Fundamentals
Radio, analog radio, digital radio, modulation, range, interferances, encryption, repeaters, and base stations.
Motcom Radio Knowledge
Radio knowledge for professional communication.
Fundamentals, systems, and planning clearly explained: from operational radio, DMR, and TETRA to LTE, 5G, and MCX.
FunkweltKnowledge navigation
Orientation
Clear answers to important questions of professional radio communication.
The Funkwelt is aimed at technical leaders, safety officers, purchasers, engineers, authorities, planners, operators of critical infrastructures, existing customers, and interested parties. It helps to better understand radio technology, classify systems, and prepare informed decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to specific questions from planning, operation, and procurement.
Many radio projects begin with a simple question. The Funkwelt gathers answers, explanations, and practical tips regarding professional communication systems.
- What is radio?
- What is analog radio?
- What is digital radio?
- What is a repeater?
- What is radio range and what does it depend on?
- Why are radios still needed today?
- Which radio is suitable for blackout situations?
- Why choose radio over a mobile phone or app?
- Is it permitted to use radios freely?
- Which radios can be used privately?
- What is the difference between a radio and a walkie-talkie?
- Can a smartphone be used as a radio?
- Is CB radio still permitted?
- What types of radios are there?
- Where is radio technology used?
- What does an operational radio system cost?
- What does building radio cost?
- When is a repeater necessary?
- Operational radio for security services: what to watch for?
- Operational radio for industry: what to watch for?
- Which radio solution is suitable for a hospital?
- Which radio solution is suitable for municipalities and workshops?
- Which radio solution is suitable for events?
- Which radio solution is suitable for tunnels and underground parking?
- What to consider when purchasing a radio?
- What is DMR?
- What is trunked radio?
- What is included in radio technology?
- What is GSM?
- What to do about poor mobile reception in buildings?
- What to do about poor mobile reception at home?
- Are mobile phone boosters allowed in Switzerland?
- What is an LTE repeater?
- How to properly measure mobile reception?
- What is UMTS?
- What are mobile generations?
- What is NXDN?
- What is NEXEDGE?
- What is TETRA?
- What is TETRAPOL?
- What is POLYCOM in Switzerland?
- What does BORS mean?
- Which radios are used by the fire service in Switzerland?
- What do VHF and UHF mean?
- Which VHF and UHF frequencies are used in Switzerland?
- Who operates on 400 MHz?
- Is CB radio allowed in Switzerland?
- What is MCX?
- What is LTE?
- What is 5G?
- What does operational radio cost?
- What is the range of a Motorola R7?
- What is the difference between DMR and TETRA?
- How does building radio work?
- Which antenna is suitable for a tunnel?
- Do I need a radio license in Switzerland?
- How do I apply for radio frequencies in Switzerland?
- How do I plan a radio network?
- How many users does a repeater support?
- What is Mission Critical Push-to-Talk?
- Which frequencies may companies use?
Areas of Expertise
Expert knowledge organized by topics.
The main areas of radio communication are clearly structured: from fundamentals to operational radio, digital radio, industry solutions, frequencies, and technical planning.
Analog Radio
Classic FM voice radio with channels, squelch, range, ease of use, and clear limits.
Digital Radio
Digital voice and data communication with DMR, TETRA, NXDN, encryption, capacity, and system logic.
Repeaters
Radio relays for increased range, building radio, area coverage, duplex operation, filtering, and stable locations.
Radio Range
What range really depends on: frequency, antenna, buildings, terrain, power, interferences, and repeaters.
Radios Today
Why radios remain important despite smartphones: group communication, security, resilience, and ease of use.
Blackout Radio
Which radio solutions are sensible for emergency communication, power outages, batteries, range, and organization.
Private Radio
PMR446, CB radio, amateur radio, handheld radios, permitted use, and clear differentiation from operational radio.
Smartphone or Radio
Push-to-talk apps, PoC, MCPTT, limitations of cell phones, and professional hybrid communication.
CB Radio
Permission, 27 MHz band, trucks, hobby radio, blackout interest, range, and business classification.
Operational Radio Costs
Cost factors of devices, repeaters, licenses, installation, accessories, maintenance, and operation.
Building Radio Costs
Measurement, planning, repeaters, antennas, cable feed, installation, fire protection, and realistic maintenance assessment.
Security Services
Radio for monitoring, events, areas, emergency calls, discreet accessories, groups, and operations management.
Industry
Operational radio for production, maintenance, logistics, noise, shift work, and occupational safety.
Hospitals
Radio solutions for safety, technology, logistics, underground parking, emergency processes, and building radio.
Events
Temporary radio networks, channels, accessories, safety, technology, production, and clear operational processes.
Operational Radio
Applications, approvals, costs, application areas, planning, maintenance, and operation of professional radio networks.
Trunked Radio
Trunked Radio explained: channel bundling, talk groups, control channel, dynamic resource allocation, and system logic.
Mobile Generations
From 1G to GSM, UMTS, and LTE to 5G: how voice, data, broadband, and critical communication have evolved.
