Emergency Communication for Parks, Biking and Walking Trails, and Other Recreational Areas

topradio — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 03:25:27 +0000

Posted by on 5/23/2022 to

Ever since COVID, national, state, and local parks have seen a resurgence of visitors. Even after the number of cases is in declining, park attendance is still strong.

Unfortunately the infrastructures at many parks has been overwhelmed by the number of visitors. Of course, with more people come more emergencies and rescues. That means there are more people who need to contact emergency services and there isn’t always cell phone service in these areas. Plus, cell phone services may be overwhelmed by the number of people using them.

In emergency situations, seconds count so if there is any delay in dialing the park office, security, or 911 could delay response time. Wireless callbox communication is instant since there is no dialing time or need to connect to a cellphone network.

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220523_628bf7c402b62.jpg” align=”left” border=”0px” width=”250″ height=”209″ alt=”Emergency Communication for Parks, Biking and Walking Trails, and Other Recreational Areas”>IntercomsOnline.com has long-distance wireless callboxes that can be placed strategically along hiking trails or other high use areas such as a recreational shelters or restrooms. Callboxes based on the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) have the ability to reach miles in ideal conditions. A base station in the park office along with mast antenna mounted above it will give the longest range.

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220523_628bf7c42ba8f.jpg” align=”right” border=”0px” width=”200″ height=”233″ alt=”Emergency Communication for Parks, Biking and Walking Trails, and Other Recreational Areas”>Using external antennas raised high in the air allow these callboxes to communicate over distances as far as 20 miles to MURS base stations without any obstructions in the way. You will likely need mast antennas on both sides to reach these distances, but they are possible. For MURS, the antenna height can legally be 60 feet over the top of a building or ground.

These callboxes also have the ability of recorded messages. When the button is pressed, they can transmit the location of the callbox so park rangers or first responders know exactly where the call is coming from. Or a greeting message can be given to the caller to give them special instructions.

These callboxes can be battery powered, or use solar power so there is no need for an electrical outlet.

Business-band, radio frequency wireless callboxes are the ideal solution for an emergency communication link for park visitors and emergency responders. It isn’t just parks that can benefit. Places like walking paths at hospitals, office buildings, schools, apartment complexes, or anywhere people congregate are places you can put these callboxes.

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Installation Of Intercom Systems

topradio — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 18:27:29 +0000

Posted by on 5/17/2022 to Articles

If you decide a wireless intercom isn’t the way to go and you want to install a wired intercom system, then this section will help you do it. As long as you have a few tools and a basic understanding of how to use them, you should be able to install a system yourself (although having another person to help will ease the job significantly). We’ll cover the tools you need, plus go over basic building construction and ways you can run the wires.

You don’t need to be an electrician to run low-voltage wiring like intercoms use. There is nothing dangerous about it, as long as you exercise care when using the tools you need.

New Construction

If you’re building a new house or business, then strongly consider wiring it for the type of wired intercom system you may want, even if you think you want to do a wireless intercom. Somewhere in the future your wireless system could receive interference that renders it ineffective or even useless. There will never be an opportunity to run wires as cheaply or easily as there is when a building is being constructed. The room-to-room intercoms are being installed less and less, however running wires to the front door or gate to where you may want a monitor is recommended. putting in conduit between those points is even better since you can easily change out wire types, or switch to fiber optic cable in the future.

Think carefully about how you will use the system. Try to consider where the most convenient place for stations will be. Will you be standing or sitting? Many hardwired systems are built in walls so for these you’ll be standing. Many wireless systems and some wired systems have desktop units that allow you to be sitting.

Existing Construction

If you’re planning on using a wired system for a pre-existing building, then considerable more work will be involved. Some 2-wire door phone systems claim you can just use existing door bell wiring. The problem with that is not on the door phone end of it, the problem is on the monitor side. Chances are your actual door bell is in a hall somewhere mounted near the ceiling.

If you don’t want to stand on a ladder to use your door phone monitor, this obviously won’t work for you. You could cut the door bell wires and connect a new wire to them, which would save you having to drill for the door phone. If you do use the doorbell wiring, you’ll need to make sure you locate the power transformer for it and make sure it isn’t still connected. Otherwise you could burn out your door phone.

If you don’t want wires running on the surface of your walls where they are visible, then drilling and fishing the wires through the wall is required. This is not a task some people want to take on, but if you’re a handyman, or handyperson, then maybe it will appeal to you. Otherwise you can hire an electrician or handyman to do it for you. Other people who could handle the job for you are heating/cooling contractors, telecommunications contractors, security system installers, and audio/visual equipment installers. Anyone who has experience in running low-voltage wires can do it.

But with a few skills we will teach you here, you can take on this project yourself.

Tools Needed
Running wires through your walls will likely require a few low cost tools you may not have. These are all basic tools you can buy from any Home Depot or building supply store, or borrow them from a friend.

First, you’ll need a drill. You don’t need an expensive drill. The drill needs enough power to drill though a 2×4 and a 3/4 inch layer of plywood without bogging down. If you’re running wires from an attic space, the drill will have to be able to drill through 3 inches since there are two 2x4s on top of each wall.

At least that’s the way it is in newer construction. Older homes only have one, but the wood has probably become hard so drilling through it will likely be about the same for the drill. If you don’t use a heavy duty drill, you’ll want to let it cool down during usage because they can get very hot if you have a lot of holes to drill.

