And 15 Reasons Why They Should!

Let's start with the reasons why users aren't buying into the digital world of radio. Here are the 4 excuses heard the most:

1. Adversity to Change: People will say "Analog radios will always be around" or "I’ve always used XYZ radio and I will keep purchasing that brand"-because it's what they're used to and what they know. 

2. It's Not Within Reach: This is probably the most common reason. Until recently, proposed systems have been outside of their budget or the cost difference can't be justified even though the radios have great features.

3. "We Don’t Need Digital": Still others out there think, "Analog gets the job done. I like the quality and benefits of digital, but it's not necessary."

Top 3 Trends of Radio in 2013

With 2013 finally upon us, it is time to move forward with regard to radio. Last year lead to one of the largest years radio dealers have seen in 20 years, mainly due to the Federal Communications Commission's mandate for Narrowbanding all radio channels below 512 MHz. Narrowbanding created scheduling conflicts and made things hectic for those involved, but overall, it allowed us to revisit with all of our customers. Some abided by the mandate, took the proper steps and have completed narrowbanding. Some have not.  In addition to that, changes occurred with the D Block legislation that left the 470 MHz users on a freeze and rumors of a private LTE network for public safety left many questions unanswered as well. Looking ahead though, the future of two way radio remains to look bright, and here are 3 trends you’re sure to see this year.

 Tech Talk - IP Delay and DMR

      With the ever changing two way radio market migrating toward “Digital Mobile Radio” (DMR for short), we are challenged with a different set of issues: Networking. Networking is the highway of the future for communications, commerce and now two way radio. What we learn is that although we have blinding “gigabit” speeds, we actually run slower than traditional analog. We found this out the other day by putting in a radio channel at a remote site. This site is connected to the dispatch end by a fiber optics network. In order to use the fiber network we have to convert the analog audio to digital, convert the digital to IP and route this digitized audio to the other end through network switches and routers. At the other end we convert this IP digitized word back to analog to be rebroadcast over the transmitter.

Tom's Tech Talk #16: What's New with MOTOTRBO

     I have to say, in my 32 years of being in radio, the MOTOTRBO product line is one of the best ideas I have seen come out from Motorola Solutions in a long time. Back in 2007 I remember seeing it for the first time. When I heard 2-for-1 channel usage, it immediately made me think of reducing our customers capital outlay for radio systems. In addition with many users still using Micor vintage equipment, the time was right for this product.

     MOTOTRBO’s ability to cross both the analog and digital platforms really gave the customer a choice. It allowed the end user to migrate from a legacy platform of equipment operating on analog to a digital platform that allowed 2 simultaneous voice conversations over one radio frequency. DOUBLE CAPACITY with one system!! Purchasing an upgraded infrastructure backbone can allow a customer to operate analog until the customer gets enough mobile and portable radios; and with a simple programming to digital, the customer effectively has two repeaters in one system.

     Motorola Solutions went one step further by allowing Application Developers to write software code to the radios to allow it to act as a modem or input/output device. By creating this digital platform, these binary ones and zeros carry more information than just voice.

You’re Standing on the Tracks and the Digital Train is Coming Through...

     The digital train is rolling.  It is picking up speed and before long it will be virtually unstoppable in the world of two-way radio technology.  Some might even say that it is already unstoppable!

     Criminals today are getting more and more sophisticated and the tools to combat them need to keep pace.  Rioting mobs are using social media and smartphones to coordinate their activities, international drug cartels use encrypted digital radios to report the activities of Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Border Patrol Agents; even the “common” thief can get a smartphone app to monitor some police radio traffic, as evidence by this recent situation in San Diego.  The bottom line is that the enemy is striving to become more sophisticated than the law enforcement personnel trying to stop them.

Tom's Tech Talk (#10): Digital Mobile Radio System Implementation

      In today’s Digital Mobile Radio systems, networking is playing a key role in implementation of these radio systems. Years past connectivity was through an in house set of wires or over the local telephone companies telephone line. With the evolution of radio, not only has product changed, but the way we need to get the information between sites has changed.

      In the early years, radio equipment was controlled by Direct Current (DC) traveling down the telephone lines between dispatch and the radio at a tower. The voice and DC current would travel the line to the equipment. The equipment in turn would interpret the DC current as one of the following:

 1)      Transmit on F1

 2)      Transmit on F2

 3)      Monitor the Channel

    Tom's Tech Talk (#3):
What does TEAM mean for your business?

     After returning from the IWCE tradeshow in Las Vegas (earlier this year), it appears that radio platforms are starting to have the ability to merge together. At a seminar held by Motorola, they presented the Motorola TEAM product. This product, although specific in application, allows for disparate systems to link together. The intent is to have one number, one voicemail. The concept links an IP based telephone system in your office with your handheld smartphone and your radio system all together.
    

Why Go Digital? Analog vs. Digital Two-Way Radios

     The truth is that while analog radios may get the job done, they've pretty much reached their limit in terms of innovation and advancement. In fact, many organizations are already finding that they have more needs than the capabilities of analog two-way radios can deliver, and they are searching for better options to improve efficiency and performance.

      Digital radios offer users a new and exciting platform for their communications needs. Whether organizations are looking for better voice quality or integrated wireless data applications, digital radios provide the solution. Here is a list of just some of the benefits of digital radio technology: