What's a perfect gift for a new or expectant mom? A two-way radio system from TwoWayRadiosFor.com.

It’s not the first thing that pops into mind when you’re shopping for a baby shower gift. But a family two-way radio system can be just as helpful to a new mom as that diaper wipe warmer or set of designer onesies. Perhaps even more, if you ask a few experienced mommies.

Granted, two-way radios are more likely to appeal to gadget-loving Dads (and you just KNOW he’ll steal them for a few hours on the golf course or the lake). But new moms swear by them, too. No more keeping a bell on the bedside table in those first few days after delivery. With a two-way radio system, a sleepy new mom can let a family member know she needs assistance without waking baby or getting out of bed. And as baby grows, two-way radios become all the more helpful.

Here’s a perfect scenario: New parents are running errands or shopping separately at the local mall. Nature calls, baby fusses and Mom makes a quick detour to the nearest restroom for a diaper change. With a two-way radio, she can quickly let Dad know that she’ll be a few minutes later meeting him at the food court.

Most two-way radios have a standard push-to-talk feature, which requires that you press a button in order to transmit your message. But many also have a room monitor feature. This allows you to have a radio in your baby’s room that transmits any sounds to your receiver.

What better gift to give a new mom than peace of mind? Two-way radios can help ease new parents’ day-to-day tasks and keep a constant ear on their little bundle of joy. To find out which two-way radio system is best for the new/expectant mom in your life, contact TwoWayRadiosFor.com at 888-560-0759 or use our online live chat support feature.

The FCC mandates that all commercial two-way radios must be narrowband (12 kHz channel spacing) by January 1, 2013. But for the railroad industry, that deadline came and went much earlier. Led by the American Association of Railroads, the industry voluntarily set a July 2010 deadline for all locomotives to be narrowband capable. This early deadline allowed the industry time to identify any “bugs in the system” and to catch any locomotives that it might have missed.

As it turns out, the early deadline proved beneficial. The FCC mandate is intended to increase the number of usable voice channels on two-way radios by cutting the bandwidth and spacing in half, resulting in 12.5 kHz channels spaced at 7.5 kHz, rather than the current 25 kHz width spaced at 15 kHz. In practice, however, railroad pros found the narrowband emissions of two channels may overlap and cause interference. To remedy the situation, AAR officials recommend avoiding the use of the 7.5 kHz separation or use of the interstitial channels for narrowband.

If you’re a railroad industry professional and have yet to migrate your two-way radios to a narrowband or narrowband-capable system, know that any wideband applications or modifications are no longer accepted as of January 1, 2011. All new applications or modifications must be for narrowband or very narrowband (6.25 kHz / 4800 bps digital signals). Wideband operation will not be permitted after January 1, 2013.

If your two-way radios are capable of narrowband analog operation, there’s no need to replace them just yet. However, be aware that railroad professionals are adding a leading zero to the narrowband channel number in order to differentiate it from a wideband channel on the same frequency. For instance, channel. 52 is wideband, whereas channel 052 is narrowband. If your two-way radios are unable to display leading zeros, you may want to replace them.

Very narrowband operation will be mandated by the FCC in the future, but it appears that the deadline may be as far ten years away. So, if your radios are narrowband-capable but not very narrowband-capable, there is no big rush yet. However, if you’re purchasing new two-radio systems anyway, why not go ahead and get very narrowband-capable models? TwoWayRadiosFor.com’s specialists are familiar with the communications nuances of many industries, including the railroad industry. Search our online inventory or contact us at 1-888-560-0758 or via our convenient online email form to speak with a specialist today.

On Jan. 4, Motorola officially split into two separate companies: Motorola Mobility (MMI) and Motorola Solutions (MMS). The split seemed to immediately prove positive among investors during the first day of trading with immediate boosts of 6.3% for the phone shop and 7% for the enterprises and networks division.

The split was an effort to simplify markets for investors: Motorola Mobility is now targeted to consumers and Motorola Solutions is focused on professionals.  Motorola’s broad portfolio of cell phones, police radios and barcode scanners became particularly complicated over the years with the rise and falls between the different segments. The new, separate divisions of Motorola are now in a position to concentrate efforts and stay ahead of technological improvements within each industry.

