The short answer is no, you shouldn’t use off brand batteries in two-way radios. Motorola and Kenwood batteries are specially designed to work with two-way radios, offering the best results.

Two-way radios are widely used across many different industries of work. Since you need to replace two-way batteries from time to time, many people are curious whether or not off-brand batteries are suitable for the job.

Below, we will cover this topic in full detail and also help you understand when your two-way radio batteries need to be replaced.

Should You Use Off Brand Batteries?

No. As a general rule of thumb, using off-brand batteries in two-way radios is not recommended. The manufacturers of two-way radios have a particular battery in mind when they design each two-way radio. If you stray away from manufacturer standard settings, you are much more likely to encounter hiccups and errors with the device. This is the main reason we highly recommend using the proper brand of batteries as opposed to an off brand.

When you rent two-way radios from Highland Wireless, you don’t have to worry about batteries or accessories. We provide everything you need.

3 Signs that You Need a New Battery for Your Two-Way Radio

Although two-way radio batteries are rechargeable, it’s important to realize that they will still need to be replaced from time to time. Below, we will break down three of the most common signs that your two-way radio’s rechargeable battery needs to be replaced.

Power Lasting Shorter Periods of Time

A brand-new battery will last the entire set time determined by the two-way radio manufacturer. Often, this is somewhere between 12 to 24 hours long. A two-way radio will often spend most of its time idle, making it last a longer period of time. If the power starts lasting shorter periods of time, this is a sign that battery health is decaying and it’s time to consider getting a replacement.

Very Fast Charging Time

One of the most surefire ways to instantly receive feedback as to whether or not your battery needs to be replaced is to monitor the charging time. Think back to when you first got the two-way radio and try to recall how long it took to charge the device from low to high.

Typically, a defective battery will be able to charge in a very short period of time – that’s because it’s not really fully charging. As rechargeable batteries start to age, their overall charging capacity decreases. Therefore, if the battery charges to full capacity much faster than normal it might be time to think of getting a replacement.

The Radio Overheats During Use

When you use a two-way radio with a low battery, one of the common things you might experience is overheating. This is especially concerning if the radio has never overheated in the past. As a general rule of thumb, overheating is never a good sign.

In addition to potentially having a defective battery, you might also be experiencing mechanical issues with the device itself. Therefore, if you encounter overheating with your two-way radio it is generally a good rule of thumb to start by replacing the battery. If the overheating continues, then consider the possibility of further issues.

How Often Do Two-Way Radio Batteries Need to be Replaced?

In order to receive a definitive answer as to how often two-way radio batteries need to be replaced, first consider what type of two-way radio that you have. If you have a rechargeable battery system on your device, it will typically last anywhere between 12 to 24 months. If you make it past this point, you are probably already starting to experience signs like what we described above.

Remote speaker microphones are a popular tool used in many different professional industries. They come with the ability to both instantly send and receive voice messages that are broadcasted live over a private radio channel. As a result, this provides several benefits over some of the common alternatives for communication, such as cell phones.

Benefits of Remote Speaker Microphones

Although just about everyone these days has a cell phone, there are still many reasons why remote speaker microphones continue to be widely used. Below, we will break down 5 benefits of remote speaker microphones. If you are still on the fence as to whether or not it is a good option for your personal situation, the following information might help you make a final decision.

1. Windporting

Although you cannot find this feature in all remote speaker microphones, many Motorola models come with a windporting feature. In a nutshell, windporting is a built-in resistance to wind. Therefore, if you need to work in a windy environment while retaining the ability to communicate with a remote speaker microphone, this is a popular feature.

Windporting doesn’t necessarily reduce all background noise created by wind. However, it drastically reduces it to the point where it is hardly noticeable. At the same time, another useful aspect of this feature is that it prevents water from entering into the microphone and distorting your messages.

2. Improvement of Speech Recognition

One of the most immediate benefits of using a remote speaker microphone comes when it’s time to listen to the messages sent to you. Factors that affect your ability to hear an audio message, such as surrounding background noise, proximity to the person talking, and so on, are all essentially eliminated. This helps you to hear messages more clearly than you might even be able to while talking face-to-face.

3. Instant Means of Long-Distance Communication

Remote speaker microphones are often used on job sites between a team of employees that need to be in close contact with each other. Without a remote speaker microphone system, this can be a lot more difficult due to a variety of factors that stand out with some of the most common alternatives to remote speaker microphones.

