ChiComm Blog

Faster Hospital Response: The Essential Communication Tool for Mass Casualty Events

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Tuesday, April 14, 2026

If you handle emergency communications for a hospital, you already know that rapid communication is crucial during a crisis. However, most hospital communication systems were developed gradually over time by different vendors, so they are not built to work together quickly. The solution?

Motorola WAVE PTX allows you to connect existing devices into one seamless ecosystem. This broadband push-to-talk platform instantly links radios, smartphones, and computers, both on-site and off-site. It makes the difference between being well-coordinated and being caught off guard.

Tags: Two Way Radios, Safety Solutions, Healthcare, Digital Two-Way Radios

Strengthening Our Approach to Video and Access Control: Welcoming Isaac Robles

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Wednesday, March 25, 2026

As organizations continue to evaluate how they secure their facilities, video surveillance and access control are becoming a bigger part of the conversation.

Many are looking to modernize their systems, but aren’t always sure where to start or how to approach upgrades without creating unnecessary disruption.

To support that growing need, Chicago Communications has expanded its team with additional expertise in these areas.

Isaac Robles recently joined ChiComm as an Account Executive focused on video security and access control. With a background that spans both technical and customer-facing roles, he brings a practical perspective to helping organizations understand what their systems can do today and where improvements may be needed.

Tags: Chicago Communications, Employee Spotlight

Public Safety DAS in Commercial Buildings: What You Need to Know

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Thursday, March 12, 2026

When firefighters, police officers, or EMTs enter a building during an emergency, they rely on their radios to stay connected with command and with each other.

But inside many buildings, that connection becomes unreliable.

Tags: Public Safety Communications, Technology, Antenna System, Distributed Antenna System

HALO Smart Sensor: Monitoring Without Cameras

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Video surveillance plays a key role in most safety strategies. But in schools and healthcare facilities, there are areas where cameras cannot and should not be installed.

Bathrooms. Locker rooms. Changing areas. Certain patient and behavioral health spaces.

The HALO Smart Sensor is designed to help address that gap.

Tags: Chicago Communications, Motorola Solutions, Technology, Education, Safety Solutions, Healthcare

License Plate Recognition (LPR): What Public Safety & Facilities Need to Know

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Tuesday, January 27, 2026

License Plate Recognition (LPR) has become an increasingly common tool for public safety agencies and organizations looking to improve situational awareness and post-incident review.

When used appropriately, LPR can help teams identify vehicle activity associated with incidents, support investigations, and enhance response efforts.

At the same time, many organizations are unsure when LPR makes sense, how it fits into existing video systems, and what policies are needed to use it responsibly. Below, we break down what LPR is, how it’s commonly used, and what to consider before implementing it.

Tags: Public Safety Communications, Technology, Video Surveillance

Why Do I Need an FCC License for My Two‑Way Radio?

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Two‑way radios are a dependable way to keep people connected, especially when communication needs to be instant and reliable. Because radio spectrum is regulated, some two-way radios require a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license to operate legally, while others can be used without an individual license when operated under specific rules.

This guide explains when an FCC license is required, when it is not, how to identify what you are using, and what it means to be FCC-compliant.

Tags: Two Way Radios, FCC

Chris Young Named Illinois APCO 2025 Technician of the Year

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Monday, December 15, 2025

Chicago Communications is proud to share that Chris Young, System Integrator based out of our Elmhurst, Illinois office, has been named 2025 Technician of the Year by the Illinois Chapter of APCO.

Chris received the award at this year’s Illinois Public Safety Telecommunications Association (IPSTA) Conference, co-sponsored by Illinois APCO and the Illinois NENA (INENA) chapter. The honor reflects his technical skill, leadership, and long-standing commitment to public safety communications across the region.

Tags: Chicago Communications, Employee Spotlight, Customer Service

Two-Way Radio & Safety Tech in 2026: Improving Reliability and Coverage

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Monday, December 8, 2025

Budgets are tight, so the goal is simple: use the right technologies (and the right upgrades) to improve reliability, coverage, and interoperability.

Let’s walk through what delivers the most value in 2026 and how to match each option to the problems you actually need to solve.

Tags: Two Way Radios, Chicago Communications, Motorola Solutions, Wireless Communication, Radio System, Technology, Safety Solutions, Product Spotlight

Battery Care Tips for Motorola Two-Way Radios

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Reliable batteries keep your team talking. The fastest way to extend Motorola two-way radio battery life is to use Motorola-approved chargers, follow a steady daily charge routine, store spares correctly, and replace aging packs before capacity drops.

This guide provides clear steps to reduce downtime and help your batteries last longer, based on our extensive service experience.

Tags: Two Way Radios, Chicago Communications, Motorola Solutions, Two Way Radio Accessories, Maintenance/Installation/Service

Solving Poor In-Building Wireless Connectivity: Causes and Solutions

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Reliable in-building wireless communication is essential for safety and efficiency. Whether it is public safety teams coordinating during emergencies, hospital staff relying on instant communication, or employees depending on WiFi for daily operations, strong connectivity keeps people and systems working together.

Many facilities continue to experience dead zones, dropped calls, or unreliable radio coverage within their buildings. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone, and the good news is that there are proven ways to fix it.

At Chicago Communications, we’re here to help you understand why these problems happen and how to solve them for good.

This guide explains why wireless coverage fails indoors and the solutions that restore clear, consistent communication across your building or campus.

Tags: Wireless Communication, Technology, Bi-Directional Amplifiers, Distributed Antenna System