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Hurricane Season is just around the corner and the National Weather Service has advised us all to be prepared. According to the NWS, one important item to have on your emergency preparedness list is an emergency weather radio.

But which weather radio is right for you? There are a lot of radios available with a lot of features and options. Every radio may not be right for everyone or every situation. What is the best weather radio for your family or business? Which one should you choose?

Not to worry. Buy Two Way Radios created the 2012 Emergency Weather Radio Comparison Guide to help you find the radio you need.

This comparison chart includes all the current models we offer as an authorized Midland dealer, from the compact, easy to carry Midland HH50 Pocket Weather Alert Radio to the full-featured Midland XT511 Base Camp Two Way/Emergency Crank Radio, considered by some as the "swiss army knife" of emergency radios. The radios and their features are organized into a simple chart so you can compare them all easily.

The Emergency Weather Radio Comparison Guide 2012 is FREE for download and ready when you need it.

Here is a quick overview of some key features included with these weather radios.

For more information about choosing an emergency weather radio, listen to The Two Way Radio Show Episode 13 - Emergency and Weather Radios.

We have found that some of our customers have a hard time trying to decide which FRS or GMRS radio is right for them. In this post I will be providing a brief comparison between two of our more popular models, the Motorola MS350R and the Midland GXT1000VP4.

First things first, let's talk about wattage and expected range. When it comes to range, Midland tends to be in a league of its own, offering a full 5 watts of transmit power with the GXT1000 radios. This extra wattage will come in handy when needing to communicate over long distances. In a typical urban setting, the typical range is usually 2 miles or less with the Midland radios, but could possibly reach much longer distances when in open areas or with direct line of sight. The MS350R from Motorola offers 1.5 watts of transmit power, which should still provide sufficient range in most situations.

Another thing to keep in mind is the feature set that each model has and how it may suit your needs in a two way radio. Both of these models will include features such as rechargeable batteries (with the capability of using AA alkaline batteries as a backup source), privacy codes, NOAA weather channels, scan mode and vibrate alert.

Some features that are different between the two models: The Motorola MS350R is fully waterproof and even submersible, while the Midland GXT1000 is only water resistant. The Motorola MS350R is repeater capable while the Midland GXT1000 is not (repeater capability would be a plus if you are within range of a GMRS repeater, as this would greatly increase your range). The MS350R also comes with a built-in LED flashlight for emergency situations, a feature the GXT1000 does not have. However, the Midland GXT1000 does offer one feature that is pretty unique, and that is the "Direct Call" feature. This feature allows you to single out a specific radio when using a group of radios and have a private conversation between only those two users.

Both of these models are top-of-the-line consumer radios, and you really cannot go wrong with either one, but hopefully this comparison will help you make the choice to best suit your needs. If you have any questions about these models or any of our other products, please feel free to contact our sales staff and they will be more than happy to help!

Motorola is in the process of updating the RDX two way radio series to be fully compliant with the FCC's 2013 narrowband changes, and today we received our first updated model: the Motorola RDU2080d. By June 1st, we expect the entire line to be fully updated to "narrowband ready".

What's New In The Narrowband Ready Version
The most noticeable change with this new version is the packaging. The box has gotten a little smaller, and is now green and white with a bold "NARROWBAND READY" stamp. As far as the radio itself, the only obvious change is that the model number on the front is now printed in green instead of white.

The actual radio hardware didn't change. Like practically all radios made in the last decade, the RDX series radios have been technically narrowband compliant since they were first released. What's new is that the certain frequencies built into the radio were previously being defaulted to 25 KHz channel spacing (wideband), and now all built-in frequencies will be defaulted to 12.5 KHz spacing (narrowband).

How This Update Will Affect Your Radios
If you are buying Motorola RDX series radios for the first time, all of your radios will be "Narrowband Ready" and will work great. If you have existing RDX series radios and will be mixing them with the new "Narrowband Ready" models, we recommend that you make a settings change on the older two way radios. The new models will talk to the old models right out of the box (unless you've changed the default settings), and most likely you won't notice any difference. To get the most optimal clarity when communicating between the new and older radios, however, the settings on the older radios need to be changed to default to narrowband.

Updating Your Existing Radios For Narrowband
The following channels were setup for wideband by default and will need to be changed for optimal audio quality with the new "Narrowband Ready" radios. This only applies if you are using your radios on default frequencies/channels.

