From the playground to the school bus, the benefits of two-way radios are utilized by many school systems to keep things in order. All thanks to the benefits they provide, like safety and security for students and staff. Two-way radios are used from the start of the day when traffic requires directing to the end of the day when the school traffic returns, and it’s not just traffic.

Throughout the entire school day two-way radios serve an assortment of purposes on campuses all around the nation. Daycare centers, elementary schools, high schools and even colleges rely on two-way radio technology. There are so many benefits to two-way radios for schools; here are 4 of the most important of all.

1. Directing School Traffic Made Easy

School traffic is a staple in life. Everyone arrives around the same time making campus parking lots and adjoining streets unavoidably congested. It’s not just automobiles that need to be properly directed; at the start and end of any school day there are plenty of pedestrians out on the street as well, largely including kids. Campus traffic directors must keep everyone moving in the right direction while also looking out for the safety of often-unpredictable kids.

Two-way radios help make communication easier amongst traffic directors so that everything flows smoother. There’s no way to direct several intersections of traffic without multiple people on guard, all of which need to communicate in order to prevent injury or accident. The benefits of two-way radios help to reduce the risk for error, and help speed up the pick-up and drop-off process.  If there is an issue out on the road two-way radios offer a quick way to contact a teacher, staff or school nurse without leaving the job at hand.

2. Keep Classrooms Safe

Schools and two-way radios have long since gone together, but there is a new trend in how they are being used. More schools are starting to equip each classroom with two-way radios so that teachers have access to a broad communication system in the instance of an emergency. School emergencies are not everyday occurrences but they do happen. If a classroom is put on lock down, or if a storm or tornado blows into town, individual teachers need reliable communication to protect their classroom of kids. Equipping all staff with two-way radios offers the perfect way to quickly get in touch with everyone at one time, something no phone system can offer.

3. School Bus Communication

School bus drivers also rely on two-way radios to communicate with school officials as well as other drivers. Take off and arrival time, traffic issues or problems with a particular student on board the bus can all be communicated to the appropriate personnel via two-way radio. Kids don’t just take the bus to and from school. Buses are also used for field trips and other school-related events as well. Having some form of quick and easy communication is a must no matter where a bus full of school kids is headed. According to the official Bus Driver Handbook, a number of things must be reported immediately using a two-way radio, such as if you are running 15 or more minutes behind schedule.

A common issue arises when buses exit the service area provided by a certain radio range. As a result, the radio will no longer work to communicate with appropriate parties. Our Wide Area coverage offers the perfect solution by providing 300-miles of two-way radio service stretching from Jacksonville to Florida Keys.

4. Enhanced Campus Security

Every campus has a number of hallway monitors and other security personal on staff to ensure safety. There are many instances when a two-way radio comes in handy, for example if a student is caught attempting to ditch or engage in other bad behavior, or if there is an unknown intruder on campus.

Schools tend to be on the larger-side but two-way radios help make any campus feel smaller by making instant communication with anyone possible. Two-way radios have remained the go-to tool schools use to communicate between different departments spread throughout the same campus.

The Best Two-Way Radios For Schools

What is the best two-way radio for your school? If you only need to communicate on campus a low-range two-way radio may do the job. If the same radio system is used for buses traveling greater distances our Wide Area Network “Florida Fleet Talk” might be the better option, expanding your communication zone by hundreds of miles. Single channel radios may work in some situations, but if more than one group needs talk capabilities (which most schools do) a multi-channel model is your best bet.

Highland Wireless offers a number of the best Kenwood radios and Motorola radios for schools. Our wide area network Florida Fleet Talk spans from Jacksonville down to the Keys. Contact us today to set your school up for communication success!

There are countless accessories available for two-way radios, including earpieces and microphones that greatly enhance communication. Many different people use two-way radios for many different purposes, which is why radio accessories are so important.

Many job sites constrict the use of hands to communicate, which is where a highly functional and comfortable earpiece can really come in handy. Also, if you are on the radio throughout the day it is uncomfortable to constantly hold up a radio, and once again a radio earpiece will make your life easier.

All that being said, there are so many earpieces for two-way radios available it can be tricky to find the best one for you. Here are some tips and recommendations to help you find the best earpiece for your needs.

Motorola Radio Earpieces

Motorola makes some of the best two-way radio earpieces on the market. They have full headsets that cover the entire ear, and they also have more minimal headsets that fit inside of ears. Some headsets have cords and others are wireless, some are sleek and others more invasive. There are so many options it can start to get a little overwhelming when trying to pick the best out of the bunch.

