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Who’s that on the Radio? Creating Your Ham Identity

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Behind every Ham is a callsign. It is how you are known in the amateur radio community. Creating your own callsign (vanity callsign) helps to personalize your radio identity.

Throughout the years, as I have upgraded my ham license, I have also changed my callsign. I received my first callsign (KB5KCL) while living in Starkville, MS. After moving to the Pacific Northwest I felt changing my callsign (KC7JPA) to my new region would simplify things. I was happy with that callsign, until the introduction of the IC-7800. Once exposed to the world of DX and contesters, I quickly learned the need for a 1×2 callsign. After upgrading once again, I snagged my current sign, N9JA. Read More...

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An Adventure Visiting Japan and Icom’s Roots

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Dealers in Japan

Earlier this year a contest was introduced, giving Icom Land Mobile dealers the opportunity to earn an all-expense paid trip to Japan for them and a guest. How did they do it? By meeting their purchase goal. Twenty dealers finished in the winner’s group of their tier, and in early November they headed off to Japan for four days.

The trip to Japan was an extraordinary experience for all involved. It was not just a flight to Japan, the awarded dealers were able to visit Icom Inc headquarters, the Wakayama Factory and a number of historic sites. Read More...

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How can Icom’s next generation IDAS™ help me?

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Next Generation IDASThe way we communicate has changed tremendously over the last two decades. As technology advances in two-way communications, so do our devices. A radio is no longer just a radio. With each new generation, additional features and functions are included. But what do all these features do? How do they fit in real-life situations and who will benefit from them?

Bluetooth®
With many states now passing hands-free laws, the ability to use a communication device while driving is changing. Two-way radios with built-in Bluetooth® provide hands-free communication. While paired with a Bluetooth® headset, commercial vehicle drivers are able to answer a call hands-free and still be complaint with FMCSA. Read More...

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Land Mobile Solutions: Growing and Expanding

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Novak

Ray Novak, Senior Sales Manager

I have always known a major strength of Icom is the depth of expertise and experience we are able to bring to every market, every industry and every customer. Ranging from product design to development to customer service, this high level of knowledge allows us to find the right solutions for our customer’s communication needs. Our superior service has contributed to the growth of our largest division, Land Mobile.

New Opportunities

Not only has our Land Mobile Division grown, but my position has as well. Still involved within our Amateur Radio Division, I have now added the additional responsibility of our U.S. Sales Team within our Land Mobile Division. It is truly exciting to work with both teams. Read More...

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“Mayday!”: A Rescue on the Potomac

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Holding a M36 Radio

“A little thing like a radio can save your life.” – Brad Stemocosky

A beautiful, calm day on the water can change to a dangerous situation in an instant. On December 20, 2015, Brad Stemocosky and a friend went fishing on Potomac River, near Chesapeake Bay. The two men were well-prepared for the trip, however a fierce turn in the weather as they tried to return home was too much for the 16-foot boat. As 3 1/2-foot waves swamped their vessel, Stemocosky was able to quickly send out a mayday with his handheld VHF radio.

Within 10 seconds the boat was gone.

The two men bobbled in the cold, 50-degree water for nearly an hour and an half. While the search helicopter circled above, Stemocosky was able to communicate with the Coast Guard, assisting the Search and Rescue team. The two men were safely pulled out of the water. Read More...

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Emergency Preparedness: How Will You Communicate?

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Emergency Preparedness ChecklistCommunication is essential, although we often take it for granted. Today we live in a world where information is instantly available. But what if there is an emergency situation and our communication tools are no longer working? How will you contact loved ones or emergency personal? September is recognized as National Preparedness Month. Icom America wants to provide our customers with some communication solutions, which could be helpful during an emergency.

Cell Phones

Cell phones are part of our daily lives, however they have vulnerabilities, especially during an emergency. Networks can fail. Cell towers or satellites could go down. Regardless of any failures, cell phones can still be extremely useful. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) messages can be received by your cell phone, even if the network is congested. Read More...

