A

• APRS

  Standards and Systems
  (Automatic Packet Reporting System), A digital communication system used by amateur radio operators to send and receive real-time data, like location information (GPS).

C

• Call Alert

  Operating Modes
  A feature that sends an audible tone to another radio to get the operator's attention.

• Channel

  Operating Modes
  A specific frequency or frequency pair used for communication.

• CTCSS/DCS

  Modulation and Signaling
  Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) and Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) are privacy codes that filter out unwanted transmissions on a channel.

D

• DTMF Paging

  Modulation and Signaling
  A signaling method using DTMF tones that allows a user to "page" another radio to get their attention, often used in selective calling systems.

• dB (Decibel)

  General Terms
  A logarithmic unit of measurement used to express a ratio, often for signal strength or power gain.

E

• Encryption

  Modulation and Signaling
  The process of scrambling a radio's signal to prevent unauthorized listeners.

• Earpiece

  Hardware Components
  An accessory worn in the ear for private listening.

F

• Frequency

  General Terms
  The number of waves passing a given point in a second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

I

• IP Rating

  General Terms
  A rating that indicates a device's resistance to dust and water.

L

• Lone Worker

  Operating Modes
  A safety feature that requires the user to check in with the radio at regular, pre-set intervals. If the user fails to check in, the radio automatically sends an alert to a dispatcher or other users.
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M

• Monitor

  Operating Modes
  A function that opens the receiver to listen to a channel without the squelch, which is useful for listening to weak signals.

• MHz (Megahertz)

  General Terms
  A unit of frequency, equal to one million hertz. This is the common unit used to describe the frequency of a radio channel.

• Mil-STD (Military Standard)

  General Terms
  A series of military standards for durability and environmental resistance. Many professional two-way radios are built to be compliant with these standards, ensuring they can withstand harsh conditions.

• Modulation

  Modulation and Signaling
  The process of varying a carrier wave to encode information. Common types are FM (Frequency Modulation) and AM (Amplitude Modulation).

P

• PMR446

  Standards and Systems
  This is a European license-free radio standard.

R

• Range

  General Terms
  The maximum distance over which a radio can reliably communicate.

• RF Attenuator

  Hardware Components
  A device that reduces the power of an incoming radio signal to prevent signal overload on the receiver, which can improve clarity when you are too close to a strong signal source.

• Remote Speaker Microphone (RSM)

  Hardware Components
  A combination speaker and microphone that clips to a user's collar or shoulder, allowing them to operate the radio without holding it. Also called a Speaker Mic.

S

• Scanning

  Operating Modes
  The feature that allows a radio to automatically scan through multiple channels to find an active transmission.

• SMA Connector

  Hardware Components
  A small coaxial cable connector is commonly used on handheld radios to attach and detach the antenna.

• Surveillance Earpiece

  Hardware Components
  A discreet earpiece and microphone combination, often with a clear, coiled acoustic tube, used by security personnel.

• Squelch

  General Terms
  A circuit that mutes the radio's speaker when there is no signal, eliminating static.

T

• Talkaround

  Operating Modes
  A feature that allows radios to communicate directly with each other (simplex) without using a repeater. This is useful when radios are close together or if the repeater is out of range.

• Transceiver

  General Terms
  A portmanteau of "transmitter" and "receiver," it is the proper technical term for a two-way radio.

• Talkaround

  General Terms
  A radio-to-radio communication mode that bypasses the repeater. This is a crucial function for maintaining communication when the repeater is out of range or offline.

W

• Wattage

  General Terms
  The measure of a radio's power output. Higher wattage generally means longer range.