Quick Introduction
A Layman’s Guide to 2-way Radio
Rarely does a day go by that someone doesn’t ask up to tell them how to set up a 2-way radio system for their business, organization, or government entity. The needs of each are quite different, but the needs are generally the same – to administrate more effectively, to coordinate more efficiently, to improve safety, and to save money.
The basic choice is as simple as deciding whether the goal is to Pay to Use or Pay to Own. The cell phone companies including Nextel and SouthernLINC are in the Pay to Use business. We are in the Pay to Own airtime free category with an occasional hybrid variation which involves a third party provider in infrastructure (shared use repeater) and/or maintenance services.
Fundamentally, our task is to identify your needs and present an effective and affordable solution that meets our mutual objectives (Yes, we also have objectives…).
We begin by a discussion of your needs – Who needs to talk, Where, and With whom. Obviously, the topic of cost will come up early in the conversation. If the use of 2-way radio communications provides more value than it costs, we can move to the next consideration – that of choosing whether the communications devices will be vehicular, personally worn, or both, and whether the communications will be in voice, data, or both, along with whether or not vehicle location and directional assistance is required.
Then we get down to the technology side of communications. It boils down to four essential choices:
A – Analog communications and plan to stay that way
B – Beholden to federal government grants and compliance
C – Corporate long term plan for migration from analog to digital
D – Digital or analog local area only (church, clinic, plant, or warehouse
Virtually all government agencies fall into the “B” category since the Feds control the funds, they also write the rules. The Rules say the technology to be used will be P25 digital – period! If grant funding is not a consideration, analog “A’ communications or a less expensive “C” or “D” digital system can offer significant cost savings. We offer sample planners on the web sites listed below as well as specific information to address your individual requirements.
A – Analog business system planner – www.the-communicators.net
B – P25 System planner – www.the-end-of-confusion.com
C – IDAS System planner – www.icomfuture.com
D – On-Site portable radio planner – www.dtr2way.com
We hope this information will be useful in moving to the next step of personally reviewing your needs, preparing a quotation to address those needs and working with you to make it happen. We look forward to working with you.
LaymansGuide.doc The Falcon Team
At your Service
