSB radios like the ICOM IC-M710 are essential for real-time communication not limited by range.They work like two-way radios for marine vessels and are not limited by line of sight as they bounce, or skip, signals off of the ionosphere. SSBs are complementary communication equipment for VHFs, and should not replace a VHF in your vessel’s communication system.
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
A fixed mount GMDSS like the Samyung ENC SRG-3150D/DN supports a framework of devices, protocols and procedures on distress and radio communication safety. GMDSS is mandated for ships worldwide and is the industry standard for how to navigate distress calls and emergencies, whether you’re the vessel in distress or responding to it.
The GMDSS includes specific equipment modules such as:
NavTex: An internationally adopted system used primarily to distribute MSI-maritime safety information. These include navigational warnings, weather warnings, forecasts, and search and rescue notices (SAR).
DSC: DSC has been introduced into the GMDSS system to facilitate ship-to-ship, shore-to-ship, and ship-to-shore communication via high or medium frequencies, VHF and digital mobile radios.
Operating the GMDSS requires a General Operators Certificate (GOC), which involves completing a short course as well as clear written and oral exams. While this may take up some time and resources, it is absolutely essential to protecting your crew while you are out at sea.
Finding a Reliable Radio Communications Supplier
Tecomart has been trusted to supply quality marine navigation and communication equipment since 1994. Our ethos is to provide high-quality communications and navigational solutions at competitive and affordable prices. If you are in the market for a reliable radio communications supplier you can trust, get in touch with us today.
