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How to Extend Radio Range Without Adding a Repeater?

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When there’s a need to extend the coverage of handheld two-way radios, the first option is usually a repeater. However, a repeater isn’t the full answer. A repeater will typically put out much more power and have a better antenna system than the portable radios with which it is communicating. This presents an unbalanced system where the transmit power of the repeater reaches much further than the transmit power of the handhelds.

IDAS LINQVOTE Diagram

Couldn’t this be resolved by turning the power of the repeater down to match the handheld? The reality is that often times mobile radios installed in vehicles and handheld radios are in use on the system. Mobile radios typically have greater transmit power than handhelds. Reducing the repeater power output to match the lowest powered device – the handheld – significantly constrains the system coverage, making the usable radius of the system much less than what it could be. Read More...

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K-12 Security Communications

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K-12 Radio CommunicationsIcom recently attended an exciting conference that gathered top decision makers in K-12 school security. The overarching message from all of the attendees and speakers is the importance of relationship and communication with students, service and solutions providers. Communications technology plays a significant role in enhancing the ability to mitigate and quickly communicate root causes for incidences that unfortunately occur in our schools today. Instantly connecting all staff and security ensures that situation awareness is shared throughout the school and even the district. Communication response time confirms that an incident is managed at the lowest level of escalation. Read More...

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How to Care for a Lithium-ion Battery

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Lithium-ion Battery PackLithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are very stable and reliable sources of power for two-way radios, laptops and many other devices. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used because they have a high energy density, resulting in a much lighter weight than other rechargeable batteries. Li-ion have other advantages too. They hold their charge well, losing about 5% of their charge per month as compared to ~20% for nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. Li-ion batteries have no “memory effect,” which means recharging them before they are completely discharged is not an issue. Li-ion batteries can handle many recharges before the end of their useful life. Read More...

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Comm Tips for Ground Crew

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A14, A14S Add Before FlightPilot-controller radio communications is critical to the ATC (Air Traffic Control) system. Clear communications is key. Pilots must confirm each radio communication using the appropriate aircraft call signs. The controller must understand what the pilot wants done before carrying out control duties. Likewise, pilots must understand and acknowledge the controller’s instructions. Keep communications brief and do not use ATC slang. Review the pilot/controller glossary that is used in the ATC Controller’s handbook. Read More...

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Key Differences between FDMA vs. TDMA Technology

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FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) and TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) technologies are used in P25 and in business and industrial digital radios (P25 Phase I & NXDN™ for FDMA; P25 Phase II & DMR for TDMA).

The basic difference between FDMA and TDMA is the definition of a channel and how it is used.

In FDMA, a particular bandwidth (e.g. 6.25 kHz) at a particular frequency (e.g. 150.000 MHz) is used to define a channel. This is the way channels have been allocated in analog land mobile radios (LMR) for decades. All information is contained in the channel – compressed to the smallest frequency footprint. Analog radio bandwidth has recently shrunk from 25 kHz to 12.5 kHz, which is about the limit for analog technology without seriously degrading radio voice quality. With digital technology, channel bandwidth can be compressed to a spectrum-efficient 6.25 kHz by using vocoders and error correction. Read More...

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VHF Radios vs. Cell Phones on a Boat

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M92D VHF Handheld RadioAvid boaters and those who love to fish know never to go out on the water without their cell phones and a VHF Radio. But there is a big difference between how you use a cell phone, and how and when you use your VHF radio. Every year we hear more people at tradeshows and events say that they don’t need a VHF Radio because they have a cell phone. We would like to share with everyone what the Coast Guard and experts in the field know: this is not a smart or safe idea.

There are a couple of main reasons you MUST think about a cell phone vs a VHF radio. Read More...

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Eagle Scout Testimonial

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A14 handheld radioWe at Icom feel encouraging the next generation in science and communications makes a huge impact on everyone’s future. Support from industry can help steer young people towards a life of science, innovation and creativity. This is just one of the many sponsorships/donations that Icom has been proud to be a part of. Great job Christian and congratulations!

An Icom A14 radio was installed at an observation area at Tulsa International Airport. The radio was placed in a sign that depicts the layout of the airport’s runways and different relevant frequencies were likewise depicted on the sign. The radio has been converted to run off of solar power and only has the receiver functioning. The radio now offers a spot for observers to listen to the tower communicate with pilots during all airport hours of operation. Read More...

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Intrinsically Safe Radios

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“Intrinsic Safety” (IS) is a protection level for safe operation of electronic equipment in various explosive atmospheres. Petrochemical markets and other industries whose work environments may be exposed to explosive vapors as well as ignitable dust, fibers or filings benefit from use of Intrinsic Safety standards.

Each region of the world has its own standards and certification process.

Intrinsic Safety Around the WorldIn the U.S., the National Electric Code Article 500, ANSI/NFPA-70, defines the hazardous area by Class, Division, and Groups which indicate the nature of the environment. Read More...

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50th Anniversary Limited Edition Radios

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7850

For 50 years, Icom has brought innovative technology to the radio industry. We mark the anniversary by releasing two new models with limited, special edition features. The IC-7850 50th Anniversary edition transceiver packs every ounce of high tech components Icom has developed. It includes an optimized roofing filter that has been engineered to greatly improve signal performance, an improved local oscillator which is the benchmark for improved phase noise, and the unit incorporates a dedicated DSP for the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) spectrum scope that enables the operator to sweep faster than even the IC-7800 model. There’s a very limited 150 units being released for the IC-7850 so act quickly and have a part of Icom history. Read More...

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Icom’s Award-Winning M506

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M506 NMEA WinnerIcom America wins Best Marine VHF Radio at the 2014 NMEA® International Marine Electronics Conference & Expo. Icom’s M506 VHF marine transceiver received the award based on its advanced options for NMEA 2000 connectivity, integrated AIS and intuitive user interface. The prestigious NMEA event is held annually and took place at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, Fla. from October 8-11.

In the NMEA category for Best Marine VHF Radio, Icom’s M506 captured the title based on its NMEA 0183/2000 plug-and-play functionality and integrated AIS receiver (select M506 models). The M506 was also recognized for its new intuitive user interface, which promotes fast access to radio functions and settings like Class D DSC. Other award-winning features include “Last Call” voice recording/rewind function, enhanced audio and active noise cancelling and the unit’s large 132×96-pixels dot matrix display. Information regarding the show is available on the NMEA website. Read More...