HT Feature Glossary

Backlit Display

The minimum illumination required for low light/dark operation of HT.

Backlit Keypad

Very helpful illumination for low light/dark operation of HT.

DTMF Keypad

(Dual Tone Multi-Frequency) Necessary for operating an autopatch. DTMF tones are the sounds your touch-tone phone makes when you push its buttons. DTMF is also sometimes used to "page" other radios that have such a paging feature. DTMF is sometimes used for remote repeater control; those repeaters that use DTMF codes for control usually avoid autopatch, for fear of accidental access to repeater control by HAMs just pushing buttons. Some HTs have DTMF memories, which act sort of like your telephone's autodial memories. Some HTs even let you control the speed at which DTMF tones are set (some repeaters have trouble "hearing" really fast DTMF sequences).

DTMF Paging

The ability to "beep" or "page" another, similar, transceiver with a DTMF code. Using DTMF paging, the other party can have their HT on "standby" and their HT will notify them only when it receives a certain DTMF code you punch in & send with your call. DTMF Encode means the HT can send the tone; DTMF decode means the HT can decipher the tone if it's received, so paging can be utilized.

CTCSS

(Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) Subaudible tones (you can't hear 'em, so don't try) that accompany your transmission. Some repeaters require that your transmission be accompanied by a particular CTCSS tone for access; this is to avoid having the repeater pick up noise or traffic not intended for that repeater. CTCSS Encode means the HT can send the tone; CTCSS Decode means the HT can decipher the code if it's received, so some types of radio-to-radio paging can be utilized. Some HTs also use CTCSS decode to activate its Wakeup feature, so the radio doesn't turn all the way on until it detects a particular code. Some amateur radio emergency communications organizations use CTCSS tones on their alert calls, so operators can turn their radios to "standby" and await the alert tone, instead of having to continuously monitor the frequency's traffic. Some Yaesu handhelds also use a similar system of subaudible tones called DCS (Digital Coded Squelch).

PL tone

PL tone is a Motorola-trademarked term for CTCSS. Same thing, different name.

ARTS

(Auto Range Transpond System) Uses DCS (similar to CTCSS) to "ping" other ARTS-capable radios to see if they are in simplex range. As soon as the other radio is within range, your ARTS-equipped radio will alert you. A handy way to keep track of another operator.

Alphanumeric Display

Allows some information to be displayed as letters/numbers/punctuation. Most commonly used to identify a memory setting (for example, labeling a memory as "TOWR" for the Tower Mountain repeater frequency), which makes memory/frequency identification much easier. The number of characters can vary, from only four on some units to over ten on others. The dot-matrix display is the most readable of alphanumeric displays. Some HTs that have paging features can also send and receive alphanumeric messages. Alphanumeric displays are sometimes used for on-screen menus.

Paging

If an HT has a Paging feature, it could be using CTCSS, DTMF, or another type of tone system. Usually, paging allows one station to send some sort of tone code that alerts another station. Some HTs that have alphanumeric displays allow alphanumeric paging, which means they can send text messages to other, similar HTs.

Auto Power Off

Known by several other, similar, names (like "Power Off"), this feature turns the HT off (or changes to a very low power consumption setting) after a certain period of inactive time. For example, if you don't touch any button on your HT for 30 minutes, it can turn off automatically. This feature can usually be enabled and disabled, and is used mostly to avoid draining the battery unnecessarily.

Battery Saver

The Battery Saver adjusts your radio's output power & receiving sensitivity according to the signal strengths it's working with. For example, if an HT with Battery Saver detects a very strong signal from a repeater, the HT will adjust it transmit power to low output (it figures if the repeater's signal is so strong, it must be close, so the HT can transmit with very little power and still hit it). Personally, I don't like or use this feature because I don't want my little HT with a rubber duckie shifting to extra low power, just because the repeater 30 miles away has a strong signal.

Channel Memories

A channel memory can store a repeater's output frequency and its offset (input) frequency, so when you push the PTT button, your HT automatically switches from the output to the input frequency. Channel memories can also store signal strength, CTCSS tone setting, pager settings, alphanumeric name, channel step, scan settings, and more.

PTT button or switch

The PTT button is the button you push to transmit. PTT stands for "Push To Talk" or "Push To Transmit."

