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How to Choose Two-way Radios For The Classic Los Angelos Outdoor Person

Posted on December 1, 2017December 1, 2019 by James DeRosa

L.A. has some of the best outdoor activities in the world. From the mountains to the ocean, some of the best opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors is available in Southern California.

Want to stay in touch with your skiing or hiking pals at different spots on the mountain or trails? Two-way radios—rugged, lightweight, compact—are designed for such tasks. Here are some tips to help you decide which model is right for you.

Two-way Radio Features

Size and Weight: Shop units by size, shape and weight, especially if your intended use is backpacking. You’ll want a lightweight radio that isn’t bulky. If you’re a skier or mountaineer, look for an ergonomic shape so you can easily use it with gloves. Consider a model where the antenna length is similar to the length of the unit’s body; this provides peak power in a small package.

Two-way Radio Channels: Most radios, especially those used for outdoor recreation, have 22 channels available, on either the Family Radio Service (FRS) band or the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) band. To operate a radio that uses GMRS channels, a 5-year family license is available from the FCC (look for Form 605).

Wattage and Range of Coverage: Many two-way radios claim they have a range up to 25 miles in optimal conditions. Real-world conditions are usually not optimal, and in roughly 90% of situations, a radio’s actual range will be about 2 miles or less.

FRS-only models put out the FRS maximum of a half watt and give you a maximum range of 5-6 miles. Though GMRS technically allows a maximum power output of 50 watts (used for base stations), most recreational handhelds offer 1 or 2 watts to keep size and weight low. These typically have a maximum range between 8-25 miles.

A chief benefit of higher-powered radios (1- or 2-watt models) is their ability to fill in coverage dropouts (behind hills or buildings, for example) that often occur within the line of sight of a radio user. The higher power tends to improve the overall quality of the signal.

Higher-watt radios use more battery power and are more expensive, so consider your use and decide whether your need for range outweighs your need for battery life. A low-watt FRS model may be sufficient if your main goal is to simply keep track of your family on the trail.

Privacy/Interference-Eliminator Codes: In busy areas, such as a ski resort, 22 channels can quickly get occupied. As a result, many radios provide a Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) or CDCSS (Continuous Digital Coded Squelch System) that allows you to subdivide main channels with the use of privacy codes. Rather than trying to communicate with a friend simply by using Channel 5, privacy codes let you connect with a combination of channel and code—for example, Channel 5 and Code 3.

The use of CTCSS or CDCSS “codes” can minimize (but not eliminate) the amount of unwanted chatter on the main channel the user would otherwise hear.

Important: A “privacy code” does not make your communication private. This is why some manufacturers alternately call this feature an “interference-elimination” code.

Calling and Paging Features: Pre-set “calling” tones can let you grab the attention of other members of your party before you start talking. You can also set some models to vibrate instead of making an audible tone.

Scanning: This allows you to cruise through channels in order to find the one that your group is using. You can also use this feature to quickly locate an “empty” channel for your group to use.

Keypad Lock: This allows you to lock your settings in order to prevent them from accidentally getting changed as you go about your outdoor activities.

VOX: The voice-activated (or “VOX”) feature begins broadcasting automatically when you speak in the direction of the radio, thus letting you operate it hands-free. Mountain bikers and skiers find this to be a useful function.

Noise Filter: This allows clearer signals and enhanced range.

Weather Radio: Tap into the NOAA weather band stations for local forecast and conditions. This is a very handy feature for anyone, but can be essential for backcountry adventurers.

Hands Free: Jacks for microphones, headphones and microphone/headphone combos allow for hands-free operation. This is ideal for active sports—skiing, kayaking, cycling—where you might not be able to stop and answer the call.

Radio/GPS Combo Units: Though more pricey, some units offer all-in-one nav/comm capability. A key advantage is peer-to-peer positioning, which allows you to broadcast your location coordinates so they appear on your fellow users’ screens.

Two-way Radio Batteries: Most two-way radios run on AA or AAA batteries and are designed to accept disposable alkaline batteries or rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. Others come with their own rechargeable battery packs.

In general, the higher a radio’s power output, the faster it will drain your batteries. Look for models that send the unit into a low-power, battery-saver mode after a certain amount of time has elapsed between broadcasts. Or consider a solar charger for in-the-field replenishment of rechargeable batteries.

Tips for Using Two-way Radios

Scattered trees and bushes are mostly transparent or “translucent” to radio signals. So even in forested or hilly territory, two-way radios generally do a fair to good job of transmitting short-range signals. However, several factors can inhibit two-way radio performance:

Topography (hills, deep canyons, ridgelines, tall formations)
Weather (such as thick clouds)
Electromagnetic interference (lightning)
Obstructions (dense forest, structures)
Large metal surfaces (inside a vehicle, range is usually less than 1 mile)

To optimize the range, make sure you achieve a good line of sight between you and the other radio operator. You will increase your ability to increase your range as you increase the elevation of your position. Attaining a high point above an otherwise flat area can be a huge benefit toward optimizing your radio’s maximum range.

