Chicomm Blog

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?

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.

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.

Does your staff spend too much time watching video surveillance footage? Do they have a hard time spotting safety issues? In some cases, security footage can be so cumbersome and overwhelming that no one reviews it on a regular basis, leaving an organization blind to threats or abnormal behavior. 

If you answered “yes,” it may be time to update your video surveillance system.

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?

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?

If you’re in the market for a new two-way radio solution, you may be feeling overwhelmed by all of the options: Analog vs. digital? Trunked radio system vs. Conventional? Repeater vs. Distributed Antenna System?

Working with trusted two-way radio service providers is ultimately the best way to determine which solution will best meet your needs, and it’s a good idea to go into your conversations with providers with some homework already done.

For now, let’s start with just one of your many options by helping to answer: What’s the difference between a conventional and trunked radio system?

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.

Two-way radio, walkie-talkie, portable radio, transceiver—whatever you call it, you likely know what it does. At its simplest, a two-way radio is a device that can both send and receive communications via radio waves. They are ideal for use in most work environments: warehouses, factories, schools, and hospitals, as well as for emergency first responders and truck drivers on the move.

Beyond that, two-way radios have a wide range of features. These days, they’re more like computers, with different software and features that can be adapted to your needs. If you want to understand the basics of two-way radios better or are exploring communication options for your team, here's an overview of two-way radios.

When shopping for communication technology, like two-way radios or security cameras, you have many options for where to purchase. The decision isn’t easy and is a long-term investment in the safety of schools, workplaces, and communities.

ChiComm understands that you’re often working on a tight budget or timeline. Although buying online may save you money and time, it will cost you more in the long run.