Military Specification Standards for Two Way Radios

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The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) implemented strict Military Standards (MIL-STD) and Military Specifications (MIL-SPEC) to standardize products utilized by military and government organizations. Products that meet these standards including two-way radios achieve strict requirements for performance durability and reliability under tough conditions.

What Are Military Standards (MIL-STD/MIL-SPEC)?

The DoD develops Military Standards as extensive guidelines to verify that products fulfill particular defense operation requirements. The standards ensure that products demonstrate full compliance with specified performance and quality requirements.

Commonality: Products must function interchangeably between various military branches and units.
Reliability: Products must perform consistently under extreme conditions.
Compatibility: Products need to integrate without issues into current systems and equipment.
Durability: Products should remain functional when exposed to rough handling and harsh environmental conditions.

Two-way radios that satisfy MIL-STD requirements undergo testing across various environmental and operational conditions such as:

Vibration: Two-way radios need to stay operational under continuous vibrations to match military vehicle and aircraft conditions.
Rain: Two-way radios should work properly during heavy rain to maintain clear communication even in bad weather.
Salt Air: Radios need to maintain resistance to corrosive damage when operating in environments with salt-rich air found near oceans and seas.
Sand/Dust: Radios should maintain operation in environments with sand or dust such as desert areas while keeping internal components secure.
Shock (Dropping): Radios need to withstand drops from specific heights that mimic accidental falls during operation.
Humidity: High-humidity environments require radios to work successfully without electronic components being affected by moisture.
Temperature Extremes: Military radios need to work effectively under both extreme heat and cold temperatures to match the wide range of environmental conditions faced by military personnel.

MURS Radios and Military Use

MURS radios function as two-way radios using predefined VHF frequencies and stand out because they do not need FCC licensing to operate. MURS radios provide military users with a convenient communication tool as they eliminate the need for submitting a DD1494 (frequency allocation and assignment request).

The Importance of IP Ratings

Besides MIL-STD certifications radios often feature an Ingress Protection (IP) rating. The IP rating system functions as an international regulation which shows how effectively a product's enclosure defends against foreign elements including dust and moisture.

An IP rating consists of two digits:

The first digit (0-6): This number evaluates how well protection from solid objects like dust is maintained. A higher number signifies better protection.
The second digit (0-9): Indicates protection against liquids, such as water. A higher number indicates better resistance.

A radio with an IP55 rating provides certain protections against dust and water.

Dust Protection (5): The device receives protection from dust which might disrupt its normal function yet remains imperfectly dust-tight.
Water Protection (5): The device withstands water jets with low pressure coming from any direction like those projected from a nozzle.

Why Choose MIL-STD and IP-Rated Radios?

Selecting a two-way radio with MIL-STD certification or a high IP rating means you are buying a device built for challenging conditions. The design of these radios ensures durability against the demanding conditions found in military operations and industrial or outdoor uses. MIL-STD and IP-rated radios guarantee dependable communication performance under conditions of extreme weather and rough handling or during dust and moisture exposure.

The military application of MURS radios requires specific considerations. The following video has more info:

Want to use MURS radios for military use. The following video has more info:

Maximize the Potential of Your Current Radios

Although two-way radios provide excellent mobility they may not always be as dependable as fixed communication systems. Fixed devices provide secure communication availability in emergencies because they cannot be misplaced or left unavailable.

You can enhance your communication setup with two options: wireless call boxes and base station intercoms. Your current radio systems will work together seamlessly with these two communication devices. When you give us your radio frequency and privacy code we are able to program these devices to operate flawlessly within your system. Through the use of privacy codes which are alternatively referred to as tone codes or interference eliminator codes or color codes by different manufacturers your radio system will only operate when it receives the appropriate transmitted code which stops unwanted noise from occurring

Other Available Radio Devices

Wireless Call Boxes - A wireless call box functions as a two-way radio enclosed in a waterproof housing, suitable for indoor and outdoor use, even in wet conditions. Mounted on a wall or surface, they are always ready for communication and can’t be misplaced.

Desktop or Wall-Mounted Base Station Intercoms - These intercoms are designed for indoor environments. They can be placed on a desk or mounted on a wall, providing the same functionality as a mobile two-way radio but with the added benefit of always being powered and ready to use.

Other Devices - In addition to two-way radios, various UHF-compatible devices can enhance communication capabilities. One popular option is the Wireless PA receiver, which captures radio transmissions and broadcasts them through an amplified horn speaker for wider coverage. Wireless doorbells and customer service callboxes are also available, further extending the functionality and versatility of two-way radios in various environments. See Related Items below for examples of these devices.