With the advancements in technology, especially in the smartphone industry, you may be surprised to hear that two-way radios are still in demand. The reality is though, that a variety of industries in the Edmonton area rely on two-way radios in order to operate at their best. It’s reliable communication that leads to smoother, improved day-to-day operations. This article explores why two-way radios are still so important, as well as what industries rely on a two-way radio.
WHY ARE TWO-WAY RADIOS STILL IN DEMAND?
Despite their popularity and use throughout the business world, smartphones have their faults:
- Relatively fragile.
- Need to be updated/maintained.
- Billed monthly
- Can be time consuming (requiring passcode, dialing, and waiting for an answer) as opposed to simply clicking a button.
- Simultaneous communication between multiple parties is difficult.
TOP INDUSTRIES THAT RELY ON TWO-WAY RADIOS
- CONSTRUCTION & TRADES
Tradespeople are constantly on the move, working in rough conditions. Whether they’re operating dangerous machinery or transporting heavy materials, there’s not much room for error. A contractor needs to ensure the safety of his/her crew of foremen, builders, sub-contractors, and more. Professional, reliable, and quick communication is necessary throughout the workday in order to stay safe and stay on track. Cell phones simply aren’t appropriate for these workers as they need to withstand rough treatment, hazardous conditions, abuse, and extreme weather.
RECOMMENDED FEATURES:
- Two watt radios are sufficient for most construction jobs, however, bigger projects may find it necessary to upgrade to four watts.
- Having enough channels to support each group that a supervisor works with is an important feature. Four channels are usually enough for most projects.
- Durability is important on job sites.
- Affordability is often a priority as they can get lost or damaged easily.
- A lightweight radio is usually preferred and it should be easy to use.
The RCA BR200 has 16 Channels and five watts, making it a great choice for large construction projects.
- SCHOOLS
A school is its own community. Administrators, teachers, and maintenance staff are scattered about, as are the students. Two-way radios have become an important tool in many schools across the country. They improve efficiency, coordination, and most importantly, everyone’s safety. Administrators use two-way radios often to keep in touch with teachers and maintenance workers, they’re also used at crosswalks, bus loading zones, and during field trips, assemblies, or sporting events.
RECOMMENDED FEATURES
Purchasing a two-way radio system for a school can be complicated, the following should be considered.
- Low wattage is best for crossing guards and bus loading zones.
- Higher powered models are required for field trips and schools with thick concrete walls that often interfere with the signal strengths.
- A single channel system is often enough.
- Easy enough to use that staff can pick up and go.
- Cost-efficient.
The XR150 digital portable radio from RCA is popular for schools and nurseries.
- SECURITY PROFESSIONALS
Whether monitoring or apprehending suspects, two-way radios have been a major factor in the success of security organizations. They allow a continuous flow of information and promote quick mobilization of resources in an emergency. Security guards are trained to act quickly, whether the situation involves theft, vandalism, assault, or an accident.
RECOMMENDED FEATURES:
- Durability is important as security professionals may find themselves in a variety of situations.
- A high wattage radio helps to ensure communications over a large area, usually, four watts is sufficient.
Since security professionals usually use the same radio in the same manner, you can offer employees a TP3 Customizable DMR Radio, providing the flexibility to choose its colour, display, keypad, and more.
