How to Choose the Best Wireless Intercom System For Your Home Or Business

When deciding to add a new wireless intercom system to the ever increasing portfolio of wireless devices in your home or business, you need to first think about the compatibility with the products you already have (or your close neighbors have). You also need to consider the range and features you need.

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Wireless Intercom Frequencies

In the United States there are several frequency ranges for wireless products for unlicensed consumer use. They are 49MHz, 900MHz, 2.4GHz, 5.8GHz, and Family Radio Service (FRS) band. Most recently the FCC added the Multi-Use Radio (MURS) service. Radio frequencies for devices are similar in Canada, but MURS cannot be used there.

Back when consumer wireless products were first introduced, these wireless products used the 49MHz frequency spectrum. Early cordless telephones used this spectrum and it is still used by cheap baby monitors and other low-end wireless units. It has a short range and is prone to lots of interference. You won't likely find wireless intercom systems that use this spectrum anymore, or if you do, you won't want them.

Later, 900 MHz products using analog transmission technology arrived on the market. Neither the 49MHz or these early 900Mhz products have any form of security. Anyone with a device in the same frequency can listen in to conversations. Newer digital spread spectrum 900MHz products divide digital transmission across a range of frequencies so other devices can't eavesdrop on your conversations. Digital spread spectrum intercoms also have a greater range than the analog 900Mhz units. There are at least two wireless intercoms currently on the market, but only one of them uses digital spread spectrum. The wireless intercom system that uses spread spectrum can communicate up to 1000 feet.

2.4GHz devices were next to market. There are a growing number of cordless telephones and other devices in this range. As far as intercom systems, video intercom systems are the primary users of this range although the only wireless video intercom on the market was recently discontinued. 2.4GHz is also the frequency range used by WiFi wireless data networks (802.11B/G) in homes and businesses so products in this range can interfere with each other.

The Family Radio Service (462-467MHz) is in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band and is basically an improvement to the old walkie talkies of long ago. These handheld radios are sold everywhere and used heavily so any intercom systems in this range would have to compete with these handheld radios (and anyone can listen in to your conversations). There are no known wireless intercoms systems that use FRS.

Now 5.8GHz products are starting to make their appearance in the cordless phone arena. No compatibility issues exist between 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz devices so no problems should be experienced in mixing them. However, there are currently no known wireless intercom systems in this range.

You'll also see some intercom systems that claim to be wireless but they really use the power wiring in your home or business to send and receive transmissions from the intercom. These are frequently called "FM wireless intercoms" even though they often transmit over your house wiring in the AM band. To use them, you just plug an AC adapter into the wall. These systems are very prone to humming or buzzing and are not recommended unless you are prepared to live with this possibility. Since house wiring comes in as 240 volts and is split in two phases of 120, you'll also experience problems with the signal trying to cross the phases. One part of your house or business may work fine, where the other half doesn't. These intercoms are typically the least expensive intercoms of the bunch.

Long Range Wireless Intercoms

The most recent addition to the wireless intercom market are products in the MURS frequency range. MURS is a service in the VHF (Very High Frequency) 150 MHz radio spectrum. MURS has a power increase of four times that of FRS radio. And unlike FRS, you can add a larger or external antenna to improve range. If you want to put an antenna on top of your house, you can do it with MURS. Some antenna manufacturers claim an external antenna can increase the effective radiated power of a transmitter by a factor of 4. These MURS intercoms can transmit up to four miles, and perhaps more with an external antenna.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States does not require you obtain a license to use MURS frequencies so you will not have to go through that process.

There are 5 MURS channels and 38 interference eliminator or "quiet codes" that can be used on each of these channels. These quiet codes keep your radios quiet unless another radio is programmed on the same channel and quiet code. Chances are you won't have to worry about these codes since MURS usage is extremely light. There are only a few makers of MURS radios, so traffic on these frequencies is hard to find in most areas.