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220517_6284111dd1929.jpg” style=”float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;” alt=”Installation Of Intercom Systems”>Next you’ll need to purchase a wood boring drill bit that’s 5/8 to 3/4 inch in diameter such as the ones shown.

The spiral-like auger bit shown is the best type, but they can be a little expensive. The flat bit shown will do the job and if you’ll just be doing a few holes, you may as well keep it cheap and buy the flat bit.

Once you have the holes drilled, now you’ll need a way to get the wires run through them. If there is no insulation in the walls, you could just drop down a string with a weight attached, tape the wire to it, and then pull it up. Inside walls have no insulation, but exterior walls do (unless you have an older house in a warm area).

You can’t drop a string through a wall that has insulation in it. If you are installing a door phone it will obviously be on an exterior wall. That means you need something stiff to force your way through the insulation. That’s where the fish-tape like the one shown in red comes in handy.

A fish tape is a tool used by electricians to route new wiring through walls. A fish tape is a roll of highly durable tempered 1/8″ wide spring steel that can be “fished” (guided) through the confined spaces within wall cavities.

Once the fish tape is pushed through the hole you drilled, the intercom wire is attached to the fish tape and then pulled through the wall. There is a loop at the end of the fish tape you can push the intercom wire though, and then you want to use duct or electrical tape to securely fasten the wire to the fish tape. Nothing is more frustrating than pulling the fish tape through the wall only to find the wire has fallen off.

Fish tapes have a natural curvature which helps guide the tape. You can manipulate the reel part of the fish tape to move the end to where you want it to be. This is where having a friend on the other end can really help. While you’re pushing the tape through the hole, your friend can be feeling for it and grab it once he does. In a minute you’ll see where your friend or you will be pulling the fish tape to.

Using a fish tape is much easier in an un-insulated wall. If the wall cavity is filled with thermal insulation, it becomes much more difficult, but you can always find that tape in the wall somewhere. If your friend has his hand in the wall he or she can feel for movement and then grab the tape before you push it way past where you want it.

If the building you want to install the wired intercom system in has the sprayed in foam insulation, you better go with a wireless system because you won’t likely be able to push the fish tape through the wall.

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220517_6284111e2ceca.jpg” style=”float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;” alt=”Installation Of Intercom Systems”>There is one other tool you can buy or not, but you will need some way to cut a small hole in the drywall. The drywall saw shown is one way to do this. You could also use a heavy serrated kitchen knife or even a utility knife. The drywall saw produces a nice clean cut though.

The reason you have to cut a hole in the drywall is not to run the wire through, but to get your hand inside the wall to grab the fish tape. The chances of guiding the fish tape through a little hole are almost zero.

So what we do is cut a hole the size of a standard electrical outlet box, which is about 3 1/2″ x 2″. That’s big enough to get your hand through. Then when you are done running the wire, you have three choices for the hole:

Patch it using drywall repair techniques
Install a standard retrofit electrical outlet box and cover it with a blank faceplate
Install the intercom station over the hole to cover it up

Of course the last two are the easiest. You can go to any building supply store and purchase an electrical box that has little flip up tabs that tighten against the back side of the wall. Then when you cover it up with a faceplate that has no holes (except for the two screw holes) it looks like it is there for some future expansion. You should always try to line it up with the other light switch or electrical outlets so it doesn’t look out of place.

If you choose to install the intercom station over the hole you want to make sure the hole is right next to a wall stud. That way you have something to mount the intercom station to. To use this method, you’ll need to make sure the intercom station is wide enough to mount to the center of the stud, and still cover the hole you cut.

Some intercom monitors/stations are built into the wall so you’ll already need to cut a hole for these. Or you may be able to mount the station directly to the retrofit electrical box you installed.

Before you start drilling and cutting you have a decision to make. There are two ways you can run the wire: through the attic, or through the basement or crawlspace. If your house or business is sitting on a cement slab, you’re obviously going to have to go through the attic or above the ceiling tiles in a business.

The two diagrams below give you detail on how the wiring will be done. The diagram with the bricks is an outside wall, but an inside wall uses the same techniques.

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220517_6284111e5f35c.jpg” style=”float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;” alt=”Installation Of Intercom Systems”>One thing you’ll notice in the two diagrams is a cut up and straightened coat hanger. The sole purpose of the coat hanger is to help you identify where you want to drill the hole for the intercom wire. When you’re crawling through an attic or crawlspace it’s hard to figure out where you need to drill, and you don’t want to drill through the middle of the floor or ceiling.

So once you locate where you want to install the stations, you either drill a small hole the size of the coat hanger through the floor or through the ceiling (you can actually just punch the coat hanger right through the ceiling if you push it with a pliers). You want the coat hanger to be directly above or below where you want the station to be so it will be easier to guide the fish tape to the desired destination.

If you’re going through the ceiling, put the coat hanger through close near where the wall meets the ceiling. When you remove the coat hanger later you’ll just put a little dab of spackling compound to fill the tiny hole (or even white toothpaste).

If you’re going though the floor, drill the coat hanger hole right under the baseboard or as close to it as you can. If the room is carpeted, you don’t have to worry about repairing the hole. If you have hardwood, just a little dab of the same color wood filler will make the hole nearly invisible. Sometimes you won’t even need to do that and you still won’t see it.