RDU2020 - Both channels 1 and 2 are wideband by default.
RDU2080d - Channels 1, 2, 3, and 4 are wideband by default.
RDU4100 - All 10 channels are wideband by default.
RDU4160d - All 16 channels are wideband by default.
RDV2020 - Both channels 1 and 2 are wideband by default.
RDV2080d - Channels 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 are wideband by default (all channels except 5).
RDV5100 - All 10 channels are wideband by default.

The easiest way to update your existing radios is to download the RDX series programming software and purchase an RDX series programming cable. This cable will allow you to connect the radio to your PC and easily change the bandwidth options.

Another option is to clone the settings from the new radio to your older radios. If you already have a 6 radio multi-charger then you have everything you need to do this. If you do not have a multi-charger, you will need an RDX series cloning cable to connect the charger bases of the radios.

If your RDX series radio has a display (RDU2080d, RDV2080d, and RDU4160d) then you can adjust bandwidth directly through the radio using the following steps:

1. With the radio OFF, hold down the PTT and SB1 buttons while turning the radio on. (SB1 is the round button just below the PTT button on the side.) Continue to hold down the buttons until the radio beeps. A "PROG" icon on the display confirms you are in programming mode.
2. Use the + / - keys to select the channel you need to adjust.
3. Press MENU until the display shows "Rx BW HI" (HI will be flashing.)
4. Press the - (minus) key and the flashing HI will change to a flashing "LO"
5. Press and hold the PTT button until you hear a short beep. This returns you to the channel selection prompt of programming mode.
6. To make the same change for a different channel, return to step 2.
7. To save settings and exit programming mode, press and hold the PTT button again until you hear a short beep.

To see a demonstration of these steps, check out the following video:

For an in-depth discussion on the FCC's new narrowbanding requirement, listen to The Two Way Radio Show Ep. 12 - The Migration to Narrowband.

As always, if you have any questions about this update or need help updating your radios do not hesitate to contact us.

If you find yourself having to change radio settings every time a new radio is added to your fleet, you can probably save yourself a lot of time by learning how to clone your Motorola RDX radios. The cloning process simply copies the settings from one two way radio to another, and can be done in 3 ways.

NOTE: For cloning to work successfully, the radios must be the same model number.

Cloning Using a Multi-Charger
If you already have a Motorola RLN6309 RDX multi-charger, then you're in great shape! The RLN6309 has built-in support for cloning, and the process couldn't be simpler.

1. Be sure both the Source and Target radios have charged batteries. The multi-charger does not need to be connected to a power source.
2. Place the Target radio (the radio that needs to have settings updated) in Pocket 1 on the charger and turn the radio ON. (Pocket 1 is on the far left when you are facing the Motorola logo).
3. On the Source radio (the radio to copy from), hold down the PTT and SB2 buttons while turning on the radio. Continue to hold these buttons down until a tone is heard (around 3 seconds). (SB2 is the bottom button on the left side of the radio.)
4. Place the Source radio in Pocket 2 of the multi-charger.
5. Press and release SB1 on the Source radio to initiate cloning. A chirp sound confirms cloning was successful, a bonk sound is heard if cloning was not successful.
6. Turn both radios OFF and then ON to exit cloning mode.

Radio to Radio Cloning Using a Cloning Cable
You can also clone two Motorola RDX series radios by purchasing a Motorola RLN6303 Cloning Cable. The RLN6303 allows you to connect two chargers together, and allows for radio to radio cloning.

Before getting started, be sure that you have a fully charged battery in each radio. Also, please note that the chargers will not need to be connected to a power outlet.

1. Unplug any power or USB cables from the chargers and connect them using the cloning cable.
2. Place the Target radio (the radio that needs to have settings updated) in one of the chargers and turn the radio ON.
3. On the Source radio (the radio to copy from), hold down the PTT and SB2 buttons while turning on the radio. Continue to hold these buttons down until a tone is heard (around 3 seconds). (SB2 is the bottom button on the left side of the radio.)
4. Place the Source radio in the empty charger.
5. Press and release SB1 on the Source radio to initiate cloning. A chirp sound confirms cloning was successful, a bonk sound is heard if cloning was not successful.
6. Turn both radios OFF and then ON to exit cloning mode.

Radio Cloning Using Programming Software
You can also use the Motorola RDX programming software to essentially copy the settings from one radio to another.