GSM
2G mobile radio with voice, SMS, SIM, GPRS, EDGE, and historical significance for professional communication.
GSM In-house
Poor mobile reception, connection problems, mobile radio repeaters, in-house coverage, LTE and 5G in buildings.
WLAN, 4G or 5G in Buildings
Comparison of WLAN, WiFi calling, public mobile radio, in-house mobile radio, and Private 5G.
Mobile Reception at Home
Immediate measures, WiFi calling, network operators, building attenuation, and professional in-house mobile solutions.
LTE Repeater Switzerland
What LTE repeaters provide, why operator approval is important, and what alternatives exist for buildings.
Measure Mobile Radio
Signal bars, RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, speed tests, and professional indoor measurement explained clearly.
UMTS
3G mobile radio with W-CDMA, HSPA, mobile internet, and the bridge from GSM to LTE.
DMR
Tier I, Tier II, Tier III, capacities, encryption, data transmission, GPS, manufacturers, and system boundaries.
NXDN
Narrowband digital radio with FDMA, 6.25 kHz channels, NEXEDGE, IDAS, conventional and trunked operation.
NEXEDGE
Kenwood's NXDN-based system family for professional digital radio, repeaters, trunking, migration, and operation.
TETRA
Architecture, trunking, network planning, terminals, control centers, encryption, and deployment organizations.
TETRAPOL
Digital trunked radio for closed user groups, differentiation from TETRA, and reference to POLYCOM in Switzerland.
POLYCOM
The Swiss security radio network for authorities and organizations for rescue and security explained clearly.
Fire Department Radios Switzerland
Which radios and systems are used by fire departments in Switzerland: POLYCOM, pagers, site radio, and operational communication.
MCX
Mission Critical Push-to-Talk, MCVideo, MCData, LTE, 5G, and hybrid communication solutions.
LTE
4G mobile radio as a broadband basis for data, apps, VoLTE, private LTE, and MCX hybrid solutions.
5G
5G NR, standalone, non-standalone, network slicing, private 5G, and critical broadband communication.
Industries
Industry, energy, tunnels, hospitals, municipalities, security services, events, railways, and critical infrastructure.
Technology
Antennas, coaxial cables, duplexers, filters, repeaters, combiners, measuring devices, radio measurements, and network planning.
Frequencies
Switzerland, Germany, Austria, license-free and licensed frequencies, BAKOM, and channel planning.
Radio Frequencies Switzerland
VHF, UHF, 400 MHz, PMR446, CB radio, mobile radio, BAKOM, NaFZ, and permitted use practically categorized.
VHF and UHF
Differences between VHF and UHF: range, buildings, antennas, application areas, and typical selection errors.
Building Radio
Radio coverage in buildings, tunnels, basements, industrial facilities, hospitals, and critical infrastructures.
Planning a Radio Network
Requirements, coverage, frequencies, locations, repeaters, measurements, documentation, and operation.
License-Free Radio
PMR446, business use, range, limits, DMR Tier I, and differentiation from professional operational radio.
CB Radio Switzerland
CB radio in the 27 MHz band: permission, channels, AM/FM/SSB, cars, trucks, range, and limits.
Building Radio
Radio coverage in buildings, tunnels, and complex systems.
Building radio connects planning, measurement, costs, standards, tunnels, hospitals, airports, antennas, and repeaters. The Funkwelt explains what is technically and practically important.
Knowledge Pages
Clearly structured and practically explained.
Each knowledge page first answers the central question and then delves into technology, application areas, typical errors, suitable products, downloads, and further topics.
Short AnswerMaximum of five sentences, ensuring the most important answer is immediately understandable.
Main SectionTechnical explanation with examples, tables, images, graphics, and typical decision questions.
Advantages and LimitsClearly described to build trust through honest assessment.
Practical ExamplesReal situations like tunnel supply, acute care hospitals, industrial areas, or operations centers.
Products and ConsultationSuitable devices, systems, and services are clearly categorized, not overstated for advertisement.
FAQs and DownloadsAdditional questions, checklists, data sheets, whitepapers, and planning aids for the next steps.
Interactive Content
Tools enhance practical usability.
In addition to technical articles, the Funkwelt offers practical assistance for planning, evaluating, and preparing specific projects.
- Range Calculator
- Frequency Calculator
- Cable Loss Calculator
- Link Budget Calculator
- Antenna Comparison
- Radio Advisor
- System Configurator
- Project Checklists
Practical Knowledge
From the first question to a reliable radio concept.
The Funkwelt guides step by step through typical topics of a radio project: understanding fundamentals, clarifying requirements, evaluating technical possibilities, and preparing the suitable solution.
- UnderstandFundamentals of radio, digital radio, range, frequencies, antennas, and system architecture.
- PlanRequirements, approvals, radio measurement, building radio, repeaters, network planning, and operational safety.
- DecideComparisons, products, accessories, industry solutions, downloads, and personal consultation by Motcom.
Next Step
Do you have a specific radio question?
Motcom supports planning, measurement, modernization, device evaluation, and operation of professional communication systems.