So you insert the coat hanger through the hole about a foot and then go into the attic or crawlspace to find it. Once you find it, you’ll probably see some nails sticking through the floor to show you where the wall you’re about to drill through is located.

Now you simply take your drill with the wood boring bit and drill about 2 inches from the coat hanger towards the wall and you’ll be right inside the wall. Simple as that!

Now you get your fish tape out, push it into the wall, tape it securely to the fish tape, pull it through the wall, and then you’re ready to follow the installation instructions that came with the door phone or intercom system. You’ll also need some sort of wire strippers to prepare the wires to connect to the terminals on the intercom. You can use a knife, but this is not the preferred method as a kicked wire will sometimes break when bent.

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220517_6284111e888e6.jpg” style=”float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;” alt=”Installation Of Intercom Systems”>So you insert the coat hanger through the hole about a foot and then go into the attic or crawlspace to find it. Once you find it, you’ll probably see some nails sticking through the floor to show you where the wall you’re about to drill through is located.

If you’re installing an outside door phone to a brick building, you’ll also need a concrete drill bit that can go the depth of a 3 3/4 inch brick plus at least 3/4 inch of whatever they used behind the brick. A 4 3/4″ long 3/4″ diameter drill bit should do the trick (there is still some shank left to go in the drill so the actual bit should be longer).

You don’t drill through the brick itself. You want the wire to come out a mortar joint which is much easier to drill through. You’ll also need some screw anchors that go in a 3/4″ hole so you can mount the door phone to the brick.

So while running the wires for an intercom system can be a dirty job, it’s not extremely difficult once you know the little secrets you’ve just learned.

There’s nothing like the feeling of accomplishment you get from doing a project like this yourself. In fact, once you do it you may want to take on even more low-voltage wiring projects around the house!

Author: David Onslow

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ButterflyMX Pedestal Poles

topradio — Sat, 04 Nov 2023 20:59:41 +0000

Posted by on 5/12/2022 to

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220512_627d2438635a6.jpg” align=”right” border=”0px” width=”102″ height=”300″ alt=”ButterflyMX Pedestal Poles”>The ButterflyMX intercom is available in two sizes, a 7-inch screen and a 12-inch screen. We have heavy-duty poles that are used to mount either of them for applications that are generally used for people in vehicles to be able to reach them. These poles beautifully match the aesthetics of the ButterflyMX.

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220512_627d24388b630.jpg” align=”left” border=”0px” width=”129″ height=”300″ alt=”ButterflyMX Pedestal Poles”>

The biggest difference between the poles is the reach or extension from the main shaft of the pole. One has a 3-inch extension and the other has a 12-inch extension. The 3-inch extension is the low-profile pole. These are used in areas where you don’t want the ButterflyMX sticking out very far from the pedestal main shaft. These may be walk-up areas or tight entrances to parking lots or garages where you don’t want vehicles hitting the intercom.

The 12-inch extension pole is often used for parking lots and drive up gates where the pole is place further away from where a vehicle drives up. The 12″ reach on the pole keeps people from having to reach too far out of their vehicle.

These pedestals are made from thick 0.120″ wall tube, unlike competitor poles that are often made from thinner 0.074″ wall tube. They also use 3-inch tube instead of the narrower 2-inch tubing that most poles use. Our poles receive face-wind testing protocols that are equivalent to a sustained Category 5 hurricane force winds of over 150 miles per hour.

Custom ButterflyMX Pole Design

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220512_627d2438be1a1.jpg” align=”right” border=”0px” width=”600″ height=”441″ alt=”ButterflyMX Pedestal Poles”>We can also do custom architectural pole designs to match your building requirements. We can fit a particular opening in your wall, or design a larger flat-face stainless or other steel pedestal like the one shown in the photo. Both will have the mounting holes necessary for your 7″ or 12″ ButterflyMX. Just draw up a rough design of what you want and we will give you a cost and then draw up a CAD drawing for your approval. It will take 12-15 business days for your pole to be manufactured and shipped out. There is an expedited order program available that can shorten this time, but there will be rush fee involved.

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Two-Way Radio Systems: The Difference Between Conventional and Trunked

topradio — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 19:35:19 +0000

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220531_629641cf15fca.jpg” width=”352″ height=”235″ style=”width: 352px; float: right; margin: 0px 10px 10px 5px;” srcset=”https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Lifestyle_Images/Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg?width=176&height=118&name=Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg 176w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Lifestyle_Images/Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg?width=352&height=235&name=Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg 352w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Lifestyle_Images/Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg?width=528&height=353&name=Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg 528w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Lifestyle_Images/Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg?width=704&height=470&name=Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg 704w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Lifestyle_Images/Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg?width=880&height=588&name=Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg 880w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Lifestyle_Images/Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg?width=1056&height=705&name=Two_Way_Radio_Education.jpg 1056w” sizes=”(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px” alt=”Two-Way Radio Systems: The Difference Between Conventional and Trunked”>If you’re in the market for a new two-way radio solution, you may be feeling overwhelmed by all of the options: Analog vs. digital? Trunked radio system vs. Conventional? Repeater vs. Distributed Antenna System?

Working with trusted two-way radio service providers is ultimately the best way to determine which solution will best meet your needs, and it’s a good idea to go into your conversations with providers with some homework already done.

