Communication is integral to the success of any business or enterprise, regardless of industry. With more ways to keep in touch than ever before, more and more industries find that they can rely on long-range two-way radios.
Metropolitan Communications serves the areas of Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, and Philadelphia, PA; New Castle County, DE; and Gloucester and Camden County, NJ, to find the best long-range two-way radios for their needs.
Our team is certified and trained with Motorola and Kenwood JVC products, which manufacture some of the most highly regarded radios in the business. Request a quote today!
Two-Way Radios vs Cell Phones
Odds are, you have a cell phone in your pocket right now. So, you may be wondering, why not just use those? After all, they’re convenient and widespread.
Well, when it comes to running your enterprise, cell phones don’t offer the reliability and durability you need. Cell phones often lose service in hard-to-reach areas, like dead zones in basements or rural areas. Cell phones are also less likely to stand up to the elements, like moisture, dust, and extreme temperatures—and if you drop it, that delicate touchscreen might shatter.
With two-way radios, you get guaranteed communication in more places, both in terms of distance and environment. If a first responder is in a hot basement, for instance, they can still get in touch with coworkers outside by using a two-way radio.
Outside of durability and range, two-way radios are often a better fit for professional use because of their cost. Cell phones involve an up-front investment, as well as contract fees after the fact. Then, within a few years, they begin to run more slowly. With two-way radios, however, there’s an up-front investment, but after that, you can expect top-rate functionality for up to a decade.
Enhance Two-Way Radio Coverage with BDA/DAS Solutions
When getting the most out of your long-range two-way radios, additional infrastructure in the form of BDA and DAS solutions can help guarantee even stronger long-range connectivity. This signal-boosting infrastructure is usually in the form of additional signal receivers and antennas placed throughout a building.
A BDA, or Bi-Directional Amplifier, is a type of antenna that extends wireless coverage for your long-range, two-way radio to those hard-to-reach areas, like stairwells and basements.
BDAs are often part of a larger communications solution called a DAS, or Distributed Antenna System. With an external antenna to capture outdoor signals, a DAS setup feeds that captured signal to antennas placed strategically throughout a building.
Stay Compliant with BDA & DAS
Having a BDA/DAS solution in place makes good business sense. When coworkers and clients can get in touch with each other, it streamlines daily operations. In addition to smart business sense, a BDA/DAS setup is also often legally required for public safety purposes.
In case of an emergency, first responders need to be able to communicate with each other under the harshest conditions and from anywhere inside or outside of a building.
There are a few regulations that require guaranteed communications, including:
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): NFPA 72 Chapter 24 code requires 90 percent in-building two-way radio signal coverage, which increases to 99 percent for critical areas like fire pump rooms, exit stairs and passageways, and elevator lobbies.
- International Fire Code (IFC): IFC-510 code requires 95 percent in-building wireless signal coverage with a minimum signal strength of -95 dB.
- FCC 13-21: Part 90 regulations describe requirements for signal boosters for Public Safety and private Land Mobile Radio (LMR) service operations.
Complying with wireless signal codes not only protects you from fines, but it also improves public safety, reduces the risk of property damage, and lessens your risk of legal liability. A BDA/DAS solution means that your long-range two-way radios will be operating on the proper channels.
Who Benefits from Long-Range Radios?
There are a few types of two-way radios, and one way to differentiate types is by their range. Short-range two-way radios are portable radios that are readily available for personal use, like for families going camping or casual nature enthusiasts.
Long-range radios can reach a span of one to almost 20 miles, although physical landscapes affect real-world range. In a clear, open field, using a portable radio to communicate over several miles is not an issue; in a densely populated city with skyscrapers, that range reduces. In-building signal boosters, like BDA/DAS solutions, help restore range and coverage.
Anyone in an industry that requires coworkers to stay in touch will benefit from a two-way radio, whether that’s tracking dispatchers’ routes, paging a nurse, or letting employees on the top floor of a building know about a delivery that’s on its way. Industries we serve include:
Long-Range Two-Way Radios for Sale
Some of our favorite long-range two-way radios include those that meet P25 requirements. P25, or Project 25, refers to any two-way radio that meets set government standards for wireless communication interoperability. P25 portable radios are a great fit for fast-paced industries, like hospitals. When seconds count, getting in touch with the right people can save lives.
Motorola APX Series
This line of long-range two-way radios from Motorola is a great fit for firefighters, EMTs, police, and other first responders who need to be prepared for anything that comes their way. One of the best long-range two-way radios for the job from this line is the APX Mobile Radio Siren and Light Interface Module.
To literally go the extra mile, additional equipment will be useful. The VRX1000 Vehicle Radio Extender and the DVR-LX P25 Digital Vehicular Repeater help.
For portables, the “T-grip” APX radios enhance safety in communications by offering location tracking, as well as an intelligent feature that senses poor signal quality and sends a message via voice and broadband instead.
Kenwood NX 5000
This Kenwood line of long-range two-way radios meets P25 standards for the utmost in reliability in a variety of challenging conditions, making it a great fit for any fast-paced industry. Another reason these radios are such a great fit for so many industries is because they combine the power for three digital CAIs: NXDN, DMR, and P25. Then, to ensure a truly seamless integration into an existing suite, it is interoperable with legacy radios.
Automatic Call Identification means the NX 5000 automatically identifies a call signal, whether it’s NXDN, DMR, P25, or FM analog, and transmits in the same mode received. Set the radio to Mixed Mode, which allows the radio to wait for a call in either digital or analog modes in an environment that relies on both.
These impressive portable radios only scratch the surface of all the models we have available. Communications technology evolves quickly, and we always make sure to be at the forefront of the newest innovative tech.
Contact Us Today!
Metropolitan Communications has decades of experience in crafting, installing, and maintaining custom wireless communications solutions. We believe that effective communication is the most important component of any enterprise. If you want to make the most of your long-range two-way radios, let us help!
Not only do we stock long-range two-way radios, but we also offer 24/7 maintenance and support. We proudly serve the areas in and around Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, and Philadelphia, PA; New Castle County, DE; and Gloucester and Camden County, NJ. We’ll help your business, institution, and team stay connected, no matter what.
To learn more about our options and how we can help you stay in touch, simply give us a call or request a quote today!
