Walco Radio and Electronics Ltd.
Two-way Radio | Installations | Satellite Communications | Electronic Components | 250-372-0054 | 707 Sarcee St. E., Kamloops, BC
Whether in town or hauling in remote locations, a reliable radio can make all the difference in getting the job done and back home. At Walco, we provide expert installation services to back up our two-way radio and cellular booster sales.
Need more than just a radio? We can help most electronic equipment installations including power converters, AC inverters and more.
Walco Radio is your local source for electronic components, parts, chemicals, and specialty tools!
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Our knowledgeable sales and technical staff are here to serve you.
Recently one of our customers came in asking about sat phones. Apparently, in a movie, someone uses a sat phone while inside a house. Then there is TV shows where the radio in ear bud communicates with crystal clear audio across the city, unless the show writers want it to fail. We thought it would be fun to dispel some of these myths about how communications work, and help people better understand what they are actually working with.
Myth #1: Satellite phones can work anywhere, instantly.
Satellite phones rely on, you guessed it, satellites. Providers have a large number of these satellites orbiting around the earth. For the most part, they provide constant coverage. However, as one drifts out of range, you may have to wait a while for the next one to come along in order to have signal again.
Further, satellite phones must be able to see the sky. In other words, you have to be outside, with a clear shot to the sky. You cannot use a sat phone in a bunker, or a cave, or under water.
Myth #2: Radios can communicate across thousands of miles.
Some can, but not your typical two-way radio.
We use radio waves to transmit our voice or data over distances large distances. How far they can travel and be effective depends on the frequency, the terrain, and obstacles like walls. Ironically, you can often send a message to the space station easier than the other side of a mountain.
Wave size & frequency
Radio waves have different properties based on the length of the wave. The lower the frequency, the longer the wave. When conditions are suitable, longer waves can bounce off the upper atmosphere and reach across the ocean. Examples of larger waves include AM broadcast stations, amateur radio HF communications, trans oceanic marine and aviation backup HF communications, various military, and of course Citizen Band radios (though CBs use the upper part of the HF spectrum so ranges is limited unless conditions are favorable).
VHF and UHF radios are used in commercial applications like resource road radios, construction, emergency services, government agencies, and aviation. These devices are generally in the 138-500 MHz range with aviation being from 108MHz. The shorter wave lengths means they work best when you have a clear path from radio to radio, or radio to repeater. That said, they will refract over hills and bounce off surfaces like hills and buildings. It’s common to be able to talk to someone ‘around the corner’ but not in the next valley.
Cellular phones use higher frequencies which are even shorter, as a result they have very short range. However, shorter waves are better at bouncing off of buildings and other structures making them particularly effective in urban areas. Cellular is in several bands between 700MHz to 6GHz range with 5G being at the top end. As a general rule, a 4G capable ‘tower’ will have greater reach than 5G. The higher the frequency, the more signal is lost due to rain and vegetation. In particular with 4G and 5G, if you can’t see the cell site tower, you can’t talk to it (though the signals do penetrate non metallic walls with some signal loss).
Power and Antennas
Power is another issue that impacts how far a signal will go though in most VHF and UHF applications it makes less difference than you might think. For handhelds, 5 watts is the maximum output (for safety reasons). Generally, they are good for around 3-8km. Mobiles (or truck radios) are around 30 watts. These can go over a 100km with line of sight, but it has little to do with the power of the transmitter. Power helps, but range is impacted far more by the type of antenna and location. A long antenna mounted in the center of the roof of a vehicle will out perform the same antenna mounted on the fender. Both will drastically out perform a ‘rubber ducky’ on handheld radio.
Myth #3: Radios are indestructible
In war and apocalyptic movies, poor radios go on forever- through tsunamis, and earthquakes etc, unless the radio failing is part of the story line.
A few things to remember however,
Conclusion:
The technologies we sell are truly amazing. They perform consistently in tough conditions, with little care or attention. We have seen radios caked in mud that haven’t been serviced for years, that are still going strong. But they are subject to the laws of physics, not Hollywood.
One of the biggest questions we get at Walco is ‘will this satellite device work in X location?’ While we do our best to answer client’s questions, this one is a real challenge.
Satellite devices do exactly as their name suggests, they connect to satellites. The issue is, connecting to a satellite has many variable factors at play.
Sky Visibility:
A key factor in whether you can connect to a satellite is your visibility of the sky. For example, in the image on the left, you will have a very narrow window to connect and make your call or send your message. In the image on the right, you will have considerably more time, and thus likely more success.
Satellite Coverage:
A second factor is the satellite coverage for your particular area. In some areas (like north western BC) satellite coverage can be quite limited. It may take up to 20 minutes for a satellite to be present over head. Thus, just because you aren’t connecting, doesn’t mean you have a problem with your device. It could be that there is no satellite to connect to.
Successful Handoffs:
Another factor in whether your message gets sent is the successful handoff of your information to the various pieces of the system. For example, much like cell towers, satellites often need to ‘handoff’ the information or the call to another satellite that is closer to your location. Further, the satellite must also send your message to a ground station, which then moves the message onto a standard network.
