Two-way radios are an important component of a successful business – so what do you do when you have a broken two-way radio on your hands? If you rent or purchase your radios through Highland Wireless, we are available 24/7 to offer assistance and trouble shooting. Yet, sometimes the solution is so simple your team can fix it in minutes. Say for instance the battery is dead or a setting needs to be changed.

3 of the Most Common Two-Way Radio Repairs

Here’s a look at some of the most common two-way radio repairs and fixes we see on a regular basis.

#1. Your Radio Won’t Stop Beeping

Is the non-stop beeping driving you mad and interfering with productivity? There are a few different reasons a radio may start beeping. For one, it’ll often do so right before the battery dies. Try plugging it into the charger or switching out the battery for one with a full charge.

Another reason the radio might be beeping is that it is set to transmit mode. To fix the issue, simply disconnect attached accessories and then reconnect. In addition, you could try turning the radio off and then back on again.

Your radio may also be set to a channel that is not programmed. To see if this is the issue, try turning the transmission on to an active channel with users.

#2. The Radio is Producing Poor Audio Quality

If you are used to receiving crystal clear audio quality and then all of the sudden the line sounds fuzzy, there are a few different issues that could be at play. For one, check the radio’s speaker grill. This is the part of the radio that covers the speaker and microphone, keeping out dust and debris. While good at its job, over time, it may start to build up with debris, especially in industrial settings.

If airborne dust or other types of debris start to clog up the speaker grill, performance issues will follow. Try cleaning the grill and see if that helps solve the problem.

To prevent this issue from happening in the first place, use a custom-fitted carrying case to protect the two-way radio from build-up. In addition, have your radios professionally cleaned from time to time.

Static or overall poor radio coverage may also relate to an old battery that is no longer functioning at full capacity. Batteries that are over one-year old may lose the capacity to hold a charge as long as they once did. They may also drop voltage to the point that the radio has poor performance and a lot of static.

#3. The Battery Is Only Lasting a Few Hours

Battery life on a two-way radio should last throughout the work day, so you know you have an issue on your hands when the battery is only lasting a few hours. The first thing you can do is to make sure the radio is turned off when it is in the charger. Leaving the radio on while charging will prevent it from fully charging and will destroy the battery.

Also, do not use the charger as a stand. Only charge the battery when the radio requires a charge.

If you are charging a brand-new radio, make sure to leave it on the charger for 12 solid hours. Even if you are using a rapid charger that can charge devices in one hour, make sure to leave the radio on the charger for a full twelve hours – even if the light turns green after one hour.

AHJ stands for the Authority Having Jurisdiction and plays an important role in ensuring the safety of your building. It’s paramount that facility managers are clear about what the AHJ is and the role that they play all throughout the life of a building.

Who Is the AHJ?

As opposed to a single entity, the AHJ is comprised of several different agencies. These agencies change depending on the jurisdiction your building resides in, as well as the type of facility you operate, and who “owns” the facility.

For instance, you may be visited by the fire marshal as well as a host of other people who are considered as “the authority having jurisdiction.” All of these people will inspect the property to conduct checks on overall safety in regard to fire, life and electrical safety programs.

NFPA codes classify the AHJ as “an organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.”

In the annex of codes, this definition is further added to:

“Where public safety is primary, the AHJ may be a federal, state, local, or other regional department or individual such as a fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, or health department; building official; electrical inspector; or others having statutory authority. For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection department, rating bureau, or other insurance company representative may be the AHJ.”

This statement reinforces the fact that the AHJ is typically far more than just an individual entity. Instead, it is viewed as a collective force of representatives from a local government. The AHJ could work for the state or a federal agency, in some cases they come from the private sector, for instance when it comes to insurance.

A hospital would be subject to visitation from a number of AHJs, including:

• Building department and fire department (local government)
• The state fire marshal and state health department (state government)
• Insurance company, accreditation organizations or third-party certification (private sector)

As you can see, all of these players come from different sectors and are focused on unique areas within a building. It requires knowledge of fire code, plumbing systems and electrical systems, just to name a few, to ensure the overall safety of a building.

One Rule for All

The AHJ will not make up rules or bend the laws for any facility. Instead, fire marshals and AHJs are there to enforce locally adopted codes and standards in their jurisdiction. Once these standards are put into place, they become the de facto “law” for that jurisdiction.

At the time, it might feel like a bunch of hoops to jump through, but at the end of the day, the AHJ is there to protect the owner, first responders, building occupants, and overall community. They are simply there to help carry out policy and code. Typically involved in the plan review process, the AHJ essentially works as an ally to the building owner.

The goal of the process is to make sure that the building meets all requirements in terms of construction, architecture and so forth.

