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Amateur Radio: The Ultimate STEM Activity

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External display output on the IC-7610 makes instruction easy.

How time does fly. It seems like just last week I made a post about my Field Day adventures in and around the Atlanta area. I explored the concept of Field Day as Amateur Radio’s open house and spending time with several different groups to learn what makes Field Day special for them. In truth, of course, it’s been a full 12 months and yet another Field Day is in the log. This year, I took Field Day on the road and spent the weekend with a marvelous group of young men and women up in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Read More...

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F52D: It’s More Than Just the Size

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For public safety, service and security workers, communication tools are key. There are numerous devices on the market designed for these individuals. But do these devices have everything? Do they have all the features you have become accustomed to, and are they compact in size for easy handling? Or do you have to sacrifice one for the other?

The F52D/F62D series is the newest edition to the Icom IDAS™ portable line-up. This new radio has it all, impressive features, modern design and compact in size. Building on the success of the F50V and the innovation of the F3400 series, this new radio will easily fit in the palm of your hands. The F52D/F62D is the smallest series on the market, which makes it perfect for discrete use and convenient carrying. Read More...

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Connecting Icom Customers with AIR. LAND. SEA. Interoperability

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Customer service is the heart of any successful business. It is not just about providing the basics, but going above and beyond is what makes a company’s customer service soar. We have all experienced good and bad customer service, and the good service is what creates customer loyalty.

At Icom we pride ourselves on providing top quality and service to all our customers. Anyone who does not believe in going the extra mile for a customer would have recently been proven wrong.

A couple of weeks ago, James Mueller of the King County Search and Rescue Office approached Icom’s Service Manager Dywane Black. They wanted five of their Icom F5601 radios to be interoperable. King County Search and Rescue Association (KCSARA) is a volunteer organization. Members respond to numerous incidents every year involving lost or injured hikers, missing aircrafts and assist with natural disaster incidents as well. Having interoperable equipment is vital to complete their missions. Read More...

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Communicating in the Worst Environments with Icom’s F52D

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F52d graphicWhen a fire strikes, time is of an essence for the firefighters and those trapped. Being able to have effective fireground radio communications during these situations is vital, but can be proven difficult. Firefighters are engulfed in a hostile environment filled with smoke, water and falling objects, all while in a cloud of ash-filled darkness. They have safety equipment to help combat these conditions, however during these stress-full situations everything needs to work perfectly, even their radios. Read More...

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Amateur Radio Emergency Communications — Be Prepared

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Earlier on this blog, I wrote about Emergency Communications — Amateur Radio’s Role. In that post I touched on the things that I feel make amateur radio ideal for emergency communications:

  • Communication Options — Amateur radio offers frequencies from HF to VHF to UHF as well as communication modes from CW to D-STAR. That range of options allows local, regional, or national communications in times of need.
  • Volunteers — The number of licensed amateur radio operators has never been greater. They are eager to get involved to help out in any situation.
  • Training — There are plenty of training options available from introductory courses to management courses. That includes ARRL courses as well as FEMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Incident Command System (ICS), and National Incident Management System (NIMS) training.
  • Experience — ARRL Field Day is a great way to test your club’s ability to get a station on the air, make contacts, and get everyone involved. Hopefully, you also have other events that you’re supporting in addition to your routine repeater and equipment maintenance.

I also pointed out in that blog post that there can often be a big gap between technical skills and the human skills that we bring to any emergency. It’s all well and good that we have the radios, training, and experience but if we can’t mesh with the existing first responder organization, we’re not really helping. And, in fact, we may be hindering their effectiveness. 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...