Wireless radio output power?
 

Evenin all!

Possibly a stupid question, but I'm looking into getting a bike-to-bike comms system and it says on this particular radio that you can change its power output from 1/2 a watt to 2 watts.

What does this mean and why would you like to do this? It also says that its currently illegal to do this in the UK, which is what intrigued me...
:confused1:

Someone will probably answer my question in one go, but if ya dont ask ya'll never know, eh?

In most countries, radio use is regulated by law, depending of frequency and use and if you have a radio license and/or certificate.

Sometimes the output must be limited to a certain power(Watt) and then you could regulate your radio.

For saving battery, when talking to another radio nearby, you could also lower your output.

Don't know about UK but I guess that you are not allowed to send with 2W overthere.

So basically:
Up to 1/2 a watt is free and anything more you have to pay. cheeky sods!

I thought it might have something to do with being able to get more channels or getting a stronger signal.
So making the output more will not enable you to listen, by accident of course, to top secret military goings on. Oh well, back to heat magazine for me...

PMR (Public Mobile Radio I think) is restricted to 0.5 watt in europe. The idea being that you get decent short range comms without interfering with the pizza place in the next town.

Based on my experience, you'll get a couple of miles range at most and that's "line of sight".

So by giving you the option of an illegal "boost" you'll get better range.

Yes, thats exactly what i was looking for in an answer!

Cheers tractor!