The human body can also block radio waves. You may boost reception of incoming signals if you attach a radio to a section of your pack that remains away from your body instead of clipping it to your belt.

Other Two-way Radio Considerations

Compatibility: Any two-way radios broadcasting on the same frequency (FRS or GMRS) and supporting the same channels will work together. Keep in mind, though, that to get full use of your radio’s other features, you’ll need another radio with the same features. Thus, it makes sense to buy in pairs.

Usage Area: USA and Canada: Two-way radios made for use in the USA are generally not legal to use outside North America. In 2005, the frequencies used for two-way radios in the United States and Canada were aligned, both meeting the same requirements. Mexico formally allocates only FRS channels. Other countries may use these frequencies for police, military or other applications.

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Police Radio Codes

Posted on December 1, 2017December 1, 2019 by James DeRosa

If you’ve ever watched an episode of television or a film with someone communication over the radio with a string of numbers, you may have wondered what deal is with phrases similar to “10-4.” While 10-4 is arguably the most well-known of their lot, these code phrases are known as “ten-codes” or “ten-signals;” despite the name, there are for more than ten of them. The ten element of each code, beginning each phrase with the word “ten” arose as a workaround for receiving parties with inaccurate communication devices.

The codes were initially conceived by Charles Hopper in 1937. Hopper had been serving the Illinois State Police as a comms director and grew frustrated with how the analog equipment would tend to lose the first few moments of a correspondence. Hopper eventually figured that if an officer were to begin a message with the word “ten,” that messages could be received by the other party without losing any of the pertinent information as the equipment warmed up to operational standards. The codified nature of these signals also had the beneficial side effect of expediting communications.

10-1 Receiving Poorty
10-2 Receiving Well
10-3 Stop Transmitting
10-4 Acknowlegemet Rec’d
10-5 Relay To
10-6 Busy
10-7 Out Of Service-At
10-8 In Service
10-9 Repeat-Conditions Bad
10-10 Out Of Service
10-11 Dispatching Rapidly
10-12 Visitors Present
10-13 Weather/Road Cond.
10-14 Convoy Or Escort
10-15 Prisoner In Custody
10-16 Pick Up Prisoner At
10-17 Conduct Investigation
10-18 Complete ASGD Quick
10-19 Return To Station
10-20 Your Location
10-21 Call Station (Phone)
10-22 Disregard
10-23 Standby
10-24 Trouble-Sand Help
10-25 In Contact With
10-26 Message Received
10-27 Complete Record Ok
10-28 Check Registration
10-29 Stolen And/Or Wanted
10-30 Against Rules/Reg.
10-31 In Pursuit
10-32 Is Do Opr Available
10-33 Emergency Traffic
10-34 Jail Break/Trbl. Station
10-35 Confidential Info.
10-36 Correct Time
10-37 Operator On Duty
10-38 Block Road (S) At Station By Phone
10-39 Message Delivered
10-40 Out For Meal
10-41 In Possession Of
10-42 Out Of Service-Home
10-43 Any Traffic For
10-44 Pick Up Papers At
10-45 Call_By Phone
10-46 Urgent
10-47 Blood Run
10-48 End/Did You Receive
10-49 Serving War. Capals
10-50 Stop Veh. (Tag 10-20)
10-51 Enroute
10-52 Est. Time Of Arrival
10-53 Coming By Office
10-54 Negative
10-55 Car Calling To Car
10-56 Meet…At…
10-57 At Pistol Range
10-58 At Road Patrol Office
10-59 Send Teletype/Comp. Mag.
10-60 Assist To Motorist
10-61 Need R.P.SGI On Scene
10-62 Need R.P.LT On Scene
10-63 Need Bomb Squad (Scene)
10-64 Need Crime Lab (Scene)
10-65 Can You Copy
10-66 Cancel
10-67 Serving Civil Process
10-68 Legal Advice/Advisor
10-69 Send Narc.Agent
10-70 Send Wrecker
10-71 Send Ambulance
10-72 Send Helicopter
10-73 Open Gate S.O
10-74 Re-Call
10-88 Where Can Be Reached
10-89 On Page Service
10-90 Scramble (Code ABCD)
10-91 Detective And Vice Freq.
10-92 Police Comm. Freq
10-93 Detective Needed
10-94 Send Back-Up Car
10-95 Computer Check
10-96 Radio-Telephone Patch
10-97 Arrived At Scene
10-98 Complete Assignment
10-99 Unable Receive Signal
10-100 Alert-Remain Contact With
10-101 Log On Digital
10-102 Log Off Digital
10-103 Ack. Digital Mag. Screen
10-104 Computer System Down
10-105 Send Jail Wagon
10-106 Medical Asst Needed

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Global Positioning System Locators; Electronic pathfinders for dummies

Posted on December 1, 2017December 1, 2019 by James DeRosa

There was a time less than half a century ago when all navigators had to either depend on the ancient art of Dead Reckoning or a topographic map and a compass or, in the case of mariners, a chart, a sextant and, a compass to determine their position on the face of the Earth. But, even then, most fixes were merely close approximations given in degrees and minutes at best and thus, even for the best navigators, finding your way to your destination over long distances was as much art as it was science. However, thanks to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (aka DARPA) and the U.S. Air force in conjunction with the U.S. Government, many people have grown up using Global Positioning System applications on their smart phones and/or dash mounted GPS units in their vehicles which literally provide the user with turn-by-turn instructions to arrive at any chosen destination without fail. In fact, this technology has become so prevalent in today’s world that mounted GPS locators are now available for vehicles, boats, and planes and, handheld units are available for hikers and explorers. Thus, considering that GPS locators are readily available for most any mode of transportation and, that they are relatively inexpensive, why would you not want to purchase one to guide you on your travels?

