Intro to Two-Way Radio
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Channel Bandwidth
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All radio communications are carried on specific radio frequency channels (frequencies). Each radio channel occupies a specific amount of radio spectrum, or channel bandwidth. Older technology requires 25KHz of radio frequency spectrum (wideband) while the newer radios can provide reliable communications on only 12.5KHz of channel bandwidth (narrowband).
Frequency spectrum is a limited resource and there are only so many available, unused, and “clear” frequencies in any geographic area. Therefore, this limited resource must be used efficiently. That is why the FCC has mandated that all radio licensees must migrate to 12.5KHz narrowband mode of operation.
BDA amplifiers boost specific frequency bandwidth that encompass multiple radio channels. For example a BDA with 500KHz bandwidth will amplify frequency ranges that includes up to 40 of 12.5KHz narrowband channels.
