Falcon Direct February 2009 Newsletter with news of interest for YOU!

Cellphone Detectors serve a variety of needs

The Cellphone has become a necessary part of our lives, but along with convenience comes intrusion and illegal use. Our 610 Cellphone detector is primarily used in jails, but it is equally effective in churches, schools, and theaters or anywhere else where Cellphone use in inappropriate.

The 610 can be used as a standalone device to remind Cellphone users to turn off their Cellphones or to covertly detect activity and alert response personnel by silent activation. Additional information is available at www.falcondirect.com/610.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2009

SiteCommand On-Site Wireless Intercom System

We had an unusual request the other day. A large wrecker operator wanted a simple and efficient wireless intercom system to allow the driver/operator and his assistant to talk to each other or even between multiple wreckers working the same incident. He didn't use 2-way radios since all of his people were equipped with SouthernLINC (think Nextel).

He needed something that worked well in rural areas which ruled out using the SouthernLINC units. Regular handheld 2-way radios didn't fit the need since he also wanted as close to hands free operation as possible, coupled with noise reducing headsets. We didn't know of any such product, so we came up with our own. We call it the SiteCommandSystem!

SiteCommand is a wireless on-site intercom with a range of up to 1000 feet. The headsets contain internal license free digital radios that provide crystal clear communications that can't be monitored by scanners and require no FCC license. As it turns out, the SiteCommand system is also ideally suited for incident command, confined space or high angle rescue, traffic control, and a variety of similar applications. Additional information is available atwww.info4u.us/SiteCommand.pdf.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2009

Coming soon to a city near you!

What do the cities of Biloxi. MS, Boston, MA, and Hampshire, IL have in common? The answer is that they all have fire communications enhancement ordinances. These ordinances require building owners to provide equipment necessary to provide effective in-building 2-way coverage for public safety radios used on the premises. The reason is simple. Firefighter radios should work inside buildings, not only for operational efficiency but for the safety of the first responders.

The ordinances enacted by the cities are simple and to the point. An example is available atwww.info4u.us/ordinance.pdf. If first responder radios do not work with 95% efficiency within the building, the building owner (not the taxpayers) is required to install whatever is necessary to provide a solution. The most common solution, although not the only solution, is known as a bi-directional amplifier.

In building coverage tends to be most associated with 800 MHz radio systems, and to a lesser extent, UHF radio systems, although VHF is not immune to the problem.

If you are a public safety official, a concerned citizen, or a first responder, and you would like to know more about enhancing in-building coverage, give us a call at 800.489.2611. We would welcome the opportunity to be of service. In the meantime, you might want to take a look at the increasing number of cities that are taking the necessary steps to increase safety for their first responders. A partial listing is available at www.info4u.us/safebuildings.pdf.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2009

Battery Savers!

We sell a lot of replacement batteries to industrial, retail, and school portable radio users. When we got to checking, we found several reasons for the high battery failure rates. Many of the "Economy" radios purchased on line and in retail stores were equipped with Ni-Cd batteries which are easily damaged by overcharging. Most radios used by schools and retail stores spend the majority of the time in the charger. To address this issue, we have announced three new affordably priced radios with memory free Lithium-Ion batteries and "smart" chargers. Additional information is available atwww.info4u.us/OSR.pdf.

The second problem deals with using a portable radio as a fixed office station. Not only does the battery get burnt up by overcharging, there is an additional problem with people "borrowing" the office radio and forgetting to return it. A dandy little desktop radio is now available for under $300! Additional information is available on the link referenced above. A very informative video is available at www.ritron.com/videos/basestation-video.wmv. Check it out. This may be just right for YOU!

EDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2009

P25 Digital Standards Update

As many of our readers know, the communications industry is moving to digital. Currently, the primary technologies available in the USA are P25 (supported by the Department of Homeland Security), NXDN (a more affordable solution developed in Japan), and MotoTRBO (a proprietary system developed by Motorola). More recently, users in the USA are beginning to learn about TETRA, an international standard with some very interesting capabilities (full screen video among other things).

In public safety, P25 has been planned from the beginning to be the established standard. This standard is developing to include a Common Air Interface (CAI) which allows different brands to be able to talk to each other. More recently, the need for trunked radio systems connected by telephone lines to talk to each other using different brands and models has evolved. This standard, known as ISSI is critical to establishing true wide area interoperability.

EF Johnson, M/A-COM, Motorola, Tait, and Technisonics (Canada) have demonstrated a willingness to meet the CAI and ISSI standards. Others will likely follow before testing is scheduled by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Additional information is available at www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/Business+Solutions/Technologies/Public+Safety+Project+25+Standards.

We thought it would be worthwhile to keep you up to date on these developments if you haven't yet decided on which digital technology is best for you. For what it's worth, Falcon Direct offers the lowest prices on full capability and P25 upgradeable equipment available through special pricing offered nationwide on the Alabama State Contract. Additional information is available at http://falconinfo.blogspot.com/2008/10/alabama-state-contract-news.html.

Fire Station Monitor Receiver

Our 2TR9 is the ideal fire station alerting receiver! Many fire department users are using a voice a voice monitor pager for station alerting purposes. Not only are pagers more expensive, but the audio output is limited, and constant charging is hard on batteries.

The 2TR9 is built specifically for fire station use with affordable pricing, high audio output, designed for AC operation, and adaptable for connection to a station PA system with multiple speakers. We even offer a relay output option to automatically turn on lights or open doors when the receiver is activated. Want to know more? Check it out atwww.falcondirect.com/2tr9. You're going to like this product!

New PerVu Personal Video System Announced!

Not all police work is done in cars! What about warrant serving, domestic disputes, traffic control, bike patrols, investigations or other out of the vehicle activities? Don't these people also need the benefit of a video recording system? We think they do! That's why we offer the PerVu Personal Video system!

Nearly everything that the officer sees and hears will be documented leaving nothing up for debate when wearing this body worn patrol camera system. Great for on the spot interviews, reading Miranda rights, SWAT and bike patrol... and invaluable when foot chases ensue and officers are out of range of in car camera systems. Want to know more? Go to http://falcondirect.web.officelive.com/PerVu.aspx.