1. Download the Motorola CPS software and purchase a programming cable (instructions here).
2. Connect a radio charger to the PC using the programming cable and launch the software.
3. Turn Source radio (the radio to copy from) ON and place it in the charger.
4. In the software, click the "Read Radio" button on the toolbar. This downloads the configuration from the radio.
5. Turn Target radio (the radio that needs to have settings updated) ON and place it in the charger.
6. In the software, click the "Write Radio" button on the toolbar. This uploads the configuration that was previously read to the new radio.

These instructions apply to all two way radios that are part of the Motorola RDX series. Models include RDU2020, RDV2020, RDU2080d, RDV2080d, RDU4100, RDV5100, and the RDU4160d.

If your business has a large fleet of Motorola RDX two way radios or has to adjust the radio settings every time a new radio is added, you can save a considerable amount of time by using the RDX series programming software. This software makes it incredibly easy to adjust the settings of a radio. You can also save a profile, and when you add a new two way radio you simply need to open the saved profile and click a toolbar button to write the profile to the new radio. Much simpler than using the radio's menu, especially on models without a display (such as the RDU2020, RDV2020, RDU4100, and RDV5100)! Even if your radio has a display (RDU2080d, RDV2080d, RDU4160d), the programming software still makes the process quicker and saves time.

The software itself is free and the latest version can always be downloaded directly from Motorola's web site at http://www.motorolasolutions.com/rdx. You will, however, need a programming cable: the Motorola RKN4155. This cable connects to the port on the back of the radio charger, and then into a USB port on your PC. Unfortunately, this cable is proprietary, meaning a standard USB cable will not work.

We discuss JIS and IP specification ratings on two way radios and what they mean. We also review the Midland WR-300 emergency weather radio.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:15

Topic Discussion 1:29
We talk about JIS and IP specification ratings on two way radios and what they mean. We'll discuss what they are, what tests are performed on the radios to meet these specifications and how to read the rating designations. Radios discussed include the Midland GXT1000, Motorola Talkabout MS350R, Icom IC-F60, and Vertex Standard VX-231 two way radios. For more information and a complete reference chart for JIS and IP Specifications read The IP and JIS Specification for Water/Dust Resistance.

Commercial Break 22:51
buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 23:49
Today we review the Midland WR-300 Weather Radio.

Questions and Answers 32:33
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

Wrap up and Close 43:31
Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show(at)buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

© 2012 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Nursing homes are one environment where efficient communication is especially important. The ability to have instant communication between nurses, administrators, physicians and maintenance staff is key. It will help create a much safer environment by allowing staff to respond quickly to any accidents or emergencies.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are usually relatively small, so when it comes to two-way radio use, range is not necessarily a big concern. Most of our nursing home customers tend to choose a small, lightweight radio. Some facilities like to use single channel radios, where everyone with a radio will hear all transmissions between staff. Others prefer multi-channel radios so they can keep different departments on separate channels (nurses on channel 1, maintenance on channel 2, etc.) This will keep your multiple groups on their own line of communication, but can still always be accessed by a simple turn of the channel knob.

Because of the fact that range is not usually a factor, some assisted living facilities often consider using less expensive, consumer-grade radios. However, we recommend using business grade radios as they are designed to withstand everyday use in a caregiving environment and they use more exclusive business frequencies that will help eliminate interference.

Here are some radios that are popular within nursing homes:

Kenwood ProTalk XLS (TK-3230) - A very small, very lightweight UHF business radio. Offers 1.5 watts of power, 6 channels and 56 selectable business frequencies. This radio is built to military specs for durability and comes standard with an 18 hour lithium-ion battery, as well as a 2 year manufacturer warranty from Kenwood. Also gives you the capability to use an earpiece or speaker microphone for hands-free use.

Motorola CLS1110 - This is the smallest business radio that we carry. Offers 1 watt of power, 1 channel and 56 selectable business frequencies. Also comes with a 12 hour lithium-ion battery, is built to military specs for durability, and comes with a 1 year manufacturer warranty from Motorola. Hands-free capable. This radio also comes in a 4 channel model, the CLS1410.

Vertex Standard VX-231-AG7B - This radio is a bit bigger than the previous two that were listed, but will also give you much better range. The VX-231 would be ideal for bigger properties where more coverage is needed. Offers 5 watts of power and 16 different channels. This is one of the most durable radios that we carry, and even comes with a 3 year warranty from Vertex Standard. Still fairly small and lightweight, this radio offers excellent battery life and maximum range. It also offers hands-free capability with the use of an earpiece or speaker microphone.

