1. Built to Last: Smartphones are designed to look sleek and appeal to the average consumer – not to withstand the dirt, debris, and drops that are inherent in a construction environment. Two-way radios, on the other hand, are built to meet the demands of heavy-duty applications, including military and public safety functions. As a result, they are more durable and long lasting.

2. Cost-Effective: Cell service is an ongoing monthly expense. Relying on smartphones for jobsite communication means committing to a monthly plan, contract terms, and limits on data or minutes. Two-way radios offer the freedom to use radio signals whenever with no term commitments. After the initial purchase, usage is free and minutes are never limited.

3. Clear Communication: Though you might think a smartphone would offer crisper, clearer communication, that’s not always the case. Modern two-way radios are designed to compensate for environmental interference (including wind, rain, etc.) and deliver clear, understandable speech.

Keep your worksite running smoothly and efficiently – and choose the right means of communication to facilitate it. Two-way radios beat out smartphones in a number of key categories. Investigate your options today and keep your team connected!

The post On the Job: 3 Reasons to Choose Two-Way Radios for Worksite Communication first appeared on BK Technologies.

The post On the Job: 3 Reasons to Choose Two-Way Radios for Worksite Communication appeared first on BK Technologies.

1. Does it meet or exceed all Public Safety and P25 Standards?

2. Are the radios interoperable with other networks and radio equipment?

3. Have the radios been tested and approved by outside agencies?

4. Is the technology the newest available and are features readily available?

5. Is the equipment easy to use, with user-friendly software and navigation?

6. What is the battery life of the equipment?

7. How does the equipment rate on durability scales? Is it water and dust-tight?

8. Is the value competitive compared to products with similar specs?

Making the investment into a new two way radio system requires a thorough analysis and evaluation. If you’re considering equipment replacement or upgrades, use these 8 factors to determine if the system is right for your agency. To learn more about solutions available at Relm Wireless, contact your regional representative or an authorized dealer.

The post 8 Important Criteria for Evaluating a Two Way Radio System first appeared on BK Technologies.

The post 8 Important Criteria for Evaluating a Two Way Radio System appeared first on BK Technologies.

Making a decision between a two-way radio system and a cellular system may be most impacted by the answer to this question: Does your organization need one-one communication or one-many communication? Cell phones can only offer one-one communication, which is not going to support time-sensitive situations in which multiple people need to respond. It may be acceptable in more isolated or routine situations where urgency is not a factor. Two-way radios, however, instantly communicate with all connected users. This saves valuable time in critical situations where immediate response is needed from a team or department. In certain industries, response time is paramount. It could be the difference between life and death for some.

Additionally, many two-way radios have the capability to communicate on a one-one basis when the situation warrants. Cell phones do not have this flexibility in function. There are group calls, but they don’t have channels. Two-way radios also typically have longer battery life. This can be a huge deal in terms of upkeep. Two-way radios also have better security then cell phones. The durability on radios is better then with cell phones. This can also save for upkeep in terms of replacements. Radios have initial costs to set up but cell phones have a monthly coverage fee. Those with radio systems can save in the long run. Cell phones are nice for individuals but just don’t suite organizational needs typically.

What about those bells and whistles? Modern two-way radios offer many advanced features, such as color screens, touch-compatibility, and text messaging. So don’t think that a cellular communications plan is the exclusive way of the future. Two-way radio fills a vital need with one-many communication abilities and retains an important role in emergency communications.

The post Cellphone Vs. Two-Way Radio – Choose the Right Mode of Communication first appeared on BK Technologies.

The post Cellphone Vs. Two-Way Radio – Choose the Right Mode of Communication appeared first on BK Technologies.

While every situation is different, several factors merit consideration. Consider the needs of your organization and ask yourself the following:

• Is my two way radio system already P25-compliant? If not, can I justify the risk of communication failures should a large-scale disaster require intersystem operability?

• How big of a leap in upgrades would need to be made to get my system on the next platform? If the gap is considerable, it may be less costly to implement a new system versus investing dollars in extensive hardware and software upgrades. Sometimes a new patch on an old garment is short-lived.

• What is my agency or department’s short-term and long-term budget situation? If funding is set to expire in the near future, an investment in a new two way radio system may be a wise use of funds. Conversely, if budget is limited until the next fiscal period, it may make more sense to make short-term upgrades to maintain functionality until the budget allows for system replacement. Relm offers a trade-in program designed to help you leverage the value of your existing radios and upgrade your units. Contact your regional sales representative for more information on this program.

At Relm Wireless, we have a team of representatives that are able to respond to RFPs and provide you with the information to make an informed choice on upgrading or replacing your two way radio system. So if you’re at a communications crossroads, don’t delay – request more information from Relm today.

The post Communications Crossroad: Upgrade or Replace Your Two Way Radio System first appeared on BK Technologies.

The post Communications Crossroad: Upgrade or Replace Your Two Way Radio System appeared first on BK Technologies.

Unfortunately, this scenario has actually played out in the realm of two-way radio communications. In responding to a crisis, agencies from various jurisdictions converged on the scene – only to find that their two-way radio communications were incompatible with that of other agencies. The result was a lot of lost time, frustration, and roadblocks. A somber example is the events of 9/11. Police departments, ambulances, and fire departments all faced roadblocks in trying to communicate with one another. In such a dire and time-sensitive scenario, a breakdown in communication is a worst-case scenario. Clearly, a bridge to better communication was needed. P25 radios were developed to specifically address this critical need.

Has your department or agency ever experienced the frustration of trying to communicate via two-way radio, only to encounter incompatibility issues? P25 radios can overcome that hurdle and build bridges to better communication. Even if that dark situation has never arisen in your jurisdiction, preparing now can eliminate frustration and failure in the future.

Stay tuned for more on the origin of the P25 project and how the system can benefit your agency!

The post Bridge the Communication Gap with P25 first appeared on BK Technologies.

The post Bridge the Communication Gap with P25 appeared first on BK Technologies.