Marine communication involves ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication. Over the years, the ways in which seamen communicate has changed drastically.

Back in the day, semaphores and flags were a primary form of communication for ships out at sea. Radio brought about drastic changes in marine communication, and greatly improved the safety of everyone involved.

In the early half of the last century, ships began outfitting vessels with radios that could communicate distress signals between other ships, as well as to those on shore. In the early half of the twentieth century, Morse code was utilized for marine communication.

By the time the seventies rolled around, a greater deal of research and thought had gone into it. After assessing the International Telecommunication Union studies, IMO developed ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication. At this point, a radio officer was no longer necessary to keep watch at all hours of the day and night.

Marine communication was addressed through the use of onboard systems via shore stations and satellites. VHF radio made ship-to-ship communication a reality, and shortly thereafter Digital Selective Calling (DSC) allowed for greater communication capabilities including remote control commands that could transmit and receive distress signals, place urgent safety calls, and put out routine messages. Today, DSC controllers are often integrated with the VHF radio in line with updates regarding SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) requirements. 

A1, A2, A3, and A4 – What are the Differences?

There are a variety of radio communication systems that must be carried on board ships, the exact requirements vary based upon the area a ship is navigating.

A1: This represents ships that are around 20 to 30 nautical miles from the coast and are therefore covered by at least one VHF coast radio station, thus allowing for constant DSC alerting. The equipment used in this area includes a VHF and a DSC along with a NAVTEX receiver.

A2: This represents any area that is over 400 nautical miles away from the shore. In practice, it also reaches 100 nautical miles off shore but does not include A1 areas. The equipment used in this area includes a DSC, along with a radio telephone (MF radio range), as well as the equipment needed for A1 areas.

A3: This area excludes A1 and A2 areas, but is within INMARSAT geostationary range, and falls within 70 degrees north and 70 degrees south latitude, this area allows for continuous alerting. The equipment used in this area includes a high frequency radio and/or INMARSAT, along with all equipment required for A1 and A2 areas.

A4: This accounts for all areas located outside of A1-A3. Generally speaking, this includes the Polar Region North and South of 70 degree of latitude. The equipment used in this area includes all of the previously mentioned equipment along with HF radio service.

All of our world’s oceans are covered by HF marine communication services. It is required by the IMO that there are two coast stations per ocean region. Most ships are equipped with satellite terminal for Ship Security Alerts System (SSAS), as well as for tracking and long-range identification.

The marine navigation tools mentioned above are there to assist with Search and Rescue operations from Maritime Rescue Co-ordination centers. The goal is always to keep those out at sea as safe as possible.

Let Us Outfit Your Vessel with Top-notch Communication

At Highland Wireless, our Marine Communication Consulting Division is here to help improve ship communication along with overall safety and efficiency. Our flexible options are offered at competitive prices. Plus, we work with you from start to finish – from design to delivery and on through continued maintenance. Learn more

Communication in school is so important to the safety and overall wellbeing of students and staff. The Motorola Solutions 2017 School Communications Survey found that schools serve as an important trend setter for communication. They have a strong need for multiple devices on the job, as well powerful data applications. School employees want to be able to communicate instantly and utilize features like GPS tracking and text messaging.

Motorola surveyed more than 720 educators across 48 states including administrators, office staff, IT employees, transportation directors, teachers, athletics personnel, maintenance workers, and more. Here are some of the facts they uncovered:

• As of 2017, school personnel were using a variety of devices to communicate on the job. 31% of respondents said that email and Internet were their primary means of communication. This is a frightening fact considering the Internet could go out and email isn’t the quickest way to get a message across.
• 30% of respondents said that two-way radios were the primary form of communication. Cell phones and land lines fall next in line. Two-way radios are growing in popularity, in 2015 just 10% of schools used them as their primary communication.
• The most likely candidates to use two-way radios include principles, office staff, and maintenance personnel. Other staff that utilize two-way radios include district administrators, teachers, transportation employees, athletics personnel, operations staff, security, and safety teams.

According to Motorola, there are a variety of good reasons for school staff to utilize two-way radios.

“Two-way radios are purpose-built for highly reliable, instant communication between groups. Plus, two-way radios utilize secure, private networks that provide optimal coverage for the school and remain operational even during a crisis, allowing educators to communicate even when mobile phone towers are swamped by high traffic,” the study reports.

School Priorities vs. School Capabilities

While just about every school listed safety as their top priority, there was some disconnect between priorities and current capabilities. 92% of schools strive to create a safe and secure environment, but only 25% of schools had the measures in place to achieve this.

88% of schools say they want to have “always available communications,” but just 19% of schools have achieved this goal. In addition, 77% of schools want the ability to “hear clearly anywhere” and only 11% have achieved this. Furthermore, 76% would like direct communication with first responders, and only 17% have implemented the necessary technologies to do so.

