Knowing the massive use of cell phones in business today, many may ask if two-way radios (walkie talkies) are relevant. That is, until your mobile phone’s connection fails, and you can’t reach the person you need to during a crucial time in your business day. The truth is two-way radios offer some advantages that even the latest cell phone technology can’t match. Two-way radios are the oldest type of electronic communication in business environments, and today’s digital two-way radios are used everywhere from government to education, medical to manufacturing, and more.  Digital two-way radios are more reliable than ever and feature extended broadcast range, lengthy battery life, enhanced voice privacy, integrated data apps like GPS, text, and work order management, and more.  Let’s compare two-way radios to cell phones to help determine which (or both) is best for business.

Two-Way Radios Versus Cell Phones

Cell phones are great! They serve a number of useful purposes, but when it comes to reliable communication, they sometimes fall short of expectations. In every industry, communication is the key to productivity, safety, and success. The fact is state-of-the-art two-way radios offer all of this and more.

Coverage, Clarity, Safety

Two-way radios deliver exceptional coverage and clarity, reducing downtime which often occurs with cell phones as they lose signal strength or experience poor reception and dropped calls. Because cell phones operate in conjunction with cell towers, reception often fails in remote areas or rural regions. Every workplace needs successful, reliable communication to avoid loss of productivity and revenue. In addition, lapses in communication in some industries – manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and more –  can create critical safety issues. Today’s two-way radios don’t experience network outages, cell tower overload, or remote dead zones which cell phones do. Plus, two-way radios offer noise cancellation and gain control, which cell phones don’t have.

One-to-All, Customized, Secure

Two-way radios allow for enhanced communication with your entire team with one-to-many communication capabilities. Plus, two-way radios can be custom designed to fit your business’s communication requirements from to one-to-one to one-to-all and every combination in between. In addition, because two-way radios operate within a closed network, security is increased when compared to mobile phones which operate via a public network.  Because these radios are designed strictly for communication purposes, business communication becomes more efficient with programmable one-touch features designed for your business needs. As a result, functionality is enhanced with built-in texting capabilities, GPS tracking, and even project order management. 

Cost Effective, Durable, Reliable

Two-way radios are cost-effective when compared to cell phones which often have a myriad of additional fees. Created for durability, two-way radios are tough, able to withstand drops, shocks, vibration, and in some cases water damage. Plus, these digital radios are reliable with twice the battery life of most cell phones, making them the best for choice in the event of an emergency.

Safe while Driving

Two-way radios are available in mobile options which can be mounted inside vehicles for safe communication while driving. In addition, Bluetooth headsets as well as speaker mics are available to make driving and communication effectively even safer for users.

Two-Way Radios for Your Business

While cell phones certainly have a secure place in your business communications, two-way radios offer a number of advantages, including reliability, safety, and efficiency, which lead to greater productivity in the workplace. Across the board, industries rely on digital two-way radios for effective communication with no downtime. Let’s explore the benefits two-way radios can bring to your business, call Highland Wireless today and discover the best communication solutions for your business.

Your neighborhood is special place, home to community, friends, and neighbors. In all likelihood, one of the factors that drew you and your family to the neighborhood in addition to the amenities was the neighbors who already lived there. In nearly all instances, families are looking for communities where the children can enjoy some freedom safely, the whole family can join in neighborhood activities, and neighbors help one another and look out for each other.

Think about your neighborhood, children playing together, block parties, cook outs, garage sales, and more bring everyone together. They can also present safety issues in which two-way radios could help. Today’s two-way radios aren’t the walkie talkies of the past, but state of the art technology you can count on to keep everyone in the community safe.

Two-Way Radios – Effective Communication

Think of all the possibilities! Two-way radios could help you keep in touch with your kids who are playing in the neighborhood with friends, avoiding the need of confining them to your yard. And parents can check with one another, so the kids play safely and are kept from mischief or harm. When you are at the grill prepping for the cookout, walkie talkies make it easy to check on the progress of the rest of the preparations without leaving the grill. At block parties, garage sales, or other community events, all the neighbors can communicate instantly and easily, keeping an eye out for one another while everyone is enjoying the event.

Two-way radios are also ideal for neighborhood community watches. Watch members and neighbors can easily communicate inappropriate or illegal activities and pass the necessary information onto the local authorities. The result is as safer neighborhood that all the residents can enjoy.