As Globalstar explains on their website:
” Our satellites transmit customer signals via CDMA technology to antennas at the appropriate terrestrial gateway, then the signals are routed through the local networks. “
As you can see, this is a complicated and multi-step process. Where a cellphone simply needs to connect to a local network, your satellite device has two steps to go through before it even gets to a land based network! This can help explain why messages may take a while to go through, or get lost entirely.
As with all technology, it is key to understand how it works so you can use best practices. Further, having a realistic idea of what the technology can and cannot do will keep you from feeling frustrated!
Satellite technology allows us to stay connected in some of the most remote places in the world. It is an incredibly valuable safety tool to those who work beyond traditional networks. With proper use and understanding of the device you have chosen, satellite devices can be useful companions in work and recreation.
Many of our customers come in looking for a cell booster. They live, work, and travel in remote areas and want the assurance of cellular signal.
Unfortunately, there are tons of misconceptions about boosters and how they work. Let’s clear up a few!
Signal of any type is not a perfect science. We are harnessing a natural phenomena that is effected by many factors. This can make it difficult to know if a booster will work for you. As such, we have rental boosters for you to try before you buy!
Hopefully this has shed a little bit of light on boosters and how they can help you!
Did you know two-way radios require a license?
When you purchase a radio, you are required to obtain a license through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. This license is per radio, per year. Further, you must add to your license those frequencies you are using, whether Basic 10, Appendix 6 (BC), RR’s etc. Further, if you wish to have special frequencies added, you must have a letter of authorization and add the frequency to your license.
Did you know that programmable, amateur and marine radios are not usable for land mobile purposes?
Very often people will come in hoping to buy programmable radios to use on resource roads. Unfortunately, programmable radios are not permissible for land mobile use. Frequencies are managed by the government for specific purposes. Thus, ISED wants to ensure whoever is programming a radio understands what frequencies are permitted.
Did you know your license is for a particular area?
This is because frequencies are often ‘reused’ in different areas. For example, a private channel in Kamloops, may be a crane operators channel in Edmonton. If you use that channel in Edmonton you can cause interference with the crane operator- thus putting other people’s safety at risk.
Did you know radios you purchase online may be illegal for use in Canada?
Many popular and cheap ‘walkie walkie’ style radios from overseas are actually illegal for use in Canada. Before you buy a radio, ensure that it is approved for use by ISED. Use this link to check it out.
Thank you for your support in 2019! We love serving you, and helping you solve your communications problems. We wish you and yours a wonderful and safe holiday season.
Please note, we will be closed from December 24th at noon to January 2nd. We look forward to assisting you in 2020!
KNOW WHERE YOUR LOVED ONES ARE WITH SPOT
Do you ever notice how in every post-apocalyptic movie, they are using radios? Not only that, but RCMP, first responders, search and rescue and ski patrol all use radios. There is good reason for this. In fact, many amateur radio operators consider themselves key in emergency communications. Learning about how to use, and owning a radio is incredibly important for emergency preparedness.
So why is this?
First, radios don’t require infrastructure. Cell towers can go down in fires or other disasters, removing all communications with cellular. Satellite devices can have delays or become inoperable if the satellites they use are damaged. Radio on the other hand doesn’t rely on this technology.
While radio signals are improved and extended by the use of repeaters or other equipment, radios do not require these to work. If you have two handheld radios, and are within distance of one another, you can communicate.
Second, radios don’t require a number. Thus, if you have a radio and are tuned to an active channel, you can communicate with anyone else on that channel. In BC we have the RR channels, which most radios undoubtedly have programmed into them. Thus, in the case of an emergency, you could likely scan the RR channels and find someone to communicate with for help.
Third, radios are tougher and more practical than cellular phones. They are often designed for combat and extreme work situations. Thus, many radios are waterproof, dust proof and designed for long battery life. Radios also don’t rely on data, upgrades or other communications with manufacturers or developers to function. Software and other features of a cell phone may become obsolete or inoperative in emergency situations. The radio has one function- communication.
Radios have many uses in our current daily lives, from work settings, to charitable events, to sports, to hunting. Owning a radio is just one more way to add to your resources in work, play and in the event of an emergency.
The highly anticipated Spot X is here! As with all Spot products, this device is economical, minimalist and amazingly functional. The unit looks similar to a blackberry, with a full keyboard and large screen.
Spot states:
SPOT X provides 2-way satellite messaging so you can stay connected to family, friends and colleagues whenever you’re outside of cellular range, including direct communication with Search & Rescue services in case of a life-threatening emergency. SPOT X even provides you with your own Canada-based personal mobile number so others can message you directly from their cell phone or other SMS devices at any time.
This unit is a step up from the Gen3, which was single direction. Now, you can have two-way communications for a much more affordable price than the competitors.
Some awesome features include:
We know the SpotX will be a welcome addition to any outdoor adventurer’s pack! We are very excited to have this cost effective option for our customers.