Security team holding walkie talkies
Lynn Communications Blog

Walkie Talkie Solutions for Security Teams

How Radios enhance communications in your Commercial Complex

Recent events made it so that in every line of business, it has become imperative to ensure safety across the board for workers and clients alike. In workplaces with different sectors and vast numbers of staff, having a reliable and effective means of communication is a great tool to manage all the intervenients safely.

Handheld two-way radios are excellent options to guarantee optimal communication among professionals such as industrial staff on a production plant, sales assistants in large retail floors and, crucially, security personnel in shopping centres and other commercial complexes.

And focusing on the latter, this post will present you with some of the ways two-way radios are currently changing security teams’ communication for the better.

1.    Enabling Effective Communication

Ensuring visitors safety from the moment they enter the complex is a top priority for security staff. And to achieve it they count with the reliable and seamless connection provided by walkie talkies.

Walkie Talkies run on radio frequencies that eliminate disturbances that could appear in the transmission so that the communication is clear and uninterrupted.

Moreover, the use of two-way radio devices also enables instant connections for transmitting voice messages at the push of a button, which is essential when dealing with emergencies.

2.    Dependable and Durable design

Security teams’ everyday action can become harsh, leaving their equipment very prone to accidents. Therefore, any device that security personnel end up using has to be rough and ready to keep up with the demands of the job.

Modern business walkie-talkies are designed to be durable and resistant to shock and elements while remaining lightweight and very portable as well as easy to use. A walkie-talkie that has all these features is an excellent long-term investment you can rely on, saving you from spending resources having to replace your radio devices continuously.

3.    Extensive Battery Life

Shopping centres are open for long hours, plus, security professionals are there before opening and stay beyond closure and need to be available at all times. To ensure that, their walkie-talkies’ battery must endure the operating hours.

When ordering the fleet of devices for the security staff, opt for high-quality walkie-talkies with a long-lasting battery life that can handle the long hours demanded.

4.    Instant Communications

More often than not, security teams have to communicate occurrences to management or other co-workers instantly, and devices such as smartphones or other communications channels just aren’t as immediate as walkie-talkies.

Two-way radios don’t require dialling or complex processes to communicate with others instead enabling instant messaging at the push of a button.

These devices provide clear and reliable instant communications, a fact that should not be overlooked when the task at hand is to ensure people’s safety and health.

Another great benefit of equipping your security team with walkie-talkies is how cost-efficient that solution is, being affordable, not requiring tariffs or service plans to communicate and lasting for long years voiding the need to update devices as can happen with other technology devices.

Interested? Why not check our wide range of Business Walkie Talkies that can suit your security personnel and offer them streamline instant communication? At Walkie Talkie Solutions, we are reputable Motorola device providers with years of experience supplying business solutions. Get in touch today for a quote or any added information.

Factory engineer standing near production line with walkie talkie
Lynn Communications Blog

Two-Way Radios Are the Answer to Your Business’ Communication Requirements

Communication is crucial in any company, regardless of the industry, but it can post many challenges when trying to get things done effectively. Vital information has to spread across multiple members in the organisation, and in case it gets lost, it can compromise the daily activity of the company. E-mails, fax machines, “work phones”, intranet notifications, there are many options available in terms of communications. Still, it can also be overwhelming to keep up with all of them, and that leads to breakdowns in the communication flow.

Many businesses have recently slimmed down these routes and moved to a simpler yet more beneficial option to instant messaging communication: Walkie-Talkies. And here’s why:

Communicating with individuals and teams

Two-Way Radios provide a consistent and dependable reception throughout your business’ facilities. Unlike smartphones, which are known to run out of signal in places like elevators or lower floor plants, two/way radios are ready to transmit and receive wherever they are. This means that a given team member won’t be dropping or postponing calls that could convey important information anymore.

While smartphones require costly software additions to enable multi-party communication, two-way radios include this capability built-in as standard. Not only will your company be saving on software extras but also in the radio devices that come at a lower cost than the average smartphone fleet, making walkie-talkies the best and most cost-effective communication solutions.