The MURS Intercom system is the wireless intercom you need if you have a large property or you need to talk between buildings. You can use a MURS to not only communicate within a home, but to neighboring homes as well. You can even add a handheld unit to your MURS intercom system so you can stay in touch away from your home.

Long Range Wireless Outdoor Intercoms

You can also get commercial-grade wireless call boxes that communicate with two way radios and base station intercoms. These wireless callboxes are water resistant and designed for outdoor use. They can open gates or doors remotely if you have a model with a gate relay. Callboxes also come in vandal-proof housings with stainless steel front panels. The range on these is up to a mile or more if you use an external antenna. These wireless call boxes can be battery powered, powered with a AC-DC converter, or by solar power. Callboxes are available in UHF and VHF frequencies so you can match them with your existing two way radios if you have them. You can get call boxes that work in the un-licensed MURS frequencies so you can use them with your MURS intercoms or radios.

The benefit of a wireless callbox is that you save money by not having to do trenching and running expensive cable to the unit. You also don't have to pay any air-time or telephone service fees with these wireless systems. Another benefit is that since the unit is wireless, people monitoring the units can carry handheld radios that communicate with the callbox. That allows your monitoring people to be mobile.

Wireless Intercom Features

Another thing to consider is what features you need for your particular application. Commercial applications often have needs for a wider variety of features. The MURS wireless system for instance has a wide variety of products that can be used with it. Not only can you get military-grade two-way radios with lots of headset options, but you can get base station intercoms, wireless call boxes with solar power option, wireless public address systems, customer service call boxes, wireless remote switches, and motion detector devices. For less commercial or residential use, a 900MHz intercom system has outdoor intercoms and doorbell intercoms you can use with your indoor intercoms.

So the wireless intercom system you choose depends on the application you have, the wireless devices already in your home or business, the range you need to cover, as well as your budget. But, once you choose the right system, you'll be able to enjoy the convenience a wireless intercom system provides for years to come.

How to Choose the Best Wireless Intercom System For Your Home Or Business

Best Wireless Surround Sound System

Are you looking for buying a new theater surround sound system for your home or office? Do you hate all the wires and cables that need to be connected to each speaker and make your house look bad? Let me show you the new piece of Audio Electronics that is available and can make you a big favour if you have this problems. Now you can buy a new set of audio theater for inexpensive prices as low as 100$ who have the - wireless speakers! Yes, you won't need to connect anymore your speakers now you got all on wireless, check out our article about the best wireless surround sound systems and check out our blog for more reviews on them...

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Creative Labs GigaWorks 550W 5.1 System- Wireless Rear Speakers - Ideal for gaming, home theatre, PC use and MP3 listening - Powerful 36 Watts RMS, highly-efficient 3" full-range satellite driver for greater sonic accuracy - Highly efficient 8" front-firing long-throw driver and a 130Watts RMS subwoofer - Wireless transmitter/remote control Panasonic SC-PT760 5.1 Speakers 1000 Watts - 5-disc DVD home theater system - Comes with 2 tallboy front speakers, 1 center speaker, 2 surround speakers and a Kelton subwoofer - Wireless Kit For Rear Speakers - Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic and DTS decoders - Integrated Universal Dock for iPod - VIERA Link display Sony DAV-HDX275 Bravia 5.1 1000 WattsWireless - Wireless Rear Speaker Ready (WAHT-SA1 sold separately) - Multi-room S-AIR Technology (S-Air Ready) - iPod Cradle (TDM-iP10) for DIGITAL MEDIA PORT included - 1080p Upscaling via HDMI - Digital Cinema Auto Calibration Samsung HT-Z310T 5.1 Home Theater Surround Sound System Wireless - 5.1-channel single disc changer home theater surround sound system - Equipped with 4 satellite speakers (fronts and rears) - wireless - Total power output: 1000 watts - Comes with Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic and DTS system - FM/RDS tuner included Bose Lifestyle Wireless Surround Link - Included SL2 wireless surround link eliminates the need for running wires to the back of the room - Two 5.25" woofers provide powerful bass from the Acoustimass Module - Bose link enables up to 14 additional rooms of sound, each with its own independent volume and mute control

How To Choose Your Motorcycle GPS System

A GPS system for your motorcycle can turn your journeys, into adventures. Opening up a whole new experience, you can find amazing places to explore by planning your trips at home, and downloading your routes to your GPS device. New landscapes, destinations, and road trips await; with the security and confidence of never getting lost again.

