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Chicomm Blog

Anyone familiar with two-way radio lingo, particularly the military phonetic alphabet, will attest that the phrases, codes, and terms form a unique language that distinguishes its users from those who may not be familiar with its nuances.

Tags: Public Safety Communications, History

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If there’s one thing we know about incidents of violence or destruction, it’s that they happen quickly, and human eyes and memories can be unreliable. 

This is where the need for an unbiased observer becomes key, particularly for security and police forces tasked with maintaining public safety and order

In recent years, body-worn cameras have emerged as a solution to this challenge. These devices serve as impartial witnesses, capable of capturing continuous, objective video footage of events as they occur.

Motorola’s VB400 body camera is a notable example of this technology in action. The device captures high-quality images and is becoming necessary for security teams and small to mid-sized police departments.

Tags: Public Safety Communications, Motorola Solutions, Safety Solutions

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3 Essential Communication Software Platforms

Posted by Cathy Kulnig-Dastice on Wednesday, February 14, 2024

What is the role of communications software?

Communication software is the essential link that integrates various communication technologies, enabling them to function according to our needs.

Software alone will not solve all your communications challenges, but many of your vital products, including two-way radios, will work best when connected with a software package.

Tags: Motorola Solutions, Radio System, Technology, MOTOTRBO, Digital Two-Way Radios

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Lithium-ion batteries are the power source for many of our most essential tools: cell phones, iPads, power tools, and—my favorite piece of equipment—two-way radios.

With a little bit of care and planning, you can optimize the life of your batteries. 

Taking a proactive approach to battery care ensures that your devices are always ready for use and helps you make the most of your investment. Remember, a little care and planning can go a long way in optimizing the performance and longevity of your lithium-ion batteries.

Here are some tips for keeping your batteries in tip-top shape.

Tags: Two Way Radios, Wireless Communication, Digital Two-Way Radios, Maintenance/Installation/Service

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School violence is a major problem that needs to be approached from many angles. At Chicago Communications, we focus on communications technology to help educators, staff, and leaders prepare for the worst and stay in touch in an emergency.

We are interested in the big picture—the infrastructure that can help protect the lives and education of our children. How can we keep our schools safer in 2024?

Tags: Two Way Radios, Education

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Regarding supply chain issues, the global pandemic is not finished wreaking havoc.

But despite continued backlogs, we’re hopeful that 2024 might be a little better when it comes to delivering the products our customers order.

Tags: Two Way Radios, Chicago Communications

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This season’s sleek accessory also happens to be one of the most revolutionary tech innovations: the TLK 25 is a body-worn device that is helping leaders in hospitality, retail, healthcare, and education stay connected and secure.

Tags: Motorola Solutions, Wireless Communication, MOTOTRBO, Hospitality, Education, Safety Solutions, Healthcare

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A dispatch console is becoming an essential tool for anyone who wants to ensure that customers, workers, and the public are all connected and protected.

What are the functions of dispatch consoles, and what are the benefits of using this technology?

Tags: Public Safety Communications, Motorola Solutions, Safety Solutions

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For years, radio users had their own language - 10 codes. The lingo filtered into popular culture, and even folks who didn’t use two-way radios would say “10-4” to mean “affirmative.”

Despite their continued use in some industries and law enforcement, codes and other jargon terms are being abandoned in favor of what is called “plain language.” 

As early as 2006, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) ALERT wrote: “While the NIMS Integration Center does not require plain language for internal operations, it strongly encourages it, as it is important to practice everyday terminology and procedures that will need to be used in emergency incidents and disasters. NIMS implementation is long-term, and persuading everyone to change ingrained habits overnight is probably impossible. But we do hope that over time, everyone will understand the importance of using common terminology, that is, plain language, every day.” 

What are these “ingrained habits,” and how important are they in today’s two-way radio communication?

Tags: Two Way Radios, Public Safety Communications

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Two-Way Radio Repair Made Easy

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Over time, even the best communications technology stops working as well as you’d like. Luckily, less-than-optimal functionality from a two-way radio doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced. Repairs are common and can be necessary for a range of reasons.

Here is a quick guide to understanding what steps to take to identify what needs fixing and get the repairs done quickly.

Tags: Two Way Radios, Two Way Radio Accessories, Technology, Customer Service, Digital Two-Way Radios, Maintenance/Installation/Service

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