As nursing homes struggle to find ways to improve efficiency and safety within their facilities, many are finding two way radios to be the ideal tool. We have many other options for you to choose from as well. Please feel free to contact our sales staff at 1-800-584-1445 if you have any questions!

With all of the unpredictable weather we have been experiencing lately, particularly the destructive tornados from last week, we have been receiving an uptick in interest in our weather radios. We thought it might be helpful to put together a quick guide to make it a little easier for those shopping for their first weather radio.

What Is A Weather Radio?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a federal agency that, among other things, is tasked with monitoring the weather (through the National Weather Service). NOAA has transmitting stations spread throughout the United States that constantly broadcast the current weather conditions for the surrounding area. Each station transmits a message on one of seven VHF frequencies (162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, and 162.550). A looped recording is constantly played over these frequencies describing the current weather.

A basic weather radio allows you to tune into these frequencies and instantly hear a weather report at any time. Very simple models are super easy to use, only requiring that you choose your local channel and press a button to start listening. Choosing a channel is often as simple as scrolling through stations 1-7 and listening for the one that is the clearest, but NOAA has a page on their web site that will allow you to find the station that is designated for your area.

While a basic weather radio can be useful, a more advanced radio is really recommended.

Proactive Alerts
More advanced weather radios take things a step further, proactively alerting you when an emergency or dangerous weather situation occurs. When an emergency arises, a special tone is transmitted by the NOAA stations. Many weather radios can constantly monitor for these tones and turn themselves on when the tone is heard. This is critical, as it allows your weather radio to now alert you proactively to an emergency.

One drawback of the weather radios that proactively alert is that a NOAA transmitting station covers a very large area, and you may find yourself being alerted to events that do not necessarily apply to your city or county. If this happens enough, you may find yourself paying less attention to the radio when it sounds an alert. The most advanced weather radios support "Specific Area Message Encoding," or SAME, which solves this problem. Weather radios using SAME technology allow you to enter a code that will focus the alerts on roughly a zip code sized area, ensuring that only warnings in your designated area will be alerted to you.

Who Needs A Weather Radio?
As a retailer, it is a little cliché to say that everyone needs our product. In the case of a weather radio, however, I offer no apologies. Year after year we see news stories about people who die in emergencies in which they just didn't have time to get to safety. Weather radios save lives year after year by waking people in the middle of the night or providing enough warning time for them to get to shelter. This is a product that sells for a range of $20-$60 that could make the all the difference in the world when an emergency occurs, so there is really no reason not to have one.

Fortunately, it seems like weather radios are catching on in a big way. Local news channels have gotten the word out about the importance of having one and we see many businesses purchasing them to help keep their employees safe. Weather radios are also in use by almost all of the schools in the nation now, with the Midland WR-120 being the most popular model.

What Is The Best Weather Radio?
As with most products, the best weather radio really depends upon how you plan to use it and even how much you want to spend. Here I'll outline a few of our best sellers and give the pros and cons of each.

Midland WR-120 Weather Radio - The Midland WR-120 is possibly the most popular weather radio in the world. It is a full featured desktop weather radio, supporting SAME technology and even allowing for the connection of (optional) external accessories such as a strobe light or antenna.

Midland WR-400 Weather Radio - More advanced than the WR-120, the WR-400 also includes features such as an AM/FM radio, alarm clock, selectable alert settings, and color coded alert lights.

Midland ER310 Emergency Hand Crank Weather Radio with Flashlight - This is a full featured portable combo weather radio and flashlight with multiple power options, AM/FM radio, SOS signaling in Morse Code, a built-in USB charging port and even a dog whistle to alert rescue animals. The ER210 is the base model.

Midland XT-511 Emergency Crank Radio - This is more of an all-around emergency device than simply a weather radio. It can be powered by AC, DC, battery, or by crank. It has a flashlight, AM/FM radio, weather radio, GMRS two way radio and USB port. It would be nice to have during a power outage or on a camping trip. Does not support SAME.

Midland HH50B Weather Radio - This is a very small and inexpensive hand held All Hazards Alert radio. Does not support SAME.