For example, workers are often stationed around different areas of a job site that would otherwise require them to walk back and forth just to relay simple messages. Using cell phones, it would also be a lot more complicated to relay one message to multiple people. In addition, remote speaker microphones broadcast messages without the need to manually look at them using a distracting device such as a personal cell phone.

4. Greater Privacy and Security

Most remote speaker microphones come equipped with two features that make it easy for private conversations. One is the volume switch, which can be easily twisted so people in the same room as you cannot hear private messages. Secondly, there is usually a headphone slot attached to remote speaker microphones that allow you to be the only one in the room who can hear the messages shared through the radio system.

5. Live Group Messaging

Using a common alternative such as a cell phone for communicating between a workforce can often turn into a mess of messages and calls. Remote speaker microphones stand out as a great option since they allow each of the active parties to listen to messages in real-time without spending the time clicking on a notification and navigating through the device.

Need to rent two-way Motorola or Kenwood radios? Give us a call today and we will help you determine the right solution.

Two-way radios make it easy to send and receive messages in an efficient manner. However, adding radio headsets to the mix will help you get even more use out of your radios. There are many benefits to radio headsets, including more private conversations, added comfort, and hands-free accessibility. 

5 Benefits of Using Radio Headsets

Right off the bat, it’s important to understand that there are various reasons that you should consider using radio headsets for your two-way radio system. Below, we will discuss 5 of the most relevant benefits of using radio headsets. Keep these in mind while determining whether or not this is the best option for your needs.

1. More Private Means of Communication

When you use a radio headset, one of the most inherent benefits that you will receive is the ability to communicate privately while minimizing eavesdropping. Therefore, if you need to use your two-way radios in a location where bystanders could otherwise access sensitive information, it is highly recommended to use headsets.

2. Lightweight and Comfortable to Wear

Many people have a misconception that using radio headsets will add extra bulk. In reality, radio headsets are very lightweight and generally very comfortable. Therefore, they can be comfortably used all day without putting too much strain on your work efforts. Just make sure to consider the weight and comfort features of a radio headset before using it, as there are many different options on the market. 

3. Keep Your Hands Free

Perhaps the most relevant benefit of using radio headsets is that they grant you the ability to keep your hands free. Otherwise, you’ll spend time grabbing the two-way radio, adjusting the volume, pressing the button down to talk, and so on. This can get in the way if you need to keep your hands-free for other things on the job. For this reason, radio headsets make it much easier to get things done.

4. Better Sound Quality and Word Recognition

Using a radio headset allows you to have a direct line of audio that goes straight to your ears. Without this, it is easy for audio quality to decrease depending on the health of your radio’s speaker. Therefore, it is recommended to use radio headsets if you want to experience the utmost sound quality possible.

In addition, having a radio headset will help you to recognize words much more easily. This is due to the fact that the audio is being projected right into your ears. If you have hearing problems or are working in a potentially loud environment, having a headset can make it much easier to listen to messages.

5. Higher Productivity

One of the most logical reasons to consider using radio headsets for your remote two-way radio system is that it allows you to save some time for the task at hand. Think of it this way, if you are constantly adjusting the volume, pressing buttons, and moving the radio back and forth to communicate, you will naturally start to lose time.

Therefore, those who are passionate about productivity should see two-way radio headsets as a great means to make the most out of your time.

Rent two-way radios with all accessories from Highland Wireless – contact us today to learn more.

From Bluetooth earpieces to battery extenders, there are a variety of Motorola two-way radio accessories that’ll help you get the most out of your radios. These accessories are specially designed to improve work performance and efficiency while unleashing the full power of your radios.

Two-way radios are the ideal mode of communication for many industries and by adding the right accessories you can get more value out of your radios. Accessories made by Motorola are intended to tailor radios more to the needs of your business and industry. You can expect all accessories to come with the same standard of craftsmanship and quality as the radios. Accessories and radios are tested together to ensure compatibility.

Motorola offers a wide range of headsets, batteries, chargers, and speakers no matter what radio model you are using. Finding the right accessories for your radio is as easy as talking to us!

7 Accessories to Enhance Your Two-Way Radios

#1. Antennas

Adding a new antenna or extended antenna to your two-way radio will provide the greatest reception. Motorola is known for making sturdy and dependable antennas that offer years of fail-safe communication. There are a range of different antennas available depending on your needs and which radios you are operating. Options include antennas with standalone RF as well as antennas with integrated GPS.