For now, let’s start with just one of your many options by helping to answer: What’s the difference between a conventional and trunked radio system?

Conventional Systems

The conventional radio system is typically the simpler of the two. A conventional system has dedicated channels for specific groups and users, and the user manually selects the channels they want. For example, channel 1 may be dedicated to field officers, while channel 2 may be for sergeants, and the user is responsible for selecting the correct one.

As no control channels are needed, users are free to use any of the channels available to them, assuming no one else is currently using the channel. If another person is on the channel, the user has to wait until they’re done, which can lead to transmission traffic jams.

Given the nature of the system, the number of users who can successfully use it is directly related to the number of channels available. Conventional systems are typically best suited for businesses, organizations, or public safety agencies with a smaller number of users. In general, these systems can support roughly 70 users per channel.

Trunked Systems

If you hear the term trunked radio system and immediately picture a giant radio network stored in a car trunk – get the image out of your mind.

The word “trunking” traces its origins back to the old landline telephone system days when it was used to describe a large number of users sharing a smaller number of communications paths, or “trunks.”

For a trunked system, those communication paths, or trunks, are channels. A trunked radio system is a computer-controlled network that automatically connects users to available radio channels when they need them. When a user, say an officer or sergeant in the field, wants to send a message, the system assigns them to an available channel, decreasing the likelihood that they’ll have to wait for a free channel to start transmitting.

Trunked radio relies on “repeaters” to re-transmit radio signals to expand the coverage of the devices. With signals going further, devices can transmit information across greater distances.

The Intersection Example

A great way to illustrate the differences between these networks is to consider two traffic intersections.

The first intersection is “conventional” and uses your average stoplight system. When a driver (user) comes to the intersection and the light is green (open channel), they are free to proceed. If the light is red (channel in use), they have to wait until the light turns green to move forward.

The second intersection, the “trunked” system, is a roundabout. When a driver enters this intersection, they simply merge in during the first possible opening in traffic, thus making their trip more efficient.

Advantages of A Trunked Radio System

Trunked systems are the ideal option for larger organizations that need expansive coverage as well as flexibility, convenience, and privacy throughout different talk-groups.

Advantages include:

Coverage: Since the system incorporates repeater technology, groups using frequencies can contact each other over greater distances. The re-transmitting of signals helps reception just as much as it helps with reach. With reinforced frequencies, radios using a trunked system will also experience stronger reception, even in areas where cell phones would not work.

Flexibility: The system can easily be changed to accommodate the needs of multiple departments without having to merge separate groups.

Convenience: The computer’s planning and assigning of frequencies makes channels available whenever groups are ready. At any given time, a group will be automatically directed to whatever frequency is currently open, allowing talk-groups to use the signals when they need them.

In conventional systems, users may waste time listening for idle time on the channel they’ve manually selected while other channels are available. Trunking reduces wasted time by finding an available channel and making the selection for them.

Privacy: Assigning groups to specific frequencies allows for more private conversation without the fear of another talk-group overhearing or interfering with an existing conversation.

The Choice is Yours

When it comes time to decide on whether a conventional or trunked system is best for you, keep in mind the size and scope of your team now and into the future.

Two-way radios provide users with a reliable means of communication, and with a trunked system to complement them, your radio system will experience increased productivity, helping your company experience a return on its investment.

If you want to learn more about these radio systems or start discussing which two-way radios are right for you, contact us today!

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220531_629641d250d8d.jpg” alt=”Two-Way Radio Systems: The Difference Between Conventional and Trunked”>

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Safety and Connectivity on the Green: Golf Course Radios

topradio — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 18:36:58 +0000

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220517_6283ac74d6222.jpg” width=”400″ loading=”lazy” style=”width: 400px; float: right; margin: 6px 0px 6px 20px;” srcset=”https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg?width=200&name=Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg 200w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg?width=400&name=Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg 400w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg?width=600&name=Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg 600w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg?width=800&name=Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg 800w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg?width=1000&name=Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg 1000w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg?width=1200&name=Safety-and-Connectivity-on-the-Green-Golf-Course-Radios.jpg 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px” alt=”Safety and Connectivity on the Green: Golf Course Radios”>Most golf outings provide a chance for golfers to connect with the ball, with nature, and with each other. The goal is to relax and unwind from the stresses of the work week, right?

Part of what makes golf relaxing is the competent and invisible work of the folks who keep the courses running smoothly.

Accidents and injuries do happen on golf courses, and when they do, golf course staff need to be able to communicate across departments and over large distances to make sure that everyone gets the help they need as soon as they need it.

Here are some things I learned when helping Glendale Lakes Golf Club optimize their communication with two‑way radios.

Going the Distance

Glendale Lakes Golf Club is an 18‑hole public golf course in DuPage County. It’s right in the middle of the northern and southern suburbs. In addition to its attractive, expansive golf course, the club hosts many charity events like Spring Fling, Summer Scramble, and Turkey Shoot. They also rent out the facilities for special events and weddings. Glendale Lakes is also the home course for 5 local high school golf teams.

That’s a lot of people, and a lot of acres to cover.

