It’s essential to consider the compatibility of a new wireless intercom system with the other wireless devices already in use in your house or company, as well as those used by your immediate neighbors. You should also think about the features and the distance you require.
Frequencies for Wireless Intercoms
Wireless equipment for unlicensed consumer use can operate in several different frequency bands in the United States. There are five different ones: 49MHz, 900MHz, 2.4GHz, 5.8GHz, and the FRS band for families. The FCC has just recently authorized the MURS service for widespread use. Although Canada uses radio frequencies identical to the United States, MURS is not permitted there.
When first released, wireless consumer products operated on the 49MHz frequency band. The first generation of cordless phones and other low-end wireless devices still use this band today. Its range is inadequate, and it is highly susceptible to interference. Wireless intercom devices that operate on this frequency range are either hard to come by or undesirable nowadays.
Products with an analog transmission frequency of 900 MHz followed. The early 900 MHz products, like the 49 MHz ones, lack encryption. Conversations can be overheard by anyone using a device tuned to the same frequency. Modern digital spread spectrum 900MHz products disperse digital transmission across multiple frequencies to prevent eavesdropping from other devices. The range of digital spread spectrum intercoms is expanded compared to their analog 900 MHz counterparts. Only one of the currently available wireless intercoms uses the digital spread spectrum, but at least two exist. Spread spectrum allows for a range of up to a mile for wireless intercom systems.
The 2.4GHz gadgets followed shortly after. More and more people use cordless phones and other devices within this spectrum. Although the sole available wireless video intercom was just taken off the market, video intercom systems primarily use this frequency range. Products operating at 2.4GHz might cause interference with one another because it is the same range used by WiFi (802.11B/G) wireless data networks in homes and offices.
The Family Radio Service (462-467MHz) can be found in the UHF band and is an upgrade from traditional walkie-talkies. Any intercom system in this price range would have to compete with ubiquitous hand-held radios, which allow for eavesdropping and are widely utilized. No FRS-based wireless intercom systems are currently available to the public.
The cordless phone market has recently seen the introduction of 5.8GHz models. There are no known compatibility difficulties with devices operating at 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz; thus, using them together should be trouble-free. However, no such wireless intercom systems are currently available.
Some intercom systems may give the impression that they are wireless while they transmit and receive signals through your building’s electrical infrastructure. Although they typically communicate in the AM band over your home wiring, these are commonly called “FM wireless intercoms.” You can use them by connecting an AC adaptor to a wall outlet. These systems are notorious for producing annoying hums and buzz, so use them at your own risk unless you can put up with them. Since 240 volts are split into two 120-volt phases in residential wiring, there will be interference if the signal attempts to cross stages. Half of your home or office may be functioning normally while the other half isn’t. These intercoms often cost the least out of all the options available.
High-Distance Wireless Communicators
Products operating in the MURS frequency range are the newest addition to the wireless intercom industry. MURS operates on a frequency of 150 MHz of the Very High Frequency (VHF) radio band. When compared to FRS radio, MURS has four times the power. Moreover, a larger or external antenna can be added to increase range, which is invalid with FRS. MURS allows you to install an antenna on the roof of your home. According to some manufacturers, the adequate radiated power of a transmitter can be increased by an external antenna. With an additional antenna, the range of these MURS intercoms may be increased to more than four miles.
The FCC in the United States does not mandate their usage to avoid the hassle of obtaining a license to utilize MURS frequencies.
For each of the five MURS channels, there are a total of 38 interference eliminators or “quiet codes” that can be utilized. Your radios will remain silent while using one of these quiet codes unless another radio is set to use the same channel and soft code. Since MURS is rarely used, you probably won’t encounter these codes. Due to the limited number of manufacturers, MURS radios tend to have low traffic levels.
If you need to communicate between buildings on a large property or want the convenience of a wireless intercom, the MURS Intercom system is the way to go. A MURS can be used for both in-house and outside-the-house communication. Your MURS intercom system can be expanded with a portable unit, allowing you to maintain contact even when you’re not at home.
Outdoor Wireless Communicators with a Long Range
Wireless commercial call boxes are also available, with features including intercoms at the base station and compatibility with two-way radios. These wireless callboxes are weatherproof and ideal for usage in harsh weather conditions. If your model has a gate relay, you can use it to unlock gates or doors remotely. Stainless steel front panels are available for some callboxes to make them vandal-proof. If you attach an external antenna, you can increase the range by as much as a mile. These wireless call boxes can run on solar energy, an AC-DC converter, or batteries. If you already have two-way radios, you can use those with a callbox because they come in UHF and VHF bands. You can utilize your MURS intercoms or radios with call boxes designed to operate on unlicensed MURS frequencies.
A wireless callbox is advantageous since it eliminates the need for trenching and the subsequent expense of running cable to the box. With these wireless devices, you won’t have to worry about paying for air time or phone service. Because it is wireless, security guards may easily communicate with the callbox from their handheld radios. That frees up your watchers to go wherever the action is.
Wireless Intercom Capabilities
What functionalities you need for your application is something else to consider. More complex functionality is typically required in commercial applications. For instance, the MURS wireless system is compatible with various accessories. Base station intercoms, wireless call boxes (with a solar power option), wireless public address systems, customer service call boxes, wireless remote switches, and motion detector devices are all available. Outdoor and doorbell intercoms have a 900MHz intercom system, making it suitable for light commercial or domestic applications.
Which wireless intercom system you buy depends on the task, the other wireless gadgets you currently have, the distance you need to cover, and your finances, among other factors. Once you’ve made the appropriate decision, though, you’ll have a wireless intercom system’s benefits at your fingertips for years.
IntercomsOnline.com specializes in selling wireless intercom systems for use in homes and businesses, and David Onslow serves as the company’s director of marketing. Products like video intercom systems, wireless call boxes, and wireless intercoms are available. Visit http://www.intercomsonline.com for your free copy of “Two-Way Radio Success: How to Choose Two-Way Radios, Commercial Intercoms, and Other Wireless Communication Devices For Your Business.”
Read also: https://journalall.com/category/technology/
