Category: Two Way Radio

Two-way radios are nothing sort of amazing. They are dependable little pieces of technology that can make communication so much easier and excellent. But sometimes, two-way radios lack certain communication tech traits such as long-distance coverage. If you do not know this yet, two-way radios are limited by distance and this is the reason why there are long range two-way radios specifically designed for longer distance coverages from one two-way user to another. Here are the factors that affect the operating range of your radios: 

Signal Type: UHF & VHF

Two-way radios use radio frequencies, and these frequencies have types. In radio systems, there are frequencies called UHF and VHF. UHF stands for Ultra High Frequency while VHF stands for Very High Frequency. UHF has a frequency range of 130 – 174 MHz or megahertz, while VHF has a frequency range of 400 – 520 MHz. 

VHF signals are longer than UHF, this makes VHF outstanding for use in unobstructed terrains and can travel almost twice as far as VHF. However, it is inefficient in areas where there are lots of obstructions such as cities and mountains. UHF signals on the other hand are shorter than VHF but are much more efficient inside structures and obstructions as UHF signals can penetrate objects easier than VHF.

To simplify, if you intend to use a long-distance two-way radio for unobstructed and plain terrain, you are better off with a VHF radio. If your nature of work, however, is inside concrete jungles, you will be better off with a UHF radio. 

Antennas

One of the most noticeable and obvious components of a long-range two-way radio is the antenna. Antenna length can vary per model and is most certainly used with two-way radios advertised as having the capability to talk to someone several miles away. In two-way radios, there are two types of antennas: the whip antenna and stubby antenna. The whip antenna is a long antenna that looks like a stick protruding from your radio, while the stubby one is the shorter and “cuter” version of the whip. 

The issue is, these antenna lengths are directly proportional to the distance coverage of your radio. For example, using a radio with a stubby antenna can decrease your distance by as much as 30% over a whip antenna. So basically, if you want your radio to cover longer and farther distances, choose longer antennas such as the whip. Or better yet, mount an antenna high up in the sky to better pick up radio frequencies better. 

Path Obstructions

Radio signals are affected by solid objects such as concrete, metal, wood, and more. This problem is particularly familiar with cellphones—you get zero coverage when you are inside a basement, or even when you are surrounded by skyscrapers. This problem is shared by two-way radio communication systems too. Just as we mentioned earlier, there are types of frequencies and longer wavelength frequencies tend to have a hard time penetrating thick objects such as walls and ceilings. Shorter frequencies, however, are better than longer frequencies in penetrating objects but are handicapped when competing against longer frequencies in distance coverage with an unobstructed environment. 

In simpler terms, the denser and thicker the object is, the harder it is for radio signals to pass through, and if it manages to pass through, the signal is significantly reduced. 

Summary

All in all, there are much more complex factors in play that affect the operating range of your long range two-way radios system. The three we have talked about are the major ones and the ones you should really pay attention to if you want to increase your radio system distance. There are also systems, equipment, and accessories that can expand your distance coverage. 

If you want to buy long-distance radio systems, visit Tidewater today! 

Two-way radios are often simple and dependable pieces of equipment used by a variety of industries. The most prominent industries that use this equipment are emergency services, military and law enforcement, and construction services. In construction, there are certain factors that make way for two-way radios to shine like diamonds in the spotlight: heights and distance.

Communicating with one another is definitely hard to do if people are separated by great heights and distances, and one would most certainly avoid yelling at each other just to hear one another. In an era where there are construction projects happening here and there, communication has become a very important aspect in the construction industry to keep things efficient and quick. 

Clearer Communication

Workers and project managers can yell at each other if they need to talk, but it is not a good solution, right? Two-way radio communication enables clearer conversations between the workers and other important people on-site.

Engineers, architects, and project managers can also directly talk to each other which further increases communication efficiency. In this way, two-way radios can make the boom of the construction industry clear and efficient. And if construction projects have these communication processes, the project will be erected perfectly and can even slash a significant amount of construction time. 

