HANDHELD COMMUNICATIONS

Many of us have forgotten the original purpose for using handheld 2-way radios in a public safety environment.  The mobile radio is the cornerstone of effective public safety communications.  In effect, the vehicle is a mobile office that increasingly serves a multitude of functions including voice encryption technology, GPS vehicle tracking, and access to centralized data.

Conversely, the handheld radio has two basic functions.  The first is that of allowing the officer to maintain contact when away from the vehicle (generally within sight of the vehicle), and to coordinate activities on foot while working with other personnel.

We recognize that not all users share this view, and for that reason, we offer two completely different solutions to providing state-of-the-art personal 2-way communications.  First, for those who want their handheld to function as a mini-mobile, we start with the caution that a handheld radio can never replace a mobile for the simple reason that 5 watts talking into an ungrounded stubby antenna can never equal the performance of a 50 watt transmitter connected to a well grounded antenna with full bandwidth capability.

Second, there are some things that just dont fit well into a handheld radio, either in terms of physical size, cost, or both.  Still, some of the newer radios do include a number of features than are extremely useful.  For example, it is now possible to acquire a handheld radio with up to 160 channels or more with both conventional and LTR trunking capability.  You can have an LCD display that can show unit I.D. numbers or names, signal strength, and battery condition all useful features. 

Dual mode (12.5-25 kHz capability) is a given with modern equipment as well as the ability to individual signal (page) administrative or group users.  New battery technology provides extended operating cycles and reduces the need for frequent replacement.  Rapid conditioning chargers coupled with advanced chemistry batteries virtually eliminate memory effect while simultaneously reducing environmental impact.

In a recent situation, it was necessary to make programming changes to all  municipal radios as a result of interference from one user and interference being caused to another user as a result of the initial changes.  The result was that it was necessary to reprogram all radios TWICE!  Common sense tells you that sending a technician out for a day or two of programming changes can get expensive!  Programming capability should be in the hands of the user!  In this example, significant costs could have been eliminated if the radio had user programming capability.  We knew that a public safety radio should have user programming capability, even if it costs a little more initially.

An earlier reference was made to User I.D. capability utilizing an LCD screen.  The best system known for transmitting and receiving User I.D. is known as MDC-1200.  Any public safety radio should at least have the capability of sending MDC-1200 digital I.D. codes and administrative units should have the ability to read this codes.  Not only is this an effective administration resource, it can also be used in connection with a panic alarm button (also a very useful feature) to quickly determine the identify of an officer in trouble.

The standard radio recommended for public safety portable use has all these features plus the ability to record messages (voice memo), and to record incoming messages (a very useful feature when calls are received in noisy environments.

Lastly, the recommended model also has a very low cost of operation.  This is possible through the use of an extended factory warranty that provides worry free maintenance for five full years!  The supplemental Next Day Exchange (N.D.E.) service option provides for a replacement radio within 24 hours.  As mentioned previously, the option of selecting a full featured handheld radio is a viable option when adequate coverage exists for efficient handheld radio operation.

If handheld coverage is lacking in remote areas, another alternative may be better suited for some users.  The overall cost is the same, but the features are different.  In this alternative situation a lower priced radio is used in association with a device known as a cross band repeater.  This second alternative is designed to provide equal coverage for both mobiles and handhelds plus providing interoperability with both VHF and UHF users by officers in the field.

The cross band repeater concept uses a UHF 4 watt radio with 16 channel capability (one control channel used for the cross band repeater), dual mode capability, built in 2-tone paging, sub-audible tone squelch, digital tone squelch, and MDC1200 I.D. code transmit capability.  This radio does not have an LCD display, nor does it have field programming capability of voice record and playback capability.  However, many users will prefer the features of the cross band package and with equal cost, the choice is the one that makes the most sense for YOU!

When you are ready to review pricing, please send an email to sales@falconwireless.net and request Front-Line US pricing.  In your email, tell us your name, title, organization, location, phone number, and email address.  When we have this information, we will provide access to additional information with pricing.