Kenwood Radio Earpieces

Kenwood also makes a great assortment of high quality radio earpieces compatible with their most popular devices. Just like Motorola, Kenwood earpieces offer unlimited options in terms of comfort and convenience, ranging to include full ear coverage to more discreet earpieces. Cordless and cord options are both available, depending if your radio has Bluetooth capabilities or not.

When it comes to finding the best Kenwood and Motorola radio earpieces it’s best to talk with your team members and show them all of their options. You want everyone to be happy with the final selection so that it is put to good use.

Bluetooth Radio Earpieces
Does you fleet of radios include Bluetooth technology? If so you will not need an earpiece that comes with a cord to connect to the radio. Instead you can go for a wireless option. Having no cords in the way throughout the day can make things easier, but it can also complicate things because people may forget to bring along their radio (if it is not attached to their person). This is counterproductive because Bluetooth will cease to work if separated from the radio by too much distance.

Talking to your team about the applied use of radios throughout the day can help you decide on Bluetooth vs. corded options.

What If I Am Renting Two-Way Radios?
You always have the option to rent or buy a radio system. If you are renting you may not want to purchase accessories. In this case, you can actually rent accessories to go along with your radios.

Questions To Ask When Considering The Best Two-Way Radio Earpiece

-How often are radios used to communicate throughout the day, all of the time, sometimes?
People may not want to wear a headset throughout the entire day if radios are only used sometimes. On the other hand, if radios are used all of the time people are more prone to wearing the headset and forgetting about it because they are constantly in need of it.

-What is most comfortable for you and your team to wear?
Different people have different preferences when it comes to comfort regarding wearing an earpiece. Employee comfort is adamant to keep productivity and moral high. This is why it’s important to ask your team to define their preferences or take a group vote. This is especially helpful if everyone is given the opportunity to try on different model earpieces. People don’t always know what type of earpiece is most comfortable until they try out a few options. In most cases different earpiece models are compatible, allowing people to wear the earpiece that is most comfortable to them while still enjoying smooth communication across all channels.

-Do you need a microphone too, or just an earpiece?
If team members only need to hear messages and not respond you may only need an earpiece and not a microphone. Most earpieces do come with microphone attached for two-sided conversations.

-Are radios mounted to vehicles or individuals?
If radios are mounted to something (such as a car, wall or individual’s belt) Bluetooth is an excellent option. This grants greater range of movement while still remaining connected. If radios are free floating Bluetooth may become complicated because both the earpiece and radio must be kept in close contact throughout the day. Corded earpieces are also complicated by unsecured radios. Regardless if you use Bluetooth or corded earpieces it’s wise to consider investing in clips for radios that attach to belts, other pieces of clothing, or something else always nearby.

For all of your two-way radio needs contact the leading industry professionals at Highland Wireless. We provide radio repairs, radio services, two-way radio rentals and sales.

Motorcycles and two-way radios go together great. When you are on the back of a bike it’s not easy to communicate, using a cell phone is almost completely out of the question because you must stay in control of the bike while sending and receiving messages. Maintaining control of the bike also limits your ability to use hand signals, plus you are not always communicating with people in your line of sight. Whether you are traveling in a group of other motorcycle riders or trying to communicate back to a main station, two-way radios offer the perfect solution.

When shopping for a two-way radio for motorcycle usage there are unique qualities you want to be on the lookout for in order to get the most out of your device. Here are 7 things you should consider before buying or renting a two-way radio for motorcycle.

1. Two-Way Radio Headset Support

Riding a motorcycle requires your full attention with eyes on the road and both hands on the handlebars. This can make it difficult to safely communicate using any handheld device. As a result, a two-way radio with quality headset support available will help you communicate with ease. Not all radios have the best compatible headsets on the market, which is why it’s important to do your research and find a radio with adequate headset options. Headsets come in numerous styles, functions and price points, finding one that works well while out on the road will protect you and your team’s safety. It will also ensure you can communicate hands-free at any time.

2. Long Distance Two-Way Radio Range

Two-way radio range becomes more important when you are using radios to communicate between motorcycles. Motorcycles are fast traveling and usually used to travel more than 5 to 10 miles, therefore you are going to need a radio system capable of communicating across vaster distances. Also, if you are communicating between other bike riders you will need a greater distance of range. Say for instance one biker becomes stuck at a stoplight while the others move ahead. Having adequate radio range prevents a lot of potential problems from cropping up.

We offer Wide Area two-way radio range, giving you the chance to communicate clear across county boundaries, as much as 300-miles apart. This new radio technology presents a world of opportunities regarding radio communication.