Choosing Your Two-Way Radios

When selecting the best two-way radio for use in your community, look for these important features:

• Two-Way Radio Size – No one in the community wants to carry an overweight two-way radio, especially not the kids. A small, lightweight radio can get the job done, with plenty of coverage for the neighborhood, simple to carry and easily heard when needed.
• Two-Way Radio Range –  Your children and their friends can go a long way while playing in a short time, losing sight of you often without realizing it. This makes range an important component for the two-way radios you choose. Depending on the radios you choose, you’ll find ranges available up to 30 miles.
• Two-Way Radio Battery Life – If your kids enjoy hours of outdoor play, you don’t want to worry about your radios being charged. The same is true on the day of community-wide event, you’ll want your radios charged and working all day into the night. Choose a model with a long batter life or those which can operate on standard batteries just in case.
• Two-Way Radios and NOAA Weather – Getting alerts when severe weather is approaching is important when the kids are playing in the neighborhood, if you are hosting a pool party, or if the block party is about to begin. Most of today’s two-way radios feature NOAA weather channels, FM radio, and automated weather alerts to keep you safe.

Ready to Get Your Two-Way Radios?

Highland Wireless is ready to help you choose the best two-way radios to keep your neighborhood safe. We are an authorized dealer for both Kenwood and Motorola products from the Florida Keys to Jacksonville and are ready to help you meet all your communication needs. In fact, we’ll be happy to set up a free radio demo for you and your neighbors. Call today!

While you may have never considered two-way radios until now, the truth is they can perform more effectively than other communication devices, even phones, in many businesses. Also known as walkie-talkies, two-way radios, offer your business an excellent way to enhance productivity, increasing both the efficiency of your employees and their safety. To understand the significance of investing in two-way radios for your company, you must first home in on how your team members communicate with the existing devices you provide. If you are like most business owners, you are already providing access to landlines, mobile phones, SMS texting, and email for your employees. These methods of communication work well in some situations but fall short in others. With that in mind, let’s explore the advantages of two-way radios when compared to other forms of communication in your business.

The Pros of Two-Way Radios Versus Other Business Communication Devices

Two-Way Radios Offer Mobility Advantages – Two-way radios are mobile and durable. Unlike landlines which have a fixed location and require a constant power source connection and mobile phones which may be obstructed due to a lack of signal access or overloaded in the event of an emergency. Being mobile and durable means they are waterproof and dustproof, and they can function effectively even in remote environments. Two-way radios function well in large facilities, on construction sites, across school campuses, and other locations were employees must be mobile to cover wide areas. When needed, they can be boosted with additional power and repeaters to increase signal range with the aid of distributed antenna systems (DAS) and bi-directional amplifiers (BDAs).

Two-Way Radios Don’t Require Scrolling or Searching to Communicate

Two-way radios use one-button technology to talk, which means no contact list scrolling or searching for contact information when its needed. The radios can be programed for communication with teams or individuals, as needed, helping your employees communicate effectively even in emergency situations. Two-way radio networks can allow one person to call an entire group at the same time with the press of a button, without the need to orchestrate a conference call or set up work groups via mobile phone.

Two-Way Radios Enable Voice Communication Instantly

The one-button touch function allows on the spot voice communication when expediency is needed. The ability to communicate immediately is vital during an emergency, but also extremely useful when your production line is down and maintenance is needed ASAP, or a customer needs to know if additional products can be obtained directly from the warehouse. In comparison, mobile phones require both users have the needed battery charge and signal strength to communicate quickly. In addition, two-way radios, unlike mobile phones, function in remote locations as well as underground, and in other places where phones are unreliable.

Two-Way Radios Feature the Latest Digital Technology 

Today’s two-way radios are digital, converting voice transmissions into data packets to be transmitted over traditional wired or wireless networks. This means your radios can send and receive texts, receive emails, and transmit voice signals globally via the web. Digital two-way radios also feature keypads and displays for texting, plus, the digital technology also means better sound quality and less battery power needed. Plus, these radios also have the ability to track employees’ locations and detect ineffective practices, which can be remedied to make your business more productive and successful.

Two-Way Radios for Your Business

Are you ready to explore all the benefits two-way radios can bring to your company? Call on Highland Wireless for a detailed quote. As Florida’s premier radio communications provider, Highland Wireless has the communication solutions your company needs.

Here at Highland Wireless, we specialize in many different on-site radio communications. To have effective communication throughout your worksite, you should consider getting a 3D design for your antenna systems. Below, we will cover all you need to know on this topic.

What are DAS Systems & Why Use a 3D Design?

Distributed Antenna Systems, or DAS for short, include the placement of antennas in specialized locations throughout a building to increase reliability of radio signals. A DAS can be used to increase the signal range. These systems are commonly utilized in large complexes with high attendance like big corporations, stadiums, and hotels. These systems are great for improving overall efficiency and even adding greater safety to a building in case of an emergency.