For your information, the Global Positioning System was developed by DARPA and deployed by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1973 for use by the United States Military but, it did not become fully operational until 1995 when the last of 27 GPS satellites was launched into orbit around the Earth. Even so, due to the potential value to both civil transportation and science, civilians were permitted access to the GPS system in the 1980s. However, both advances in technology and new demands placed on the then existing system led to efforts in 1988 to modernize the system but, it was not until 2000 that the U.S. Congress finally authorized the needed changes which, in turn, led to the next generation of GPS Block IIIA satellites and the next generation Operational Control System (OCX).

In addition, for those of you who are not familiar with the inner workings of the Global Positioning System, it is a space-based, radio-navigation, system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Air Force and, it provides geolocation and time information to all GPS receivers anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites simultaneously. In fact, the Global Positioning System does not require the user to transmit any data and, it operates independently of telephone and internet services and thus, it is capable of providing critical, real-time, location information to military, civilian, and commercial users around the world and, it is accessible free of charge to anyone with a GPS receiver.

So, now that you understand what a GPS locator is, it is time to discuss how they work and why everyone who travels to distant destinations on either land or water should have a GPS locator along. Thus, the first thing that you need to understand is that although there are a total of 27 GPS satellites which all orbit the Earth twice per day, only 24 are in use at any given time while the other three serve as failsafes and thus, the system is always on and always provides the necessary number of signals to virtually any location on Earth. However, the U.S. Military does have the ability to selectively block the signal in any given location and thus, it may not be available to civilians in a time of war. However, provided that the signal is available, GPS locators use a process known as Trilateration which differs from the process of Triangulation because Triangulation determines a position by measuring the angles of the triangles formed between an observer and two known points whereas, Trilateration determines a position by measuring the distance from an observer to at least two known points. However, it should be noted that GPS locators use the signals broadcast from at least four orbiting satellites at any given time to determine a position by simultaneously measuring the amount of delay in receiving the signal from the satellites based upon their calculated position in their orbits at any given time of day. Consequently, as long as you have a clear enough line of sight to receive at least 4 out of 24 total signals from the GPS system, you GPS locator will be able to determine your location.

However, while simply knowing your Longitude and Latitude is sufficient for highly experienced mariners to navigate the world’s oceans, most navigators need a bit more detail than that because the surface of the ocean is relatively featureless while, the land features widely varied terrain; some which presents significant obstacles to travel. Therefore, GPS locator manufacturers have also included the ability to upload software such as topographic maps and/or nautical charts into the memories of their various GPS locators to provide users with a significant level of graphic detail about their location to make navigating to a specific destination much easier. Therefore, GPS locators designed for vehicle use usually have extensive street map data bases as well as traveler information such as restaurants, hotels, entertainment, and locals sights. Thus, with the push of a few buttons, you can locate any address you choose and receive turn-by-turn directions via electronic voice instruction as well as via a visual display to enable you to arrive at your destination without the anxiety of not knowing where you are or where you are going. But, if you are a boater instead, then there are also marine specific GPS locators in both mounted and handheld models who’s databases contain nautical charts which enable you easily determine your position when out on the water as well as providing a visual display of your course to your desired destination. On the other hand, if you are a hiker or an explorer, then there are also GPS locators that are designed especially for you because their databases contain copies of the world’s topographic maps and thus, they are capable of displaying your location in remote wilderness areas as well as the course you have traveled and the direction to your desired destination. Furthermore, GPS locators enable you to mark “waypoints” which is any point that is of interest to you and thus, simply by pushing a single button, you can record the location of any given point and then save it in the locator’s memory while also assigning it a unique name so that you can find it again if you want to. Plus, many units will enable you to connect your GPS locator to your computer in order to download the data stored in the locator’s memory as well to access the locator’s database in order to create pre-determined routes by establishing a series of waypoints that will enable you to avoid difficult terrain obstacles by traveling from waypoint to waypoint to eventually arrive at your destination. Therefore, Global Positioning System locators serve as simple, electronic, pathfinders for dummies!

