Wired or Wireless PA Systems
There are two methods of implementing a PA (public address) system throughout a building or area. The traditional method is to run wires from an amplifier to every location you need a speaker. This wired equipment is often less expensive, however when you factor in the cost of the wire and the labor to run the wire, the cost can be very significant.
The other method is to use a wireless PA system. A wireless PA system is a one-way receiver that receives transmissions from handheld 2-way radios or fixed base station intercoms, and then broadcasts them out over a loudspeaker. It can be used in both noisy or quiet environments.
The PA receiver receives transmissions from radios in a variety of frequencies: VHF, UHF, MURS, GRMS and FRS so its very flexible. The receivers can be field programmed to frequencies listed in the built-in frequency tables, or you can get a PC programming kit to program it to any frequency within its legal range. Or we can program them for you.
Business band VHF and UHF require an FCC license, however there is a set of VHF frequencies that do not. These are called MURS. There are 5 MURS channels that are license free.
There is also a wireless PA interface that enables you to use 2-way radios to broadcast to your existing wired PA system. If you have a hardware or hosted VoIP phone system, there is an adapter that allows you to use a wired PA system along with it.
Wired PA Pros and Cons
Pro: Equipment is less expensive.
Pro: You can play music over your PA system
Con: Installation cost is very high
Wireless PA Pros and Cons
Pro: Installation cost is lower
Pro: It's easy to move a speaker to a different location.
Pro: You can broadcast to your PA system from mobile radios.
Pro: You can have an unlimited number of broadcast devices.
Con: Each PA receiver requires an electrical outlet nearby
Con: Equipment cost per speaker is higher
Con: You cannot play music over the system since you would tie up the frequency