3. Two-Way Radio Battery Life
If you plan to go for a long drive you need your two-way radio to remain charged the whole time. If your battery is short-lived it’s going to be difficult to rely on your radio throughout your travels. Unlike automobiles, motorcycles don’t typically come with power outlets meaning it’s impossible to charge your radio on the go. Seek out radio models that offer the longest battery life, and/or models that offer the option to pop in a few AA or AAA batteries if you get into a bind.

4. Access To NOAA Weather Information
Having access to weather via your two-way radio is a great perk if you are out on the road. In fact, it can make the difference between driving through a rainstorm and taking a different route. The weather impacts everything you do and yet is often unpredictable. Knowing the current and upcoming weather conditions as you go about your day can be very useful, especially when you are unprotected from the elements on the back of a bike.

(Reference)

5. Two-Way Radio GPS Capabilities
A two-way radio with GPS is not necessary for all but it might be just what you need. If a motorcycle does not have its own GPS system a two-way radio with this functionality will be a great asset to ensuring you don’t get lost. Also, this allows team members the ability to track one another at all times, increasing productivity and communication.

6. Water & Dust Proof Two-Way Radios
Two-way radios used on motorcycles must endure the elements; after all you never know when you are going to find yourself driving through a dust cloud or rainstorm. Having a durable two-way radio that is capable of standing up to these elements is very important. Otherwise, you might end up with a fully charged radio that is unusable because of exposure to dust or water.

7. Excellent Speaker Quality
Talking between radios while out on the road isn’t easy thanks to all of the road and wind noise surrounding you. A radio that has poor to moderate speaker quality is going to make efficiently communicating much more difficult for you and your team. Having a radio with strong speaker quality will make your life easier and your conversations much clearer.

Highland Wireless is a leading certified provider of two-way radio systems and services. Contact us today to learn more about the best two-way radios for motorcycles.

In the United States you must have a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in order to legally operate amateur two-way radios. The American Radio Relay League (AARL) is in charge of matters regarding amateur radio and ham radio, such as providing the resources necessary to educate, license and assist individuals so that they may successfully operate using radio communication.

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is open for use to individuals with the proper licensing. In 2010, the FCC made a proposal to allow individuals to operate a GMRS radio without an individual license, but this proposal is still pending.
Each license includes management of a system that contains one or more transmitting units or stations. There are rules limiting the availability of new GMRS systems in order to keep the system open to individual users.

Similar services include the Family Radio Service (FRS), Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS), and Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service.

How To Apply For GMRS License

In order to apply for a GMRS license you must be 18 or older and you can’t be a representative of a foreign government. Once you have applied for and received a license anyone in your family, regardless of age, is legally allowed to operate and use the system.

If your GMRS system was licensed before July 31, 1987 it is eligible to be renewed, but this does not include any serious modifications or updates to the system.

Two-way radio licenses are good for 5-years before they must be renewed. The renewal process should take place within the last 90 days before your old license expires. After your license expires you are required to get a new license in order to continue operating your radio.

The service rules regarding the GMRS can be found here: https://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/rules-regulations-title-47

What Does A GMRS System Include?

A GMRS system includes a station operator, mobile station(s), and may also include land stations (one or more). A station that includes no antenna and is located no more than 20 feet above ground defines a small base station. The station may be mounted to a tree or elsewhere and transmit 5 watts ERP or less. It’s important to note that some types of stations are restricted to using certain channels.
With most two-way radio systems you will be able to communicate between 5 and 25 miles, although certain systems allow you to communicate over much vaster distances. Communication must take place within the US, including the District of Columbia, the Caribbean, and Pacific Insular areas.

Typically, communication occurs between one mobile relay station (also known as the repeater) and a connecting GMRS system with the proper licensing.

According to the FCC if you are certified to use a GMRS system you must comply with all stated requirements using the frequencies “462.650, 467.6500, 462.7000 and 467.7000 MHz is not permitted near the Canadian border North of Line A and East of Line C. These frequencies are used throughout Canada and harmful interference is anticipated.”

Manufactures may receive certification through GMRS, FRS, or both. If a radio is marketed as FRS/GMRS this means one of two things. One, some channels may operate using both services. Or two, you may communicate with stations in other services while using the device.

“FRS/GMRS” or “dual-service radios” are widely available. Each comes with a manual or label that will detail which services it is covered for. If you are unsure what service your radio is eligible to use, contact the service provider for clarification. If your radio is approved under GMRS rules you require a GMRS license. GMRS radios typically include higher power levels than FRS radios. GMRS radios often have detachable antennas as well.