Safer Work Environment 

Since two-way radios enable clearer communication, instances of accidents are virtually reduced and prevented. Since construction projects typically have some sort of heavy machinery operations that include lift operations, there are chances of accidents and injury. One way to reduce the risk of these unfortunate events is to have clearer guidelines and communication from the safety officers and the workers.

Two-way communications make these safety guidelines easier to give by safety officers and receive by the workers. Some two-way radio models also have built-in features that notify others in the channel that the user is down. These radios have gyroscopes or accelerometers that can sense if someone has passed out or been knocked down. These features make emergency responses quicker and further reduces the chance of severe injury or death. 

Real-Time and Instantaneous Communication

Heavy machinery and equipment, and construction in general, needs real-time updates and notifications from the workers and to the managers. The good news is, two-way radio communications make this possible. If a worker needs a confirmation from the manager for a certain task, he can just straight up tap a button and the manager can hear every single word he says instantaneously and without any sort of delay (assuming the radio equipment of both the sender and receiver is within reach). This instantaneous communication makes tasks easier and speeds up the overall construction process. 

Reliable Communication

Two-way radios are hardy pieces of equipment that can withstand the harsh environments present in an ongoing construction project. Some two-way radios can even survive falling from several meters in the air, and this is good for workers who ride on boom lifts and other heavy equipment like static cranes since they are carried several feet if not a few meters into the air to access some height-restricted part of a building.

Two-way radios can also be used in areas without cellular signals, unlike phones that rely on the internet and cell sites to function efficiently. These radios are also weather-resistant and dust-resistant making it a trusted ally in a construction site. 

These are the reasons why two-way radios are important for the construction industry and are a very important piece in a boom of construction projects! Contact Tidewater today and learn more about our two-way radios!

For distribution center needs, constant pressure and a fast-paced environment is a real thing. And if things are very hectic, problems will soon knock at the door of your business. So, what is the solution to make your business run smoothly and fast-paced without skipping a beat? The solution is to have seamless and uninterrupted communication among your workers so delays and problems are reduced. Two-way radios are your best buddies if your distribution centers suffer from delayed communication and other issues. 

Here are five reasons why your center needs two-way radios: 

Instant and Seamless Communication with Multiple People

With two-way radios, you can exactly imitate how group chat works. You send a message to a group chat and all members of the group receive your message. But with two-way radios, they hear your voice instantaneously and you can receive their replies in the same sense. Two-way radios are also more reliable and convenient than phones since they do not need a data connection or a load credit. This makes your distribution center more organized, seamless, and really fast-paced without sacrificing everybody’s time and quality of work.

Dedicated Signal Means Little to Zero Signal Interference

Unlike mobile phones and even high-end smartphones, two-way radios are really incredible and reliable in times where you need them the most. Mobile phones rely on cell towers to get a good signal, and if you are in a rural area, chances are you will not be able to get a good signal. Cell tower signal transmission can also be affected by big buildings, rain, snow, and heavy wind which are the reasons why the signal is low or nonexistent in times of hurricanes, snowstorms, and thunderstorms. With two-way radios, you get better connectivity compared to mobile phones to the point where military-grade signal jammers are the only thing standing between you and the person you want to talk with. 

Sturdy Build and Better Battery Life

Unlike smartphones that are basically the jack-of-all-trades gadget, two-way radios only do one or two things: to communicate and share your geolocation with the one you are talking to. Apart from these two things, two-way radios are basically useless. But the good thing about it is that two-way radios will fare better against your smartphone when it comes to battery longevity partly due to its limited function and just plainly larger battery packs inside them. Two-way radios are also built pretty sturdy (one of the reasons why they are used by soldiers, cops, rescuers, and firefighters). You can drop one from the second or third floor of a building and only see minimal scratches. They are also waterproof, so you can rest assured you still get good communication in times of bad weather. 