Durable and Reliable Devices

Accidents happen in every industry, and it doesn’t need to be in hazardous environments either; for example, someone can easily spill a glass of water over their brand-new work smartphone. If only you could have a more durable solution…

Two-way radios, with available waterproof features, are much more resistant to elements or impacts than the current smartphone norm and will undoubtedly last longer too.

Replacing cracked screens due to drops, buying replacement phones, or any other reoccurring money spending will be a thing of the past making radio devices a much savvier investment.

As we said earlier, these accidents can happen in any industry, but two-way business radios will definitely make the most sense in heavy-duty industries such as construction work, and other more weather-exposed occupations.

Rolling back the years, can you remember a more enduring device than that old Motorola “brick” phone that you only had to charge every couple of days? Luckily, Motorola also makes two-way radios, and they carry all that durability and battery life you miss so much in today’s devices. This will make managers rest assured their staff will be supplied with reliable devices to keep on communicating whatever the situation.

Cost-Effectiveness

Providing your staff with individual top-grade walkie talkies for their daily tasks will improve your business communication and at the same time, be a more affordable solution when compared to makeshift smartphone solutions. Supplying the whole work personnel with smartphones and the added functionality costs will require a significant investment upfront and will keep on regularly draining your finances with phone plans.

Walkie-Talkies are cheaper alternatives to smartphones from the threshold. They will save even more by not requiring service providers or extra software features to allow for more than two user communications. Due to being more durable, they are a safer investment that won’t require nearly as many repairs as smartphones. Overall, two-way business radios are vastly more cost-effective than to implement conventional communication devices in your business.

Undistracting Devices

Business walkie talkies are clear-cut and straightforward to use and give managers and owners the guarantee that their staff aren’t side-tracked during work hours by Social Media feeds or other distractions a smartphone can entail. Two-way radios are free of apps or entertainment and are designed solely focused on the task of providing a communication channel, and this trickles down to their users.

This lack of distractions can be significant in terms of staff productivity which is what you want from a paid worker but most importantly, in maintaining safety. Smartphones are vulnerable to viruses and spyware that can be downloaded onto them, giving electronic thieves access to your company’s information and network. Two-way radios, on the other hand, are closed-circuit limited by their wave channel, providing safer communications between workers.

User Friendly

Another challenge with sourcing smartphones for your working staff is their knowledge of Android or iPhone platforms. Spending time to show all your workers how to use their new operative system can be quite cumbersome so ideally, you should be looking for communication solutions that can hit the ground running.

Walkie Talkies form factor and usability is one the most intuitive processes you can find and most people who are handed one for the first time already know how to use its basic functions making it easy and quick for the team to learn the full functionality of the new devices.

Furthermore, two-way radios are dependable and offer their users the possibility to carry and use them throughout their day without a single worry related to battery life, impact damages or to run out of service range. Using a walkie-talkie is as easy as picking it up and using it intuitively.

Walkie Talkies are the Best Overall Communication Device

We have presented some key reasons why Two-way radios can improve and streamline your business’ communication solutions. Whatever industry your company excels in, the benefits two-way radios can provide are undeniable and can even reveal vital in some cases. Delegating functions, alerting co-workers and coordinating actions are just some of the examples that walkie talkies can perform seamlessly and confidently, leaving the managers and business owners assured that the organisation is running as organised and safely as it can.

Having the right communication practices can be the difference between a profitable business and a poorly organised workload. Improving your company’s communication is crucial and moving to walkie-talkies as the primary communication devices can be the game-changer.

Experts in Motorola Walkie-Talkie Radios, we have been proving businesses looking to upgrade their communication with top of the line devices and systems in various industries.

Make the right move and get in touch with our specialist team and implement two-way radios to enhance your intra-organisation communication. 

Walkie talkie accessories
Lynn Communications Blog

The Importance of Having the Right Accessories for your Two-Way Radio Device

In order to achieve efficient communications, Two-Way Radio accessories can be almost as important as the device itself.

They are designed to facilitate the use of the two-way radios by making them more portable, more movable, more accessible and easier to operate.

Using a two-way radio device without the right accessories can be almost impossible in some occasions, like when the two-way radio is not at hands reach, requiring push-to-talk when you don’t have your hands free, among numerous other situations.

