is increasingly becoming the way we communicate! The wired telephone is destined to follow the same route as the telegraph over 100 years ago. Wire less 2-way communications has evolved from business type on-site communicators to more modern multi-tasking units capable of handling Voice, Paging, and Data in a single transceiver. The problem for many users is the process of choosing the right product or service for their individual needs.
In this section, we will explain the differences in the basic types of private personal 2-way communications devices. These devices are designed for use of systems or applications where there is little or no airtime charges applicable. Unlike public cell phone systems, these systems are primarily designed for on-site or operation within a specific defined area. 
We have broken the price barrier for efficient on-site communications!
Apparently, there are a lot of people who need efficient on-site 2-way communications. Within the period of one week, we received calls from a doctors office, a newly opening lounge, a motel, a contractor, and a fire department. They all wanted the same thing quality personal 2-way communications at reasonable cost with no monthly airtime fees!
They wanted something better than consumer grade FRS radios, but they didnt want the prices associated with commercial equipment. They also did not want the standard offerings for remote control of the radio. They didnt want a headset, an earbud, a speaker-microphone, or lip microphone. After listening to their needs, we came up with what we think is the ideal package the Remington 2 watt radio with the ability to operate on both FRS and GMRS channels. The radio is equipped with state of the art, memory free rechargeable Nickel Metal-Hydride batteries, charger and clip. This amazing radio is capable of both audible and vibrate alert! It can scan multiple frequencies and it even tells you when it is time to charge the battery!
The feature that really sets this product apart is a comfortable over the ear earphone connected to an in-line clip on microphone with micro-sized push to talk switch. This radio can be comfortably worn by all types of users with complete privacy and ease of use. The price is just $149.99 each plus shipping and tax if you are in Alabama. You can order on line at our web store located at http://falconwireless.goemerchant7.com in the Personal Communications section or just inset the order number HS0000 in the Search block on the opening page. You are going to like the Remington communicator! We guarantee it!
Trunking Radios
The trend in communications is to share and allocate resources dynamically. This is a fancy way of saying that frequencies are limited and the number of functions that can be accomplished on a single frequency is limited. Modern technology allows us to dynamically assign frequency use and with digital communications, it is possible to simultaneously provide multiple functions such as voice, data, and GPS. The most advanced technology, such as that used with newer cell phones, it is possible to conduct multiple conversations on a single channel.
The new digital technology was first available in the 1900-2200 MHz frequency band, then the 800-900 MHz band, and most recently, the 450 MHz band. Presumably, at some time in the near future, this technology will be available in the 150 MHz range as the need for more efficient frequency utilization extends to all areas of business and public safety communications.
For most commercial users, the UHF 406-512 MHz band is the best choice from the viewpoint of overall performance and cost. There are two basic technologies full digital, which requires a complete system replacement, and hybrid digital that allows a migratory transition for analog conventional or LTR to the benefits of digital.
Falcon Wireless offers both full digital and hybrid digital systems. Existing UHF users should plan for future transition by purchasing radios with basic LTR trunking capability even if the current system does not support the full benefits of trunking. Any LTR radio can be operated on the new ESAS hybrid digital system. ESAS infrastructure allows an LTR compatible radio to provide the function of a 2-way personal radio, paging, and wireless half-duplex telephone along with Voice Mail and other digital enhancements.
We offer retrofit LTR trunking boards for existing Motorola P1225 series radios. If you are contemplating the purchase of new UHF radios, we offer the Motorola P1225-LS and HT1550-LS series handhelds as well as LS series mobiles. Vertex LTR capable radios are also offered by Falcon Wireless, but our recommendation based on quality, price, and performance is the Relm/Uniden SPU554KTS priced at just $495 with a two year manufacturers warranty or $595 with a three year N.D.E. next day exchange warranty. Additional information on the N.D.E. warranty program is available on request. Additional information on the SPU554KTS is available by clicking on the picture above. You will need a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the information on the SPU554KTS. If you do not yet have a copy of the Reader, you can download a free copy by clicking on the icon below. 
Conventional Radios
Traditionally, Conventional Radios have differed from FRS, GMRS, and MURS radios by offering higher power, greater reliability, and the ability to operate on channels in either commercial or public safety bands. These are the radios historically used by public safety, industrial, healthcare, and agricultural users. Unlike trunking radios, these radios do not employ dynamic channel assignment for purposes of increasing channel efficiency, increased privacy, and faster channel access. These are all attributes of trunking radios.
As discussed in our review of trunking radios, the advantage of trunking over conventional is better utilization of channels in the 800/900 and UHF frequency bands. At this time, to our knowledge, no manufacturer is offering a VHF 150-174 MHz trunking radio although current trends indicate VHF trunking will be common in the very near future. There is ONE manufacturer currently offering a VHF radio that can be easily upgraded to trunking. More about this shortly.
There are a number of technologies available to provide trunking capability, including CMS, EDACS, SmartNet, and the commonly accepted standard, LTR. Our reason for making you aware of this is to encourage you to consider future purchases with LTR trunking in mind, even if you are not using trunking at this time.
There are many good conventional VHF radios, both handheld and mobile with price, features, and performance to meet the needs of most users. However, there is only ONE radio that has the capability for upgrading from conventional operation to trunking. That radio is the Motorola 1225 series. The M1225 mobile and the P1225 personal 2-way radios can be upgraded to LTR trunking capability by the addition of a plug in board. If you are currently operating a VHF conventional 2-way radio system, we recommend the Motorola 1225 series. Additional information is available by clicking on the radio icon above. 
MURS Radios
The Multi User Radio Service, or MURS, as it more commonly known, was established by the Federal Communications Commission in 2000 for the purposed of filling a gap between licensed and unlicensed services. 27 MHz Citizens Band radio, dating back to the sixties provided short range unlicensed personal communications. Over the years, it became more or less, the exclusive property of truckers and wantabee amateurs. Today, CB is virtually unknown by most people.
The FCC then established the General Mobile Radio Service for non-business use in the 460 MHz band. GMRS was free from the long distance skip interference common to CB and general channel overcrowding. Unfortunately, until just recently, GMRS has not grown as expected; primarily as a result of high equipment prices and to a lesser degree, lack of interest by the general public. We will not discuss GMRS and FRS at this time since this information is primarily for use by commercial and public safety users. If you have an interest in GMRS and FRS radios, you can find them in our on-line store at http://falconwireless.goemerchant7.com.
The thing that makes MURS different from all other radios services is that it can be used by anyone, private, commercial, or government on an unlicensed basis. Both voice and data can be used, and it operates in the VHF 150 MHz band with three exclusive and two shared frequencies available.
Power is restricted to 2 watts although antenna structures of up to 60 feet are authorized. This makes MURS an ideal alternative for on-site paging, tactical channels for public safety agencies, 2-way use by contractors and road crews, as well as a temporary means for public safety users to get on their on the air while awaiting normal processing delays on licensed channels.
Older radios cannot operate on MURS frequencies since MURS requires 12.5 KHz narrow band capability. Newer VHF radios, manufactured within the past several years can normally be programmed on MURS channels as long as they are capable of operating at 12.5 KHz with a maximum power of 2 watts. There are a few radios built specifically for MURS operation and others that include FRS, MURS, and Business Band channels.
Our recommended choice for a MURS radio is the Uniden SPH516 priced at just $199. Technical specifications are available by clicking on the picture above, or you can order on line by clicking on the PC-Store icon below. |
