Paul, Handheld radios are basically thought to be use as the word says "handheld". If you have a transmitter there in your hands, with the built in or near attached antenna as for example, and just to mention one of them, an ICOM A6, during operation the antenna is close to your head. Too much power output is dangerous for your health.
Same problem with first mobile phones, when cells where not as near as they are nowadays, and power output of them had to be at least three or four times the output power of today mobiles (to let the output signal of the mobile reach the telco's cell antenna). In numbers, handheld radios transmit using about 5 Watts power (like old mobiles). To reach long distances, you need more power. If you provide your transmitter with more power, you need to put the antenna far away from your head. But, if you have a handheld equipment, and put the antenna outside the plane, you are just doing that, I mean, same (and not much) power available to transmit. There is a difference between handheld and panel mount aviation radios: Power output. For example, there are 20W panel mount radios or for example the 36 Watts Icom A-110 mobile and base avionics radio just to mention another. In my opinion, handheld radios are very useful on the ground, to support activities like in conventions to organize movements in non controlled areas because you can carry them with you and use them anywhere in the field, they are practical. The signal also reaches the planes flying near the place you are, so, they work pretty well. Radios use in towers need more power, and of course, other type of antenna. Radios thought to be used in planes to reach another planes or control towers use more power than handhelds and use different antennas. Hope I was clear enough . Best Regards. daniel arditi Buenos Aires, Argentina. ________________________________ From: Paul M. Anton <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 6:02:09 PM Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Re:handheld > I called Vertex and inquired about the problem and they advised that their > radios were not intended to be used in the air, but rather only on the > ground. I would question why a manufacturer would produce a 2 way radio with aviation frequencies that wasn't designed to be used in the air ???? Cheers: Paul N1431A 2AZ1