When Do You Not Need A License To Operate Two-Way Radios?

If you are using a licensed system that is registered and licensed to a family member or employer you do not need your own two-way radio license. Another exception is if you are using a radio that operates on both FRS and GMRS system and you limit your operations to “FRS channels only, using a maximum power of ½ watt effective radiated power and an integral antenna.” There are dual-service radios that operate with higher power using FRS channels 1 through 7. If you do not have a license you can only use FRS channels 8 through 14.
https://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs

What About Radio Usage During An Emergency?

If an emergency strikes many different people require access to two-way radios. In this case there are exceptions to the rules. Once you have the proper license to operate amateur two-way radios you can help others in your community by registering through the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES). The ARES includes a number of licensed amateurs willing to volunteer their equipment and qualifications in the instance of an emergency.

Two-way radios are incredibly reliable and durable devices. If your radio is acting odd or not working there are a couple of easy fixes you can try before contacting your local radio repair specialists.

Some of the most common issues that are easy to fix include:

-The radio was not properly set in the charger and is therefore lacking a charge.
-The radio is set on the incorrect channel.
-The volume has been accidently turned down to inaudible levels.
-The battery needs to be replaced.
-The radio is not turned on.
-A build up of dust has formed in important components.

(More Trouble Shooting Tips)

Some of these issues seem like no brainer problems you couldn’t possibly let slip by, but you might be surprised. Checking over your radio to make sure everything is secured, clean and in the right position can help identify and quickly solve a large percentage of two-way radio problems.

Continue reading to learn more about 4 common two-way radio problems and potential solutions.

Two-Way Radio Problem #1: Your Radio Will Not Turn On

The worst thing that can happen when you go to use your two-way radio is that it will not turn on, rendering it useless.

The Solution:

Make sure that the radio’s battery was properly attached to the charger for the appropriate amount of time. If the charger is properly attached but doesn’t seem to be working the actual battery might be dead. Batteries tend to last between 12 and 18 months. Radio batteries around this age may simply need to be replaced. Batteries can be replaced without replacing the two-way radio.

To see if the problem is related to the battery or the radio, try putting the battery in a different radio. If another radio does work the issue is the radio, if that radio doesn’t work you just need a new battery. If your battery is not the problem you will need to contact your local radio service shop for troubleshooting and radio repairs.

Two-Way Radio Problem #2: Beeping

Your two-way radio continually produces a beeping sound. Non-stop beeping can start to make you feel a bit crazy; rest assured there are solutions to this rather common problem.

The Solution:
There are many small issues that can result in your two-way radio beeping up a storm. To identify and solve the problem you should check for the following:
-The microphone is lodged into incorrect mode.
-The radio isn’t turned off.
-The channel selector is properly programed.
-Programming information has not been lost.
-The battery power is too low to operate.
-There is a stuck button on the radio.

Two-Way Radio Problem #3: Static

Static Is Interfering With Transmission Of Messages
Productivity can quickly plummet if every time you go to send or receive a message you are met with annoying static.

The Solution:
-Check if the microphone has a bad cord or faulty connection.
-Check the antenna to make sure it is properly secured in place.
-Check to see if the battery contacts are covered in dust and debris. If this appears to be the issue, you can use a pencil eraser to clean contacts.

(Common Two-Way Radio Problems)

Two-Way Radio Problem #4: Radio Isn’t Holding A Charge

Memory effect, also known as battery effect, is a common issue that plagues two-way radios, as well as cell phones and other chargeable devices. If your two-way radio is not holding a charge but is not of age to go bad this might be your problem.

This is especially likely if a radio is continually charged when there is still adequate battery life left. Eventually, charging batteries that still retain a charge will cause the battery to only partially charge. For instance, if you continually charge a battery with 40% battery capacity remaining, you may find your radio only holds a charge for 40% of its advertised charging capacity.

The Solution:
In order to prevent memory effect from holding the full extent of your charging capacity hostage you can simply wait to charge it until the battery is fully exhausted. If a radio still has a 30% charge left, wait until it is nearly completely used up before placing on the charger.

If your two-way radio battery is already suffering from memory effect you need to contact the provider. There are things that can be done to help reverse the damage.

The Number One Way To Troubleshoot All Two-Way Radio Problems
What do you do if your two-way radio is broken and none of the possible solutions provided above work? Simple, contact your local radio repair specialists.

Contact Highland Wireless today if you need help pinpointing solutions for two-way radio problems.