Consequently, simply by having a GPS locator along with you when you travel, you can alleviate all of the stress that is inevitability experienced by the Human psyche when people don’t know where they are or what direction to travel in to arrive at their chosen destination. In fact, because modern GPS locators provide users with so much more than simply their longitude and latitude, drivers can choose destinations by address or type and then receive clear, simple-to-follow, turn-by-turn, directions to their chosen destination while, mariners can plot and follow a course with the ease of drivers and, outdoor adventurers can find their way in the wilderness regardless of how far into uncharted territory they may travel. Plus, with the ability to plot your desired course and destination prior to embarking combined with the ability to record your actual course and mark waypoints along the way regardless of whether you are driving, boating, paddling or, walking, Global Positioning System receivers are the best tools travelers have been presented with since the invention of the wheel! So, with such a handy and relatively inexpensive device readily available, why on Earth would you not want one?

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5 Hot Trends in Trade Shows

Posted on April 14, 2016December 1, 2019 by James DeRosa

The way people visit and experience trade shows today has changed dramatically from just a year ago. It used to be all about giveaways, networking, finding out who’s speaking, and what parties are the best to attend. Trade shows have outgrown most of these areas, and event managers have tweaked them in ways that force attendees to pay attention, gain knowledge, and be proactive in participation. So, what are the latest and greatest trends seen at trade shows today?

Below are five hot trends seen at trade shows that event managers can start to incorporate into their planning meetings today. You never know what changes may happen with a few tweaks to your event plan!

VIP Treatment

image: http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/5-Hot-Trends-in-Trade-Shows-VIP-Treatment-2.jpg

5-Hot-Trends-in-Trade-Shows---VIP-Treatment (2) Your number one focus when working in a trade show booth should be customer retention. Make sure your sales and marketing teams aligned prior to the event to create lists of any current customers and partners you know will be stopping by your booth at the event. It’s always nice to have little gifts or information set aside ahead of time for customers to continue to engage with them and make sure they are having an awesome experience working with you.

One way to ensure your customers are happy is to give them the VIP treatment at events. Utilize the trade show arena to treat customers and partners like they are rockstars. Invite them to team dinners, give them all-star access to networking events that are hard to get into, and make time for them. It’s all about those little face-to-face experiences that keep customers happy for the long run.

Personalization is Key

Personalization has been a trend for trade shows for some time now, but it’s time to take it up a notch! You can start by listening to attendees and creating a customized plan that appeals to their interests and needs on an individual level. For example, if you have a group of people interested in your product, watching a long demo in your booth and are close to closing a deal with you, go out of your way to personalize that last touchpoint for them. What are they looking for? What needs do they have? Communication goes a long way when trying to meet a customer’s needs on a personal level.

Take a look at the feedback you receive after each trade show. What did your booth visitors like and dislike? Be sure you’re asking questions from product demo needs all the way to how the staff greeted visitors in the booth. The little things make a huge difference when tailoring trade show experiences from one event to the next.

Data is so Hot Right Now

image: http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/5-Hot-Trends-in-Trade-Shows-Data-is-so-Hot-Right-Now.jpg

5-Hot-Trends-in-Trade-Shows---Data-is-so-Hot-Right-Now Once you have your personalized experience mapped out, take a look at visitor data from the previous trade show to incorporate other ideas into your plan – this will drive deeper engagement and create richer experiences for audiences. Without spending time reviewing the data and analytics on your booth attendees, you may be missing out on a huge opportunity to engage and sell at trade shows. Data plays a huge role in personalization, and helps to segment the correct group your booth staff needs to be focused on at the event.

It’s All About the Experience

Focus on a unique plan for your booth. It’s important as an event manager to stay on top of the overall trade show theme, but it’s your job and responsibility to create a customized, unique experience within your booth that will attract visitors. Get away from the old school mentality thinking that the larger expo booths get seen more or have more booth visitors. This is not the case at all. It’s all about what you’re providing, how you market your brand, and what you’re doing to stand out from the crowd.

For example, when planning your overall booth theme, be sure it incorporates every detail – meaning, the look and feel of the booth, staff shirts, collateral, giveaways, marketing pre and post show and any attendee touchpoints happening at the event. If your theme is around Star Wars for example, make sure your entire trade show experience includes an element from the theme. Have your emails designed to match your booth look and feel and give away light sabers! You want to look like a complete, professionally pulled together package, not a sloppy vendor hanging out in a 30×30 booth with no idea what they are doing.

The Un-Booth Wins

Besides pulling together your overall event theme for the ultimate experience, make sure you think about how the booth itself can stand out. It should of course play along with your event theme, but go above and beyond by creating a cool and unique experience within your booth. The un-booth is picking up as a major trend right now. You want attendees to feel welcome as they flow along your booth. Think of your booth space more as a shop or hang out, rather than a boring old booth with graphics on panels.

