Frequently Asked Questions

Wireless Communications Systems Specialists

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What is Intrinsically Safe?

Intrinsically safe, or Factory Mutual, is equipment that has been certified as “safe” in explosive or hazardous environments. This can be any situation where there could be explosive gases or highly flammable materials. The two way radio products are approved and certified by the Factory Mutual Research Corporation to be used in those environments. Radios that are intrinsically safe need to use the approved battery and accessories to maintain the approval rating of that product. Using a non-intrinsically safe battery or accessory on a product voids the approval rating. Examples of where intrinsically safe equipment should be considered are: public safety, refineries, recycling facilities, grain elevators, and chemical manufacturing.

What Does It mean To Be Rugged?

When you're fighting a fire at 11 below zero, your patrol car is broadsided during a high-speed chase, or you are on a remote stake out you shouldn't have to worry about your communications equipment. Too make sure users out in the field have technology they can rely on under extreme circumstances, a number of organizations have developed stringent wireless industry testing standards and procedures that makes voice and data communications faster and more reliable. To ensure reliable performance under the most difficult and dangerous conditions the equipment undergoes "torture tests". The equipment endures “Torture Tests” to make certain that it conforms to their standards. The tests that the products endure includes: water intrusion, salt and fog, humidity, dust intrusion, drop testing, high and low t temperatures, sun exposure, temperature shock, vibration, low pressure, and crash testing. It is easy to see why global industry standards are needed. Today’s most widely used ruggedness standards come from The International Electrotechnical Commission, The European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, and The United States Military. What Does It Mean To Be Rugged Brochure

What is the expected life of a UPS battery?

UPS batteries typically last three to five years. Life expectancy is based on several factors, including usage (the number of times the unit must go to battery power) and other environmental conditions. To ensure the optimum life expectancy of a battery make sure that the UPS is kept in a cool, dry location with plenty of ventilation. Ideally, the UPS should be kept in a location where the temperature does not exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Also do not store UPS batteries for extended periods of time. New batteries can be stored for up to 12 months. If the battery is not used within 12 months it can lose a great deal of its charge. Batteries that have already been in use should not be stored. Do not exceed 80% of a UPS unit’s rated capacity, on account of the reduction in runtime. Increasing the load decreases runtime.

New Intrinsically Safe Standards

New FM guidelines approved more than a month ago call for Land Mobile Radio portable devices to operate at power outputs of .5 watts or less-instead of the current 3 watt limit. Existing radios in a system would be grandfathered, but new radios purchased after 2012 would not be certified as intrinsically safe if they exceed the .5 watt threshold. For public safety entities that want to maintain the intrinsically safe standard for their systems for safety and insurance purposes, the proposed dramatic decrease in radio power levels could be problematic.

Is an FCC license required to operate two-way radios?

Yes, all business frequencies require an FCC license. We can assist you in obtaining a license and will help determine which frequency band to use and which best suits your operation of two-way radios.

What is the difference between UHF and VHF?

UHF radios generally offer better building penetration and therefor is generally better suited for indoor as well as areas of high building density. VHF radios generally offer better outdoor coverage. When an application requires a combination of indoor and outdoor use, a UHF radio is perferable.