When we started talking about communications technology, it was clear that their two‑way radios weren’t up for the task. Signals were dropping, and there were lots of dead spots around the golf course. We did a bunch of testing to see if it was batteries or antennas. But ultimately, we figured out that their technology was not keeping up with the changes. The course had changed, trees had grown, and that left them with dead spots where the signal wouldn’t reach.

In this situation, the solution was fairly straightforward: They needed stronger radios.

And they needed to switch from analog to digital.

Digital for Clarity

Glendale Lakes Golf Club ended up purchasing a package that included Motorola CP100d two‑way radios. These radios are able to operate in analog or digital modes. Their coverage challenges meant that digital radios were a better choice for keeping them connected across their tree‑covered course.

Going digital gives them more options to build their system in the future. For example, they may opt to add a repeater or integrate their channels with the Village of Glendale. But for now, the radio‑to‑radio communication is working much better.

Their audio is much clearer, the signal is stronger, and it can reach a lot farther. With the old analog radios, it was getting staticky and dropping out.

Now all the people who help the place run smoothly are able to stay in touch without wondering what’s happening out there on the course.

Instant Communication

The building and grounds personnel are able to instantly connect with the office and the pro shop. If a golf cart dies out on the course, someone can get right out there.

If some part of the course is damaged or vandalized, someone will be able to respond more quickly.

And, of course, they can connect with medical personnel for a safer golfing experience.

Golf Course Injuries—More Common Than You Think

GolfSupport did an analysis of a National Health Statistics Report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and found that golf and other leisure sports are more dangerous than rugby, hockey, and other team sports. Most of those injuries are to elbows, shoulders, and wrists. And the most common injury seems to be lower back injuries, which account for up to 34% of sports‑related injuries.

Here are a few other interesting facts on golf course injuries:

Injuries among amateur golfers are increasing up to 40.9 percent each year.
Golf carts are responsible for as many as 15,000 injuries each year.
9 golfers died from lightning strikes between 2006 and 2016.

That doesn’t mean people should not golf. But it does mean that golf courses need to have a good system in place for communication.

And when all those charity events are happening, the managers of the course can guarantee the safety and security of the club and grounds.

It’s not just good customer service; it’s a matter of safety.

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220517_6283ac7509caa.jpg” align=”middle” alt=”Safety and Connectivity on the Green: Golf Course Radios”>

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Motorola XPR7550 VS XPR7550e

topradio — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 03:41:18 +0000

The Motorola XPR7550e is an enhanced version of the Motorola XPR7550 radio, offering a number of upgrades and additional features. Here are some of the key differences between the XPR7550 and the XPR7550e:

Battery Life: The XPR7550e has a longer battery life than the XPR7550. With the standard battery, the XPR7550e can last up to 29 hours on a single charge, while the XPR7550 can last up to 16 hours.
Improved Audio Quality: The XPR7550e features a new noise-canceling technology called Intelligent Audio that can automatically adjust the volume level of the radio to compensate for background noise. This helps to improve audio quality in loud environments.
Better Durability: The XPR7550e is more rugged and durable than the XPR7550, with an improved IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. It is also built to withstand more extreme temperatures and can operate in temperatures ranging from -30°C to +60°C.
Increased Memory: The XPR7550e has more memory capacity than the XPR7550, allowing for the storage of more contacts, messages, and other data.
Bluetooth 4.0: The XPR7550e features Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, which offers faster data transfer and better power efficiency than the Bluetooth 2.1 technology used in the XPR7550.

Overall, the Motorola XPR7550e is a more advanced and capable radio than the XPR7550, offering longer battery life.

The Motorola XPR 7550 and XPR 7550e are both digital two-way radios designed for use in various industries. While they share many similarities, there are also some differences between them. Here are some of the main differences between the two models:

Enhanced audio quality: The XPR 7550e features an improved audio amplifier that provides better audio quality, particularly in noisy environments.
Improved battery life: The XPR 7550e offers an extended battery life, with up to 29 hours of operation on a single charge, compared to 16 hours for the XPR 7550.
Better coverage: The XPR 7550e features improved receiver sensitivity and a better transmitter that can help to improve coverage in challenging environments.
Integrated Wi-Fi: The XPR 7550e includes integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing users to perform remote software updates and manage their radios over a Wi-Fi network.
Enhanced Bluetooth: The XPR 7550e features Bluetooth 4.0, which provides improved battery life for Bluetooth accessories and faster data transfer rates.
Upgraded memory and processing power: The XPR 7550e includes more memory and processing power, allowing for improved performance and new features.

Note that the XPR 7550e is generally more expensive than the XPR 7550 due to its enhanced features and capabilities. However, depending on your specific needs, the improved audio quality, extended battery life, and other features of the XPR 7550e may be worth the additional investment.

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Technology in Education Case Study: IL School District 214 [VIDEO]

topradio — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 21:31:21 +0000

When it comes to effective communications technology in education, it’s clear that cell phones can no longer meet the dual demands of day-to-day school operations and safety.

School District 214, the second-largest high school district in Illinois, was one of our many education clients to recognize that they needed a secure communications equipment solution that would give personnel the power to communicate instantly and reliably.

The video and summary below provide a technology in education case study of how we created a integrated, seamless communications infrastructure that has increased school safety and optimized the district’s daily operations.

Illinois School District 214 at a Glance

Size: The district covers around 62 square miles, making it slightly larger than the city of St. Louis.