#2. Bluetooth Accessories for Two-Way Radios

From Bluetooth accessories to earpieces and headsets, there are a range of audio accessories to help enhance communication. Bluetooth accessories allow your team to communicate without lifting a finger. As long as team members are within 30 feet of the radio, it’ll work to communicate without having to pick up the radio. Motorola’s earpieces allow you to communicate with exceptional clarity without having to keep your radio attached to your person.

#3. Earpieces and Surveillance Accessories

Earpieces and surveillance accessories ensure utmost privacy and can be highly beneficial for security during a special event. There are different types and styles of earpieces including a pellet style, ultra-lite style, and flexible ear receiver. There are also completely discreet earpieces, allowing users to speak with the highest level of privacy and no gear in sight.

#4. Radio Headsets

Radio headsets offer a clear and hands-free way to communicate using two-way radios. Headsets are great for prolonged use, especially in noisy environments as they help block out surrounding distractions. There are many options to choose from, including noise-canceling headsets, heavy-duty headsets and lightweight headsets.

#5. Mobile Radio Microphones

Mobile radio microphones help eliminate distracting noises using intelligent audio. From road noise to the rumble of a diesel engine, this accessory is intended to block out loud sounds. The intelligent audio actively listens for background noise and then automatically raises or reduces the audio volume for better clarity.

#6. Remote Speaker Microphone

Motorola’s Remote Speaker Microphones offers first responders an essential perk: the ability to communicate without removing their radio from their carry case or belt. In its simplest form, an RSM includes a loudspeaker, Push-to-Talk button, and microphone, all in a compact device. A clip holds it in place while a cable connects it to the radio accessory connector.

#7. Motorola Batteries

Using Motorola batteries is highly recommended over using off brand batteries for the greatest performance power. No aftermarket battery can offer the same level of compatibility, after all they are designed and developed to be a vital component. The right battery will make all the difference to your radio’s performance.

Rent Two-Way Radios and Accessories from Highland Wireless

Highland Wireless is a reliable Motorola two-way radio dealer. We offer affordable rates to buy or rent two-way radios and accessories. Learn more

Are you experiencing more “dead zones” or areas of static than usual with your two-way radios? There are several things you can do to improve the range of your radios.

Simple Ways to Improve Poor Radio Coverage

#1. Check the Antenna

The antenna is an important component to two-way radios and if there’s an issue with the antenna there’s going to be an issue with your coverage and range. Check to make sure the radio’s antenna is not bent, cracked or otherwise broken to the point that the metal coiled antenna piece is exposed. In addition, make sure the antenna is screwed on correctly to the antenna connector of the radio. If the antenna is not attached correctly or broken it’ll drastically reduce your coverage. Simply replacing an old and damaged antenna provides an effective solution.

#2. Check the Batteries

Fresh batteries with a full charge will ensure your radio transmits as far as possible. Batteries on all rechargeable two-way radios that are 1.5 to 2 years old may start to degrade and therefore not hold a charge for as long. This is considered normal wear and tear. If your two-way radio is not reaching the same range it once did, it might be time to check out the batteries and consider replacing them.

#3. Old Radios

Just like all electronics, two-way radios have a shelf life and at a certain point they become old and worn out and do not operate with the same efficiency as they once did. Radios that have peaked above 5 to 6 years old likely need to be replaced. In addition, radios that have not been serviced in a while may require some repairs to get them working in optimum order again. Radios require regular maintenance to keep them working in good condition for as long as possible.

A benefit to renting two-way radios is that we take care of maintenance and repairs as needed. Need a new set of radios? We take care of that too. Learn more

#4. Location, Location, Location

Location is everything in real estate, as well as in the world of two-way radios. Radio range fluctuates depending on where you are located. Tall mountains and thick walls on a building, both of these things and more can influence radio range. The metal on a car or building can block radio signals from getting through. This is an especially pressing problem in certain parts of the building, such as an underground parking garage. You can usually improve radio range by simply moving to another area. There is always the option to add an in-building radio enhancement system to improve coverage in all areas.

#5. Add a Radio Enhancement System

A radio enhancement system is designed to improve signal strength throughout the entire building so that you get coverage no matter where you are. It is very common for the thick building materials used in today’s modern buildings to block out signals. A radio enhancement system is made up of three parts: A Donor antenna system, Bi-Directional Amplifier, and a Distributed Antenna System. All of these components work together to provide reliable in-building coverage.

Learn more about In-building Radio Enhancement Systems

Need Greater Radio Range?

Two-way radios can only communicate so far, that is unless you have Florida Fleet Talk. This all-digital network has the power to connect radios as far as 300 miles apart, from Jacksonville to the Florida Keys. Learn more