For example, some of the best un-booths have food or a bar to provide a fun hangout area for attendees to chill and mingle with booth staff. Create a fun, but laid-back atmosphere for attendees to feel like they are at home. This is very important – attendees want to feel relaxed and at ease when exploring the trade show floor, so be sure you plan a fun way to incorporate that feeling of relaxation into your booth plan. Booths with blinky giveaways (light sabers, light-up sunglasses, neon rings) are where the fun is happening! And don’t forget the space above the booth is the most coveted area of all! Add in a large LED panel mentioning a fun contest, or have a large creative logo displayed above your booth. It makes it so much easier for attendees if they can find you in the middle of an expo hall by following your hanging pieces of art!

image: http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/image_holly-logo.jpg

Photo Credit: AlienVault booth at SpiceWorld Austin 2015

In Conclusion

Trends at trade shows are constantly changing. One trend may be hip and cool during one event, and then be a complete bore at the next. Do your research and stay on top of what’s going on at trade shows. it never hurts to test a new idea and see if it picks up or is a total flop. The best way to be a trendsetter is to get out there and just do it!

Written by: Holly Barker

Read more at http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/5-hot-trends-trade-shows/#V5iQoDb3W2xmSwu7.99

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Seven Important Questions to Answer before Buying Two-Way Radios for Your Business

Posted on January 19, 2016December 1, 2019 by James DeRosa

If you buy the right two-way radios (walkie-talkies), they can transform your business, making it safer, stronger and better at keeping customers happy. If you buy the wrong radios, they can collect dust on a shelf and render your investment worthless.

The prime appeal of two-way radios is the ability to push one button and talk to someone or a whole team immediately. This basic communications capability is absolutely essential in many enterprises, but may not be of much value in some operations. The key is figuring out where your organization lies on this communications continuum.

Answering the following seven questions can help ensure you make the smartest decision when you’re investing in two-way radios.

How do my employees communicate now?Most business communications happen via landline phones, cellphones, email, texting — or face-to-face. Let’s look at the limits of each:

Landline phones require a fixed location.
Cellphones are more mobile, but less durable and reliable in many locations.
Texting and email require typing.
Face-to-face communications can waste valuable time walking to someone’s workstation or trying to find the person you need.

Two-way radios are mobile, reliable and instant, allowing people to talk to each other immediately across distances by pushing one button. If more than one of your workers needs portability, mobility and real-time voice connectivity to do their jobs, serve your customers, or both, you’re a good fit for two-way radios.

Are my competitors using two-way radios?

A vast range of industries rely on two-way radios, including:

Hospitality
Retail
Health and safety
Manufacturing
Security
Education
Mining and oil exploration
Event planning
And more

If any of your competitors are using two-way radios and you’re not, that puts you at a competitive disadvantage for agility and productivity

What kind of environment do my people work in?

Environment plays a huge role in the performance of two-way radios. For instance:

Radios used outdoors must be waterproof in rainy locales and dustproof in dry environments.
Radios used near combustible materials must be rated intrinsically safe.
Radios used in indoor settings like retail or security typically do not need extra protection against weather or explosives.

While there’s no point buying your people more radio functionality than they need, it’s a poor investment to provide them with radios that do not adequately address the environmental conditions in which they typically work.

What are the primary safety hazards in my industry?

These concerns stretch beyond environmental hazards. For instance:

People who work in remote locations need to be able to signal an emergency and send for help.
People in factories and construction sites need a radio that’s rugged enough to withstand being dropped or kicked around.
Public safety workers need radios built specifically for their needs.

Because two-way radios are lifesavers in an emergency, many models have been built precisely for people in serious trouble. Safety features such as man down, or lone worker are critical for some workers. If your workers may face life-threatening hazards, that will affect your radio-buying decision.

What kind of features do I need in my radios?

You don’t want to throw money away on functionality your workers will not use. You also want to make sure your radios are a good fit for how your people do their jobs. For instance:

While retail employees need lightweight, comfortable radios that make it as easy as possible to talk to each other, they generally don’t need to use a lot of channels to communicate .
Police offers and security guards may need the ability to sound an alarm if they have not been heard from in a while.
People working in heavy rains or near shallow bodies of water need a radio that can survive being completely submerged for a short time.
In noisy workplaces, the ability to text may be an important consideration.
Digital applications may also extend the functionality and value of your radios.

It all comes down to when, where, why and how your people will use their radios.

What kind of radio accessories will I need?

The functionality of a handheld radio has its limits. That’s why there’s a vast market in radio accessories that do things such as:

Provide hands-free capability via headsets
Offer discrete communications when security or privacy are important
Provide extra power with longer-lasting batteries or battery charging stations

Accessories make all the difference in encouraging people to use their radios and tailoring use to their jobs. Lack of proper accessories can actively discourage radio use, undermining your investment.

Do I need a service agreement for my equipment?

Commercial and Professional class radios are not like the cheap walkie-talkies you buy for kids. They are industrial-strength tools designed for a vast range of jobs. And like any equipment, they can wear out or suffer damage that requires repair. Below a few scenarios in which you might want to opt-in for service agreements:

Buying lots of radios – the more you own, the greater likelihood you will deal with breakdowns and damage.
Heavy usage – some workers spend all day on their radios, so it’s more likely their radios will wear out sooner.
Mission-critical use – some operations simply cannot afford downtime.
Complexity – if you have a two-way radio network that requires added service expertise, using an experienced partner to keep the system performing smoothly is a wise investment.

