Uniden UBC73XLT owner manual Simplex Operation, Repeater Operation, Understanding Scanning

UBC73XLT Paper OM.fm Page 12 Monday, May 14, 2007 9:13 AM

this was the primary way that radio systems operated.

Even today, there are many 2-way radio users who operate using a conventional system:

•Aircraft

•Amateur radio

•PRS (UHF CB) users

•Broadcast AM/FM/TV stations

•Many business radio users

When you want to store a conventional system, all you need to know is the frequencies they operate on. When you are scanning a conventional system, the scanner stops very briefly on each channel to see if there is activity. If there isn’t, the scanner quickly moves to the next channel. If there is, then the scanner pauses on the transmission until it is over.

Simplex Operation

Simplex systems use a single frequency for both transmit and receive. Most radios using this type of operation are limited to line-of-sight operation. This type of radio is frequently used at construction job sites, and with inexpensive consumer radios such as PRS (UHF CB) radios. The range is typically 1.5-12 km, depending upon the terrain and many other factors.

Repeater Operation

Repeater systems use two frequencies: one transmits from the radio to a central repeater; the other transmits from the repeater to other radios in the system. With a repeater-based system, the repeater is located on top of a tall building or on a radio tower that provides great visibility to the area of operation. When a user transmits (on an input frequency), the signal is picked up by the repeater and retransmitted (on an output frequency). The user’s radios always

Understanding Scanning

12