8 Common Two-Way Radio Mistakes

Here are eight common mistakes to avoid to make sure your two-way radio communication is as effective as possible.

1. Talking too quietly

People often don’t realise how quietly they’re speaking. When talking over a radio you need to talk a little louder than you would in everyday conversation or over the phone, and speak as clearly as you can – no one likes a mumbler! This will ensure smooth communication with other radio users.

2 .Talking too quickly

Another common pitfall that can make radio communication difficult is people talking too quickly, especially in a high-pressure or emergency situation. It’s easy to get stressed and talk quickly in an attempt to get the information across quicker, but this only makes it more difficult for others to understand what you’re saying, and you’ll end up having to repeat yourself. Know what you’re going to say before you transmit and say it slow and clear enough for people to understand.

3. Purchasing the wrong model

There are a wide range of models available; sleek lightweight radios, heavy-duty explosion-proof radios, marine radios… It’s important to think about your needs and what you’d like your radios to be used for before buying or hiring so that your radios are fit for purpose. Our team are happy to talk to you about your requirements and advise on the best radios to suit your business.

4. Interrupting conversations

If someone is in the middle of speaking, don’t try and transmit and interrupt them. Always wait until people have finished their transmission before responding. This helps to ensure clearer communication for all parties.

5. Not training staff

Using two-way radios is pretty straightforward, so training your staff to use them won’t take long but will make things run much smoother in the long run and ensure everyone is on the same page.

6. Not doing regular radio checks and maintenance

Two-way radios are robust and can last a very long time, provided you take sufficient care of them. To ensure they are functioning correctly, you should test them and check the battery charge and volume regularly.

7. Assuming all conversations are private

Unless you have advanced encryption software, don’t assume your conversation is private. Don’t transmit sensitive, confidential or personal information over your two-way radio.

8. Not storing them properly

To keep your radios functioning properly it’s important to store your radios in the right place. Don’t store them in hot, cold or damp environments or in direct sunlight. Store them in a cool dry place to make sure they last as long as they should.

We can provide a wide range of two-way radios for purchase or hire from industry leading manufacturers.
Speak to a member of our team on 0800 389 2278 or email contact@2cl.co.uk