Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long has iLoveRadios.com been in business?

Q. What forms of payment does iloveRadios.com accept?

Q.  Is programming included in the price?

Q.  What if I need repairs on my radio?

Q.  Does Moss Communications and iLoveRadios.com only sell two-way radios?

Q. How do I know how many channels will best suit my needs?

A. The number of channels you have really depends on your unique needs.  If you have a small group 1-4 channels may be enough.  Commonly, channel 1 is used as an “all-call” channel or “main” channel that everyone uses.  The rest of the channels are often used for specific groups that need to communicate with each other frequently without “stepping” on other groups and tying up the main channel.  As the number of separate groups increases, the need for channels may increase as well.  It is advised to use the least amount of channels possible to accommodate your needs, so that it reduces confusion and the likelihood that people will move to undesignated channels making them hard to find when needed.

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Q. What is the range of two-way radios?

A.  This is a commonly asked question and while there are averages, each person’s experience is based on the wattage of the radio and the terrain/venue in which it is used.  The first question you would be asked when purchasing a radio is “UHF or VHF”? UHF band radios are great for both indoor and outdoor use, however, they are perfect for use indoors in convention centers, restraunts, clubs, warehouse, hotels, and anywhere else you would utilize a radio indoors.  They are also great for situations where you need to communicate from indoors to outside.  UHF (Ultra High Frequency: 450-470 MHz) will penetrate and bend around walls, windows, and other obstructions more easliy than VHF.  VHF radios are great for outdoor use where there are not many obstructions and the terrain is fairly open.  VHF (Very High Frequency: 136-174 MHz) travels quite far in this environment and is able to navigate hilly (not mountainous) terrain better than UHF.  Golf courses, open field areas (such as hunting environments), outdoor construction sites are all places where using VHF makes sense.On average, the radios will have a range of about 1 mile per watt, however, the terrain and venue does matter.  The more obstructions in the environment, the shorter the range will be.  With our business radios, 4-watt UHF and 5-watt VHF, we typically advise clients there is an average range of 2-2.5 miles in most environments. 

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Q. Why would I need a repeater?

A Radio Repeater is a combination of a radio receiver and a radio transmitter that receives a weak or low-level signal and retransmits it at a higher level or higher power, so that the signal can cover longer distances without degradation.  This can be used with professional, commercial, and government radio systems.   In short, it takes the radio wave from the handheld unit, elevates or “amps it up”, and blasts it out to the rest of the receiving radios.Some reasons that we may suggest you use a repeater is to extend the range of the radios, to eliminate “spotty” communications within arenas, convention centers, and similar structures, and to help provide consistent communications in high RF areas. A feature that defines the repeater is the fact that it transmits and receives at the same time, (simultaneously). A duplex repeater uses two radio frequencies; an "Input" frequency, which it monitors for signals, and an "Output" frequency, on which it retransmits the received signals at a higher power or higher altitude. The input is the frequency on which mobile radios, or hand-held radios, transmit to reach the repeater. The output is the transmitter frequency for the repeater which repeats the audio from the received signal on the input.

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Q. What is the difference between the radios I can buy at Radio Shack or Wal-Mart and the ones I can buy from iLoveRadios.com?

A. Radios that can be purchased from stores that do not specialize in two-way communications are most likely FRS and GMRS radios.  These radios are UHF radios, operated in the 460 MHz frequency band.  You are often given a list of frequencies that you can use in the event that 1 or several of the frequencies are experiencing interference.  The frequencies are not exclusive to you and it is likely in crowded event environments that you will be listening to conversations of groups other than your own.  In addition, the half watt FRS radios, while boasting a 7 miles range, tends to get approximately 200-400 feet indoors and less than a half mile outdoors.  They do have the capability of having a 7 mile range, but only in the most unusual and unlikely circumstance that you are both standing on mountain tops.  GMRS radios have output of up to 5 watt, however, a FCC license is REQUIRED and are limited to personal use ONLY.  Business band frequencies are designated for business use only. When power is limited to 2 watts or less, commercial users can use itinerant frequencies in either the UHF or VHF frequency ranges.  Though this is ideal in many situations, it is best to purchase your own frequency on which to operate so that you may use higher-powered equipment and reduce interference from others who may use the same itinerant frequency.  We can instruct you on how to get your own FCC license.

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Q. How much do business band radios cost?

A. There is a wide range of radios from which to choose at iLoveRadios.com, but you can be guaranteed you won’t find better pricing anywhere else.  Some of our popular business band radios are the Motorola BPR40 and the Motorola CP200 .

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Q. Do the radios come with a warranty?

A. All of our radio's come with 2 year parts and labor warranty.

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Q. Do I have to pay for a monthly service to use the radios ?

A. There is not a monthly fee to use two-way radios.  Unlike cell phones, radios use spectrum, which floats freely in the air, to carry your voice from radio to radio.  Since this is a natural resource, the is no charge to use it.

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Q. Do I have to get an FCC license to operate my radios?

A. Yes, FCC licensing is required if they are to be used in a fixed location.  The FCC will do a search to see what frequencies are available for use.  Please visit the FCC website for more information.  We can help direct you in obtaining a FCC license.

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Q. How long has iLoveRadios.com been in business?

A. Moss Communications Inc., the company behind iLoveRadios.com, has been in business since 1989.  We have established a nationwide reputation for offering low pricing and excellent customer service.  You can always expect high-quality equipment, low pricing, and friendly service from iLoveRadios.com.

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Q. What forms of payment does iloveRadios.com accept?

A.  We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, check, or money order.  All orders must be prepaid.  We will not process the order until we receive payment.  You can easily purchase your equipment online safely and securely on iLoveRadios.com.

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Q.  Is programming included in the price?

A.  When you purchase new equipment from iLoveRadios.com, programming is FREE for the life of the radio! 

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Q.  What if I need repairs on my radio?

A.  You can count on us!  We service your existing radios, radios you purchased from us, and radios still under warranty!   Servicing the complete line of Motorola, Kenwood, Maxon, & Vertex conventional 2-way radios. WE CAN HANDLE IT!   iloveRadios.com boasts an in-house service department with state-of-the-art Motorola test and diagnostic equipment.  We use only genuine, original manufacturer’s parts and have expert staff members with authorized factory training and decades of experience.   

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Q.  Does Moss Communications and iLoveRadios.com only sell two-way radios?

A.  Nope!  We are also authorized dealers  and distributors of Swissphone pagers, Vericom fleet management devices,  and call boxes!  We have also added a new service geared toward our event clients called We Love Logos, an ad specialty company offering t-shirts and promotional items with your logo.  In addition, we provide radio rental for events and corporations of all shapes and sizes nationwide!  This is an exciting growth period for Moss Communications and iLoveRadios.com and we look forward to earning your business!!

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