But how and where can these accessories help?

Well, here you can find some tips and ideas on how walkie talkie accessories can improve your two-way radio use:

Carrying solutions

Carry accessories can prove to be very handy in hectic and hazardous working environments! Belt clips can make your walkie talkies easy to haul, pick up and put down, while other accessories can help you keep them intact during use and transport, like a carrying case for one or several devices.

Improving Audio Quality

In noisy and hard to communicate areas, any audio improvement is welcomed. Environments such as factories or crowded locations require something better than regular audio quality to assure clear communication.

  • Noise-cancelling mics or headsets – they aid you to hear and be heard better in loud environments. Some two-way radios do include these features as standard, but if yours doesn’t, you can get it upgraded without having to swap devices.
  • Earpieces – designed to keep calls private, not leaking sound through the radio.
  • Remote Speaker Microphones – lightweight built and made to be worn in a reachable spot like your shoulder to give you greater freedom of movement.
  • Covert equipment – for example, finger-worn push-to-talk buttons and hidden earpieces that allow you to keep your communications as discreet as possible.

Power options

Everybody knows that even if you have the most technologically advanced device, if the battery discharges quickly, you won’t be able to use it for too long, especially during long work shifts. What isn’t so clear is the range of solutions that can take care of this problem.

Choosing a higher capacity battery doesn’t always prove to be the best option in those cases when mobility is essential as they are bulkier, heavier and therefore, less portable.

The best way to avoid this issue is to opt for a battery efficient radio when you’re buying a device. Assure the battery life is enough for your regular use and that it has an included on-the-go charging solution.

Wireless solutions

Bluetooth® accessories that can be connected wirelessly can help in situations where holding a portable radio to communicate isn’t practical. If you’re on the market for a two-way radio and your work requires hands-free use, go for one that has Bluetooth® connectivity. This feature will allow for the use of a range of Bluetooth® accessories that can be wirelessly paired to your device. This way, you can communicate with your team maintaining your hands free and your eyes on the job at hand.

Intrinsically Safe (IS) Accessories

If you work in dangerous environments, you most certainly know about the importance of Intrinsically Safe certified devices. What you probably don’t know is that if you pair your IS radio with non-IS approved accessories, your system rating is void. Only IS approved accessories should be used with matching IS approved radios, with the system rating being determined by the lowest rate in the devices.

Go for matching IS ratings for any accessories your work requires and make sure your IS radio system has the appropriate level of protection.

If you are not sure about all these ratings and terms, we have the solution for you.

Give us a call and ask our professional sales team for information on the solutions we can provide for your specific situation. At Walkie Talkie Solutions, we are experts in two-way radio devices and will guarantee you with quality products suitable for your requirements.

We have the highest standards and experience in two-way radio systems and can optimise your communication whatever your business and industry might be, providing an excellent range of Motorola Walkie Talkies and accessories like batteries, carrying cases or hands-free solutions. For stricter industries, we also supply Intrinsically Safe (IS) approved devices and accessories with limited electrical and thermal output for safe use in hazardous or flammable environments.

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Walkie-talkies-radio-etiquette
Lynn Communications Blog

Walkie-Talkie Radio Etiquette: Top 10 Tips

Two-way radios have undoubtedly proven their worth and durability, particularly in a world where we are recurrently seeing many other means of communication being replaced by more technological advanced devices. Even though smartphones are in everyone’s pocket these days, two-way radios are still being heavily depended on, especially in workplaces. 

And while their value has been proven, it requires some basic know-how to operate them efficiently. It may seem obvious, but a fact sometimes forgotten is that walkie talkies don’t allow users to simultaneously hear and talk back, thus the necessity of a certain radio etiquette to communicate clearly. 

To help you keep efficient and effective communication using two-way radios, we provide you with 10 key tips in radio etiquette: 

  1. Get to grips with the terms 

In radio messaging, there are specific terms for greeting, answering and terminating a conversation. This is because regular words are sometimes ambiguous or unclear in short radio communications. Walkie talkie lingo has been proven over the years and has become universally recognised. You may have even heard it in movies or TV. 