A GPS system for your motorcycle can also help to make your journeys as comfortable, and stress-free as possible. If you fancy a break, or you're running out of petrol, your GPS can help. More importantly, your GPS unit can guide you back to safety when you get lost, or accidentally take the wrong turning. With voice guided directions, and software brimming with points of interest (POI), such as petrol stations, restaurants, service stations, and hotels; your GPS can guarantee you a journey of uninterrupted enjoyment.

Sound like the perfect toy? Well, with GPS systems becoming mainstream, and new features and models endlessly hitting the shelves, it can be a hard task deciphering which GPS device best suits your needs.

To help you out, it's worth considering the following points before you go ahead and purchase your first GPS for your motorcycle.

What Type of GPS Do You Need For Your Motorcycle?

Are Its Reception Capabilities Suitable For Your Needs?

Does the Battery Life Of Your GPS Suit Your Needs?

How Resistant Is Your GPS To Vibration & Hard Ware?

Do You Want 2-Way-Communication?

How Easy Is Your GPS To Update?

How Easy Is Your GPS To Update?

What Price Is Suitable?

What Type of GPS Do You Need For Your Motorcycle?

There are 3 types of GPS units for motorbikes; portable outdoor units, GPS units designed specifically for your motorcycle/ scooter, and GPS/PDA hybrids.

If you also enjoy outdoor activities such as mountain biking, rambling, or even camping; a portable GPS that can be taken anywhere with you would be ideal. As well as navigating your off-road persuits, versatile Sat Nav's, like the Garmin Quest 2, operate in any vehicle. As well as motorcycling, you can take it in your car, on your boat, or even on a plane with you.

GPS devices designed exclusively for motorcycles can offer you some very impressive features. Especially designed with you, the motorcyclist, in mind, units like the TomTom RIDER have tough, weather-proof casing, touch-screen options for gloves, and anti-glare screens. One of the latest features introduced by TomTom for effective communication, is a system which transmits your spoken instructions via a built-in Bluetooth audio system, using a headset that sits inside your helmet.

The final type of GPS device that may appeal to you is the PDA/GPS hybrid. Although these devices have been designed primarily with portability in mind, most come with the added bonus of having a large screen. So, like the hand-held outdoor GPS units, this type of GPS would be ideal for those of you who enjoy a range of outdoor activities. With an integrated PDA on top of this, GPS/ PDA devices, like the Mio A201 for example, can be handy for work and play. With features like Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, you will be able to catch up on work anytime, anyplace. If you prefer to listen to music on the move, play games, or store digital photos, a GPS device like this one is an ideal choice

Does the Reception Capabilities of Your Motorcycle GPS Meet Your Needs?

When selecting a GPS for your motorcycle, it is worth thinking about how accurate you want your satellite signals to be, in pinpointing your position.

A lot of GPS units available today have an accuracy of approximately 6-8 meters. However, many of the newer GPS models are designed with a WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) capability, resulting in accuracies of 3-4 meters 95% of the time. The Garmin Quest 2 for example, has a flip up external antenna equipped with a 12-channel WAAS GPS receiver; supplying position accuracy of up to 9 feet.

If you enjoy riding in dense woodlands and urban areas, it is worth noting that GPS devices incorporating the new SiRF Star III Chip Set, are units to look out for. This high performance, low power consumption chipset has superior sensitivity in high foliage surroundings. It is also worth noting that GPS units with external powered antennas are great in maintaining a signal in deep woodlands.