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APCO 2016: Communications on the Go

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EMCOMM-1

EMCOMM-1 Heading to APCO 2016

When an emergency strikes, people relay on public safety agencies more than ever. They are expected to provide reliable communication not only during, but after an emergency as well. It is therefore imperative to ensure all equipment is functioning properly and up to date with the latest technologies.

Earlier this month at APCO’s 82nd Annual Conference and Exhibition, attendees from around the world arrived to network, research new products and discover emerging technologies in the public safety industry. Now that National Preparedness Month is upon us, it is the perfect reminder to start looking at your agencies’ current communication solutions. Read More...

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Radio Scouting – Mentoring the Next Generation of Hams

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Ray Novak at 2013 Jamboree

N9JA at the K2BSA 2013 Jamboree Operation. Scouts were on the air from West Virginia using Icom gear.

Icom America began its relationship with Boy Scouts of America in 1981, by loaning equipment to the K2BSA Amateur Radio Association’s jamboree operation at Fort A.P. Hill. That continued up till 2012, when Icom signed a sponsorship agreement with the Boy Scouts of America. I’m very pleased to note that we have renewed our sponsorship through 2018.

What is Radio Scouting?

Radio Scouting is a pretty simple concept – it is everything involved with amateur radio within Scouting. At the heart of Radio Scouting is talking with other Scouts on-air, sharing stories, and learning about other cultures. Radio Scouting also introduces the technology and magic of amateur radio. It does this in a number of ways starting with Jamboree-on-the-Air. Read More...

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5 Important Tips When Reviewing a School Emergency Plan

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Each year as summer begins to dwindle and the first day of school creeps closer, we start to wonder how prepared is our school for an emergency. Frequently reviewing your school’s emergency plan is a good idea, and the start of a new school year is the perfect chance to review. In efforts to raise awareness on emergency preparedness, Icom encourages schools to consider these five tips when looking over their emergency plan.

  1. Anticipate
    Identifying and understanding all the potential emergency situations for an organization is imperative in developing a school emergency plan. What type of serve weather frequents the area, or what are some medical issues students may have? These are common scenarios a crisis management plan should consider. Every situation requires a different reaction, and a school should plan accordingly. Review all the emergency scenarios in the schools plans and determine in anything needs to be re-evaluated or added. Do not wait for the crisis to occur, prepare for it now.
  1. Train
    Preparation and training for emergency situations helps reduce chaos and manage behavioral expectations of staff and students should a crisis occur. Review the roles each staff member has been assigned in the schools emergency plan. Provide updated training classes and rehearse the situation. Emergency response education is not just for the teachers, but the students as well. Running emergency drills teaches both students and staff the proper protocol in each situation.
  1. Communicate
    Assess the school’s communication procedures. When an emergency hits how does the school communicate with others in the building or emergency personal? Cell phone communication can be unreliable during an emergency, as networks can become overloaded and fail. Two-way radios allow staff to communicate with a touch of a button, whether they are on the playground, in a classroom or in the hallways. Radios also provide a safe, instant and reliable form of communication with first responders.
  1. Inventory
    Whenever a storm is about to hit, people run to the store to stock up on supplies in preparation for a potential emergency. Same concept should apply to a school’s crisis management plan. Although remember, advance notice of a potential “storm” may not be forecasted. Check the school’s inventory of emergency supplies at least once a year. Make sure all supplies are current and working: first aid kits, batteries, radios and more.
  1. Recovery
    After any type of incident, the school’s emergency plan should be evaluated and updated if necessary. Review all emergency equipment and supplies. If anything needs to be replaced or updated do so immediately. When reviewing an emergency plan always remember it is better to be over-prepared than under.

More information about school emergency plans is available online.

  Read More...

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Safe Boating Essentials: Preparing for the Water

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Safe boating

From ships to paddle boats, water safety is number one. While the U.S. Coast Guard has different requirements for different vessels, the concepts behind all safety basics are the same.

Preparation is Prevention
There can be many unforeseen circumstances that can occur while on the water, preparing for the day is crucial when it comes to safety at sea. Start with a pre-departure or vessel safety checklist to review that all systems and required safety equipment are in working condition and onboard. The last thing anyone wants is to be in an emergency situation and have missing or faulty equipment. Read More...