A tricky part of the process is figuring out which code is applicable on a case-by-case basis. Some states and local jurisdictions lag behind when it comes to adopting the most recent code. In addition, a code may be adopted on a state level but not yet on a local level. This is where the AHJ becomes your ally, helping you to understand what is required.

There are strict in-building radio coverage requirements for buildings constructed in Miami Beach, Florida. First and foremost, to determine if a new building requires a radio coverage solution, the General Contractor or Owner must receive a preliminary assessment or baseline report of the in-door radio signal. This report must be produced by a qualified company, such as Highland Wireless.

The report will include details about floor plan, and radio signals throughout the premise, along with recommended changes to improve signal strength. A report should be produced before windows and doors are installed, and again after installation.

Qualifying the Designer & Installer

Construction tasks should be conducted to all of the standards outlined by OSHA safety and/or local safety regulations. Contractors are required to comply with related Federal, State and Local Codes and requirements, this includes Florida Building Code.

Important Industry Standards & Codes

• NFPA 1: National Fire Protection Association Fire Code
• NFPA 70: National Fire Protection Code or “National Electrical Code”
• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
• NFPA 780: “Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems”
• Motorola R-56: “Standards and Guidelines for Communication Sites”
• TIA Bulletin TSB-88.1-C: Wireless Communication Systems Performance in Noise-Limited Situations, Part 1: Recommended Methods for Technology-Independent Performance Modeling
• Florida Building Code
• ANSI/TIA-222-G: Structural Standard for Antenna Supporting Structures and Antennas
• IEEE STD 142 “Green Book”: “Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems”
• ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B: “Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard”
• ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-B: “Commercial Building Standards for Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces”
• ANSI/TIA/EIA-606: “The Administration Standard for the Telecommunications Infrastructure of Commercial Building”
• ANSI/TIA/EIA-607: “Commercial Building Grounding and Bonding Requirements for Telecommunications
• In addition to all other relevant Federal, State, and Local Building Codes and Requirements

Turn-Key Solution

The designer and/or installer must provide a “turn-key” solution for the design, installation and testing of in-building RF coverage system that meet all requirements. A minimum signal strength of -95 dBm is required for the downlink signal throughout the entire facility. The DAQ must measure 3.4 or greater and is mandatory at all times.

When it comes to Critical Areas, the in-building RF solution may provide coverage across 99% of building area.

Critical areas include mechanical and utility rooms, as well as public restrooms, elevators, stairs, and exits. In addition, they include Police holding areas, fire pump rooms, sprinkler sectional valve locations, elevator lobbies, elevator shaft, and any other area that is defined by the ruling agency. Critical areas must be confirmed before work may proceed.

Testing BDA uplink signal is not an easy task and involves taking measurements of the infrastructure of the Public Safety radio system. The completed system must offer full coverage in the frequency bands or channels as detailed by the ruling agency.

In Miami Beach, “the downlink and uplink frequency bands of the 800 MHz Public Safety signal booster are 851-861 MHz and 806-816 MHz, respectively.”

Signal Boosters

The signal booster is to be installed in a bright red NEMA 4 enclosure that locks. In addition, all power equipment must be stored in the same manner, with the capability of supplying at least four hours of emergency power supply.

The Exterior Antenna

The donor antenna must be high-gain, vertically polarized and specific to the operating frequency. Corner reflector-type or Yagi antennas are recommended.

In addition, the coaxial cable feed located outside of the building must be weatherized with a lightning protector.

In-Building Antennas

The in-building system must contain the appropriate number of antennas throughout the building, as well as in attached structures, so that coverage criteria is met. If using splitters or another type of active/passive component, it must be mounted in a separate 2 hour rated/fire resistant color yellow code junction box that is easy to access but out of harm’s way when it comes to unauthorized interference.

For a full list of requirements, codes and specifications: https://www.highlandwireless.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CITY-OF-MIAMI-BEACHBDA-INSTALLMENT-GENERAL-GUIDELINES.pdf

At Highland Wireless, we make compliance easier than ever. We even offer free pre-testing of signal strength as well as site surveys. Learn more or contact us today to set up your consultation 

Navigational and safety communications must be simple and unambiguous when it comes to ship to shore, shore to ship, or ship to ship communication. That’s why there is a list of standard marine communication phrases and rules to help simplify things. This is especially important in today’s modern world where a host of international trading vessels navigate the same waters, many speaking different languages. Without some sort of standardized communication platform, the risk for confusion and error is far too great.

As decided by the 1973 IMO Maritime Safety Committee, there must be a common language that is used for navigational purposes, and that language is English. As a result of this decision, the Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary (SMNV) was created and adopted in 1977 and amended in 1985.