You Can Use it Hands-Free

In industries that make heavy use of the human hands, like a distribution center, you may wonder how you can use your two-way radio if both of your hands hold packages. There is good news for you: two-way radios can be equipped with hands-free accessories so you will not have to hold them in your hands very often. With these accessories, your two-way radio can be more effective and convenient for you. Plus, some two-way radio accessories are super cool to use like the transparent spring-like earpiece connected from a two-way radio you see from Secret Service agents. 

New Tech Features to Use

Just like mobile phones, two-way radios continue to evolve and innovate. Many two-way radios today use GPS technology for you to be able to pinpoint the exact location of the person you are talking to. Some two-way radios even have a panic button and emergency button to alert others from a dangerous situation and to call for help. More features are also available but this really depends on the model of your two-way radio.  
Want to equip your distribution center with reliable two-way radios to improve communication? Contact us here at Tidewater and we will walk you through the process!

Two-way radios are amazing pieces of technology that paved the way for efficient and real-time communication. But two-way radios have a limited range by which they can operate and deliver seamless and uninterrupted communication. Some two-way radios have a designated limit, and some can be affected by nearby infrastructure and current weather conditions that can potentially limit the range of the radio. If you are using two-way radios for your business, improving your radio range is a great thing to do. So, what can you do to improve your two-way radio range if you need more range to communicate with farther distances? Let’s discuss the solutions down below. 

Signal Repeaters

Signal repeaters or radio repeaters are one of the best tools to use to increase your two-way radio range. But what really are signal repeaters? Signal repeaters capture weak and poor signals. After the repeater captures these weak signals, it amplifies them and rebroadcasts the signal to gain more range. This gives your two-way radios a boost in their overall operating range. These repeaters are made with two different frequencies: one frequency transmits the message and the other receives the message. Signal repeaters are frequently paired with antennas to further maximize the range and quality of your two-way radio signal. If you live in areas with high infrastructure or natural features such as forests and mountains, getting a signal repeater would really help with maximizing your signal range. 

Antennas 

You can use antennas to increase your two-way radio range as well. Antennas, simply put, are metal devices that transmit or capture radio signals. Most likely, you have seen an FM radio. Those FM radios have two metallic rods and those are antennas. Antennas vary in size and type, but if you have the need to improve your two-way radio range, you have to use antennas that are elevated from the ground. An antenna that is high above the ground will receive less signal interruption and interference. Two-way radio signals travel in a straight line, so obstacles such as buildings make it harder for the signal to be received by the receiving end.  This is why antennas are a good choice to increase your two-way radio signal range. You can also use a bigger antenna to make things better. 

Bi-Directional Amplifiers

A bi-directional amplifier is similar to signal repeaters, but these devices are much more powerful and are commonly used to increase the range of the signal coverage for drones, air traffic control, meteorology, and military radio applications. But of course, there are bi-directional amplifiers that are best suited for Improving Two-Way Radio Range

But what really are bi-directional amplifiers? A bi-directional amplifier is a device that supports two-way communication equipment. Just like a signal repeater, it amplifies the signal frequencies of both the transmitting and receiving ends, the only difference is, a bi-directional amplifier contains a low power amplifier and a power amplifier that manages the transmit and receive ends of the signal. This device also has two modes: receive mode and transmit mode. In receive mode, the device amplifies a weak input signal and then feeds it to the radio. In transmit mode, it amplifies the signal that comes from the radio and transmits it further which extends the range of your signal. 

There are chances that your two-way radio has malfunctioning parts that cause the interference and interruptions, rather than the signal itself. If this is the case, have it repaired. 

Want to know more ways to improve your two-way radio range? Contact Tidewater Communications today and we’ll help you out! 

A business will never thrive without a proper form of communication. Basically, every aspect of a business needs communication, and if the communications inside a business are inefficient and ineffective, the business will be impacted negatively. It is reported that companies with a large number of employees lose millions of dollars per year because of poor communication. So, how can you improve your business communications to facilitate better cooperation and coordination among your workforce? There are lots of ways to improve it, and one of the ways is to introduce two-way radios to your business. Let’s dive in and find out how two-way radios can improve your business. 

