Chicomm Blog

This past year has brought more attention to the technology and equipment that police officers use than ever before. With both public officials and the general population pushing for better technology, it is becoming a vital piece of any public safety strategy.

In response to this growth in demand, Motorola Solutions has launched a new body camera for police - the Si500 Video Speaker Microphone.

Is this new camera the right fit for you and your department? Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Si500!

"Rent VS Own" is one of the most common dilemmas people face in life. Should we be tenants or home owners? Should we lease this car or buy it? Should I just rent this movie or buy a copy? In most cases, there isn't a right wrong answer with this dilemma, as it truly relies on the unique situation you find yourself in. Believe it or not, this is actually the case when it comes to communication and two-way radios.

If you are looking into improving your communication with wireless technology, you've probably come across information about two-way radios. You may even be completely sold on them already, but you just aren't sure if you should rent them or own them. To help you make that decision, here is a quick look at some of the most popular reasons to buy or rent radios. 

If you had to choose a single profession or industry that relies on quality communication perhaps more than any other, you would be hard-pressed to select anything other than those in public safety or emergency medical services. That’s not to downplay how important communication is in industries like education or manufacturing (it is actually incredibly important), but police officers and EMS crews rely on communication to save lives.

For those currently using Intrinsically Safe two-way radios approved to the FM3610_88 standard, there are some changes being made by Motorola Solutions that will directly impact you.

The FM3610_88 may only be manufactured through the end of December 2015 - at which point the switch from FM to UL will begin. To help you understand this transition and what it means for you, here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the change.

What does “Intrinsically Safe” actually mean?

According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), “intrinsically safe” is an equipment design protection method for Division 1 which encompasses hazards that may be present under normal operating conditions - or,  frequently present during repair or standard maintenance work.

This term is especially relevant for those who operate in what are known as “hazardous locations.” These locations are areas where fire or explosion hazards may exist “due to flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings,” according to the NEC.

The moment your assembly line stops, profitability goes down. Even a small pause in work can cause delays throughout the chain, which in turn causes losses. This is why manufacturing managers across the world spend much of their time researching and implementing new ways to limit downtime and improve efficiency.

One of the best ways that manufacturers are improving their efficiency is by improving their communications through the use of digital two-way radios. To illustrate how these radios can make such a difference, here are two scenarios - the first one without two-way radios, the second one with.

We live and work in an era that will most likely go down as a time where we all became more connected than ever. Think about it – smartphones, tablets, and computers have completely changed the way in which we communicate with each other. Not only do we personally benefit from the ability to connect with friends and family across the globe in a matter of seconds, but we all benefit professionally, as well.

Business-critical communications have evolved over the years and are now at the point that mobile workers can connect with others regardless of their physical location or even their network. This improves the efficiency and accuracy of our work.

The technology is readily available for organizations to adopt, however, corporate infrastructure and IT spending is constantly under pressure. So, the challenge for decision makers is no longer “how do we connect our employees?” – the challenge is now “how do we most effectively and affordably connect our employees?”

Your community depends on you. Sure, this may sound a bit dramatic at times, but the truth is that for those who work in the public safety sector or public works, this dependence is a very real thing – especially when an emergency arises.

Power outages, severe weather alerts, or even an issue with the water supply are considered community-sensitive events – meaning they impact an entire population at the same time. When these events occur, it is absolutely vital for those responsible for keeping the public safe or remedying the issue that they stay in constant contact, and their communications are dependable (regardless of the environment).

It seems that most organizations have at least some degree of emergency preparedness ready to go. This can include an evacuation plan, alarm systems, or a detailed list of who is responsible for what. As the very nature of an emergency is that it is unexpected or unplanned, how you respond to it needs to be based off of a clear and effective plan. This all starts with being prepared.

One of the most common emergencies that can impact any and all industries, is a weather emergency. You know the kind: storms, hurricanes, high winds, blizzards, fog, etc. All of these natural events can cause delays and safety issues to some extent, and they can all impact you in a major way.

Using a digital two-way radio is pretty start forward. You go the the docking station and grab a handset. From there you turn it on and make sure that you’re on the right channel to begin or join a conversation. After double checking the volume and receiving a message, you hold the Push to Talk Button while you share your response.

The first time that you used a two-way radio, you probably didn’t need detailed instructions to operate the device. Although using this system is simple and doesn’t require any technical training, understanding the science behind the technology is slightly more intricate.

Radio Frequency

Over the past decade, companies from every industry have made advancements in making their organization more eco-friendly, or "green." This push for clean business practices has made great strides recently, and there are even opportunities to be found in the telecommunication market. 

Are Company Cell Phones Necessary?