UHF vs VHF: Choosing the right two-way radio signal

No matter what industry you’re in or how you use two-way radios in your business one thing you always want to avoid as much as possible is disruption to the signal when sending or receiving messages.

This is particularly true if the messages being sent are urgent – like in an emergency situation when delays caused by disruption can have fatal consequences.

One of the things to consider when using two-way radios is whether your radios are going to use a VHF or UHF signal.

When it comes to which signal to choose it really depends on your business’ individual needs and either signal can have their positives and negatives depending on the situation.

But how do you choose?

Let’s start with what the difference is between UHF and VHF.

UHF signal

Ultra High Frequency (UHF) signals operate towards the higher end of the frequency range and can more easily move through structures and obstacles.

Because of this they are more commonly used indoors or by organisations operating within built up areas where a signal needs to pass through lots of obstructions.

Choosing a UHF radio can also have some benefits if you need devices which are slightly less awkward to carry because devices which support UHF tend to have shorter antennas.

VHF signal

Very High Frequency (VHF) signals operate on the lower end of the frequency range.

Because they have a longer wavelength than their UHF counterpart VHF signals can travel further distances, so could be ideal if your workers are communicating over long open distances like fields or for those working in security in large outdoor areas.

But while VHF can be ideal for your organisation in some circumstances, the signals are not able to move through metal or concrete structures so if your employees are moving around enclosed or highly built up areas, a VHF signal might not be the way to go.

Similarly, if your employees are working indoors, VHF might not be the option for you.

One thing to keep in mind when choosing between VHF and UHF is that the signals cannot be interchanged within devices because each requires its own hardware which enables it to work on a specific frequency.

You should also consider whether you are planning a wholesale change of your current communications network or are planning to add to it – because you also need to be sure your new radios will match the frequency of your existing devices.

If you’re not sure which option is going to be right for your business or could do with getting some professional advice, get in touch here