General

Across the warehouse, shop floor or school playground, the Motorola XT180 enables instant and clear communications at the touch of a button. Developed specifically for business and commercial users, the XT180 is a general-purpose two-way radio, ideal for users needing to stay in touch with staff, colleagues or team members quickly, easily and economically.

Convenient, Flexible and Expandable: The Motorola XT180 provides you with all the convenience and benefits of two-way communications without the cost or hassle of obtaining an operating licence. Multiple new handsets can be added to your radio fleet at any time and existing Motorola PMR446 users can also expand their existing radio fleets with XT180 radios to accommodate a growing workforce.

The XT180 has been designed to be lightweight, comfortable and simple to use, offering superb audio clarity and clear communications in a wide range of environments. High performance rechargeable batteries ensure that XT180 can operate on long shifts without the need for recharging.

Designed for everyday use: The XT180 has been built to the high standards of manufacturing, durability and reliability that users have come to expect from Motorola, including Accelerated Life testing to simulate 5 years use. The rugged construction helps ensure that XT180 will provide trouble-free communications. Easy and simple to use: Whilst offering a range of useful features, the XT180 remains simple and easy to use – simply “press to talk” to stay in touch around the business.

Cost-free operation: No licence fee. No contract. No airtime charges. Hands-free (VOX) operation: The radios can be used in voice activated mode with any compatible headset, leaving your hands free to work. Room Monitor: Radio can be positioned and set to detect voices or sounds and transmit these back to the listening radio without having to press the PTT. Interference eliminator codes: A choice of 121 interference eliminator codes can be set for each of the 8 channels, providing a wide range of channel settings and helping to avoid channel interference. Auto Channel scan: All channels can be scanned to automatically detect channel activity enabling use

FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS

• Model XT180
• Channel 8 channels
• Talk range Up to 8km*
• Transmit power 500mW
• Battery Life (@ 5/5/90 cycle) 14 hrs (NiMH)
• Private Code 121
• Key Lock On/Off
• Roger Beep On/Off
• Battery Strength Indicator 2 Levels 3 Stages
• Battery Type NiMH Pack
• Alkaline battery compatible NO
• Call Tone 10 Types
• Channel Scan Direction Only Upper Direction
• Memory Backup YES
• Auto Squelch Control YES
• Channel Monitor YES
• Battery Save YES
• Battery Low Alert YES
• Battery Low Sleep YES
• Tone (On/Off) YES
• LCD Backlight YES
• LED Torch YES
• VOX/IVOX YES
• Room Monitor YES
• Auto Power Save YES

Radio licensing: A guide to licensed and licence-free radios

What is a radio licence and do I need one?
There are two types of two-way radios, licenced radios and licence-free radios (PMR446).
Licenced radios require a dedicated frequency which ensures that only those on that frequency can hear transmissions. In order to access a dedicated frequency, a radio licence granted by Ofcom is required by law. Licences start at £75 for five years.
Licence-free radios (also called PMR446 radios) operate on the PMR446 radio frequency, they can be used by anyone within the UK and EU and as the title suggests they need no radio licence.

Licenced radios

Licenced radios are usually more expensive than licence-free models, but have a larger power output (of up to 5 watts for handheld radios) and so offer increased range and coverage.
For example a primary school would typically find coverage on licence-free equipment sufficient whereas licenced equipment would be better suited to a secondary school, college or university.
In addition, a licence will offer increased security of transmissions through better monitoring of frequencies, especially if the licence is specific to your site.
Licenced radios are generally more robust, with clearer audio quality and the conversation more secure. Licensed radios also offer much more functionality than license-free radios, you can make group calls, send text messages and dial up individual users.

More about your Ofcom licence
In order to obtain your licence, an application to Ofcom has to be made. We are more than happy to apply on your behalf and offer a managed service in order to maintain your Ofcom licence throughout your radio project. Or if you wish to make an application yourself, please feel free to ask us any questions along the way as we have vast experience in completing these forms and can go through it with you over the telephone. The application process is usually complete within 20 working days.

You can find out more by going to: http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/business-radio/

Licence-free radios

Non licensed radios are a cheaper alternative to licensed radios and can only have a power output of 0.5 watts giving them a fairly small range.
Licence-free radios can be used in the work place and for personal use, ideally where minimal coverage is needed, within small buildings where users are communicating in a close range.
Examples where these radios can be used effectively include smaller schools and construction sites, warehouses, hospitality venues and independent retail businesses.
For leisure they can be ideal for communicating between friends and family while camping and skiing, or if you are at a leisure park or hiking.
All PMR446 radios use the same eight channels. If there are a high number of users in a given area (cities and other built up areas) frequencies become extremely congested leading to interference on the channels, although usually there are multiple channels to select in order to find a clearer channel.