Addressing these key questions should help you narrow your radio-buying decisions and make the best choice for your organization.

Whether you’re buying, renting, or just need excellent service, give one of EventTone Wireless’ expert representatives a call at 855-396-5450 and let us help you put it all together.

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Analog or Digital…The Next Big Question

Posted on December 5, 2015December 1, 2019 by James DeRosa

Where To Go From Here?

Analog or Digital?

Over the past few years, 2 way radio technology has been migrating from, the long time standard of analog radios, to the new technology of digital. Though the technology in digital is superior to analog in many ways, we at EventTone Wireless have not yet jumped on the digital bandwagon. We are not in the analog or digital business. We are in the solutions business. We offer a full array of digital “Mototurbo” portable, 2 way radio equipment, but, the simple truth is, for the vast majority of our clients digital offers many challenges that make it confusing and expensive. In this offering we will try to clear the fog and give you a better idea of the differences between to two systems and which is better for your needs.

Digital Technology

Digital technology offers several advantages to the established analog technology. Many of the digital radios debuting can best be described as a hybrid of a 2 way radio and a cell phone. The signal is digital, meaning it is usually cleaner and can reduce background noise. The transmission is binary, meaning, like a computer, it is in “1’s” and “0’s.” Unlike an analog signal, it can offer more talk paths. Where an analog signal can get more static as you reach the outside edges of coverage, a digital signal will stay clear then just drop out when it reaches its boundary.

There are features such as texting, and unit ID are also available which is helpful with large staff requirements

A digital system can also be programmed to work with a city wide bridging system for wide area coverage that would be difficult with analog technology.

However, there are challenges with digital. First, it is much more expensive, and the technology does require experience the casual user may not have or may not have the time to learn. Also in situations where there may be interference, instead a static signal, as with analog, there is no signal at all.

Analog Technology

If your communications needs do not require city-wide coverage or your staffing is under 75-100 people, then analog is still the best solution for your communications challenges. The technology has been the standard for decades. Most users are familiar with their operation and the coverage, and it is a fast, efficient and cost effective way to communicate.

Also, analog offers many enhanced features. The standard analog coverage is approximately a 1 mile circumference (based on the environment), but it is easy to boost that signal with an analog repeater. It is a simple, inexpensive add on that can help you double your coverage.

Also, due to its lengthy tenure, engineers have developed many tools and devices to improve functionality. If there is something you need your radio to do, it’s safe to assume there is a solution to be found.

Conclusion

At EventTone, we’ve always believed that the right communication is the one that works for your. Our consultants will review your needs with you to determine the right choice for you and your company. We do not have an agenda. We are trying to offer our clients the best solution.

Digital is a great new technology, but it may be too much for you. We are fond of saying it may be like buying a Ferrari because you need to go to the grocery store for a quart of milk. It’ll certainly get you there, but it’s much more than you may need or want to pay for.

Give us a call @ 855-396-5450 and speak with one of our representatives. They are here to help and make sure you make the right choice for your wireless communications needs.

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Hytera Takes on Motorola Mototurbo…and WINS!

Posted on December 4, 2015December 1, 2019 by James DeRosa

Hytera Introduces a New DMR Line That Should Make Motorola Very Nervous

HYT America has unveiled 3 new products compliant with the DMR standard.

These new DMR radios use an open source TDMA standard format that make them compatible with many features used with Motorola’s MotoTRBO Digital Two Way Radio Systems, this makes the Hytera radios compatible to be used with existing Motorola users.

Digital is the future of 2 way communication and, for a long time, Motorola seem to have the market cornered. Their XPR Mototurbo line was the only digital radio worth the money…and it was a lot of money. Even the lower end of the line was over $500.00 per radio. Hytera’s DMR line are compatible with Mototurbos, and, after bench testing many of their models, are actually putting out more consistent power. They are also smaller, easier to use and program and incredibly durable.

They have produced radios for, just about, every situation. They have lighter, powerful models perfect for a sporting or entertainment event staff, and ones that are durable enough for construction, refineries and manufacturing. They also have a line comparable to the Project 25 models so popular with the Federal and State governments.

If you’re a music or theater touring company or are involved in any kind of production the smaller models, such as the PD502 and PD562 will work perfectly as a replacement for the expensive and fragile “Clear-Com” systems that are very costly and prone to breaking.

The MD782 digital mobile radio features a TFT high-definition color LCD, large keypad and six programmable keys. In addition to conventional
communication, the MD782 offers additional functions such as message, GPS, data transmission and connection alert.

The RD982 digital repeater can operate either in analog or digital modes and support 100% duty cycle at 50 W. The heat sink and cooler fan design offers stable operation at high power. The RD982 can be mounted or placed on a desktop.

These Hytera products are the only, currently offered, product line compatible with Motorola’s MotoTRBO Digital Two Way Radio Systems. From what we can see, they are also a better value with better, overall, specs. This new DMR equipment will offer a value added cost effective option to the alternative DMR TDMA Standard.

If you’d like more information on these, or any Hytera models, please give us a call at 855-396-5450.