Weather Radio Accessories
Midland 18-STR Strobe Light - This accessory is made to go with your Midland Weather Radios. This strobe light will plug directly into many weather radio models, giving you a visual alert in case of an alert. This would be great if you had a family member with hearing problems or simply wanted to keep the volume on your weather radio at a minimum.

Midland 18-259W Weather Antenna - This antenna is will help if you are in an area or in a building where it is difficult to receive a strong signal. Great for cars, vans, homes, boats, RVs, and is specially designed to use for steel buildings and manufactured homes with metallic siding or construction.

Whether you live in a region with unpredictable weather or you just want to be prepared in an emergency situation, we here at www.BuyTwoWayRadios.com have the tools to keep you and your loved ones safe and prepared. If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to contact our sales staff at 1-800-584-1445!

It is no secret that two way radios are essential tools in the manufacturing industry. Whether you have a small warehouse or a huge manufacturing plant, two way radio communication will help your company operate more efficiently.

Two way radios will give your employees a direct line of communication with other co-workers and/or supervisors. This will eliminate the need to leave a station unmanned to go find a fellow employee when something is needed. Studies have shown that two way radios typically pay for themselves with time savings in just a matter of months. In a manufacturing or assembly plant where an employee leaving a station could stop production, these savings are realized even more quickly.

Recommended Radios
We almost exclusively recommend UHF radios to manufacturers. UHF radios will tend to work better in most situations, as the radios will typically be used indoors. UHF frequencies penetrate thru solid objects such as steel and concrete better than VHF frequencies.

Here are a couple of basic UHF business radios that would be ideal in smaller warehouses or plants:

Motorola RDX RDU2020 (UHF) - One of our most popular models, the RDU2020 is a 2 watt, 2 channel UHF radio. It is built tough and is very durable. Comes standard with a lithium-ion battery, belt clip, and has a fixed antenna. As with all Motorola products, the RDU2020 has outstanding voice clarity. Also has the capability for accessories such as earpieces or speaker microphones for hands-free use. 1 year warranty from Motorola included.

Kenwood TK-3300-U4P (UHF) - Another one of our popular business radios. As with the Motorola model, the TK3300 delivers 2 watts of output power, but with 4 channels. This would be the better choice, say, if you had multiple departments and wanted each department on a specific channel. Also comes with lithium-ion battery and belt clip. The antenna for this model will be quite a bit longer than the Motorola model, but since it is removable, you can switch it over to a stubby antenna if you prefer (this would reduce range). Also earpiece/speaker microphone capable. 2 year warranty from Kenwood included.

For bigger warehouses or plants, you may want to go with a radio that has a little more "juice". Here are some more powerful radios:

Motorola RDX RDU4100 (UHF) - This radio is in the same family as the RDX RDU2020, but will offer 4 watts of output power and 10 different channel selections. This model has a removable antenna and lithium-ion battery that come standard. Very tough, durable radio but still offers exceptional sound quality. The RDU4100 can be programmed to work with a repeater if even more range is needed. A 1 year warranty from Motorola is included.

Vertex VX-351-AG (UHF) - The VX-351 will get you the maximum business radio output power of 5 watts with 16 channels. For exceptionally large buildings, this model would be a good choice. It is built to military standards for water, dust, and shock resistance and comes standard with a long lasting lithium-ion battery. An industry leading 3 year warranty from Vertex is included.

Callboxes and Intercoms
We also carry call boxes and intercom systems that will definitely come in handy for large warehouses that do a lot of shipping and receiving. These call boxes will mount on the outside of your building and are programmed to match the frequencies of your handheld radios, allowing the driver for any incoming shipments to press a button to alert someone inside the warehouse that they have arrived.

This type of communication is necessary for many manufacturing facilities, but could also come in handy during those cold winter months and hot summer months when it may not be ideal to leave the warehouse bay doors open. Some Ritron callboxes even have options to automatically open a gate or activate other devices! Here are a couple of the call boxes that we suggest:

Ritron RQX-451-XT Outpost 1 Series Callbox (UHF) - The 1 Series XT Callbox is built in a fiberglass and stainless steel case that is built to withstand outdoor conditions. Comes with tamper-resistant fasteners to ensure that no one will be able to access the callbox when your business is closed. Has the capability to run wirelessly with D batteries, or you can hook up an external wired AC power source. Ideal for most situations.