Some of the most common are: 

  • Affirmative meaning Yes. 
  • Negative meaning No. 
  • Roger/Roger That meaning the message was understood. 
  • Copy/Read meaning Have you understood/received the message, as in “Do you copy me?”.
  • Over (used at the end of a sentence) meaning The talker has finished their transmission. 
  • Stand By meaning Wait. 
  • Wilco meaning I will comply/follow the instructions. 
  • Out meaning The communication is concluded. 

  1. Learn the NATO Phonetic Alphabet

You might know this one already from movies, too. T and D, for instance, may be different letters but their sound, and even more through radio, can be misunderstood and unclear. That is why with the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, we spell out words by their NATO phonetic, that is a corresponding word started by the letter in question. 

For example, if you need to message the letters “AD” through radio, you should say “alpha delta”.    

  1. Pause before speaking 

This is a habit you should make sure to adopt. Pausing for a second between pressing the button to transmit and actually speaking assures that the first words won’t get cut off, allowing for a full and clear message. 

  1. Introduce yourself 

Not all walkie talkies have caller ID, so it is good practice to identify yourself and, if you know who you’re reaching, the person you wish to address too. Sometimes, work staff have their designated call signs, and if so, you should also make use of it when addressing other users.

  1. Keep it Short

Two-way radios have not been designed for long conversations. They are meant to be used for quick and swift talks, like give indications to solve particular problems and to provide immediate responses. 

As such, your messages should be short and straight to the point, avoiding long transmissions.  

In case you do need to get a bigger message across, use the word “break” at the end of one or two sentences and release the button. This way, the other party can intervene if needed as well.  

  1. Avoid Interruptions 

When communicating, avoid interrupting others as much as possible. Wait for them to end the message or conversation, if it is between other intervenients, and then transmit. 

In case of emergency, and you have to interrupt, begin the message saying, “Break Break Break” and then state your message. 

  1. Don’t raise your tone 

Talking through a walkie talkie should be just like a normal conversation in terms of speed and tone. Speaking too quick or slow will make the call imperceptible or too long and if you yell the transmission will just be a blown sound on the other party.  

None of these will help you convey your message any better, or clearer so keep the radio’s microphone about three to five inches away from your mouth and speak normally. 

  1. English is sovereign 

English is the official language for two-way radio communication internationally. Apart from specific guidelines from your organisation, you should stick to the English language. 

  1. Assume others are listening 

Walkie talkies are open to everyone that can catch your radio frequency, whether for eavesdrop or just because the working group is all connected. If you can’t restrict the conversation to the users you want to communicate with, or use encryption, you should avoid transmitting confidential or sensitive information. 

  1. Check and maintain your equipment 

Regular check, care and maintenance are imperative with walkie talkie devices. All of their functionality will be voided if they run out of battery or get clogged mics from improper maintenance.  

Before important operations, also check the range beforehand to ensure your work staff won’t be left stranded. 

Though they may seem to require much experience and practice, following these etiquette tips to a T (or Tango) will make the most of your use of walkie-talkies and improve your professional performance in the process.

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Walkie-talkies-construction
Lynn Communications Blog

Why Are Walkie-Talkies Never Out of Fashion?

We are in the midst of an era focused on information and technology, it’s what much of the 21st century has been about.

Being informed and updated these days is essential to keep up with the competitive world we are living in.

Transferring and receiving effective communications has always been a prime focus for the technology world. We continually see new advancements in this area, and most of the time, once something new and more effective hits the market, predecessors gradually fade beyond existence.

Still, there is one communication tool that stood the test of time and never lost its importance, and that is the Walkie-Talkie.

It’s not hard to understand why these devices never seem to go out of fashion. They are simple, easy to use and reliable.

Businesses know too well how a pitfall of mobile networks, servers, internet connections and many more modern advances are all good and well, but very disappointing when systems fail or there are no network coverage areas. Walkie-Talkies provide instant, effective communication, and that remains vital for a significant number of industries.

Main reasons why walkie-talkies remain outright winners:

  • Reliable

The Walkie-Talkie is one of the most reliable communication tools around, even today amongst all of the modern technological advancements we have available to us. As opposed to smartphones, these two-way radio devices do not rely on service or networks to enable effectiveness.