• Better Signal

3D design is crucial to the reliably of a DAS system. Generating an accurate model of the building we are working with is essential to overall success. Without a 3D rendering, we would be unable to properly account for height, inclined surfaces, and so on. For the facilities that we typically work with, having a 3D rendering allows us to visually account for how the strategy will play out when completed.

• Aesthetic Benefits

Another reason to include a 3D design is aesthetics. When working with clients, it is crucial to be on the same page of what you want your design to look like in the end. In many industries, the technical and functional side of things tends to overlook aesthetics. Therefore, creating a 3D design allows us to maximize all areas for our clients.

• Maximum RF Performance

Have a specific building material that you want us to match? Need the job to be as inconspicuous as possible? No matter what you are looking for, we will do our best to work within these parameters. We ensure maximum RF performance while keeping the aesthetics of your building in mind by carefully selecting appropriate supplies and providing the best antenna placement options.

• Ensuring Your System’s Success

Using 3D design can let us know where we need to double back and check if there will be interfering signals. Anywhere on your site with a large number of signals has the potential to interfere with the system’s effectiveness. With our 3D design, we get a clear idea of where antennas might excel, and where they might not work the best. From there, we will be able to place them in the best spots to maximize your budget and benefit our strategy.

• Can Be Planned Before Completing Your Building

Working collaboratively is critical to a successful relationship, and we want you to feel happy with the result. Working with you every step of the way from the preliminary site walk to the closeout documentation, you can rest assured that our Distributed Antenna Systems are perfect for your facility. Even if your building has yet to be constructed, we still offer an estimate and outline of our services based on floor plans.

Where to Find DAS Design Services

Highland Wireless specializes in DAS Design and Engineering. By partnering with iBwave-certified engineers, we create systems for our clients that are effective and efficient. Whether a client is looking for increased coverage or increased capacity, we create a specialized project strategy.

Our design plan is unique for each client, which means no consultation will be the same. What remains consistent is our drive to find the best cost-effective materials and equipment. Our mission to maximize the performance of a DAS, and our dedication to finish your project within a specified timeline.

To schedule a conference call about in-building DAS Design and Engineering with Highland Wireless, be sure to contact us today!

Highland Wireless sets up dependable on-site radios and offers affordable radio rentals for a wide variety of events and industries in South Florida. With years of experience in the industry, we know a thing or two about setting up functional on-site radios, and so we’ve prepared a list of 5 of the most important things to keep in mind.

5 Things to Know When Setting Up In-Site Radios

1. Knowledge & Experience

Perhaps the most important factor to consider is your level of background knowledge on the job as a whole. Therefore, consider hiring help if you are not confident in your team’s capability to do this on their own. Having a professional team that does this all the time ensures that you get the job done both efficiently and effectively. The last thing you need to do is invest in all the gear just to learn that you don’t know how to set it up.

2. Considering All Factors

Before you start setting up your on-site radios, you should take the time to consider the many variables involved in the task. Things such as management applications, location of the radios, placement of the devices, and overall usability of the system once it is set up. In addition, there are factors such as the desired range of the radio system, the total number of users, and much more. Be sure to consider all the possible factors before putting the money down on your on-site radio system.

3. Planning Out the Setup

Having technicians and engineers that are knowledgeable of on-site radio systems is so valuable when it comes time for this step. Before you can whip out all the gear and start putting it together, you need to first come up with a plan. This plan needs to keep in mind all the factors that you previously considered as well as making the system function as it is intended to work. There are lots of steps involved in planning out and testing the system, that’s why it’s so important to hire a trusted team of experienced professionals for the job.

4. The Installation Process

Once the site has been fully explored, tested, and all the factors have been considered down to the most minor details, you are now ready to start the installation process. The installation process is simple as long as all proper preparations have taken place. This is the part where we take the knowledge gained during the consultation and planning process and roll it out into play. Much of the hard work here is making sure everything works exactly as planned and that the system works as intended.

5. Maintenance

Once you have your on-site radio system installed, the last step of the process is actually using the system. Even if you have a team of professionals like the folks at Highland Wireless to install your on-site radio system, it is still plausible that you will need maintenance over time. For this reason, it is important to have a maintenance team on standby whenever you are using the system. This way, if you do run into problems you can instantly have things fixed back up to par. Remember that glitches and technical issues can happen despite having high levels of planning involved in the setup process.

Do you need a professional on-site radio system installed? Contact Highland Wireless for a detailed quote.