Analog vs Digital Radios in Schools

Around 30% of schools are using analog radios, but there are so many benefits to utilizing digital technology, such as MOTOTRBO two-way radios. This is the leading form of instant communication, packing together features of a smart phone with the ease and reliability of push-to-talk.

Why are MOTOTRBO the best radios for schools?

There are many reasons why MOTOTRBO radios are the best for schools. For one, it gives a variety of different personnel – from the principle to the IT staff – a way to communicate using text messaging or push-to-talk. Plus, they have access to Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, and Wi-Fi connectivity. In addition, MOTOTRBO comes with advanced features for added safety like Transmit Interrupt, this feature ensures that the most important information is prioritized in an emergency.

As a Motorola two-way radio dealer, we offer a variety of Motorola radios for rent and sale. We are more than happy to help you find the right system to make your school run more safely and efficiently.

As a Kenwood two-way radio dealer, we offer a variety of Kenwood radios. There’s the sleek and powerful NX-5300, and the newer NX-320, as well as the NX-820 that is packing some serious power with 45 watts. Here’s an overview of the best Kenwood two-way radios to help you decide on the right model.

Kenwood Two-Way Radio Comparison

The NX-300 UHF NexEdge Radio

This fully featured device has a large screen (larger than the NX-320) and can output more than double the characters at one time. As a result, users can easily access more information. It is simple to program unique features to fit your needs. Plus, the device’s large internal memory can operate a considerable number of channels and frequencies.

This device is water and dust resistant for even the toughest jobs out there. That’s why it is a popular option for marine environments, as well as construction sites. All of the added features are accented by the radio’s excellent sound quality.

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Kenwood PKT-23K

Seeking a lightweight and small radio that won’t get in the way? At just 3.9oz, this is a great option to consider. Despite its compact size, it still offers a great number of features and functionality. It is packing 1.5 watts of power, offering superior communication across buildings big or small – including buildings that reach 17 floors high.

The built-in battery offers 15 hours of life which is pretty remarkable for a radio of this size. It is equipped with a Micro USB port for programming made simply. Plus, it has a 3.5mm audio jack for even more versatility when used with a variety of phone cables and accessories.

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Kenwood NX-5300

Meet the newest Kenwood flagship radio, the NX-5300. It combines two powerful qualities: the capabilities of a P25 public service radio as well as an industry grade UHF radio. This attribute puts the NX-5300 in a category of its own.

This radio is packing all of the features you need – like Bluetooth, GPS positioning, and there’s also an SD card slot. It is incredibly strong, resistant to dirt, dust and water. The battery offers 10 hours at minimum of ongoing power.

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Kenwood NX-320 UHF NexEdge Radio

The NX-320 features a new design and is super compact, while still offering all of the functionality, specifications, and rugged durability people have come to expect from Kenwood radios. This model was specially designed to offer display and function keys that are easy to use, and you can quickly train your team on how to make the most of them.

Even though it’s on the smaller side, it still has all the same capabilities as the larger models, including overall power capacity and call quality. There are two different models of this radio available, one of the models includes a display screen while the other does not.

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Kenwood NX-820

This is the most powerful Kenwood radio you can get your hands on. Packing 45 Watts, this radio can do more than any other radio. It offers a longer range of communication and a longer battery life to get through even the longest days. The inside of the device is completely outfitted with NEXEDGE and includes full analog conventional, LTR conventional and NXDN® conventional. Plus, it is trunked and offers trunked IP network support.

It features a built-in GPS receiver and has 10-character alphanumeric aliases. It is super durable with an IP-54 rating that makes it resistant to dust and water intrusion.

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MOTOTRBO, pronounced MOTO-TURBO, is a Motorola digital radio format designed for businesses, industrial and commercial use.  Due to its versatility, power, and advanced digital technology, it is leading the way in two-way radio functionality.

This digital communications product platform is designed after, as well as compatible with, the European 2-slot DMR and relies on Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) in order to accommodate two concurrent users. One 12.5 kHz channel can carry two concurrent and neutral dialogues, as well as individual voice and data paths equivalent to 6.25 kHz. It’s worth noting that the bandwidth of DMR surpasses the greatest UHF 6.25 kHz channel centers.

The New Generation of Two-Way Radios

Considered the new generation of two-way radios, it offers greater possibilities for operational critical communications. According to John Jaderholm, a member of the Motorola System Solutions Team, “It’s designed for the communication needs of professional and commercial users. People in the utility, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, municipality, transportation, construction, and in the educational markets,” just to name a few. 

Over the last few years, MOTOBRO has been highly successful and gives users a greater deal of control over their communication. It allows users to operate within different talkgroups, use wide-area operation through IP connection, and offers talkpaths comparable to trunking.