Student enrollment: 12,500 to 13,000

Number of campuses: 7

Biggest Communications Challenges

The district’s biggest challenges were around connectivity and coverage. Ted Birren, the district’s Director of Operations, said personnel were using radios from the 1950s and repeaters from the 1960s. The existing radio systems weren’t interconnected across buildings, and in some cases, within buildings.

“In meeting with Motorola, and in meeting with Chicago Communications, we knew that we had this commitment that we were going to be partners in this,” Birren said. “That we were going to work on the system together, that even if there was a problem we’re going to work through it, we’re going to get there, and we’re all invested in the success of the system.”

Team Communications Solutions

The ChiComm team, including Operations Director for Sales and Service Tom Treichler and Account Executive Cathy Kulnig, started the district off with a basic system using Motorola IP Site Connect.

“Once they got familiar with the system, and happy with the system, then we just added on to fit their needs and budgets at the time,” Kulnig said. “They started out with maybe 150 radios, and we’re now up to a thousand radios.”

That increase in number led to a transition from IP Site Connect to Motorola’s Linked Capacity Plus system and additional repeaters, Treichler said, giving redundancy that the district didn’t have before.

The new solution also includes GPS through NeoTerra for the district’s entire fleet, from driver’s ed cars to buses. The new radios report each vehicle’s location every 30 seconds, along with its speed and heading.

“We added the Avtech Console then we followed up with a logging recorder to log all the trunk traffic,” Treichler said.

Later still, we added Motorola’s WAVE solution, which links push-to-talk (PTT) capabilities between radios and cell phones, desktop computers and even landlines.

The Results

District personnel say the advantages of having a new digital two-way radio system over cell phones include:

Being able to communicate instantly with a select group of high-level administrators on a single radio channel during a “scary situation.”

“The way that it’s changed the most is having a sense of safety and security in our ability to communicate,” said Kate Kraft, Director of Vanguard School at Forest View.

Not having to rely on time-consuming text messaging when seconds matter.

“Yes we have phones, but you know the delay in texting, and the delay in calling … could jeopardize safety,” said Ray Finnerty, school resource officer for the Village of Arlington Heights Police Department.

Reliable radio reception in buildings where cell phone network coverage is spotty or non-existent.

“With the two-way radio, you pick it up you’re connected,” Birren said. You’ve got that right now, instant communication.”

Personnel say a number of incidents that have reaffirmed the decision to upgrade their radio system, and they’ve gained a greater sense of safety and security for students and the general public.

We’re proud that we were able to tailor a unique scalable solution that addressed what the district needed to keep everyone safe.

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Keeping an Eye on Student Safety: School Security Cameras

topradio — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 18:17:04 +0000

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/20220510_627a73d71b062.jpg” width=”400″ loading=”lazy” style=”width: 400px; float: right; margin: 6px 0px 6px 20px;” srcset=”https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg?width=200&name=Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg 200w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg?width=400&name=Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg 400w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg?width=600&name=Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg 600w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg?width=800&name=Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg 800w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg?width=1000&name=Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg 1000w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg?width=1200&name=Keeping-an-Eye-on-Student%20Safety-School-Security-Cameras.jpg 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px” alt=”Keeping an Eye on Student Safety: School Security Cameras”>We all agree that keeping schools safe needs to be a priority for educators, administrators, and communities.

But not everyone understands or agrees on how to do that.

In our little corner of the world, we are excited about innovations in school security cameras, one piece of the communications and safety infrastructure that can make life easier for those charged with keeping students safe.

School Safety Snapshot

Not all safety incidents at schools involve guns, but some of our worst fears are that an active shooter situation could happen in our children’s school.

And, unfortunately, these events are becoming more common.

According to an article in Education Week, school shootings declined during the early part of the pandemic, when many students were learning virtually. But there were a record number of school shootings in 2021 — 34 incidents — since most schools reopened for in‑person learning in August 2021.

“This is the worst nightmare a school district could ever face,” an Idaho superintendent told Education Week after three people were injured by a student with a gun.

I recently went back to school myself — at Motorola — to learn more about products like school security cameras that can help districts stretch limited budgets to provide more safety and security for staff and students.

These systems are so advanced, and they are changing rapidly. Stuff that we knew about five years ago and thought that was the cat’s meow — well, it’s progressing way past that.

Cameras Are Part of the Picture

There are multiple components that go into creating a safer campus. For example, many school districts are still operating with outdated radio communication systems, aging or broken equipment, and a lack of ability to communicate among buildings or multiple locations.

Sticking a high‑end camera on top of every room corner won’t solve much. While they are working to address some of these shortcomings, a lot of schools are taking a holistic approach to building a communication system that works now and into the future.

They are choosing to install camera surveillance systems like Avigilon. Cameras like this are the first line of defense against incidents.

And what makes these cameras most effective is the video management systems and signal distribution systems that get info out to the right people.

What Can School Security Cameras Do?

Well, first of all, cameras can be stationed anywhere where humans can’t be — and at times when personnel aren’t working. They can also provide images in real time, or afterward, for law enforcement, administrators, or insurance folks.

And when potential wrongdoers see a camera in place, they are less likely to vandalize or do other damage to people or property.

Avigilon cameras are especially smart. They can do things like perform video analytics, appearance search, detect unusual motion, or recognize license plates. Video analytics can monitor and send alerts to people within seconds of detecting something.