Instantaneous Communication

This is one of the most famous features of a two-way radio. These radios are basically better than smartphones when it comes to this arena. Mobile phones need a data connection, WIFI, or load credits just for you to be able to communicate with your co-workers or employees fast.

For two-way radios, all you need is the person you wish to talk to also have a two-way radio. The best thing? They receive your message in real-time and that enables you to instantaneously connect with them. Some two-way radios also have a GPS function that enables you to track down the real-time location of the one you’re calling. 

Better Organization

Imagine that everything you say to your employees is heard loud and clear. With two-way radios, you can enable your business and team to be more organized and coordinated.

CEOs, managers, and team leaders can easily give clear instructions to their team members and make things run smoothly and efficiently. Plus, you can rest assured that everything you say is received in real-time which makes things more organized. 

Safety

If your business is focused on emergency and security services, two-way radios are the best tools that can come in handy. If your business is a security firm, real-time and unaltered communication is the most important tool to ensure security and serenity for your clients and their properties. If your business is involved in emergency situations, a two-way radio can help deliver messages to lots of people instantly, making responders act quickly and bring back-up personnel if needed.

Public and government emergency and security services can also benefit from using two-way radios such as rescuers and firefighters since these radios are very reliable and can work even in the harshest of environments. Firefighters also follow a protocol when using radio communication equipment such as two-way radios. 

Contact Your Whole Team with One Call 

Easily one of the best features a two-way radio has, if you wish to contact your whole team with just one call, you can do it very well with a two-way radio. It is kind of like a group chat where every member of that group sees what you chat about. This is a good feature for emergency and security personnel since this enables better coordination among their teams. This is also good for teams with more than 4 members since a team leader can easily relay information and instructions without waiting for a delayed response. You can also contact just one person using your two-way radio, and it will be all encrypted.

Interested in equipping your workforce with two-way radios? Contact Tidewater Communications today and we will help you choose the best radios for you!

Almost everyone has a cell phone nowadays. Whether it is a smartphone like an Apple or Android or even a flip phone, the majority of the population carries one around with them wherever they go. Some have them so they can use social media, others have them so they can communicate with their job, while others have them solely in case of an emergency. Are they effective though? And by effective, we mean cost effective and reliable in case of emergencies. Let’s find out. Below we will compare and contrast Two Way Radios vs. Cell Phones, going over the benefits and more. 

Emergencies 

Cell phones are unpredictable, to say the least. Trying to use a cell phone in a parking garage? No way. Hospital? Nope. What about if a nearby telephone pole goes down? Good luck with trying to make a call. This is where a two way radio will come in handy. Stay connected with your employees in even the most unreachable places. Chat with one employee or get in contact with the whole team, the choice is yours, and two way radios make it as convenient as ever. 

Make having two way radios a part of your emergency preparedness plan. Even better, make two way radios a part of your day to day business plan. This way, you will be prepared day in and day out. 

Built to Last  

For those jobs and employees that are harder on their devices, two way radios are perfect because they are made to be durable and resistant to heavy wear and tear. They are also easy to use for those that need to wear gloves or heavy duty gear. Unlike cell phones, you can utilize a radio while still wearing gloves. 

Affordable 

Phone plans are expensive. The cell phone devices are expensive, and they are not very durable, and the cell phone companies charge a ton in monthly service fees. With two-way radios, you can avoid all of these extra costs. In fact, the average company spends about $309.17 per year, per employee. If you are a company that has 50 employees, well that adds up pretty quickly. 

With radios, they can even be shared. For example, perhaps a worker checks out a radio every day at the start of their shift and checks it back in at the end of the day. This eliminates the need to have a cell phone for each individual employee. Not to mention, the average iPhone or Samsung device goes for nearly $1,000. It does not end there, these kinds of devices are reliable for a couple of years at best before they need to be upgraded. Even if you try to go with a cheaper device, the cheaper devices are not going to be made to last at all. Two way radios are more affordable in multiple ways, they last a long time and rarely need to be replaced. The best part is that if something does go wrong with your radio, Tidewater Communications is here to repair it.