What is TDM (Time Division Multiple Access)

MOTOTRBO uses Time Division Multiple Access (TDM) to deliver remarkable voice quality to improve communications. In addition, it offers improved battery performance so that two-way radios last longer out in the field.

Other perks to MOTOTRBO include integrated data applications, increased capacity, and extended battery life. As a result, businesses are able to reduce operating costs and improve their bottom line. At the same time, employees can work more productively and maintain a more reliable and seamless form of communication. All of which also helps to improve the bottom line of your business.

What is MOTOTRBO Used For?

MOTOTRBO is used for portable radios, mobile radios, repeaters, controllers, and data applications. Essentially, it is customizable communication solution that can be adjusted to fit a variety of needs for many different industries. It can meet current needs, as well as adapt to meet future needs as your business grows and changes over time.

Industry Leading Features Offered by MOTOTRBO

There are several noteworthy features offered by MOTOTRBO that can help you get the most out of your business productivity. These features include:

• Data applications
• Integrated GPS module that allows you to locate all employees, as well as your fleet of vehicles at any time. This level of oversight offers managers a chance to improve productivity considerably.
• Send and receive text messages from radios, as well as from computers, to enable communication even when verbal communication is not a practical option.
• Greater range of data thanks to MOTOTRBO’s application developer program – this includes things like work ticket management, dispatch capability, system management, man-down applications and telephony.

Motorola and MOTOTRBO offer a “total solution you can count on that will grow right along with your business,” says Jaderholm.

Highland Wireless is a proud and certified supplier of Motorola radios. From finding the right radios for your team to offering affordable radio rentals, we are here to assist with all of your needs.

What are the differences between the Motorola XPR-7550 vs. XPR-5550? For starters, the Motorola XPR-5550 is one of the most advanced two-way-radios available. In some cases, it might be too much radio for basic needs. While the features and technology of the XPR-5550 are rather exciting, the XPR-7550 should not be overlooked, especially if you don’t need as many features.

The XPR-7550 offers advanced technology and plenty of features to satisfy most needs. In addition, the XPR-7550 operates much like a smartphone. It is user-friendly and easy to train employees to use.

XPR-7550 Two-Way-Radio: Here’s What You Need to Know

This two-way-radio allows you to seamlessly integrate voice and data. The Motorola XPR-7550 is a user-friendly and advanced two-way-radio in the MOTOTRBO digital radio series.

It improves communication as well as overall efficiency by using Intelligent Audio.  The XPR-7550 features a 5-line full color LCD screen display. The design strongly resembles a smartphone. Some of its features even resemble those of a smartphone, such as GPS and Bluetooth. This two-way-radio is known for its combination of durability and sensibility. The Motorola XPR-7550 is a highly capable two-way-radio for use in just about any environment.

Advanced features of Motorola’s XPR-7550 include:

• 5-line color display and programmable buttons
• Bluetooth and Intelligent Audio
• GPS
• Expansion card
• 1,000 channels
• Extended battery life (powered by IMPRES)
• Optional features such as Connect Plus and LTR/Passport
• Durable and safe design

XPR-5550 Two-Way-Radio: What You Need to Know

Looking for an innovative “next generation” type radio that is a communication powerhouse? The Motorola XPR-5550 is everything you’ve been searching for and then some. This two-way-radio features hands-free operation with Bluetooth capability.

It offers users a solution to seamless operation and helps employees work safer and smarter. Take advantage of unlimited data applications, GPS tracking, work ticket management, and more.

Advanced features of Motorola’s XPR-5550 include:

• Premium audio and quality
• Bluetooth (audio and data)
• GPS tracking
• Text messaging
• Customized expert applications
• User-friendly full-color display
• Flexible menu-driven user interface
• Full backlit display (with day and night mode)
• Increased security (built in scrambling)
• Transmit interrupt
• IP site connect
• Limitless data applications
• Durable design
• Emergency button (optional)

XPR-7550 vs. XPR-5550 – Which Is the Best Two-Way-Radio for You?

If you’re trying to decide between Motorola’s XPR-7550 vs XPR-5550, there are a few things to consider. Both devices offer features such as premium audio, Bluetooth, and GPS.

The XPR-5550 offers exciting technology and features that will benefit your business and exceed your needs. It’s highly recommended for more demanding scenarios due to its added features. The XPR-5550 is a popular option in a wide variety of industries from delivery drivers to construction and maintenance crews.

The XPR-7550 doesn’t have as many bells and whistles but it can easily satisfy all basic needs. It resembles the design of most two-way-radios. On the other hand, the XPR-5550 looks much different. The Motorola XPR-5550 has a much smaller radio device supported by an additional device that is comparable in size to a Polaroid camera. In many cases, the XPR-7550 offers an effective and budget friendly option.

We offer affordable radio rentals that include all accessories. We welcome you to try out one of our top-notch Motorola or Kenwood radios to see how it helps improve your bottom line.