And, of course, it’s super important to get word to the right people in time for them to prevent the worst from happening.

In a large school or district, one person might be watching a room with 50 video feeds. Their eyes cannot detect what’s happening on all of those. But you can set up parameters, so if one camera notices something, it can send out an alert.

A Tour with a School Resource Officer

I recently got to do a walkthrough with a school resource officer (SRO), to try to understand what could help them in their responsibility to make the school safer for the kids.

I was with one of our technical staff, and we toured every inch of the space to get a sense about where the cameras would be helpful. They gave us blueprints, and we found some issues with the blueprints. We had to see it in person to see that one camera was worthless because it was blocked by a ceiling and another was right behind what must have been a 30‑foot evergreen.

I also learned that when students are in class, the door is locked. So, if a door is unlocked when it shouldn’t be, the camera could detect that.

If the school has experienced an issue or a threat from a parent or student, the cameras can be taught to recognize their faces, or their license plates.

So as soon as that person drives into the parking lot or walks into the school, safety protocols are enacted — boom — lock the front doors so the person can’t get in to do harm.

Even though going through a metal detector is routine for a lot of kids these days, some video surveillance cameras are able to detect the presence of weapons. So threats are stopped at the front door.

And when it comes to protecting schools from vandalism after hours, you’d be surprised how many vandals look right up into the camera after it triggers a light. Now law enforcement has a recording of their face — much easier.

Connecting to Public Safety

Another more recent addition to the school safety landscape is the ability for schools to be linked into the local public safety system.

If someone in the main office hits an alarm, the 911 communications center knows it’s coming from the school, so they can send officers to respond immediately.

And because the school has an advanced camera and video management system, all the pieces are in place to defuse threats.

I’ve seen schools get grants to update their school security cameras and communications technology. That seems like a step in the right direction.

We’re all doing our part to stop the “worst nightmare” from happening.

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Increasing Safety and Efficiency with Communication Interoperability

topradio — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 06:34:15 +0000

radio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/20220426_6267faf1814f1.jpg” width=”400″ loading=”lazy” style=”width: 400px; float: right; margin: 6px 0px 6px 20px;” srcset=”https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg?width=200&name=Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg 200w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg?width=400&name=Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg 400w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg?width=600&name=Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg 600w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg?width=800&name=Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg 800w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg?width=1000&name=Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg 1000w, https://www.chicomm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg?width=1200&name=Increasing-Safety-and-Efficiency-with-Communication-Interoperability.jpg 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px” alt=”Increasing Safety and Efficiency with Communication Interoperability”>Evolving technology is making it more possible than ever for different devices to communicate with each other so that humans can do what they do best: think and respond.

It’s called communication interoperability, and it’s allowing for new levels of communication across devices.

How does this work in real life?

Eyes and Ears

Let’s look at what kind of communication happens when a facility — a factory, school, or hospital — experiences some kind of security breach.

When the communications systems are fully integrated by using a platform like Motorola’s Safety Reimagined system, voice, data, analytics, and video are all talking to each other.

Safety Reimagined is a communications ecosystem that is helping schools, hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and public safety organizations unify their communications. The result is better communication with fewer opportunities for human error. It also helps organizations with limited resources put their staff where they need to be, focusing on the core mission.

Smarter Video Surveillance

Personnel can’t be everywhere. But cameras can be. This new generation of video surveillance cameras can capture real‑time and archival footage in critical areas.

Let’s say someone tries to enter a secure area. The Avigilon Network Cameras are able to trigger a workflow, including an alarm that goes out to the two‑way radios.

Both the cameras and two‑way radios are using software called Orchestrate, which does just what its name implies: it connects multiple types of hardware and sends out alerts.

Because it’s cloud‑based, Orchestrate can also send out alerts to computers, tablets, and cellphones.

It improves communication across multiple departments and multiple devices. People look at different devices during the day. So if I’m an officer walking around a school, I might have my radio on me, but I might not have my phone on me, or I’m not at my desk looking at my email.

The point is to get information out to as many people as possible who can then respond as efficiently and as quickly as possible to the incident.

And you avoid that game of “telephone” where people are getting information second and third hand.

In other words, everyone who needs to be in the loop is in the loop.

Conducting Your Business with Orchestrate

Have you ever been frustrated when visiting the doctor when you have to repeat the same information to the phone intake person, the scheduler, the nurse, the doctor, and then a specialist?

Another way of looking at communication interoperability is getting rid of all those steps in between, so people can take action when and where they need to.

These tools keep people safe, and they also have the capacity to increase efficiency and productivity.

Here are a few examples of how communication interoperability can make a difference.

Hospitality Streamlined

For example, hospitality technology has a big impact on the bottom line of businesses that have been struggling since the pandemic.

Communication interoperability means managers, supervisors, receptionists, and front‑line staff can all work together to provide excellent customer service.

For faster room turnovers, someone from the front desk can press a button when a guest checks out, alerting engineering that the room is ready to be cleaned. Engineering sends a work ticket out, assigning the task to a cleaner. They clean the room, and when they’re done, they press a button to let everyone know the room is done and ready for the next visitor.

There are also plenty of situations in the hospitality industry when a quick, coordinated response is needed because a guest’s health or safety is in danger.

