Chicomm Blog

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.

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The short answer: Yes, but only if security measures are weak or outdated.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

Are there areas in your buildings that are dead zones for communication?

Do you have multiple buildings or campuses to communicate between?

Do your old radios or phone system give out on you just when you need them the most?

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.

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.

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.

We depend on firefighters to do their jobs under the most dangerous conditions imaginable, and firefighters depend on their communication equipment to help them do it. Firefighter radios must perform reliably in all environments and stand up to rough handling in life-or-death scenarios.

When purchasing two-way digital radios to support this critical work, investing in the right product for your department’s needs is essential. Here are some key questions to consider when shopping for the devices that help firefighters keep our communities safe:

Every year, it seems that the communications needs of companies and organizations evolve. Sure, the general needs are fairly consistent - reliable and secure communication, ensuring the safety of students/guests/patients, etc. - but goals evolve, and so do challenges.

This post is a quick look at four of the most common communications challenges that organizations across the country encounter on a daily basis. These aren’t industry-specific, as they relate on some level to multiple industries. For more information on how your organization can overcome these challenges, you can download our free eBook, the Wireless Communication Survival Guide.

Here are four of the most common communication challenges:

You’re an IT or system administrator in, say, healthcare, business, hospitality, or education. You have a good two-way radio system, and everything seems to be going okay, but you want to do your due diligence. You want to check how well your system is operating before anything goes wrong. To understand how it’s being used and where the choke points might be. You want data—and the ability to analyze and use that information to maintain and improve your radio system.