How to hold a handheld radio
- Keep the radio vertical so the antenna points to the sky.
- Keep it 8–10 cm away from your mouth.
- Always use the lanyard if one is provided.
- Talk normally.
The team has UHF, VHF, DMR and Encrypted communications.
In Emergencies we can talk with other agencies and users, for example:
Access to a repeater network across Northamptonshire for county-wide coverage.
Press the large push-to-talk button on the side of the radio.
You can talk.
Someone is already talking on the channel (you may not be able to hear them), or there's a network problem. Wait 10 seconds and try again.
Sometimes a few feet left or right makes a huge difference.
Raise it above your head, or stand on something higher, like your vehicle bumper.
The team has an inventory of TAIT mobile radio kits that can be provided on deployment for your vehicle.
Plugs into a 12V cigarette lighter socket.
Connect the antenna to the rear BNC connector on the radio.
Connect the radio to your 12V power source.
Turn it on and adjust the volume using the volume knob.
Select the correct channel. There are 4 channel buttons on the radio. Control will tell you which channel to use.
Use the push-to-talk button on the fist mic to do a comms check.
The kit is supplied with an antenna and cable.
The car radio needs a 12V supply from a cigarette lighter socket.
The radio's current draw in standby is tiny.
If you're not confident or need help wiring a permanent live 12V cigarette lighter socket in your vehicle, please let the team know. There are lots of us who can help.