Since then, it has been updated several times to better reflect the needs of the modern-day world. Any officer charged with navigating a ship containing 500 gross tonnage or more must prove their capability to understand and use the SMCP in order to receive certification. This is specified under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

While the list of standard marine communication phrases is long, much too long to fit in one blog, we are going to go over some of the key points found within the guidelines. For more information, please reference the full report put together by the International Maritime Organization.

General Overview of Marine Communication Rules & Phrases

What to avoid

There are certain words and phrases that are warned against using when communicating out on the water; this includes the use of synonyms, contracted forms, and fully worded answers to “yes/no” questions.

Typographical conventions

() Brackets are used to signal that a part of the message – the part within the brackets – can be added where relevant.

/ Oblique strokes are used to indicate that the items on either side of the strokes are alternatives of one another.

…. Dots are used to indicate that the receiver is to fill in the area where the dots occur with relevant information

The use of italic letters signals that some type of information is being requested.

~ Tildes are used as stand-ins for the invariable part of an aforementioned standard phrase which is then followed by a variable addendum.

Spelling out letters

If something is spelled out, there are a table of letters and corresponding words that must be used so that there is no confusion. For instance, A is alfa; B is bravo; C is Charlie.

Pronouncing digits and numbers

When numbers are used, they may be spelled out or pronounced using a specialized tone. For instance, the number 0 is pronounced ZEERO, and 1,000 is TOUSAND.

Message Markers

There are eight Message Markers that can be used for shore-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication.

1. Instruction
2. Advice
3. Warning
4. Information
5. Question
6. Answer
7. Request
8. Intention

Answering Questions & Requests

When responding to a yes or no question – the appropriate response is to say “Yes…” or “No…” – and then follow it up with the specified phrase in full.

If the requested information is not available, the appropriate response is: “stand by” – followed up with the time in which the information will become available.

If the information is unavailable for the foreseeable future, the response is “No information”

The Importance of Maritime Two Way Radios

Along with a standardized marine language, reliable two-way radios are crucial to maintaining peace and safety out on open waters. At Highland Wireless, we specialize in marine communication. Learn more

It’s very common for today’s urban structures to lack signal or service. Luckily there are a couple options that’ll improve the signal to your building, helping you stay on top of what matters most.

Why Do Buildings Get Poor Signal?

A big reason that more buildings are suffering from a lack of signal or service has to do with the latest building codes, especially in South Florida. The latest standards require stronger building materials like solid-poured concrete walls and LEED certified windows – all of which are great for hurricane-proofing a building and energy efficiency, but not so great for signal strength. That’s because these materials make it difficult for signals to penetrate the building.

In addition, if the building is located in a sea of other buildings, the signal is easily lost in the shuffle. We’ve heard a variety of scenarios in the past, such as the top floor of the building gets great service, but everything below it, not so much.

There are two different systems that can be used independently or in conjunction with another to address the issue: a cellular enhancement system and a radio enhancement system.

What is a Radio Enhancement System?

In-building radio enhancement systems provide a strong Radio Signal throughout your building -allowing two-way radios to work. This is especially important in an emergency when First Responders and Fire Department radios need to communicate all throughout your building to protect the people inside.

For the most part, a radio enhancement system consists of three main components: the donor antenna system, bi-directional amplifier, and distributed antenna system.

The donor antenna is placed on top of your building and pointed in the direction of the nearest communications tower. This is what draws the signal in and out of the building. This is the most important component of the system, which is why we rely on Category 5 Hurricane-Rated bracketing and R-56 Lightening Protection standards.

The bi-directional amplifier takes in the signal from the donor antenna and amplifies it throughout the building. It is also tasked with receiving signals from inside of the building and transmitting them to the donor antenna.

These two components operate best when connected to a network of in-building antennas, known as the Distributed Antenna System (DAS). This usually entails a coaxial cable, unequal power dividers and splitters, as well as ceiling-mounted antennas. In simple terms, the DAS offers a pathway for signals to navigate through.

Learn more about in-building radio enhancement systems

What is a Cellular Enhancement System?

If cell communication is near impossible in your building, you might need a cellular enhancement system – or what many people are now calling the “fourth utility.” Cell phones have just about taken over landlines and have become a necessary component to the workplace. That’s why reliable in-building coverage is such an important feature in today’s modern office.

Each building is a little different and requires a unique system of amplifiers to generate a strong signal throughout the building. Factors that influence the type of amplifier you require include: the size of your facility, the reason(s) signal is lacking to begin with, specific coverage requirements, and budget.

Stay Connected & Prosper

From radio signal strength to cellular signal strength, communication is crucial in any workplace. Let us help your business stay connected. At Highland Wireless, we offer free pre-testing of signal strength levels as well as site surveys to help figure out the best solution. We can even provide a quote for buildings in pre-construction.

Contact us today to set up your free pre- testing of signal strength levels along with a site survey.