Two-way radios supply a steady communicative path between parties, and by using the best long-haul range, the connection is always maintained.

For certain businesses and frontline workers, to have at their disposal a reliable source of communication at all times is an absolute must.

  • Fast and effective

Walkie-talkies are super easy to use. A simple push to talk feature allows fast and precise communication between peers at much quicker rates.

With Smartphones, you need first to find a number, then call that number and wait for the connection from the other party, whereas walkie-talkies allow connection with just one simple push of a button.

This kind of communication is of critical importance for some companies and businesses such as hospitals, event management, construction and building sites and within the police, fire or army sectors. Using the best quality devices, you can communicate one to one or in groups without any disturbances to your connections whatsoever.

  • Durable

It goes without saying that these devices are incredibly durable, especially when you compare them to Smartphone’s which are highly delicate and easily broken when dropped.

Walkie Talkies are very hard-wearing devices that are capable of withstanding harsh climate and weather conditions, hence why they are used on construction sites or on the frontline by army personnel.

  • Cost-Effective

An investment in such devices will ensure value for money. For a company, purchasing walkie-talkies is significantly more affordable than buying smartphones for all of its workers. There aren’t any call charges, and in the case of license free walkie-talkies, no monthly contracts are required either. Only a one-time purchase and you are good to go.

By looking at all these advantages, it isn’t hard to understand why they never went out of fashion and most likely will never be.

 

Lynn Communications Blog

Walkie Talkie Codes and Lingo To Use For Clearer Communication

Speaking in a regular tone when using Walkie Talkies can be troublesome, words are often garbled and understanding the conversation or instructions given may be difficult. This is precisely the reason why Walkie Talkie communication is often done in specific code words as it helps to make the conversation easier to understand.

As well as knowing these specific code words it also helps to learn how to speak into a Walkie Talkie device so that even the simplest of words such as ‘yes’ or ‘no’ doesn’t get lost in translation.

Here are all the ins and outs when it comes to Walkie talkie codes and Lingo:

Most of these code words are standard and are often known and understood by many, so using these particular words helps to simplify matters:

  • Affirmative – When a response is given using the word Affirmative it means ‘YES’ so that the word is clear and never misunderstood.
  • Negative – This is the opposite of Affirmative, so when you use the word negative, you are actually saying ‘NO’ to the recipient.
  • Copy – Copy is extremely well known as it’s often one of the most coded Walkie Talkie words used. ‘Copy that’ is used when a recipient is expressing that they’ve understood the instruction or conversation but doesn’t mean that they are in total agreement just that they got the message loud and clear. ‘Do you copy’ however is what is said to a recipient when asking if they have understood.
  • Standby/Standing by – both these words are similar, but their meaning is different. These two words mean two different things. For instance, if you say ‘Standby’ you are basically expressing that you’ve got the message but are not in a position to respond at the moment. ‘Standing by’ means that you are ready and waiting for further instruction.
  • Beaker 1-9 – This is code for expressing that you want to start a transmission.
  • What’s your 20? – This is a simple ‘Where are you?’ message when asking the recipient ‘What’s your 20?’ you are asking for their current location.
  • Walkie Check – users tend to use this code message before starting a conversation with the other person; its meaning is a simple one asking if their device is all good and working as normal.
  • Good check – You respond with ‘Good check’ meaning all is good when asked the question ‘Walkie Check’ and everything is fine with your device.

Once you’ve learned the codes you’re set for life, they rarely change in meaning, if ever at all. All of those words are used over a broad range of industries, from police and military to Airline workers and even on movie sets.

However, Police forces tend to use their very own ‘ten code words’ even more simplified than those mentioned above. These codes were invented by the police force themselves and date back to 1937 when they were first invented by Illinois State Police Force.

Here is the quick low down on those particular codes:

  • 10-1 Unclear transmission, cannot read properly.
  • 10-2 Clear transmission, connection is readable.
  • 10-4 Message is understood loud and clear.
  • 10-5 Meaning can you pass the message on to another colleague.
  • 10-6 Meaning busy at the moment, can you please standby.
  • 10-9 Message not clearly understood, please repeat.
  • 10-20 What is your location, where are you?