Does the Battery Life of Your Motorcycle GPS Suit Your Needs?

With the freedom to ride just about anywhere with a GPS; battery life is an important component to consider. Most GPS units use 2, 4, or 6 'AA' batteries, which can last up to 6 hours. GPS units with integrated rechargeable batteries are the ideal choice if you occasionally lose track of time. With GPS systems like the TomTom RIDER, you can charge your battery at home, while planning your next route, or continuously keep topped up with power, by charging your GPS directly from your bikes battery.

How Resistant Is Your Motorcycle GPS To Vibration & Hard Ware?

With the freedom to ride just about anywhere and not get lost, it is guaranteed your GPS will get a great deal of use (and reverberation). So, it is important to consider how durable your GPS is, in withstanding such conditions.

GPS devices designed exclusively for Motorcycles, like the TomTom RIDER have been designed with this in mind. Not only weather proof, its tough outer case and rugged shock proof mount has been designed to absorb any external friction.

Although most GPS devices come with a mount, it is an absolute must that you use a vibration isolated mount if your GPS will be used regularly on your motorcycle. The RAM mount by NPI, which is fast becoming the industry standard, manufacture anti-vibration ball and socket mounting systems allowing you to mount practically anything, anywhere with vibration protection and durability. This would be an ideal addition to the Garmin Quest 2 GPS if you were purchasing this portable GPS for a lot of use on your motorcycle.

Do You Want Your Motorcycle GPS To Have 2-Way Communication?

Some of the most recent GPS systems to be launched for motorcycles have taken 2-way communication to a whole new level.

If you own a GPRS Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, it is worth knowing that many Sat Nav's, like the TomTom RIDER, have incorporated a Bluetooth receiver, amongst their many features. With the ability to connect your phone via Bluetooth, and receive incoming phone calls through your GPS and Bluetooth headset, you need never have to take your gloves and helmet off to answer your phone again.

You could even use your Bluetooth enabled phones' wireless Internet, and with certain models of GPS, receive real time information on traffic conditions.

Enjoy riding in groups? It is worth knowing there are some recent hand held units that can offer built in radios that will not only allow you to communicate with other members of your group, but will also display everyone's location on your screen.

How Easy Is Your Motorcycle GPS To Update?

With Roads constantly changing, the ability to update your device easily, and at a reasonable cost, are very important factors to consider when selecting your GPS.

It is important to realize that each type of GPS will be updated in a different way, and so you need to choose which process is better for you.

Those which are attached to a PDA, like the Mio A201 for example, are usually updated via a PC, whereas dedicated in-vehicle units tend to be updated via a CD. These have to be purchased from the road map data supplier.

Some specific software vendors have solutions for preparing maps which can be downloaded to your GPS unit. Most notably, TomTom operate the TomTom PLUS service.

The Choice: Budget Considerations

In essence, your choice can be reasonably simple: Buy the most expensive GPS that you can afford, that suits your needs.

It is important, using my pointers above, to decide which features are most important to you. If you want an up-to-the-minute GPS for your motorcycle; with features like real-time, on demand traffic information, hands-free calling, turn by turn voice instructions via bluetooth headsets, alerts for speed camera locations, plus thousands of useful points of interest, GPS sytems like the TomTom RIDER start from approximately £550 inc. VAT.

If, however, you are looking for more of a toy to play with, and a GPS that will simply get you from A to B, then a hand held device could be a better choice. With a range of features, like simple voice guidance, compass mode, MP3 player, and essentially portability, GPS devices like the Mio 268 and the Garmin Quest 2 are ideal for motorcycles, and a range of outdoor activities. The Mio 268, and hand held GPS units with similar features, start from approximately £250 inc. VAT.

To browse a variety of discount GPS Sytems For Your Motorcycle, or Accessories & Software For Your Motorcycle GPS Systems, visit http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk.

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