CommUSA’s Two Way Radio Blog

Motorola just came out with a new standard package for the Mag One BPR40 two way radio. The new package contains a standard 1500 mAh Li-ion battery and a three hour tri-chemistry rapid rate charger, which cuts the charge time in half. The lithium ion battery is an upgrade because it can be charged at any time and it develops no memory.

For a “value radio”, we have been very impressed with the BPR40’s durability. Since its launch in January of 2006, our two way radio repair department has seen very few BPR40’s sent in for repair.

Written by Adam Hermsdorfer - MOTOTRBO Experts

Today, Motorola released another submersible two way radio, the EX560 XLS. The EX560 XLS follows the MOTOTRBO series, as Motorola’s 2nd submersible two way radio. It is rated IP67 for resistence to dust and water and submersible in up to one meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes.

As I wrote about in my Unique Motorola MOTOTRBO features post, submersible radios come in handy for not only wet industries such as water parks or ports, but also humid environments. Any industry that has radio users exposed to rain, snow, or even salt fog, can benefit from a submersible two way radio. Once the circuit board gets wet, it’s just like card board and never dries.

The EX560 XLS, like other EX™ Series radios, is small and compact in size. It is the walkie talkie of choice for industries that want to keep their radios discreet. The EX560 XLS two way radio comes standard with a high-capacity Lithium Ion battery and can operate on an LTR© trunking system.

Written by Adam Hermsdorfer - MOTOTRBO Experts

The new Motorola MOTOTRBO is filled with a long list of features that are unique to business two way radios. Text messaging, digital signaling and a waterproof casing highlight the list.

Text Messaging

The MOTOTRBO is the first two way radio with data capabilities, such as text messaging. You may ask how can text messaging help my operations? Let me give you a couple of examples:

• Facilities that have a lot of children (who get lost), such as malls or amusements parks, can send a text message to all the radios with the description of the child.
• If a walkie talkie user is unable to speak, they can send a test message alerting staff to an emergency situation or even to call 911 if needed.
• Security guards can send discrete text messages to each other without alarming people in their vicinity.
• The front desk of a hotel can text message a room number that needs serviced.

Digital Signaling

In addition to text messaging, the the MOTOTRBO comes with the abilitiy to transmit both analog and digital signaling. The difference between the two is that digital signals stay stronger throughout the coverage area. Analog signals tend to fade further out in the area. With a stronger signal, the MOTOTRBO can eliminate the need for repeaters in certain situations.

We had a customer that is located in extremely hilly terrain with a lot of “nooks” that prevented coverage. Traditionally, a repeater system was the only option to help them receive the critical coverage that they needed. We went in with the MOTOTRBO for a coverage test and not only did we cover all their “nooks”, but we even drove up a dirt service road at the farthest end of their property and got coverage! The MOTOTRBO’s digital signaling saved the customer thousands on the repeater system.

Waterproof

Finally, a Motorola two way radio that is waterproof.  The MOTOTRBO is ideal if you work outside and weather conditions (rain, snow, salt fog) come into play.  Environments with moisture in the air can corrode and damage the circuit boards of walkie talkies. 

Even if you don’t work in a wet environment, everyone has someone on their staff who has dropped their walkie talkie in water. It’s nice knowing that you don’t have to buy a new radio when it gets wet.

What new MOTOTRBO feature do you think will help out the most?

Written by Adam Hermsdorfer - MOTOTRBO Experts

Motorola recently released the MOTOTRBO two way radio system. Packed with new features, the MOTOTRBO combines two-way radio functionality with improvements to digital technology. With more of a cell-phone feel, the MOTOTRBO has GPS and text messaging services, is water resistant, and will be compatible with your existing two way radio system.

Digital advantages

The MOTOTRBO is the first digital two-way radio with voice and data capabilities. Integrated data will be helpful for a variety of applications. For example:

• Security guards can send license plate information via text messaging back to the control station.
• Global positioning services will be great for finding people in the event of an emergency. You can track vehicles or portable radios. Central command will be able to locate the closest person to the scene. This will allow for increased efficiency, productivity and improved response time

You also have integrated privacy. The MOTOTRBO has a cell-phone-like feature that allows you to make one-to-one calls, or a public, one-to-many calls. Administrators and security guards will appreciate the opportunity to have a private conversation on their two-way radios.

Improved use

Another benefit of the MOTOTRBO is that it comes with a standard impress battery. The impress battery gives you 40% longer batter life. That means the night shift can work a full 12 hours instead of the standard 8 hours. Any company that has a 24-hour operation can benefit from the impress battery.

The audio quality of digital radios is superior to analog radios. Digital signals are strong throughout the whole area of reception. Analog radios, on the other hand, have a signal that tails off when you get to further distances, which results in static.

Migration

The MOTOTRBO System will be upgradeable and will be easy to migrate from analog to digital radios. If you have a fleet of 400 radios, you can slowly phase out the analog radios and add digital. You won’t have to replace your entire fleet. That is possible because the MOTOTRBO has a dual mode feature, which means you can switch from analog to digital, utilizing your current analog UHF radios. Note: the MOTOTRBO won’t work with VHF systems.

Submersible, durable

Accidents happen. But even if you work in wet environments or anywhere there is moisture, you are safe with the MOTOTRBO. It is extremely durable and it is IP57 certified. We tested it at the 2006 National Safety Council Trade Show and had it under water for more than 4 hours. If your MOTOTRBO gets dropped in a puddle, toilet, or even a tank, it’s not going to be ruined. Every janitorial and maintenance service, water park, and golf course could use a radio that is water proof.

Future of two way radios

The MOTOTRBO will release a lot of useful features in the future. These include the ability to link repeaters via an internet connection. This will enable radios to communicate over long distances. To provide an example, a company in San Diego can communicate with their warehouse in Ohio via their radios.

In conclusion, the MOTOTRBO will be a very cost-effective communication solution. You have integrated data applications, enhanced voice communications, and spectrum efficiency (2 channels on one repeater.) We are excited about its potential and look forward to the breakthroughs of digital two-way radio systems.

Written by Adam Hermsdorfer - MOTOTRBO Experts