J.R.DeRosa

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Buying 2 Way Radios for Your Employees

Posted on December 2, 2015December 1, 2019 by James DeRosa

You already know that different departments within your business use their equipment very differently. A two-way radio that works great inside the office, or sitting and never exposed to the elements, may work very differently in the field, where equipment is exposed to much harder use and considerable wear and tear. That means that when you’re buying technology equipment like radios for your workers, there are a few questions to ask before you make your final selection.

Is it durable?

Can it survive the conditions that will most likely be experienced in the field with your workers? A two-way radio that will hold up for years when it’s used only in an office setting will have very different durability when it’s used on a job site, where it might be dropped, shaken as it’s carried over rough terrain, and exposed to dust and rain. Make sure to consider ratings for ruggedness, such as military specifications for water and dust resistance, and consider reviews from people who have field-tested the radios in environments similar to yours. This can be the difference between an item that will serve your workers for a long time and one that you’ll have to replace within a matter of months

Can your employees use it while they’re doing their jobs?

Often, technology that is designed to be durable and easy to use is also very large and bulky. Many radios that are designed to be highly durable, for example, are also too big to comfortably clip to a belt or place in a pocket. Look for a radio that is convenient for your workers to use while they’re performing their normal job functions, or look into accessories like Bluetooth headsets or carrying cases that will allow the radios to serve their purpose without requiring the worker to stop what they’re doing. Additionally, if yours is a very noisy work environment, make sure your workers won’t have to worry about finding a quieter place to use the radios. High-quality digital transmission and features like Intelligent Audio and can ensure crystal clear communication even on the noisiest job site.

Is this piece of technology safe to use in your work environment?

If you work in the mining or oil industries, for instance, you likely need Intrinsically Safe technology equipment so that there’s no risk of fire from the tiny sparks created by normal radios. Additionally, emergency workers like firefighters and police will have other special safety considerations for their radios. Safety is one of the most important things to consider when making a radio purchase.

Does this piece of technology help or hurt the people actually doing the job?

Sometimes, an item that seems helpful is actually the exact opposite. Technology that is truly effective for your workers will make their jobs easier, rather than making their jobs take longer. If a radio accessory or feature is too complicated for workers to utilize quickly, it’s not adding value to their work days: it’s making them more complicated. For workers who simply need better sound quality in their communications, a fancy model with tons of features they don’t need will do more harm than good. You don’t want the technology to be a distraction; rather, it should integrate seamlessly into the existing routine.

What special considerations are most important to your workers?

Someone who works around water on a regular basis will need technology that is fully waterproof – nothing fries a new radio faster than dropping it into a lake, a swimming pool, or even a puddle. For other employees, hands-free operation could be critical to successfully integrating the technology into their everyday business. Other workers will find battery life to be the most important consideration, they need their batteries to hold up to regular use throughout the day.

When you aren’t out in the field yourself, purchasing radios for your workers can be difficult. Your first thought might not always be for the concerns that are of greatest importance to them. Thinking about your workers before you make a purchase and asking them how they need the radios to function every day will make it much easier to select radios that will make your workforce more efficient, not less.

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7 Reasons Why People Did Not Attend Your Event.

Posted on August 31, 2015December 1, 2019 by James DeRosa

What is the biggest nightmare of an event manager? A well decorated and organized event, without any guest! When you organize an event, you have to take care of several issues such as venue arrangement, hiring the catering service provider, finding the performers or speakers, promoting the event, etc.

However, the most important questions is: “Will people attend my event?” Some companies spend thousands of dollars on event management, but fail to generate a buzz in the market, as a result of which tickets remain unsold. If you recently hosted an event that didn’t bring the crowd, then you must have made one or more of the following mistakes.

1.) You forgot to invite people personally: Email is certainly the fastest way to invite people to join your event, but it is not a very personal mode of communication. When you are hosting a corporate event, you need the presence of key players in the industry. Sending an email or snail-mail won’t cut it. You need the personal touch. At the very least, you need to call and persuade them to participate as guests. However, the best thing to do is meet the main guests in person and invite them face to face.

2.) No follow-up leads to an empty venue: You have to remind people that your event date is approaching and you expect them to be there. For example, if you are organizing a rock concert every year, then you must have the email addresses of people who bought tickets in previous years. Email them at regular intervals to inform that the concert date is not far away and that they should visit your site to book their seats.

3.) Not promoting the event online: If you have invested enough amount for decoration and catering, why not spend a few extra dollars for marketing? Brochure and flyers are good for advertising, but nothing comes close to the web. You must use web for promoting your event because millions of people access Internet from all over the world. And if you have an online ticketing facility in your site, then people can simply click on your web ad and reach the ticket booking section.

4.) Weak call to action: The key to sell anything is to tell the buyers what are the benefits they will enjoy if they spend money. Make sure that your website features a compelling call-to-action to increase ticket sales. For example, if it is a music show and Enrique Iglesias is going to perform at the event, then you can draw visitors’ attention by writing a CTA like this: “Calling all the Enrique fans to join the biggest musical celebration of the year. See Enrique live for one night only.” It sounds exciting and you are not telling them to buy anything. You are just touching visitors emotionally so that they naturally visit the ticket booking section.

