CommUSA’s Two Way Radio Blog

Communications USA has donated four two way radios (walkie talkies) to the Jackie Robinson YMCA. The donation is in conjunction with BOMA San Diego’s work party, where San Diego BOMA members teamed to renovate and improve the YMCA facility. The two way radios will be used to coordinate special events and programs. In the past, the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA had used family radios, which did not give them a strong signal. With the professional two way radios, the facility will be able to communicate more efficiently.

The two way radios that Communications USA donated are Motorola Mag One BPR40 radios. These Motorola two way radios are commercial grade and include a high capacity battery, charger, belt clip and a one year warranty. Motorola BPR40 two way radios are ideal for facilities like the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA due to their small size and light weight. The donation of the four two way radios were valued at $1,000.00.

Senior Communications Consultant Glenn Aranas is pictured with Pedro Anaya, Associate Executive Director of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA.

Written by Adam Hermsdorfer - MOTOTRBO Experts

CommUSA is excited to announce that we have added walkie talkie video product reviews to our web site. Each major two way radio group and accessory line is represented with a video review. Our services, such as two way radio repair, system design, and walkie talkie rentals also have a video presentation.

The goal of the two way radio videos is to show you the features and benefits of the different two way radio series. We often get calls or quote requests from walkie talkie users who are looking for either too much radio or not enough. A luxury resort near the ocean that requires a small, discreet radio that is submersible or resistent to salt fog (EX560 or MOTOTRBO series candidate) won’t get as much out of a CP150. With the video product reviews, you can see for yourself which radio will best fit your unique application.

Our two way radio repair, on site system design and rental department videos will give you a first hand look at how we run our operation. Watch the videos and let me know what you think.

Written by Adam Hermsdorfer - MOTOTRBO Experts

Two way radios have turned to the digital world, just like their cell phone cousins did way back when. If you can remember when cell phones first came out, they operated with analog signaling, which resulted in a lot of static. Fortunately QUALCOMM invented CDMA technology which pioneered the switch to digital communications.

With digital cell phones, you either have the reception or you don’t. Calls drop in or out, but you never have static. The same principles hold true for digital two way radios. The Motorola MOTOTRBO system (when operated in digital mode) and the Motorola DTR550 and DTR650 have excellent audio quality with no background noise. In certain applications, digital frequencies penetrate structures and objects easier than analog.

Besides the audio quality, another advantage to digital two way radios are the calling features. These include:

• One to one calling. This is a nice feature when you need privacy.
• One to many, or public group call. You can broadcast your message to all the walkie talkies in your fleet.
• Private group call. Managers can communicate with specific talk groups.

DTR 650’s have a manager mode option which allows you to cue up another DTR radio and monitor what the user is hearing. You can also disable a walkie talkie if it gets lost or stolen.

The batteries on digital two way radios also last longer than analog. The DTR series carry up to 45% longer life and the MOTOTRBO two way radios come with a standard IMPRES battery.

Written by Adam Hermsdorfer - MOTOTRBO Experts

More two way radio users purchase the Motorola CP200 than any other model. What are the features that make this walkie talkie so popular? It’s durable construction, full accessory line, and affordable price highlight the list.

Durability:

The CP200 passes military standards 810 C, D, E and F and withstands Motorola’s accelerated life testing. Accelerated life testing is laboratory testing that simulates years of field use.

The CP200 is made with a steel chasis and was one of the first two way radios to utilize the unique battery lock-in mechanism.

Closed battery latch, securing radio.	Open battery latch.

This mechanism is a radio saver. If you accidentally drop this walkie talkie, the battery stays connected to the radio.

Full accessory line.

The CP200 accessory line comes with a wide range of options for headsets, microphones, earpiecess and carry cases. You can customize your system based on which accessory fits in your budget and meets your quality standards. These accessories are plugged into the walkie talkie by a strong, two pronged accessory connector, which prevents the accessory from slipping out of its connection. Actually, you really have to pull hard on the connector to remove the accessory.

Affordable:

With some models priced under $300.00, it is a very affordable two way radio. In the past, radios with the level of durability and audio quality of the cp200 were in the $600 to $800 range. The Motorola CP200 comes standard with a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery, rapid rate charger and two year warranty. The high capacity lithium battery assures the battery will last a full shift and it will not develop a memory if they are improperly charged.

Have you ever used the CP200? If so, what’s your opinion?

Written by Adam Hermsdorfer - MOTOTRBO Experts