We see and study the trends of today and the impact they will have in planning for tomorrow. We keep up with regulatory changes, world economics, technology and even politics as an interrelated dynamic with each component affecting what is and will happen in wireless communications.
Unless you make it your full time business to keep up with such things, you have to rely on the advice of others. Some of those entrusted with taking care of you do have your best interests in mind; others have their own best interests in mind. The only way you can determine which is which is by having the facts. That’s what this web page is all about – to give you the facts so you can make an informed decision on what is best for YOU.
We start with background information based on available public records. We do not attempt to editorialize or to sway your opinion. We simply present the facts, make some general recommendations, and leave the rest to you. We are not promoting a particular brand or model since each user’s needs are different. We will say that we will focus our product comparison primarily on ICOM since this is the only company currently offering both analog and digital systems with both P25 and second generation 6.25 kHz technology that is backwards compatible with 25 or 12.5 kHz analog systems. This will be discussed in more detail in the
Technology Review section (See
Tab above). A product brochure is also available on the second generation ICOM system known as IDAS (
ICOM Digital Advanced System). Click
here for more information. If you are a commercial user, be sure and visit
www.info4u.us/dcom.pdf for information on digital products and technology for commercial and utility users.
Regulatory OverviewWe start with a
Regulatory Overview (See
tab at the top left side of this page). There are some important changes coming up very quickly that will have a major impact on your communications planning. Get the facts first, and then develop your plan accordingly.
TechnologyAll new users will have to operate on 12.5 kHz channel assignments by January 1, 2013 and manufacturers must produce equipment capable of operating at 6.25 kHz by January 1, 2011. So what's the big deal? Essentially, your radios will work better at 12.5 kHz in a digital mode, rather than analog (all 25 kHz systems are analog). 6.25 kHz doesn't work at all in anything but a digital model. But the big deal is increased channel capacity! If you just divide existing channels and make more channels where there was only one channel before, that should be a good thing for all concerned. So what does Technology have to do with all of this? Click on the
Technology Review tab (
above) for more information on the different solutions proposed by Europe, the Far East, and the USA. We probably don't have to tell you that they are all different. There is even a difference in commercial versus public systems! Our objective is to make sure that you select the technology that is best for YOU!
ProductsIn the
Product Comparison section (See
Tab above), we will provide an overview of the products best suited (at least in our opinion) for public safety use. We will introduce you to selected products that are capable of operating in an analog or digital mode, in either FDMA (Japanese technology) or P25 (US government standard) as well as an introduction to the Motorola solution known as MotoTRBO.
We recognize that some users needs can be met with analog radios. For that reason, we will present information on two of our selected models especially well suited for public safety use.