CommUSA’s Two Way Radio Blog

Motorola is currently running a couple of cost saving promotions through the end of June. Here are the offers:

Offer 1: Save $25 on each Motorola CP200, PR400, CM200, CM300 and PM400 radios*. Offer valid for up to 50 radios, that’s a savings of $1,250.00. Offer valid until June 30.

Offer 2: Receive a $400 end-user rebate for every 6 MOTOTRBO radios purchased between now and June 20. All MOTOTRBO display and non-display mobiles and portables are eligible. Mix and match available. This offer ends June 20.

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Traditionally, the 2 way radio industry isn’t an industry that you need to follow on a daily basis. In fact, if you were an avid 2 way radio user, and happened to get stuck on a deserted island for a couple of years…you didn’t miss much.

It all changed in 2007. Early in the year, Motorola released the MOTOTRBO two way radio series. The MOTOTRBO is the first digital two way radio system that can operate with traditional analog two way radios. This series is jam packed with innovative features, like text messaging, crystal clear digital audio, and it is water proof. Ultimately, the MOTOTRBO is the platform for all future two way radios, in which everything is digital. The MOTOTRBO allows you to make the transition from analog to digital at your own pace.

In June, Motorola released a second water proof 2 way radio, the EX560. This radio falls in the Expert Series, which is comprised of the EX500 and EX600-XLS. The early reviews have been very favorable. It is small, compact, and has the reliability of a Motorola Expert Series radio.

Sporadically throughout the year, Motorola also released several additions to the IMPRES system, which is Motorola’s category for enhanced products. These included batteries and audio accessories.

Looking forward in 2008, I predict that Motorola will continue to build on the MOTOTRBO series with more IMPRES products. What improvements or new products would you like to see in 2008?

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Motorola has coined the term IMPRES as their exclusive technology for enhanced two way radio products. IMPRES batteries have actually been around for a while now, as they started in 2001 on high tier radios. IMPRES audio accessories, on the other hand, have recently been introduced with the release of the MOTOTRBO two way radio systems. In this post, we will feature on the benefits of IMPRES audio accessories for the MOTOTRBO two way radio systems.

IMPRES audio accessories allow communication between the radio and the audio accessory. This is done through the process of the accessory sending the radio identification, which allows the radio to optimize the output for that specific accessory. The result of this process is that the user has excellent audio performance.

One of the main benefits of IMPRES audio is it doesn’t matter if you are whispering or shouting, you will still have clear audio on both ends of the transmission. This is due to automatic gain control.

And, it doesn’t matter how far you are standing away from the microphone. The audio performance will be the same. The microphone actually picks up the voice and adjusts audio levels. This just like Smart Sound or automatic volume control that Magnavox introduced for televisions back in 1992!

IMPRES audio accessories also have programmable buttons on the accessory. These include emergency activation, battery status, high/low power, one touch call, squelch, scan, etc. The audio connector also meets IP57 submersibility standards. Submersible accessories are great for wet environments and is one of the best features of the MOTORBO two way radio system

For more information on IMPRES audio accessories, check out these portable accessories:

• PMMN4025A - IMPRES Remote Speaker Mic
• RMN5880A - IMPRES Surveillance Kit
• RMN5058A – Lightweight headset

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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.

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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?

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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.

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