Car radio: basic characteristics. How to choose a good car radio?

Mobile phones have become so firmly entrenched in everyday life of each of us that we no longer imagine our existence without mobile communication. But, unfortunately, there are such situations when it is impossible to use modern communication. Here the authorization comes to the rescue. Anyone can buy it, but at the same time to make the best choice is not by everyone.

Authorization is ...

Car portable radio - an alternative to a mobile phone. This is an affordable and economical way of communication.

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

Who is included in the circle of users

The car radio can be used both for professional purposes, and in amateur. Without a radio station , the trucker's work is impossible , since this device is the only means of communication between wagons. Taxi drivers, minibus drivers with this device communicate with the dispatcher who transfers orders, and with his colleagues - other drivers. In the sphere of law enforcement, a radio walkie-talkie took root long ago. Policemen and patrol inspectors need constant and prompt communication to transmit sensitive information related to their work (for example, on the escape of a criminal, the characteristics of an attacker, information about the movement of a car, etc.).

Also, the users of the radio station are couriers. At the level of an amateur these devices are owned by motorists, hunters, tourists.

Car radio: how to choose? Main criteria and technical characteristics

• Power . The optimum figure is 10 watts. This power will allow to ensure the proper functioning of the device, and in case of emergency, it is possible to connect an external amplifier.
• Housing . Can be made of plastic, plastic with metal and simply made of metal. The car radio, which is confirmed by its practicality and the maximum level of security, is a device with a metal casing.
• Weight . One of the main technical characteristics of the radio device. Can be 56-700 grams. Specified by the manufacturer. Note that if the model is equipped with a replaceable battery AA or AAA, the weights are indicated without taking into account the weight of such batteries. If a lithium power supply is used, the weight parameters of such radio take into account its mass.
• Height . As well as the previous parameter, refers to the technical characteristics. Varies within the range of 80-585 mm.
• Height with antenna . In most cases, this indicator is also indicated. Is within the range of 118-228 mm.
• Antenna . As a rule, the radio is equipped with an antenna. It can be removable or non-removable. A non-detachable antenna is equipped with inexpensive models of radio systems.

• Working ranges . It should be remembered here that a license is required to use certain frequency bands. Unlicensed in the Russian Federation, the operating bands are CB, PMR and LPD.
• Number of channels supported . To operate the radio at short distances, a device with 40-100 channels is suitable. Accordingly, if the device is intended for communication over long distances, the number of channels supported should exceed 100 names.
• Modulation type . Autorization can function in amplitude modulation (AM), frequency (FM) or both in the first and second simultaneously.
• Waterproof case . This addition will be appreciated by inveterate fishermen, tourists.
• Operating time without recharging . Depending on the capacity of the batteries, the radio operation time in the autonomous mode can vary from 5 to 65 hours. In general, it is understood that the radio operates in 90/5/5 mode: 90% in sleep mode and 5% on receive and transmit.
• Standby time . Consumes the minimum amount of energy. Can be from 10 to 100 hours.
• Time in reception mode . Consumes an average amount of energy between the "wait" and "talk" modes. Is 1.6-12 hours.
• Time of work in the mode of "conversation" or "transfer" . Can be 1.4-16 hours. If the radio is purchased for the purpose of frequent use by purpose (conversation), then this parameter should be paid special attention.
• The presence of the built-in GPS-receiver. Allows you to accurately and quickly determine your location and satellite coordinates. The accuracy of the identification depends on the number of satellites that are in the vision area of the GPS receiver.
• Completion . Ideal option will be if the car radio, purchased for use in systematic road trips, in the kit will have a headset, charger, batteries. The latter can be lithium or in AA, AAA format.

• The possibility of locking the keyboard of the device from accidental pressing.
• Support instant setup on the SOS channel . Car radio, which support this function, is easy to recognize: on the keyboard there is a dedicated dedicated button of the appropriate designation.
• Support vibrating alert function . Due to this feature, the radio can be used in places where the observance of complete silence is a prerequisite for staying.
• Support function "flashlight" . In the upper part of the car radio built in the LED, which acts as an illuminator.
• Ability to adjust the level of noise reduction . Implies the presence of an autoregulator, which allows to make a rational choice regarding the level of the squelch's operation.
• Manufacturer . If a walkie-talkie is purchased due to the peculiarities of work activity, it is recommended to choose well-known trademarks. A car radio, assembled with its own hands, will be an economical and mega-intuitive activity for amateur designers.

Advice for 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 qualitative characteristics, but by the purpose of acquisition. And then, based on this, already, determine the optimal technical characteristics. After all, if you need a radio for basic needs, for example, communication support at relatively short distances, what's the point in buying an expensive device with a wide range of operation? If the device is used rarely (1-2 times a year), there is also no need to purchase expensive models.

How to choose a walkie-talkie truck driver?

The basis of all the bases in the long-distance business is a car radio. How to choose such a device trucker? This category of users has the greatest demand for a radio station operating in the CB-band.

Stationary car radios, specializing in working in this range, provide an excellent range. In this case, for the presence of a signal and its quality, such obstacles as forests, hills and mountains have no influence.

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

• Support communication in the 27 MHz band on the 15th channel of the radio network;
• Support of amplitude modulation;
• Output power.

Car radio for a taxi driver - what is it?

The requirements for radio stations for taxi drivers and minibus drivers differ slightly from those for long-distance truck operators. The main requirement is the possibility of operative communication with the room of dispatchers in urban conditions.

In addition, pay attention to the following:

• Operation of the radio in the CB range.
• Number of channels. A particular channel belongs to a particular dispatch station. Therefore, the more number of channels, the better. For small settlements, walkie-talkies with 40 channels or more, for megacities - more than 200 will do.
• Power. The preferred indicator is 10 W.
• Functionality. The walkie-talkie should be easy to manage and have useful functions (channel memory, satellite location, etc.).

Which manufacturer to give preference to

In the market of automotive devices, the radio transmitters TM MegaJet, Midland, Alan, Kenwood have proven themselves. A reliable manufacturer is a guarantee of quality, practicality and reliability. Of course, the design of the world's trademark is not cheap, but if you want to have a really high-quality product, you can buy car radio BU.