Falcon Direct - Voice-Data-Video
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Big News For Public Safety Users
Goodies, Grants, and Greatness!
February 2010
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in this issue
-- Funding begins for 2009 Firefighter Grants
-- Grant Information for Law Enforcement
-- Our Twitter Tweets Can Save You Money!
-- Illegal use of Amateur Radios
-- Falcon Direct Introduces XTenna!
-- On a closing note......

Greetings!

Last month we introduced the first of our Vodaeo (Voice-Data-Video) products for 2010. This month, we will continue with the introduction of one-touch standard to narrow band portables, grant news for public safety users, and much, much more!

2010 is going to be one of the best years ever and we are ready to make it the best ever for YOU!


Funding begins for 2009 Firefighter Grants
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Firemen in action The long awaited release of the first round of 2009 AFG grants began on January 29, 2010! This was good news for fire departments all over the USA who were awaiting funding for communications equipment, turnout gear, and vehicles.

If you are one of the fortunate few among the first to receive a grant that includes communications equipment, vehicle cameras, or intercoms, we've got some very special offerings just for YOU! In particular, we think you will be impressed with five different models of pager/radios that convert to narrow band at the push of a button! Learn more at www.info4u.us/OurBest2U.pdf.

Click here for more AFG grant information


Grant Information for Law Enforcement
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PC Dispatcher Alabama law enforcement agencies have been given a unique opportunity to apply for a twenty five thousand dollar electronics grant which can include mobile data terminals for use with eCrash and eCite programs, vehicular cameras and related items. Sheriffs departments began submitting applications on January 11, and municipalities on the 18th. And THEN the confusion began.

Some thought that applications had to be submitted on the aforementioned dates - Not true. These were the OPENING DATES. There are no closing dates. Applications can be submitted throughout the year with the understanding that those who apply early have the best chance of being approved since the grant is subject to the availability of funds. When the funds are gone - the program is over.

The second misunderstanding deals with ELIGIBLE equipment. Cars, uniforms, and other equipment not listed in the ADECA notification letter will not be given preference. The two top items are mobile data terminals and vehicle cameras according to Tom Goree at ADECA. If in doubt, call Tom. On the subject of vehicle cameras, we have a package system that provides four of our best camera systems with an administrative computer for viewing and archiving data for twenty five thousand dollars. Additional information, along with other electronic items, is available at www.info4u.us/lawgranthelp.pdf.

On the subject of "help", we understand that there are grant writers promising to get ADECA grants on a contingency basis with the condition that they receive approximately 10% of the proceeds after the grant approval and that they have exclusive rights to select equipment and administer the grants. Such practices are frowned upon by federal funding practices. If you are approached with such an offer, be VERY careful before proceeding.

On the subject of mobile data terminals compatible with eCrash and eCite, we presume you are aware of some of the issues relating to the use of a laptop computer for on-scene use. The new iPad introduced by Apple Computer on January 27th appears to be the absolute best solution for law enforcement mobile computing. If you didn't see the announcement, we invite you to review the information link below. This IS the future of mobile/personal computing. Applications for use of the iPad are being reviewed for eCrash and eCite at this time. If you already have a grant submitted for mobile data terminals, call us at 205.854.2611 before purchasing a standard laptop. There may be a better way - a MUCH better way!

Read on...


Our Twitter Tweets Can Save You Money!
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Follow Falcon Direct on Twitter We've got a new Twitter page dedicated exclusively to passing along EXCEPTIONAL savings to those we serve.

From time to time, we post super special pricing on overstock, closeout, or introductory pricing on items of interest. For example, we are currently offering like new Motorola Minitor V UHF pagers with stored voice and message replay for just $275 while quantities last. We will be announcing other products on an unscheduled basis as we feel inclined.

To be sure that you don't miss out on these one time specials, click on the link below. You'll be glad you did!

Click here to go to our Twitter Specials Page


Illegal use of Amateur Radios
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Many of our fire department users require radios capable of operating in the VHF and UHF frequency bands. Several amateur radios have this capability but the use of such devices on commercial or public safety frequencies is ILLEGAL! The following is an excerpt from a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Public Notice.

It is a violation of the Commission's regulations to: (1) import or market a transmitter that is designed or intended to operate on frequencies outside of the Amateur Radio Service (ARS) bands, if it has not been issued a grant of equipment authorization for the radio service(s) in which the transmitter is capable of operating; (2) import, market or operate a transmitter that requires a grant of equipment authorization but for which no grant has been issued; or, (3) transmit on a frequency allocated to a licensed radio service without the appropriate Commission-issued station license.

Violation of the Commission's regulations will subject manufacturers, importers, vendors and users of this equipment to appropriate criminal penalties as provided for by federal law(s), including fines and/or imprisonment. In addition, the equipment described above can be seized by, and forfeited to, the government.

If anyone attempts to sell you an amateur radio product for commercial or public safety use, please contact the FCC Toll Free at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) and file a complaint. Help yourself and others by putting a stop to these activities by those who profit from a lack of knowledge by innocent purchasers. If you have a need to communicate on both VHF and UHF channels, give us a call at 205.854.2611 for a LEGAL solution.

Want a legal solution? Click here!


Falcon Direct Introduces XTenna!
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XTenna by Falcon Direct If you are not getting the performance you need from your 2-way radio, you need an XTenna from Falcon Direct. This incredible mobile antenna works on VHF or UHF with no cutting or tuning required! Unlike other mobile antennas, the XTenna can be directly mounted on fiberglass since no ground plane is required!

Most importantly, the XTenna talks where others fail, with a nominal gain of 3 dB on VHF (2X power over a standard quarter wave antenna) and 6 dB on UHF (4X power gain over a quarter wave. The price? Only $29.95 plus $6 shipping. The guarantee? It will outperform ANY other mobile antenna, or we give your money back! Need a low cost base station antenna? Add our optional ground plane kit for $29.95 and you will have an antenna that will equal performance of antennas costing up to TEN times more - guaranteed!

So how do you get an XTenna? Order it on line by clicking on the link below. Try the XTenna. You'll be glad you did!

Click here to order the XTenna!


On a closing note.....
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As mentioned previously, we have a Twitter page where we list nothing but special priced items. These are not just good prices - they are INCREDIBLE prices! You may want to sign up as a follower at www.twitter.com/falconspecials so that you don't miss out. Some of these items don't last for even a full day!

We thought it might be worth mentioning that our original Twitter site is now used primarily for personal information and as a source of information that may not be posted elsewhere. You can check it out by clicking on the link below. We conclude by wishing you all the best for the coming days and months as well look forward to helping you do what you do a little better!

Click here to go to our Twitter general information page

Contact Information
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phone: 205-854-2611
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Thanks for visiting with us!  We look forward to serving you!    If you would like to receive a notification by email when a new eNewsletter is available, just drop us an email to sales@falcondirect.com or click on the link below.
    
                               Click here to receive our monthly eNewsletter!

Previous issues of our eNewsletter are available at www.falcondirect.com/newsletter. Thanks for visiting with us!

The Falcon Team
At your Service!

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Falcon Direct, Inc.   -   36 - 20th Avenue NW - Birmingham, AL     -    Phone 1.205.854.2611

Copyright 2010 - Falcon Direct, Inc.
This page was last updated on 05/07/2010