In the last few years, the cell phone side of Motorola struggled to stay ahead. Motorola saw declines in profitability after the outstanding success of the Razr phone. The professional business however, continued to soar as they provided products to government agencies and businesses using two-way radios. Although the cell phone industry has seen recent growth, the separate divisions of Motorola should see greater progress as they are more specialized.

A student at a high school in Omaha, Nebraska shot two administrators this week, killing Vice Principal Vicki Kaspar and seriously injuring Principal Curtis Case. The shooter was 17-year-old Robert Butler Jr., a recent transfer from a school in Lincoln.

The shooting occurred on Wednesday, which was the first day back from the holiday. Butler was scheduled to meet with the vice principal after being cited by police Jan. 1 for criminal trespass to the school. He damaged the property by driving his car through the football field. Butler’s move to the new school was influenced by continuously disobeying his mother and being late to school. On the first day back from the holidays, Vice Principal Kaspar imposed a 19-day suspension and a security officer escorted him out of the school.

Butler went home, broke into the garage to get a car and stole his father’s Glock .40. His father is a detective for the Omaha Police Department. He returned to the school later after posting a goodbye message on his facebook status saying:

“Everybody that used to know me I’m sry but Omaha changed me and —-ed me up and the school I know attend is even worse ur gomna here about the evil —- I did but that —— school drove me to.this I wont u guys to remember me for who I was b4 this ik I greatly affected the lives of the families ruined but I’m sorry.goodbye.”

Everyone described the gunman as an energetic, outgoing person who was always making people laugh. No one considered him an angry person, although some described him as very arrogant. Kaspar was considered a wonderful, compassionate person. She worked for the school district since 1988 and was devoted to her students.

This shooting is another reminder for schools to invest in two-way radios. Communication was paramount between the administrators, security staff and teachers during this crisis. There was a period of five minutes where the gunman entered the school, shot the vice principal, shot the principal, fired at the custodian, pointed the gun at the unarmed security officer and left.

No one can blame the administrators for being able to predict the violence or for how effectively they responded to the incident. Shootings are more often than not sporadic and unpredictable. It is much safer to communicate via two-way radios while on lockdown, so everyone can stay in place until the whereabouts of the shooter, etc. are confirmed.

The RDU4160D is the radio we recommend for many high schools. The RDU4160D is ideal for large, diverse facilities that have a need for instant communication; this radio works within a 2-4 mile radius. It is affordable, compact, lightweight and easy to use. The RDU4160D is an excellent tool to alert school security to potentially dangerous or suspicious situations. One notable thing about this radio is that it is affordable; it has no recurring monthly charges. For bulk pricing on the RDU4160D, call 888-560-0758.

And country club employees. A worker was recently struck dead at the Mayfair Country Club in central Florida when a golf ball hit him in the temple while he performed regular maintenance on the course. The incident was reported by police as an accident and the golfer responsible for the deadly tee shot will not face charges.

The response of the golf course in this situation is a great question to consider. How was the accident reported? How quickly was it reported? What was the response time of the staff and corresponding emergency personnel? These are great things to keep in mind when reflecting on the safety, security and communication at your golf course. Is your course prepared for crucial moments that affect the lives and well-being of your customers and staff?

You will find that two-way radios serve multiple purposes for golf courses. The increase in communication that two-way radios offer will serve your maintenance staff, clubhouse, starters and security personnel. Country clubs can use these tools effectively throughout their entire operation. Use of two-way radios is proven to increase customer service, retention, efficiency and turnaround for all companies. Two-way radios are especially useful to golf courses because of the size and structure of their business.

Maintenance staff is served by two-way radios as they increase productivity daily—making it easier for workers to communicate and for needs to be met as soon as possible. This productivity works similarly in the clubhouse. Customers and golfers are satisfied as their needs and requests are taken care of as soon as possible. Two-way radios are also essential for starters to be timely and scheduled and for security to be successful.

Check out our Golf Package 1, which includes 1 VX-427 Irrigation System Communicator, 3 Vertex Standard VX-231 two-way radios, 4 long life lithium ion battery packs and 4 drop-in charging trays. This deal is ideal for courses who need to communicate with their remote irrigation system.

Golf package 2 includes 5 Vertex Standard VX-231 UHF Portables, 5 Long Life Lithium Ion Batteries, 5 Heavy Duty Belt Clips, 5 Drop In Charging Trays, Your Vertex VX-231 Radios have 5 watts of power and 16 channels. The VX-231 is compact and lightweight. It also gives you 4 additional scanning options for your convenience.

