We thought we’d round up some of the top highlights this week in the Communication world and give them to you in one place. Check out some buzz worthy stories happening in the wireless communication and public safety world!
1) P25 (Project 25) Communication equipment- These are the set of standards used for federal, state, and local police departments set forth by APCO. It ensures interoperability between these levels in terms of radio communication to enhance timeliness, effectiveness, and coordination during emergencies. Why is this important? FEMA opened applications for Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) on the 18th, which is only available for “the acquisition of P25 compliant equipment.”
Tags:
Two Way Radios,
Public Safety Communications,
Motorola Solutions,
Interoperability,
Next Generation Public Safety,
GPS
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So you own a manufacturing company and your IT Manager recommendeds you get the latest in IP Wireless Telephone Technology. It allows you to leave your desk and be able to take a call virtually anywhere in your facility! Fantastic! Sign me up.
WHOA!!!! Let’s think about this…
1) Why do you need your people to get up and get away from their desk? I could see some of them requiring the need to be on the plant floor, but a whole lot of wireless handsets means a whole lot of batteries. In the future, these will need to be changed. By the way, how long do those telephone batteries last? With two way radios, you tell me how long you need them to last.
Tags:
Two Way Radios,
Chicago Communications,
Wireless Communication,
Tech Talk,
Technology
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We all know that two way radios are highly beneficial in keeping everyone connected when it comes to communication. They’re reliable, and much more cost efficient than cell phones.
But do you know how to optimize your radios for even more benefits, features, and connectivity? Simply having a two way radio is a start to great communication, but there are a few ways to get the most of your radio.
Apps, for example. I know your mind shoots to the Angry Birds game on your smart phone you probably have in your pocket or purse. Even for two way radios…there’s an app for that.
With a little more importance than that of Angry Birds, applications that are added to your two way radio enhance the capabilities and performance of said two way radio . MOTOTRBO radios have applications to augment fleet management, dispatch consoles, work order management, system management, alarm management, personal tracking, email/text gateway, and interoperability. Whew! So many ways to use a two way radio for more than just communicating.
Tags:
Two Way Radios,
Chicago Communications,
Two Way Radio Accessories,
MOTOTRBO
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Well 2013 is finally over. For some of you it was a good year, for the radio business it was a slow year. Coming off of the FCC’s Narrowbanding Mandate and all the radios sold in 2012 made us really look at our business and determine to focus on Service! Many of the police and fire departments are in limbo this year as Grants and Funding have not been as plentiful in the past years. In addition, with the FCC putting a freeze on the 470Mhz band, many police departments are sitting on their hands waiting for a direction from the FCC; that means slow radio sales.
The good news for some of you is that you are keeping your radios an extra year or two (maybe three). Your budgets are being spent on maintaining your existing equipment, whether a service contract for a 24 hour response or just routine maintenance. It is prolonging the inevitable. Technology is changing, but service teams, like Chicago Communications, are equipped with the latest in technology to meet whatever challenge is thrown towards us. From basic analog radio systems to the most advanced P25 Public Safety systems we can monitor and respond to service outages in any required timeframe you need. We can consult on your equipment with our contracts department to see whether it makes sense to put your equipment on a contract or actively seek replacement because of age or parts issues.
Tags:
Two Way Radios,
Chicago Communications,
Public Safety Communications,
Wireless Communication,
Radio System,
Tech Talk,
Safety Solutions,
FCC,
Maintenance/Installation/Service
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Thanksgiving has come and gone, and in just a few short days the year will also come to an end. But Chicago Communication’s rental department acted as a catalyst for the city of Elmhurst into the holiday season this past November with the 30th Annual Dan Gibbons ‘Turkey Trot’.
Held on Thanksgiving morning, runners of all ages joined at the starting line to raise money to help feed local families who were in need of a meal, not only on thanksgiving but every day; something that we may take for granted on a regular basis.
However, in order to have such a successful long running fundraising event, communication amongst staff and volunteers must be a top priority. Not only does in ensure that all of those involved in the execution of the Turkey Trot are where they are supposed to be, but also keeps runners safe.
Tags:
Two Way Radios,
Chicago Communications,
Motorola Solutions,
Wireless Communication,
Two Way Radio Accessories,
Rental Equipment
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It’s crazy to think that in about 2 weeks we will be kissing 2013 goodbye and welcoming in 2014 with open arms. One great thing about the end of the year is all of the sales and specials … even for your two way communication needs!
With so many different deals in place, it’s hard to keep track what will be ending when the clock strikes midnight on the 31
st.
Here’s a checklist from Chicago Communications to make sure you get the most out of your communication purchases through 2013!
Tags:
Two Way Radios,
Chicago Communications,
Public Safety Communications,
Motorola Solutions,
Wireless Communication,
Radio System,
MOTOTRBO,
Vertex,
Maintenance/Installation/Service
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"So you are the IT Manager and you were just put in charge of the radio communications..."
Sound familiar?
I recently glanced through an article in the new (November 2013) Public Safety Communications Magazine from APCO. The title of the article “Communications Manager or IT Manager?” made me think of our own business. It shouldn’t matter if you’re a radio technician or IT technician…electronics is electronics, right? I wish I could say it was that easy.
Tags:
Two Way Radios,
Chicago Communications,
Wireless Communication,
Radio System,
Tech Talk,
Technology,
IT Solutions
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What are the first things you think of when given the slogan ‘Are you ready for some football?!” Many ideas such as food, tailgating, friends and team rivalries are the first to pop into our minds. But what if we didn’t have our Sunday afternoon/nights of football, or what would we have to look forward to on Monday nights after a day at work if the NFL ceased to exist? Fault proof communication is one of the silent, yet very important aspects of running not only a successful game, but a stellar season.
Tags:
Two Way Radios,
Chicago Communications,
Motorola Solutions,
Two Way Radio Accessories,
Technology,
MOTOTRBO,
Safety Solutions
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Our rental department at Chicago Communications is one of the services that often times goes overlooked when prepping for an event. However, if utilized correctly, having a communicationsystem in place for your event, no matter how big or small, really determines whether or not it goes off without a hitch. Ask Justin Thaler from STEVE HARVEY on NBC .
Tags:
Two Way Radios,
Chicago Communications,
Two Way Radio Accessories,
Rental Equipment,
Customer Service
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I would like to take this time for the customary Tech Talk to notify users of the 470Mhz frequency band of interference we have been receiving over the last 6 weeks. Users along the North Shore of Illinois operating on specific 470Mhz channels have been getting hit with co-channel or On Frequency interference. What that means to you is specific direct interference on your frequency will result in lost coverage and excessive noise coming across your frequency.
Tags:
Two Way Radios,
Chicago Communications,
Public Safety Communications,
Tech Talk
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