Manufacturing Efficiency

Let’s say a piece of equipment breaks on the line. An alarm triggers the software in the conveyor belt, sending an alert that Belt 101 stopped working. An alert goes out immediately to the radio inside the dispatch center, gets pushed to the facilities team and they send a work ticket or a text message (or both). It says the machinery is down, and technicians are able to respond to the incident, fix the conveyor belt, and get it back online. They send a text back to the team saying it’s all completed, and in a matter of minutes, the line is back in operation, saving the company money and hassle.

The same kind of quick response is possible if there’s a security incident, like if a camera detects someone entering a secure area. Cameras work together with the system and the security team to track the intruder until they figure out what’s going on and neutralize any threats to property or people.

Education Safety

The safety of our schools is critically important, and communications interoperability is making it easier for schools to keep students and staff safe.

This technology can help if somebody comes to the front door who shouldn’t be there. The camera can “face match” and detect them, knowing that the person shouldn’t be on campus. The camera sends an alert saying this person is at the front door, and that sends a trigger to security. It alerts the office administrative staff and anybody who should know about the incident. And it might also send it to the local 911 public safety dispatch center, alerting them that somebody’s at the school that should not be there, requesting assistance. Or it could just trigger the security people on site to go to the front door and say, ‘You’re not allowed on campus. You need to leave. Police are coming to escort you away.’

Sometimes the intelligence of the cameras in recognizing people can save hours and hours of searching through footage to try to identify someone.

Hospital Vigilance

Given that hospitals and health care facilities are supposed to keep people healthy, there are a surprising amount of security and safety incidents. They have people coming in and out their doors all day and night, from different walks of life. People speak languages other than English and need interpretation. In fact, many hospital workers speak other languages, so hospitals need to think about communication and workflows to make sure everyone understands what they need to do.

There are many different access points and doors. So it’s good to connect door access with cameras. So, for example, if someone stole a badge, that could be entered into the system right away. That badge would get denied, and the person couldn’t go through any more doors.

The technology could do a lockdown in a specific high‑risk area, like the ER or the mental health ward where sometimes people are hostile or in pain.

The Importance of an Emergency Plan

Communication interoperability tells you what the problem or threat is so you can respond better and faster.

Since a lot of these examples have to do with safety, I’ll repeat something I’ve said before: Technology can’t keep people safer without human involvement. Every organization needs to have an emergency plan.

We need to learn it, practice it with drills, and be ready to respond when something happens.

Public safety organizations are good at this, but a lot of people still think something bad is not going to happen at their school, factory, hospital, or business. We have to be ready for anything.

Of course, communication interoperability looks different for every single business, institution, or entity. Everyone will have a different workflow, and a system for interoperability. It’s so important to talk through your needs, in detail, with someone who knows how to meet your communication challenges.

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How to Choose a Security Intercom System

topradio — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 10:13:44 +0000

While locked driveway gates and security doors do an excellent job of keeping out unwanted visitors, they also keep out the wanted ones. Installing a security intercom system allows the wanted ones to contact you for entrance.

You will have a choice of audio-only or audio-and-video security intercoms to choose from. Which you choose depends on the answers to several questions:

1. Do you want wireless or a wired system?

If you can’t run wires then obviously you need a wireless system. There are different types of wireless. Radio frequency intercoms use 2-way radio frequencies and cover long distances. These are audio-only intercoms. Then there are cellular network intercoms that can call any phone. These require a cell phone plan on the intercom so there is a monthly fee, however there are no distance limitations and you don’t even need to be on site to take calls from visitors. There are also Wi-Fi-based systems that use a Wi-Fi signal at the gate to communicate with a smartphone or tablet PC. All of these wireless types allow for mobile communications.

2. What is the distance between the door and gate and where do you want to be notified?

There are limits to how far you can run wire and how far a wireless signal will travel. For wired systems, there are Ethernet-based systems that can communicate over fiber optics for really long ranges. For wireless, there are Wi-Fi extenders that send wireless signals over long ranges. Then there are the cell-based systems that just need a strong cell signal at the gate so there are no distance limits.

3. Do you need to be mobile to receive notifications…maybe even off site?

Wi-Fi and cell intercoms both enable you to receive calls off site. Wired systems are typically onsite fixed stations, however there are systems that connect to the Internet and allow off-site communication. Most wired systems do not allow mobility since they connect with fixed stations.

4. Are you willing to pay a monthly or yearly fee for service?

Cell network and Internet-based systems typically have a monthly fee for service. Most other types of systems don’t require a monthly payment.

5. Do you need to see who is at the gate, or is simply talking to visitors enough?

Of course if you need to see who is at the gate then you need an intercom with a camera and some sort of monitor to view visitors.

6. Do you need a keypad that allows visitors to enter a code to open the gate?

A keypad on an intercom lets visitors enter a four digit code which activates a gate opener. You simply connect the intercom and the gate controller with two wires and when a switch in the intercom is closed through a button or key press, it activates the gate.

7. Do you need visitors to be able to use a key card to open the gate?

Intercoms can have an integrated proximity card reader that enables visitors to use a credit card sized plastic card to open the gate. One video intercom has QR codes that can be sent to a smartphone so when you hold your phone up to the camera, the gate will open.

Once you have answers to these questions, then give us a call at 888-298-9489 and we can help you choose the right security intercom system for your application.

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