Chicomm Blog

If you’ve ever been frustrated by reaching the end of your analog two-way radio range, you’re familiar with the phenomenon of having it go from solid audio to going, going…gone.

Better range – along with more forgiving notice that you’re about to leave the coverage area  – is one reason to make the switch from analog to digital two-way radios.

Here’s a look at how to improve two-way radio range – and more ­– by switching to digital. 

Now that you’ve drastically improved your in-building connectivity and you’re feeling confident about the strength of your wireless network, it’s time to tackle the next frontier: how to extend WiFi range outdoors.

Hotel and resort guests, students, mobile workers and anyone else on the go is increasingly looking for opportunities to stay connected, even near the pool, on the campus commons or out on the dock.

With your constantly connected users in mind, here’s a quick overview of how to extend WiFi range outdoors.

In April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began a process aimed at removing barriers to wireless infrastructure deployment across the country, including improving distributed antenna system regulations.

That’s great news for everyone from municipalities to small businesses as they look at meeting the ever-growing demands of today’s connected consumers, who have little patience for poor connectivity, as well as public safety users.

Let’s take a closer look at the FCC’s efforts to improve distributed antenna system regulations. 

Digital two-way radios are, in and of themselves, powerful communications tools, and the right set of applications tailored to meet your specific needs can make them even more indispensable.

As the number of developers continues to grow, the options for applications are seemingly endless and provide everything from alarm management to dispatching to text messaging.

With the diversity of options in mind, here is an overview of must-have applications for digital two-way radios.

First responders are life savers and providers of help in often dangerous situations. So it's easy to think of them as operating on their own or just with a partner.

In reality, the dispatch center communicating with a first responder connects them to a whole team of other individuals and systems that are critical to doing their job. When first responders speak to a dispatch center with their mobile or two-way radios, they're bringing a whole public safety team with them.

When police, emergency medical, and fire units communicate with each other, the various channels of communication technology need to be centralized so that a single trained professional can follow protocols and deploy the right resources to handle the specific emergency at hand.

It probably seems as if Motorola two-way radios are constantly evolving, and gaining new features and functionality every time you turn around ­– and that’s because they are! (In fact, Motorola has had a key role in the evolution of two-way radio communication since the very beginning.)

Particularly as different models add new options, it can be helpful to look at Motorola radios side-by-side to compare their attributes and features, from push to talk to text messaging.

For now, let’s take a closer look at three models of Motorola two-way radios: the MOTOTRBO XPR 7550e Enabled, the XPR 7550e Capable, and XPR 7550.

When you’re shopping for radios for your business, campus or agency, there are plenty of acronyms, numbers and lingo to keep track of, and that includes two-way radio frequencies: UHF or VHF.

Deciding which frequency you need is one of the first steps you should take when you’re upgrading, replacing or supplementing an existing fleet of two-way radios or choosing a handheld two-way radio for your team to use for the first time.

Let’s take a closer look at how to decide which of the two-way radio frequencies you need.

Everyone in law enforcement is familiar with the tragic consequences of breakdowns in police radio communications: Personnel from different responding agencies can’t talk to each other, and the lack of coordination creates chaos and costs lives.

Lack of interoperability is one key reason that legacy analog two-way radio systems are being phased out, particularly within public safety, and replaced by digital systems. It’s a gradual change, but it is happening as more agencies recognize the importance of planning for the future.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at why it’s time to upgrade your police radio fleet from analog to digital.

Spotty cell phone coverage and unreliable radio connectivity have never been good things, but there was a time when people used their devices for less and were more tolerant of gaps in performance. 

But as cell phones have replaced landlines and radios continue to replace cell phones, the bar has been raised on the expectation for connecting quickly and seamlessly. Add to that the explosive growth in data services such as text messaging and streaming, and it’s enough to put a strain on even the most sophisticated system.

The good news is that you don’t have to just live with poor in-building connectivity, and here we’ll take a look at some of the most effective options for how to improve cell phone coverage and radio range.

Shopping for a handheld two-way radio is a little like shopping for a car: There are plenty of models to choose from, the number of features increases with price, and going with a dealer you trust can be as important as what you buy.

To help you make the most informed decision for your agency, campus or team, here are some tips for choosing the right handheld two-way radio.

Don’t Get Blinded by Sticker Shock

When you start looking at two-way radios, put aside your price concerns and shop for what you need. Because if you shop solely on price, you’ll end up spending more in the long run on a product that doesn’t adequately address your communications issues. This includes understanding which of the radio frequencies to use as well as specific two-way radio features, such as push to talk, what two-way radio range you need, and whether they're needed for your line of work.

Solid, high-quality, dependable two way radios are more expensive and: they last longer, require less maintenance and have access to the most sophisticated features and functionality. Higher quality solutions are more likely to meet your two-way radio communication needs and provide scalability for growth in the future.