How To Choose The Best Wireless Intercom System For Your Home Or Business
When deciding to add a new wireless intercom system to the ever increasing portfolio of wireless devices in your home or business, you need to first think about the compatibility with the products you already have (or your close neighbors have). You also need to consider the range and features you need.
In the United States there are several frequency ranges for wireless products for unlicensed consumer use. They are 49MHz, 900MHz, 2.4GHz, 5.8GHz, and Family Radio Service (FRS) band. Most recently the FCC added the Multi-Use Radio (MURS) service.
Back when consumer wireless products were first introduced, these wireless products used the 49MHz frequency spectrum. Early cordless telephones used this spectrum and it is still used by cheap baby monitors and other low-end wireless units. It has a short range and is prone to lots of interference. You won’t likely find wireless intercom systems that use this spectrum.
Later, 900 MHz products using analog transmission technology arrived on the market. Neither the 49MHz or these early 900Mhz products have any form of security. Anyone with a device in the same frequency can listen in to conversations. Newer digital spread spectrum 900MHz products divide digital transmission across a range of frequencies so other devices can’t eavesdrop on your conversations. Wireless intercom systems use 900MHz and some communicate up to 1000 feet.
2.4GHz devices were next to market. There are a growing number of cordless telephones and other devices in this range. As far as intercom systems, video intercom systems are the primary users of this range. 2.4GHz is also the frequency range used by WiFi wireless data networks (802.11B/G) in homes and businesses so products in this range can interfere with each other. However, the majority of people don’t experience any problems in mixing 2.4GHz systems. If there is a problem with an intercom system, it could be that the WiFi gateway reboots itself when the intercom is used or it could produce a clicking noise on the intercom system.
The setup for the wireless data routers allows you to select the wireless channels the router uses to communicate. If you experience problems you could try changing the channels, but the problem with this is that many 2.4GHz devices use spread spectrum technology that enables them to change their frequency every second or less. They may use the entire 2.4GHz spectrum so changing the frequency may do no good. If you choose a wireless video intercom in this frequency and you have a wireless network, make sure you can return the intercom if it doesn’t work for you.
The Family Radio Service (462-467MHz) is in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band and is basically an improvement to the old walkie talkies of long ago. These handheld radios are sold everywhere and used heavily so any intercom systems in this range would have to compete with these handheld radios (and anyone can listen in to your conversations). There are no know wireless intercoms systems that use FRS.
Now 5.8GHz products are starting to make their appearance in the cordless phone arena. No compatibility issues exist between 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz devices so no problems should be experienced in mixing them. However, there are currently no known wireless intercom systems in this range.
The most recent addition to the wireless intercom market are products in the MURS range. MURS is a service in the VHF (Very High Frequency) 150 MHz Citizens Band radio spectrum. MURS has a power increase of four times that of FRS radio. And unlike FRS, you can add a larger or external antenna to improve range. If you want to put an antenna on top of your house, you can do it with MURS. Some antenna manufacturers claim an external antenna can increase the effective radiated power of a transmitter by a factor of 4. These MURS intercoms can transmit up to four miles, and perhaps more with an external antenna.
The MURS 4 Mile Range Intercom system is the wireless intercom you need if you have a large property or you need to talk between buildings. You can use a MURS to not only communicate within a home, but to neighboring homes as well. You can even add a handheld unit to your MURS intercom system so you can stay in touch away from your home.
You’ll also see some intercom systems that claim to be wireless but they really use the power wiring in your home or business to send and receive transmissions from the intercom. To use them, you just plug an AC adapter into the wall. These systems are very prone to humming or buzzing and are not recommended unless you are prepared to live with this possibility. They are typically the least expensive intercoms of the bunch.
Another thing to consider is what features you need. Some systems have outdoor intercoms to use at the front door or in other applications where a waterproof device is needed. One system even has flush-wall-mount systems so you can make your wireless system look like a custom installed system. You can mix these wall-mount intercoms with portable units. You’ll also need to decide if privacy is important to you. If you don’t want other people hearing your conversations, you’ll need a system that provides digital security.
So the wireless intercom system you choose depends on the application you have, the wireless devices already in your home or business, the range you need to cover, as well as your budget. But, once you choose the right system, you’ll be able to enjoy the convenience a wireless intercom system provides for years to come.
David Onslow is the marketing director at IntercomsOnline.com, which offers wireless intercom systems including a MURS 4 Mile Range Intercom. The system is fully expandable and allows use of external antennas for even greater range. Visit their website at IntercomsOnline.com