How do radios work?
There are four main types of radio systems:
-Frequencies broadcasted over a repeater;
-Frequencies without a dedicated repeater;
-Frequencies that use a trunked radio system;
-Frequencies that use encryption technology.
Each one of these systems tell a great deal about the
agency or company that is using the system. For example,
one would not expect a simple shipping company to use
expensive encryption technology on their radio system, but it
would be normal for a law enforcement agency to employ such a
system.
Depending on the system by which they are configured,
generally a radio will send a signal to either a repeater,
another portable or a base station. The base stations
generally have the most powerful transmitters and receivers.
Below, there is a picture of a police base station.
Compare that antenna to one on a police patrol car, and it is
easy to figure which one is more powerful.
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