In this thought-provoking new feature, Chris Rolinson offers us an introduction to the idea of network radios, looking at internet propagation, technical aspects and potential uses for this new form of communication. This I am using to try and understand why some clubs seem quite reluctant and ‘set in their ways’, while the average age of members keeps rising. In the Autumn of 2017, two ferocious hurricanes hit the Florida coast. Yet only 3% of the mobile phone infrastructure went down. This meant that Zello (a PTT application for mobile platforms) became one of the most used apps for search and rescue following those cataclysmic events. Network radios are effectively classed as 'license exempt radio communications equipment' The end user does not require a license to operate these devices on mobile networks or WiFi connections as the bands of radio spectrum used for mobile network communications are licensed by the network infrastructure owners/network operators and WiFi connections use licence exempt 'ISM band' frequencies

More information on this and links to the various solutions can be found on the network radio enthusiasts Facebook (FB) group: The TM7 is a mobile variant. Again, it is Android driven but is designed to be used in a car or base environment. You can either hard wire it in the car or use the supplied cigarette lighter plug. The current drain is very low and will not present any problems to your cars electric system. Again this device has a good loud speaker and the added benefit of a fist mic. Inrico TM7 Network Radio Handheld However, the term radio does not only refer to the device itself but also to radio stations such as National Public Radio (NPR), News Radio 1000 AM and many others. Being a tinkerer, I was confused that I couldn’t find any way to get inside the radio. No screws here, just that heavy-duty moulded plastic. Telo clearly does not want users playing inside this radio – but this is fair enough, as this is a business device first and foremost. Generally speaking, short wave signals bounce off one of the atmosphere’s layers (the ionosphere) while VHF/UHF signals are extended via tropospheric ducting; microwave signals might be enhanced by rain scatter and so on. There are other methods of propagation too, of course but, simply put, Mother Nature frequently assists us to achieve longer distances than would normally be possible.

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The T298s comes in two different versions: VHF and UHF. It offers an output power of 2 Watt and it’s a great gadget to carry when travelling. You will always be connected. If a nearby repeater is not available, you just have to switch into the IRN or Echolink via WiFi or 3G connection. It is a very robust device, that offers IP54 protective design with a military quality. Do you see my point? I liken tennis outdoors to using ‘natural’ propagation and tennis indoors to using ‘man-made’ propagation. The people in the photographs are all playing Tennis, just in different ways.

Nowhere in this definition does it require the holding of a licence, the use of Amateur only bands or specific equipment. What we see is self-training, learning, the passing of messages and the use of the frequency spectrum. Many of you will know of the Echolink system – there is an Android app for this. And recently, reflecting the growth of network radio devices, it has gained an option to map the PTT switching to a hardware button. Now you can transmit into the Echolink network directly from a Network Radio’s PTT. Handheld network radios look and function like traditional two-way radios (a.k.a walkie-talkies, DMRs, or ham radios). But, instead of using UHF/VHF frequencies to connect, they connect via the Internet using a SIM card or Wi-Fi signal. Well, that’s probably more than enough for an inaugural piece. Remember, my aim is to be as approachable as possible. I try to get on the network as much as my day job allows and I am active on the network radios Facebook groups too, so you usually can catch me there.

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All radio products are tested against rivals in the same price category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoid any personal preference. We test not only the raw audio quality of internet radio (and FM and DAB) but all its advertised features from Bluetooth connectivity to streaming support to the alarms and presets. A whole new branch of the hobby has come into existence and you might find it exciting to be part of it.

Is this still hamradio? Read this article. The TM7 can also be used to listen to the police, fire department and many other transmissions. Learn how.

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We all use technology of different types to enhance our enjoyment of the hobby. Be it groups on Facebook, DX Cluster, WSPR, APRS etc, is this really any different? Try to see it as a bolt on to the hobby rather than a pretender to the throne. Come and join us and rediscover your love of Amateur Radio. There’s lots of discussion about “Network Radio” at the moment, most notably in the current Practical Wireless and Radcom. It’s controversial, and won’t appeal to everyone, but a growing group of hams are using it, and it’s busy.

Here, you will find audio from analogue, DMR, D-STAR & Fusion stations crossing over to each other as well as onto the internet. The brainchild of a Manchester-based radio amateur Gareth M6IGJ, the IRN platform is growing very fast; by the time you read this, it will have developed even further ( Fig. 6).

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Not only the technical progress is visible, but also the variety of online offers available has increased. The classic range of FM stations has been joined by an extensive array of web radio. Nowadays, almost every FM station offers an online radio stream as well, so it can be heard everywhere and independent of conventional frequencies.