Loud and Clear 

“Hello? Can you hear me? Hold on, let me call you right back. Hello? Can you hear me now? Ok, wait let me move over here. How about now?” 

You have probably experienced a phone call like this. How frustrating, right? Having a conversation with your co-workers or fellow department members should not be that hard. Truth is, big buildings, warehouses, hospitals, basements, stairways, elevators, and more, all get pretty poor reception. This results in the above conversation. With two way radios, there is none of this. You will not experience dropped calls or poor reception when trying to use a radio. 

Just pure, clear communication when and where you need it.

Unlike many cell phones, two-way radios are designed to offer clear communication in most conditions. They often include features that reduce wind noise and allow resistance to vibration, extreme temperatures, and wet conditions.

Simplistic 

Two way radios are a great option even for those who may be less technologically inclined. They are easy to use. Whereas some people get frustrated when trying to use a cell phone, especially one that they are unfamiliar with. In addition, companies can hold simple group conversations with the push to talk feature, which allows for instant communication. With an easy push to talk feature pre-programmed into the radio, the user does not have to do anything special to communicate with that specific group, it is already all set up for them.Not sure which radio is perfect for your team? Contact Tidewater Communications today and we can recommend the radio to suit all of your needs.

When you think of emergency response teams, who do you think of? Naturally, first responders are the first ones who come to mind, such as hospital staff, EMTs, firefighters, and police officers. Our rentals are great for emergencies of any kind. First responders can also consist of those who work and patrol prisons, public safety dispatchers, and more. If you and your team fall into any of these categories, we have radio rental solutions equipment to help you when it matters the most. 

The bottom line is that no matter what kind of first responder you are if you are one of the first ones to respond to any kind of emergency signal, you need reliable radio rental solutions. Cellular towers and connectivity can easily be taken down in times of a natural disaster such as an earthquake, hurricane, fire, etc. 

Hospitals 

Hospitals can benefit from using radio communications for several reasons. Considering how many levels and departments a hospital has, it may seem impossible to keep everyone in the building organized and informed if cellular towers went down. Radios just aren’t for doctors and nurses, techs in other departments, security, and more can always benefit. Hospitals have various moving mechanisms throughout the building all at the same time. Plus, hospital facilities aren’t exactly known for having excellent cell phone reception. In the case of a national emergency or natural disaster, quick responses from all staff members are of the utmost importance. If you want to keep patients and hospital personnel safe, then a two-way radio is the way to go. 

Benefits of Radio Rental Solutions

With long battery lives and rechargeable batteries, your emergency response team won’t ever be without connection. Know where your staff is at all times no matter what. This is extremely beneficial for accounting for your team in the event of an emergency. Easily contact and get a headcount of everyone and their locations. 

The scary thing about emergencies is that you never know when/if they are going to strike. The only way to stay ahead of them is with your emergency preparedness. How is your company prepared to stay in contact and ensure the safety of team members, customers, and other civilians during a crisis? Don’t wait until an emergency happens to take control, take control now and equip yourself and your team with the best radio rental solutions from Tidewater Communications.  

If your place of business is made up of multiple levels, basements, parking garages, stairwells, and more, then two-way radio rentals are going to be your best bet at staying connected. With there being a million and one ways that an emergency can unravel, the only secure and sound way to stay on top of it is with the use of rental solutions. 

Who Else Can Benefit from Radios? 

The real question is who doesn’t benefit from the use of radios. The list of companies and professionals who benefit from two-way radios is endless. A correctional officer, as mentioned earlier, would benefit from the use of two-way radios. Imagine how big a prison yard is. How do you keep everyone safe and connected? Two-way radios. How about companies like PG&E? Of course! Imagine there is damage done to electrical lines, PG&E is going to be the first responders there on the scene to assess and fix the damage as quickly as possible. If cell phone towers are down, radios are how they will communicate. 