Ritron RQX-451 Outpost 1 Series Basic Callbox (UHF) - This is the RQX-451-XT's little brother. Built in a weather resistant housing, this model can also run off of D batteries wirelessly or be connected to an AC power source. Can't be used exclusively outdoors in the weather without additional weatherproofing of the antenna.

Intrinsically Safe Two Way Radios
With manufacturing, we understand that sometimes there are special needs for two way radios. We run across quite a few facilities that work with chemicals or explosive gasses and need a radio that will never produce a spark that could ignite them. In these cases, an intrinsically-safe radio will be key. Intrinsically safe (IS) is a protection technique for safe operation of electronic equipment in explosive atmospheres. These radios will limit energy to prevent fire or explosions in areas with hazardous chemicals or gases. Here are a couple of intrinsically safe radios that we stock:

Vertex VX-427 Intrinsically Safe (UHF) - The VX-427 delivers the full 5 watts of power, and would be ideal in large chemical plants or any other environment where intrinsically safe radios are needed. Also comes standard with an intrinsically safe lithium-ion battery, belt clip, removable antenna and rapid charger. As with all Vertex radios, it is built to military standards and is very durable. Also comes with the industry leading 3 year Vertex warranty.

Icom IC-F60-81-DTC Intrinsically Safe (UHF) - Small but heavy duty radio that offers 4 watts of output power. Intrinsically safe radio as well as intrinsically safe lithium-ion battery. Comes with belt clip, removable whip antenna and direct trickle charger. Built to military standards and comes with the 2 year Icom warranty.

No matter what your manufacturing plant produces, two way radios are excellent communication tools that can be used to help your company run more smoothly. If you have any questions about the radios listed above or any of our other products, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Looking for ways to use two-way radio communication in your educational setting? Equipping your faculty with two-way radios can make your school much more efficient in a number of ways.

Effective communication between administrators, teachers, security and custodial staff is very important to keep your school running smoothly. Two-way radios are an excellent alternative to cell phones, loud speaker systems, or trying to track down an individual in such a large building.

Here are a number of ways that two-way radio communication can help you be effective:

1. Two-way radios will ensure good communication between the front office and teachers within the classroom, or administrators within the school.

2. Two-way radios can be used to help security and/or administrators communicate during the arrival and dismissal process. This can be one of the most hectic parts of the day for any school. Late buses, parents looking for their children, or any emergencies can be quickly and effectively communicated.

3. Two-way radios can be used to alert custodial staff of any spills or maintenance issues so that they can be taken care of immediately.

4. Two-way radios can be used to alert school security officers in case of any emergency situations, keeping the students and rest of the faculty safe.

Typically, a high powered UHF radio will be ideal in a school setting. Since most schools are fairly large buildings made up of brick, steel and concrete, UHF frequencies will be your best bet because they will penetrate through these solid objects much better than VHF frequencies.

The radios that we usually suggest to our customers looking for radio communication in a school setting are:

The Kenwood ProTalk XLS (TK-3230) (UHF) - Offers 1.5 watts of power, which would be ideal for a smaller campus. A very small, very lightweight business grade radio. This radio comes standard with a lithium-ion battery, and a 2 year manufacturer warranty from Kenwood. Gives you a nice professional look without being very big and bulky. Also comes with the capability to use accessories such as an earpiece or speaker microphone for hands-free use.

The Icom IC-F4011-41-RC (UHF)- Offers 4 watts of output power, which will equal great range within the building, as well as outside around the campus. This radio is also built to military specs for shock, dust and water resistance, and will be able withstand a pretty good beating without breaking. It also comes with a 2 year manufacturer warranty from Icom. This radio comes standard with a lithium-ion battery that should make it thru a school day on a single charge with no problems. This radio has the capability to use accessories such as an earpiece or speaker microphone for hands-free use. Also gives you that professional radio look.

The Vertex VX-231-AG7B (UHF) - Offers 5 watts of output power, which might be the better option if you have an exceptionally large campus that you need to cover. Built to the same military specs as the Icom model for shock, dust and water resistance. It also comes with a 3 year manufacturer warranty from Vertex. This radio has the capability to use accessories such as an earpiece or speaker microphone for hands-free use. Also comes standard with the lithium-ion battery and nice professional look to it.

Any and every school can benefit by having better communication within their staff, and there is no better way to do that than with a two-way radio system. If you have any questions about these radios, or any of our other products, please feel free to contact our sales staff and they will be glad to help you!