Visit radiosforgolf.com or call us at 1-888-560-0758 for more information.

Another frightening event took place at a high school in Marinette, Wisconsin this week as a 15-year-old student held his 23 classmates and social studies teacher hostage with handguns.

The student allegedly took a bathroom break to get his duffel bag of two guns, two knives and extra bullets out of his locker. During the class, he introduced himself by shooting out the classroom projector during a movie. He ordered everyone to hand over their cell phones, and when his cell phone rang, he snapped it in half. He fired several shots over the next six hours he held the class hostage.

No one even knew about the situation until the father of a girl in the classroom came by the school. He was concerned when she did not answer his phone call. When the principal went to the classroom to find the student, he was confronted and threatened by the gunman. Afterward, the principal immediately called the police. When the police finally came, the gunman shot and killed himself.

Here is a list of just a few things wrong with this picture:

1. If the teacher had a two-way radio on her at all times, she could have immediately notified the principal and police of what was happening.
2. If the principal had a two-way radio on her at all times, she could have immediately notified the police instead of waiting until she left the classroom.
3. The safety of the students was immediately and completely at the mercy of the shooter for six hours. Time is of the essence, especially when lives are dependent on someone who has snapped and is waving guns around. The shooter could have easily injured or killed any one of the students, the teacher, or the professor. Although the student reportedly did not want to hurt anyone but himself, you cannot give him the benefit of the doubt, especially when he has 200 rounds of ammunition in his pockets.

This is a prime example of poor emergency preparedness. An emergency isn’t an emergency if you suspect or know it is going to happen. There were absolutely no signs or hints of motives in this case that would tip off a need for increased security. Teachers and students claim the teenager was a bright, popular student and was not bullied or isolated by family or friends. A classroom is already a prime spot for a gunman to have the attention of others in an enclosed space with little threat for immediate detainment. It is pertinent that schools increase their communication on behalf of their students’ lives.

The Marinette County District Attorney Allan Brey was quoted saying, “I’m sure that we could have airport security at the Marinette High School if somebody wanted to step up to the plate at five to ten million bucks a year.” Thankfully, securing a school campus doesn’t cost five million bucks.  There are a number of cost effective solutions available to minimize risk and reduce response times.  This school and all other schools should deploy a fleet of two-way radios to at least minimize the impact of these types of situations. Two-way radios save lives in emergencies and are a vital tool to educators everywhere.  Visit our website, www.twowayradiosfor.com to learn more about two-way radios and how we can help your school improve safety and productivity.

Source: The World

The holidays are upon us, which means sales on everything from toys to tea brewers to two-way radios. And if you’re in the market for the latter, Motorola and TwoWayRadiosFor.com has some holiday cheer for ya. Through the month of December, purchase up to ten sets of six radios in the CLS, RDX or DTR series and save anywhere from $120 to $2,400 or get free chargers. Here are the details:

• Buy any six CLS1110 or CLS 1410 two way radios and save $120 or choose a free multi-unit charger #56531
• Buy any RDX Series RDV2020, RDF2080d, RDV5100, RDU2020, RDU2080d, RDU4100 or RDU4260d two way radios and save $180 or a free multi-unit charger #RLN6309
• Buy any six DTR410 two way radios and save $240 or choose a free multi-unit charger #53960

To get your rebates, visit www.MotorolaSavings.com and click on the “Rebate Form” link. Choose your savings option: either cash back or a free charger if you live in the U.S. or Canada. Click “Next” and complete the online submission form. Print and sign the confirmation page, then mail it along with the 3″x1″ UPC codes from each of the two-way radios you purchased and a copy of the invoice (not the packing slip) to the address shown. Check your mail box for your cash rebate or free chargers in four to six weeks from the date of receipt. Meanwhile, check the status of your rebate online by clicking the “Rebate Status” link and following the prompts.

These two-way radio series are among Motorola’s best, offering unmatched reliability, durability and coverage to help you and your family or team stay connected, share information, boost productivity and improve customer satisfaction. They make great holiday gifts for your family, staff, sports team or other group. But you’ll have to hurry – this promotion ends December 31. Happy Holidays!

Once upon a time, two-way radios were reserved for government and businesses. But the creation of the Family Radio Service (FRS) band by the FCC in 1996 prompted a popularity wave for two-way radios for use by families and friends. However, depending on how you use your two-way radios, you may need licensing from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission).

