Invented at the beginning of the 20th century, radio represents the oldest digital mass media and has developed in an extraordinary way to the present. I hope to be taking a closer look at IRN in a later column and, hopefully, talking to its founders and main protagonists.

Following these early experiments, the Chinese have recently produced affordable network radios using the Android OS in a form factor that closely resembles HT’s and mobile phones ( Fig. 1). No surprises then that equally enterprising radio users have been experimenting to see what can be done with these ‘PTT over Cellular’ (PoC) devices. These units win over your mobile in various ways. Firstly, if you are in the middle of a QSO and your phone rings then you can kiss goodbye to that VK3 you are talking to. The phone will take over and dump Zello. Start using Zello heavily on your iPhone and watch that battery go. The T320 takes it in its stride. Also you can assign Amateur only apps to your Inrico. Having APRSDroid running 24/7 causes not a bump in the battery life. Also it’s a really nice platform to have things like RepeaterBook and other Amateur apps running on. Businesses have made use of two-way radios for many years. However, they have been restricted by coverage issues. PMR and LMR ultimately have a limited range, however many repeaters one uses. Whilst it may be true that Skype and Zello work via the internet. Try calling CQ on Skype, or calling up an unknown person to ask for a chat. I’ll leave that one there.

INRICO TM-7 NETWORK MOBILE RADIO

Unlike most smart devices, network radios have removable, replaceable, high-capacity batteries; sporting smaller screens also means battery life is much extended over a typical smartphone; network radio handheld transmitters can also stand up on a flat surface unaided ( Fig. 5). Moving on. Those who come to Network Radios almost always have a positive experience. They don’t get keyed over, they easily find interesting people to talk to and they don’t need to turn their motor vehicle into a bumper car to get on the system. I’m a Network Radio convert, but I use my VHF/UHF set just as much as I always have. I also regularly use DSTAR and DMR. The echoes of ‘That’s not real radio either’ rumble around as I type it. Here is another question for you: Do you think the growth of indoor tennis centres has given a boost to tennis as a participation sport or not? Broadcast radio has adapted and the advent of digital technology and internet propagation has changed it almost beyond recognition. Most network radios can also be used as a WiFi Hotspot allowing other devices to access the internet through the network radios 3G/4G data connection, this will require a larger 'data allowance' with Your chosen mobile network provider.

Note: There are also a few hybrid Network Radio devices that also include a VHF and/or UHF radio module. The screen on these devices is a tad small at 2.4 inches. But its a trade off against battery life and you will find you don’t really need too much screen real estate. Errrr, no it doesn’t. Nor should it… A network radio is a device… Not a service. I should point out that a Motorola GP300 doesn’t have a band plan either… Does that mean it’s not a radio ? Well, that’s probably more than enough for an inaugural piece. Remember, my aim is to be as approachable as possible. I try to get on the network as much as my day job allows and I am active on the network radios Facebook groups too, so you usually can catch me there.

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Why do people so often ‘look up’ to those who hold a transmitting license? Perhaps more pertinently, why do those who hold a transmitting license frequently seem to ‘talk down’ to people who do not? You can differentiate these from others calling themselves ‘network radios’ (in various guises) by the blue icons with large numbers inside them for the different numbered channels ( Fig. 4). People licensed and unlicensed, are coming together to enjoy communicating with one another. Internet propagation is ideal for this because it is open to everyone, with no need for an exam, a callsign or a license.

Like most network radio devices, this is a computer, running Android OS, with both cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity, but in a specific form-factor - in this case, the mobile transceiver format. Network radios can also communicate to each other – not directly but via the network. This is, arguably, the one aspect that upsets people. Many have difficulty accepting it as ‘radio’, although, in its strictest sense, it clearly is. The term internet radio is used for different things. Internet radio or web radio can be used to describe a station that broadcasts via streaming over the web instead of using the conventional FM frequencies. The Inrico TM-7 network radio is a fine mobile network Radio suitable for amateur radio use with the new IRN platform, for Zello, Team Speak 3 and Echolink via 3G or WiFi. And it works as WiFi hotspot too! Network radios let users communicate on multiple Zello radio channels without the distance limitations of traditionaltwo way radios. By adding Zelloto mobile network radios, users can access the app’s extensive and established user base or opt to use the company’s privateradio networks with Zello, which offer the benefits of a configuration console, map history features, and message archives, among others. How To Get a Network Radio with ZelloThe T298s comes in two different versions: VHF and UHF. It offers an output power of 2 Watt and it’s a great gadget to carry when travelling. You will always be connected. If a nearby repeater is not available, you just have to switch into the IRN or Echolink via WiFi or 3G connection. It is a very robust device, that offers IP54 protective design with a military quality. There’s lots of discussion about “Network Radio” at the moment, most notably in the current Practical Wireless and Radcom. It’s controversial, and won’t appeal to everyone, but a growing group of hams are using it, and it’s busy. TS3 is an application that allows users to either create their own server, or connect in to an established one like the IRN who can then in turn connect to whatever they want. It allows mulitimodal crosslinks so people on different modes can come together (removing some of that segregation). The audio quality is crisp and clear and delays for audio are faster than any other ROIP system out there. All radio products are tested against rivals in the same price category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoid any personal preference. We test not only the raw audio quality of internet radio (and FM and DAB) but all its advertised features from Bluetooth connectivity to streaming support to the alarms and presets. The Model One Digital Generation 2 looks for all the world like a "normal" radio, complete with fabric grille, antenna and real-wood finish, but don't be fooled. At its core, the Tivoli is a wi-fi radio, with DAB+/FM taking the reins and now, Chromecast, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth connectivity its valuable passengers.

Your editor has had the foresight to take this growing format on board, and I will look more closely at developments in this new arena.

There is a 2W rated loudspeaker on the right-hand side, which provides plenty of volume, though, to me personally, sounds a little bass-light compared to some network radios I have come across. I am guessing that Telo thinks that, in a vehicle, a brighter sound would more likely cut through bassy road noise.