In the past, professional communications relied exclusively on analog radios, which, however, could not fully meet the needs of end-users and companies transitioning to the digital world.
To address the challenges arising from the "digital" transition by professional users, ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) developed new digital standards, named DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) and dPMR (digital Private Mobile Radio) respectively.
Digital radios offer numerous advantages over analog ones: superior voice quality with better communication clarity over a wider coverage area, increased privacy, background environmental noise cancellation, advanced calling features, data transmission, and much more.
However, not all radio manufacturers have invested in digital technology. The most important brands worldwide have modern and "dual mode" transceivers in analog/digital standard, also equipped with encryption functions. However, it should be noted that DMR technology (used by Hytera and Entel) is not compatible with dPMR technology (used by Icom), and furthermore, some manufacturers have decided to produce digital equipment without following any standard, and therefore in these cases with a proprietary protocol, not compatible with any other brand.
All analog-programmed devices, on the other hand, are compatible with each other regardless of brand and model, but it is also true that in this mode, communications are easily overheard by anyone.
In digital mode, however, communication is uninterceptable, and some digital devices are also equipped with encryption features using 40-bit keys that allow for greater privacy.
BPG Radiocomunicazioni can help you choose the radio technology best suited to your needs.
On what frequencies do digital radios operate?
Digital Mobile Radio operates within frequency bands ranging from 30 MHz (Megahertz) to 1 GHz (Gigahertz), divided into two categories:
- Very High Frequency (VHF) band between 30 MHz and 300 MHz.
- Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band between 300 MHz and 1 GHz.
Within the range mentioned above, most digital equipment falls within the spectrum between 156 MHz and 174 MHz and between 403 MHz and 470 MHz. Each country has its own organization responsible for frequency allocation and requires a license for use, but some (in the 446MHz range) are allocated as license-free.
The national frequency allocation plan has introduced the assignment of a portion of frequencies between 446.1 and 446.2 MHz for license-free use, both analog and digital.
For more information: PMR 446 - Wikipedia
What is the difference between DMR and dPMR?
Usually when planning a purchase, we seek advice from our friends or try to adapt to what they have. However, if we are starting from scratch, it's good to take a look at the technology and its possibilities.
What is DMR?
For license-free digital use of type DMR446, the reference standard is ETSI TS 102 361-1 in TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) technology.
#TDMA (DMR Tier I) uses a 12.5kHz wide channel, the same as analog PMR446. Most DMR devices allow simultaneous operation in digital (4FSK modulation) and analog (FM modulation).
TDMA - Time Division Multiple Access is a widely used technique in various communication systems. Each channel is organized into 2 distinct time phases: a radio transmitter's data is active only for brief moments (which extends the battery life of portable terminals). By transmitting on alternating time slots, two calls can share the same channel at the same time, without interfering with each other (doubling spectrum efficiency). Using TDMA, the radio transmits only during its time slot (meaning it transmits a burst of information, then waits, then transmits the next portion of information).
In practice, it works so that if other DMR users appear nearby, they do not interrupt each other, and energy is saved. Working in time gaps extends battery life by 40%, so it can be smaller, lighter, and more economical. This also results in small, compact, and practical devices.
For more information: Digital Mobile Radio - Wikipedia
Today, several models of Hytera PMR446 "dual mode" devices are available in analog/digital standard for transmission in both analog and digital to DMR Tier I standard (ETSI TS 102 361-1) with two time slots, equipped with "Pseudo Trunk" functionality that allows doubling the number of available channels, for a total of 32 simultaneous communications.
What is dPMR?
For license-free digital use of type dPMR446, the reference standard is ETSI TS 102 490 in FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) technology.
#FDMA (dPMR) uses a 6.25kHz wide channel. In practical terms, since dPMR 446 provides 32 digital channels, users are better able to avoid channel congestion and service availability restrictions, especially in cities or during peak demand.
Until recently, PMR446 technology using FDMA access was more efficient in managing the frequency spectrum for wider channelizations, such as those at 12.5 kHz.
The ETSI dPMR standard was created to offer a solution to the problem of radio channel scarcity by introducing devices with 6.25 kHz FDMA technology with 4FSK modulation.
Today, however, with the introduction of Hytera's "Pseudo Trunk" function on DMR, which allows doubling the number of available channels for a total of 32 simultaneous communications, both standards have been made equivalent.
For more information: Digital private mobile radio - Wikipedia
BPG Radiocomunicazioni can help you choose the radio technology best suited to your needs. Contact us today using the button below.
What is the range of digital PMR446?
The answer to this question depends on many factors.
The range of PMR446 transceivers can vary significantly based on the surrounding environment, the type and quantity of obstacles present, as well as local interference. In unfavorable conditions, for example, in a hollow amidst dense vegetation or in narrow city streets, the range can be limited to about 500-1000 meters, while in more open areas (e.g., between two hills with line of sight) it is possible to exceed 10 km.
More expensive digital transceivers usually come with a better receiver, which translates into a longer range, although the R.F. transmission power (0.5W E.R.P.) is the same for all.
Which PMR radio model should I buy?
Since 2020, with the liberalization of PMR446 radios in Italy, the market has continuously grown exponentially. Although the offer is wide and varied, there are many customers who demand license-free transceivers but with quality equal to professional products.
Choosing the right model of Analog, DMR446 or dPMR446 professional radio is an important choice to make, because it is important to choose a radio with features such as robustness, long battery life, and resistance to external agents such as dust and water.
On our online shop, you will find the best professional brands of PMR446 radio models, including renowned brands such as Hytera, Entel, and Icom. Each radio meets the highest standards, including MIL-STD 810, IP54-IP67, all comply with the European Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU and all have a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), user manual, and safety instructions in Italian as required by Legislative Decree 128/2016.
We at BPG Radiocomunicazioni have been specializing in professional radio telecommunications for over 40 years, which is why we can guide you in this choice.
By visiting our online store shop.bpg.it, you will find the best professional radio transceiver solution suitable for your needs, and through the support chat, our expert technicians will be able to guide you in this choice, answering all your questions.