Two-way radios for family use may require FCC licensing depending on the type, power and frequency.

The FRS system uses channelized UHF band frequencies that don’t suffer the same interference effects of Citizen’s Band (CB) radios. It’s limited to a power output of half a watt (500 milliwatt) and allows for use of seven channels provided specifically for two-way radio users. Use of these seven channels alone does require licensing by the FCC for use in the United States. If you operate a radio that has been approved exclusively under the FRS rules, no licensing is necessary.

FRS users can also use the 7 shared channels with GMRS for a total of 14 channels without licensing, provided you broadcast using no more than the half-watt of power allowed. However, for full GMRS operation and for dual-band FRS/GMRS operation at higher power levels (typically 1 to 5 watts), you will need a GMRS license.

GMRS licensing comes with some parameters. The FCC allows licensing to individuals age 18 or older who are not representatives of foreign governments. The licensed individual’s family members of all ages subsequently are eligible to operate GMRS units within the licensed system. For non-individuals (corporations, partnerships, associations, governmental units, etc.), licensing is available under the FCC’s Private Land Mobile Radio Services.

At press time, the current fee for a new or renewal GMRS license is $85, but fees change over time, so be sure to check the FCCs GMRS licensing webpage for updated fees and application instructions.

One of the most overlooked aspects of radio performance is batteries. Customers and businesses tend to value comfort, durability, clarity and range when buying a two-way radio. However, batteries are an integral part of designing a radio system and should be considered when purchasing radios. Poor quality batteries can cause radio performance issues and altogether shorten the life of your radio.

As an effort to ensure optimized performance and guaranteed reliability, Motorola tests their radios and batteries as a system to identify issues. Motorola recently hired an independent company to compare Power Products, Multiplier, Honeywell and Motorola batteries based on design and build comparison, drop tests, vibration tests and electrostatic discharge tests.

When compared to other two-way radio batteries, Motorola significantly outperforms the rest. Lab tests prove Motorola radio batteries perform robustly and reliably, despite the toughest conditions. They are much stronger and can withstand harsh conditions for long hours.

One important aspect of increasing the lifespan of your radios is replacing your two-way radios’ batteries after the first batteries wear out. This is typically around two years after your initial two-way radio purchase. Batteries influence the overall performance of your radios; replacing your batteries after they have exhausted will allow you to get the most out of your radios every time you use them. Check out our “Batteries and Charging Accessories” page to find the right product for your radio.

Your battery has one job:  to keep your radio working. Make sure it’s “Proven Tough.”

Two-way radios are marketed with range claims of up to 25 miles. And while the claims are true – two-way radios are perfectly capable of such reaches – the range you’ll actually experience depends largely on what’s around you. Buildings, trees, hills, even the people standing nearby can limit your radio’s range. In about 90% of situations, a radio’s more realistic range will be about two miles. But there are things you can do to help boost two-way radio range.

The top inhibitors of a two-way radio’s range are:

Areas of high elevation allow for optimal two-way radio range.

•    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)
•    The human body (which is dense and watery)

In urban settings, tall metal buildings, vehicles whizzing by and crowds of people can limit your two-way radio to a range of up to 5.8 miles. Areas with scattered trees and shrubs and large lake settings allow for radio range up to 8 miles. By far, the best range occurs in areas of high elevation, where the site line from the transmitter to the receiver is unobstructed. This is what makes mountains or high hills located near metropolitan areas, such as Mt. Wilson near Los Angeles, optimal places for radio, television and cell phone towers. In fact, product testing by two-way radio manufacturers often occurs on hilltops and on large lakes with hills nearby. Open, flat areas such as deserts and beaches also allow for higher radio ranges.

To get the most out of your two way radios’ potential range, keep you radio away from your body. For instance, attach it to a backpack rather than clipping it onto your belt. The bigger the antenna, the better the range. Of course, long antennas are not always feasible. Instead, look for models with antennas and radio bodies of equal or near equal length. If possible, get to an area of higher elevation with little obstructing the line of site between you and the two-way radio user you’re trying to reach.

TwoWayRadiosFor.com lists comprehensive information including range potential for all of our products, and our online Knowledge Base features downloadable owner manuals for our most popular models. Plus, a two-way radio specialist is available via our online Live Chat Support feature or by calling 888-560-0758.