Antenna

Almost all HTs come with a rubber-covered, helical-wound antenna, almost universally called a "rubber duckie" by HAMs. Its advantage is that it's durable--knock it against a wall, bend it over, wear it on your hip, and it'll come out fine. Its disadvantage is that it is woefully inefficient--you will most often have your handheld on one of the most powerful output settings just to reach local repeaters. It's so inefficient that many HAMs call them "radiating dummy loads," or a type of antenna that sucks all the juice from your HT, only to radiate a tiny, weak signal. Rubber duckies are better than nothing, and at least they're free with the radio.

PTT Lock

When enabled, this feature "locks" the PTT switch to prevent accidental transmission. If you wear your HT on your hip, believe me, this feature can be a help. I didn't realize how often I was hitting that PTT switch until my wife was listening to me on simplex one day, and told me she could tell when I was moving around in the car because I'd transmit for a split second as I adjusted my seatbelt. PTT lock and keypad lock are handy features if you have kids, too, for obvious reasons. Most HTs have PTT Lock, but because it's becoming so common, many brochures don't specifically mention it. If it's important to you, call a manufacturer rep and get the info straight from the horse's mouth.

Receive Power

The amount of juice your HT's speaker uses to blare out audio. Generally speaking, the more the receive power, the louder the audio. It's usually rated in milliwatts, with 500mW being about the most I've seen advertised, and 100mW being the least.

Rx

In an HT's spec sheet, the abbreviation for "Receive" or "Receiver."

Tx

In an HT's spec sheet, the abbreviation for "Transmit" or "Transmitter."

Transceiver

Because HTs both receive and transmit, they cannot accurately be labeled a "Receiver" or a "Transmitter." Following the modern English rule of "if you can't find an accurate word, make one up," the word "transceiver" was born. It is actually probably the most accurate single term for most HAM radios. "HT" is an abbreviation for "Handheld Transceiver."

HT

The abbreviation for "Handheld Transceiver."

Direct Frequency Input

Direct frequency input through keypad allows you to just type in the frequency you want to use. Without this feature, you would have to go to the trouble of programming a channel memory with the desired frequency before using it. Only HT's with numeric keypads can do this.

Dimensions

Generally, the smaller and lighter, the better. The smaller and lighter it is, the more likely you are to lug it around attached to your hip, so the more useful it is. Sometimes keypad size may suffer if it gets very small.

Keypad Lock

When enabled, this feature "locks" the HT keypad PTT switch so you don't accidentally push it. If you wear your HT on your hip, believe me, this feature can be a help. I didn't realize how often I was hitting that PTT switch until my wife was listening to me on simplex one day, and told me she could tell when I was moving around in the car because I'd transmit for a split second as I adjusted my seatbelt. PTT lock and keyboard lock are handy features if you have kids, too, for obvious reasons.

Standby or Active Mode

Your HT can be on a very low power consumption setting until it encounters an active or coded signal. Saves battery power. Emergency communications organizations that use tones to alert participants suggest that instead of turning your radio off at night, put it on Standby mode (or equivalent) so you'll be alerted when they have a call-out.

Cloning

Can program the memories and settings of one HT from another, similar, HT. This can be done over the air, over a direct link by cable, or from a PC using cloning software. It's an easy and fast way to replicate an HT's settings. Using PC software, you can store entire memory bank contents for different regions of the country, and download the settings to your radio at a moment's notice. Cloning, however, is no substitute for knowing how to program your HT through its keypad.

Dimensions

Generally, the smaller and lighter, the easier it is to carry around. Sometimes key and keypad size suffers if the HT is very small.

Antenna connector

BNC is by far the most common type of antenna connector on HTs today. Sort of like a bayonet-mount camera lens, to connect a BNC antenna, all you do is push & twist 1/4 turn or so. Quick & easy, and just as easy to take off. SMA connectors appear on a few modern HTs (my ICOM has one), but my personal opinion is that they're a pain to use. SMA connectors are also known as "screw-type" connectors, because you have to screw them on several complete turns before they're tight (and they'll still come loose!). SMA connectors provide a better electrical connection between antenna and radio than BNC connectors do. BUT: if you'll be connecting and disconnecting the antenna regularly (like me, switching from duckie to mobile twice a day), you'll want a BNC mount. Another personal opinion: If the radio you want has SMA connectors, fine--just get an SMA-BNC adapter for about $10. But they'll add about an inch to the overall height of your antenna and radio.

Dual bander

A Dual Bander is a radio that covers two bands, usually the 2-meter (144-148) and the 70-centimeter (440) bands.