Get Your Rental Today

Do you need to keep staff members connected? Do you live or work in an area that is prone to earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, windstorms, fires, tornados, thunder and lightning storms, and more? Is your current cell reception spotty or unreliable at times? If you answered yes to any of these then choosing a rental solution in case of an emergency or to help manage your day-to-day operations is the best choice for you. Never miss a beat again with Tidewater Communications. Reach single staff members or the whole team with a press of a button, send short texts, track employees, and more. The best part is that our radios are small enough to carry on your waste but powerful enough to connect you even miles apart. 

Schools come in various sizes but no matter the size of the school there is always one thing that is the school’s top priority: safety. Parents drop off their children at K-12 schools across the nation and rely on these schools to keep them safe for 8+ hours a day. One study done by the CDC found that of high school students surveyed, 8% of them had been in an on-campus fight within the last year. It is on campus violence like this that two-way radios can help prevent. Radios keep administrators, teachers, security, and other various staff members connected throughout the entire school day.  

School Events 

School events are fun and common in K-12 schools. Schools tend to have fairs, carnivals, sporting events, dances, and more. How do you ensure that students, staff, and parents are kept safe throughout the entirety of these events? Your answer: two-way radio communication. 

Two-way radios can be helpful in the following ways: 

• Ensuring proper setup and takedown of school events
• Eliminating the chances of danger at a given event 
• Calling for help in the case of someone being injured 
• If only certain people are permitted to the event, then two-way radios are a great security method to make sure no intruders or unauthorized persons are on campus 
• Coaches can communicate with each other during sporting events
• Clean up staff can be alerted if there is a spill
• Fights amongst students can be quickly put to an end

Plus a million other ways. Once you start using radios at school, you won’t know how you even went without them. Perhaps only certain staff members currently utilize radios, by opening up the use of radios to even more staff members, you allow for increased security and school safety measures.  

Keep Yard Duty Connected 

You have heard the saying “kids will be kids.” Kids, especially at the elementary school level are rambunctious and full of energy. This means it is more than likely that an injury or two will occur at some point. Whether they fall on the asphalt or try jumping off the swings, if your yard duty or recess staff are connected with radios, then the front office can be immediately alerted. Depending on the injuries, emergency services can then be promptly called. It is situations like this where time is of the essence. 

Radio solutions also increase school safety by ensuring that school intruders do not have access to the campus. If something or someone seems out of place, it is easy to alert several faculty members or the whole school with Motorola Radio Systems. Whether you have a school staff of 10 or 110, you will be connected no matter what. 

For some campuses that have a closed campus system, it might be easier to maintain security measures, but that does not mean that security breaches won’t occur. On the other hand, for campuses that are more open and easier for non-students to walk on or off, having two-way radio communication will be essential. In either case, in the event of a nearby emergency like a robbery, schools near the crime scene tend to go on lockdown. Having faculty connected with 2-way radios will ensure the school is properly locked down until the emergency passes.  

Pickups and Drop Offs

Afternoon pickups and morning school drop-offs are a vital part of school safety, especially amongst younger students. Younger, elementary school students, typically need a parent to sign them in and sign them out upon dropping off and picking up. Regardless of the school’s methods/requirements, two-way radios can ensure that no mishaps occur during these times. Two-way radios allow teachers and faculty members to alert each other when a student’s parent is there for pick up/drop off, or if something seems out of the ordinary. The most common concern during these morning and afternoon arrivals and departures is a student being picked up or taken off-campus by someone who is not their designated guardian. 

Especially during the Pandemic, there have been cases where students accidentally went home with a parent that wasn’t theirs because of the confusion that masks can cause amongst children. It seems like something that would never happen, but it does and it has. 

Avoid any mishaps like these with two-way radios from Tidewater Communications. Keep students of all ages and grades safe no matter what. The world is unpredictable, and radios allow you to take action sooner when the timing is everything.