5.) Your offer is not lucrative: The fact is quality food and free drinks are not enough to bring visitors. You have to give them something more so that they click on the “buy ticket” button immediately. A unique experience is more valued by the event attendees than free food and wine. For example, if you are hosting a car trade show, you can tell ticket buyers that they get an opportunity to test drive the newly launched SUV at the fair ground for free.

6.) High ticket price: Some of you may say that this should be the first reason, but this problem can easily be solved. Customers like a good deal. They love anything costly when it is offered at a reduced price. So, if you have decided to keep the ticket prices $100, then share a discount coupon on social media for a week and tell people that though the ticket price is $120, you are giving $20 discount to all those who got the discount coupon. This “discount” is good enough to excite potential event attendees.

7.) No credibility: When people visit your website to book seats, they judge its value by scanning the web design and content. Therefore, your website must earn the trust of potential customers. Keep the content brief and to the point. Write the name of important personalities associated with the event and post images of past shows to convince visitors that they will miss something if they don’t book their seats.

These are some of the basic reasons why people don’t buy the tickets of an event. If you have made any one or all of the aforementioned mistakes, then learn from them and follow the suggestions mentioned in this article. – EventChecklist.net

Author Bio

My name is Monik Makadiya, and I work with iVvy, a company known for its pioneering events management software solutions. I am fascinated by how event management applications are revolutionizing the event industry, and I think that they will change the face of the event industry in the coming years. Let’s connect on Twitter @painstakingMM and explore these ideas!

More from EventChecklist.net http://www.eventchecklist.net/event-mistakes/#ixzz3kQDbrPtI

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9 Ways To Increase Audience Engagement At Events

Posted on February 28, 2015December 1, 2019 by James DeRosa

To make your event a success, you need to ensure attendees are actively engaged before, during and after the event. The more intellectually and emotionally invested your audience becomes, the more likely it is they’ll enjoy your event, tell others and help market your next event. Here are nine ways you can make that happen.

HOW TO ENGAGE YOUR EVENT AUDIENCE

BEFORE THE EVENT

Promote your conference with teaser content
Think back to the last vacation you took. At what point during the vacation process were you happiest? It might surprise you to learn that it wasn’t when you were on the beach sipping an iced beverage. Studies show that the biggest boost in happiness happens during the planning phase of the vacation. We get more joy from anticipation than the vacation.

Get attendees to look forward to your event by sharing a sample of the content they will experience at the event. Teaser content could include clips from keynote speakers, a sneak peek of new technology on display, photos of the set-up or other bite-sized content. Giving away sample content is the same strategy grocery stores have successfully used for decades to promote products.

grocery store samples

Stagger the release of event information
To create anticipation for your event, strategically delay the sharing of some information. For example, if you have five keynote speakers, instead of announcing all five at once, you could reveal one speaker a day. This creates curiosity and gives people a reason to return to your website.

Survey your audience
How well do you know your audience? While in the process of accepting speaker submissions, you should be able to match speakers with topics you’re certain your audience wants to learn about. Before the event, ask attendees questions that will help guide your decision making for the event. To learn more, see our article on how to create the perfect event survey.

Promote the conference app
If you’ve invested in an event app, encourage attendees to download the app, create a profile and begin organizing a schedule. Pre-commitment ensures that attendees will be ready and able to navigate the conference once they arrive.

Lumi Show Mobile Event Apps

DURING THE EVENT

Enable and encourage audience participation during presentations
Real audience engagement involves transforming attendees into participants. Presenters have, understandably, struggled with audience participation since hand-raising isn’t an efficient way to measure opinions and gain feedback, especially with larger crowds. Well, now there’s an app for that. By using a real-time polling and messaging app, presenters can create a direct connection with their audience, asking questions and getting responses, instantly.

Audience Interaction

Giving the audience a way to participate keeps their attention focused on the presentation and turns a device that’s a distraction into a device for interaction.

Provide new and unique experiences
Imagine the event is over and attendees are back at work. When a coworker asks an attendee about the conference, what do you want the attendee to say? One of the reasons so many conferences focus on new technology and trends is that it’s interesting and gives people something to talk about.

augmented reality at event

Display social conversations
Behavior is contagious. To inspire people to share thoughts and images from your conference, display a tweet wall with the conference hashtag. Showing aggregated Twitter activity will help attendees feel involved in a shared experience.

Tweet Wall from Lumi Catch

AFTER THE EVENT

Post-event survey
What did attendees like about your conference? What didn’t they care for? What was missing from the conference? Surveying attendees shows them you care about their opinions while also providing you actionable feedback you can use to create better events in the future.

Replicate the offline experience online
To keep attendees engaged after the event, you need to provide content they can easily consume and share. Some ideas for content to get you started: compiling the experiences into a video, sharing favorite moments from the event in a blog post and sharing images from the conference. If you capture enough media at the event, you’ll have promotional material until your next event.

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