Chicomm Blog

At Chicago Communications, it’s our people who power the service our customers rely on every day.

We’re proud to highlight Carl Allen, our controller, whose decades of experience and meticulous attention to detail help keep our financial operations running smoothly.

When your team is split between radios and smartphones, communication gaps can slow everything down. That’s especially true for transportation and construction teams, where clear, instant coordination is essential to keeping schedules on track and operations safe.

If your drivers and crew members are using different devices and systems, Motorola WAVE offers a solution that brings everyone onto the same channel—literally.

Regarding school safety, the spotlight is often on what happens inside the building. However, for many students, their day starts and ends on the bus, and ensuring safety during that time is just as critical.

Two-way radios remain one of the most effective tools to support secure and efficient student transportation. Here’s how today’s radio systems are helping school districts improve communication and safety on and around school buses.

At Chicago Communications, our people are what make our service stand out.  

We’re proud to spotlight Brett Kahn, one of our field technicians, whose dedication and experience help power the service our customers rely on every day.

Body-worn cameras are now standard in many police departments. They help build trust, increase accountability, and improve officers' and public safety. But agencies often overlook one aspect of body camera programs when budgeting: the cost of storing the video.

Many departments find that storage is the single most expensive part of their body camera system. Without a plan, storage costs can quickly escalate out of control. This blog explains why that happens and what your agency can do to stay ahead of it.

In the aftermath of 9/11, FirstNet was established to give public safety professionals access to a dedicated communications network built to meet their mission: saving lives, solving crimes, and protecting communities.

Operated through a public-private partnership between the federal government and AT&T, FirstNet is the only nationwide wireless broadband network built for first responders, with first responders.

In an emergency, every second matters — and FirstNet ensures that first responders have reliable, secure access to voice, data, video, and location services when they need it most.

Every moment matters when you’re in public safety, and having reliable, versatile communication tools is essential. The Motorola APX 8000 is built with public safety in mind, providing the features you need to stay connected, secure, and ready to respond in any situation. This radio combines unmatched interoperability, ruggedness, and a host of advanced features designed to meet the demands of critical environments. Here’s what sets it apart in 2025.

Staying compliant with FCC regulations is critical for anyone using VHF/UHF two-way radios. The FCC continues to crack down on unauthorized radios, enforcing rules that impact which radios are sold, imported, and used in the U.S.

If your radios aren’t compliant, you could face interference issues—or even fines. Here’s what you need to know about the latest rules and enforcement trends.

Investing in two-way radios, dispatch consoles, and other communication technology is a critical decision for businesses, public safety agencies, schools, healthcare facilities, and industrial operations. Ensuring these devices are covered under the right warranty can mean the difference between long-term reliability and unexpected costs.

However, not all warranties offer the same level of coverage. Understanding the terms, limitations, and benefits of equipment warranties is essential for making informed purchasing and maintenance decisions, no matter what your industry.

When it comes to secure communications, two-way radios remain the trusted standard for public safety agencies. But can they be hacked?

The short answer: Yes, but only if security measures are weak or outdated.

While cellphones and internet-based communication tools are far more frequent targets of cyberattacks, two-way radios are not immune. Hackers can intercept unsecured transmissions, disrupt emergency operations, and even impersonate first responders on radio channels. Fortunately, modern encryption and advanced security measures make hacking nearly impossible—when the right safeguards are in place.