Letter and spelling

When trying to spell words out over Walkie Talkie transmission, it can be difficult, especially since some letters are not clear, for instance, M and N sound too similar. Many use the technique known worldwide as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet when spelling over telephone conversations and it’s highly recommended that the same procedure is used when spelling over radio transmissions too. So now may be the time to get to grips with your A for Alpha, D for delta and N for November and so on!

  • A – Alpha
  • B – Bravo
  • C – Charlie
  • D – Delta
  • E – Echo
  • F – Foxtrot
  • G – Golf
  • H – Hotel
  • I – India
  • J – Juliet
  • K – Kilo
  • L – Lima
  • M – Mike
  • N – November
  • O – Oscar
  • P – Papa
  • Q – Quebec
  • R – Romeo
  • S – Sierra
  • T – Tango
  • U – Uniform
  • V – Victor
  • W – Whiskey
  • X – Xray
  • Y – Yankee
  • Z – Zulu

Numbers

All numbers are as normal when expressed over radio transmission, nothing to learn here apart from the number 9, which is often referred to as ‘niner’.

Those codes mentioned above are commonly known worldwide and are used over many different professions and roles. Knowing the basics is a good place to start and can help immensely if your job role requires the frequent use of radio control Walkie talkies.

 

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Lynn Communications Blog

Walkie Talkies Glossary

If you are considering purchasing Walkie Talkies, it may be helpful to know the full Glossary, take a look at the list below to know what features are available on some of the devices.

Battery pack and Chargers:

Battery pack – All Walkie Talkies come with a battery pack; the battery pack is rechargeable and generally makes up the rear of the body of the device and can be detached. The battery pack usually charges whilst connected to the actual device, but it can also be charged separately too. If an extra Battery pack is available, it allows one pack to constantly be on charge at all times so that you can quickly swap when necessary, and never have to wait around for a battery pack to charge.

Chargers – The battery pack fits into an electrical device when charging. That device (the charger) is then plugged into a wall socket, and it will usually charge a flat battery to full life in around 1-3 hours. The charger normally consists of a power transformer and a charging cradle, which is used for placing the radio into.

Multi-slot chargers – are also available, and these are ideal for multiple charging at once; usually, around 6 walkie-talkies can be charged at the same time. These units are ideal for workplaces that use a number of different devices every single day, although multi-slot chargers have around 6 charging slots some chargers can allow for much more than that, and those devices are known as Bank chargers.

Features available:

PTT Button – This is a standard feature on all types of Walkie Talkies; the PTT is short for ‘Push to Talk’ and you’ll find this button located on the side of most Walkie Talkie models. It’s an easy system, whereas users have to push the button and hold it down to transmit and communicate and release the button when they finish talking and wish to listen to the other side. If any accessories are connected to the Walkie Talkie, such as earpieces and microphones, they usually have a separate PTT button so that users can still maintain swift and easy communications.

PMR446 – This code stands for basic, short-range radios, and is European standard. These devices can be purchased by anyone, and there are no licenses required. All standard PMR446 models have the same standard features, including eight channels and a max power output of 0.5 watts. In the UHF band, eight frequencies are used; it’s around 446MHZ, and no matter which brands, as long as they are the same models, they should be able to interact and communicate with each other.

Lone Worker – This feature is particularly handy for a person working on their own as it maintains safety aspects and protects workers. The system works by an alert signal requesting the worker to press a button to send out the ‘I’m Ok signal’ back to the control centre at certain pre-set time intervals. If an alert has no response periodically, an alarm message is submitted to the worker, and if they fail to respond to that alert, then help is usually sent. This is a great feature for protecting lone security workers, for instance.

Man Down – Also, another handy feature for lone workers is the man down alert. This feature works by a tilt-switch inside the device, whereas if a device is tilted on its side for a prolonged amount of time and not positioned upright again, even after numerous alarm attempts to remind the user to lift it, help is sent out immediately.

Roger Beep – This handy feature replaces the need to say “over” when users have finished transmitting. Instead, recipients get the beep indication to know that the other side has finished talking and are waiting for a response.