For the past several years, an anonymous team of experienced communications professionals has roamed the exhibit hall at the Annual APCO International Conference & Exposition reviewing new products (those released in the past year) and bringing their favorites to our attention for publication in Public Safety Communications. This year, we had about 90 entries from more than 70 companies. It was nice to see so many companies investing in product development for public safety communications. In Philadelphia, our reviewers got their hands on the technology, asked the tough questions and drew conclusions. Over the next several weeks in this space, we’ll be highlighting several new  communications solutions– with even more information than we could put in print — that could soon be coming to your agency.

Going Wireless

XE RSM

Motorola Solutions’ APX XE Remote Speaker Microphone is designed specifically to enhance firefighter communications and safety in extreme conditions. The remote speaker mic is bright green to enhance visibility and features exaggerated controls with a large, orange emergency button, prominent push-to-talk (PTT) button with tactile feedback, a large volume switch and an emergency-activated strobe light visible up to 10 feet in thick smoke. The two-microphone design provides noise suppression for first responders working in extremely loud environments.

“The strobe light tied to the emergency button is an important feature,” says one reviewer, who also liked the large controls.

FYI: 847/576-8126; heidi.walczak@motorolasolutions.com; www.motorolasolutions.com/xersm

Undercover Antenna

Mobile Mark’s Covert License Plate Frame Antenna

Mobile Mark’s Covert License Plate Frame Antenna is a convenient solution for wireless users looking to camouflage their use of a wireless radio or a GPS tracking system. A UHF version was introduced in June. Designed specifically for public safety users, the elements of three applications—UHF, cellular and GPS—are hidden inside the plastic license plate frame.

“This is a really great idea for undercover vehicles,” comments one reviewer. “Although the license plate cover is a little thick (about 2.5 inches), it won’t stand out as much as a large, conspicuous antenna stuck to the trunk.”

The antenna provides 2.5 dBi gain on both the cellular and UHF bands and 5 dBi gain (26 dB amplifier) on the GPS band. The antenna can be tuned in the field to cover a 15 MHz band anywhere in the 420–500 MHz range, and can handle a receiver of up to 50 watts. The power limit for the cellular GSM/CDMA band is 10 watts.

FYI: 800/648-2800; info@mobilemark.com; www.mobilemark.com

Your Silent Partner

KOVA Corp.'s Silent Partner

Agencies are commonly using cell phones in field operations, investigations and disaster scenarios, and these communications need to be recorded. Kova Corp.’s SilentPartner is a wireless phone recording solution for public safety. When the application is installed on smartphones, SilentPartner will record all, or selected, calls to or from that phone. Stealth mode is enabled for phones issued to undercover officers or confidential informants to protect identities while still gaining evidence, including GPS position of the call. Files are fingerprinted and sent via 1024 bit encryption FTPS. They are merged into a voice logger containing traditional 9-1-1, administrative, radio and VoIP recordings. Access is permission based with auditing. Associated data is caller ID, dialed number, GPS location and case number. Version 2 will allow photos to be securely transmitted and stored.

“I think every responder (law enforcement, EMS, fire, TERT, etc.) should use SilentPartner if using an agency-issued cell-phone to do business or coordinate field operations,” says one reviewer.

FYI: 800/204-5200; sales@kovacorp.com; www.mobilerecorder.com

Digital + Conventional

The Harris P5500 portable radio is among the smallest, lightest and most economical P25 radios available for first responders. This durable public safety grade-radio is capable of operating on VHF, UHF and 800 MHz frequencies, and supports multiple radio operating modes, including P25 digital trunked and P25 conventional modes. The P5500 can seamlessly scan between trunked talkgroups and conventional channels.

“It offers a more cost-effective approach than some of the ‘does everything’ products on the market,” says one reviewer.

Reviewers also liked the radio’s over-the-air programming capability, which eliminates the need to physically touch each radio in a fleet for reprogramming.

FYI: 800/368-3277; pspc_customerfocus@harris.com; www.pspc.harris.com

Flexible Citation Software

Citations Software Suite

Officer is a Citations Software Suite from Gtechna that automates the entire citation issuance and management process from end to end. It integrates license plate reader data, as well as driver and vehicle information from CAD, RMS and federal/state databases to issue an electronic citation, generate reports and transmit data to the courts in one simple workflow solution that works on Android tablets and iPads.

“I think this is the wave of the future for county agencies,” says one reviewer. “It creates portability for code enforcement, meter readers, motor officers, etc. Since the introduction of iPads, technology just keeps getting smaller.”

FYI: 514/953-9898; communications@gtechna.com; www.gtechna.com

Seamless Communications

ATLAS P25 systems

EFJohnson’s ATLAS P25 systems bridge multiple system and protocol types in a software-configurable gateway solution. With this native IP solution, users and talkgroups can roam seamlessly between conventional and trunked P25 sites. ATLAS equipment boasts low power consumption, small size, the ability to operate both conventional and trunking on the same repeater, and simulcast capabilities.

“This seems to me to be a step toward interoperability for many users,” says one reviewer.

FYI: 817/426-2154; mwood@efji.com; www.efjohnson.com

In for the Long Haul
As of August, Carlson’s LongHaul ST is now available in the licensed 700 MHz frequency band, which combines the non-line-of-sight capability of sub-GHz communications with the security and privacy of a licensed frequency band. This radio offers an affordable way to deploy 700 MHz networks to communicate even when trees, buildings or hills are in the way.

This radio is capable of transmitting high-quality video and complex pieces of information at extremely fast speeds. The LongHaul ST also includes multiple security and encryption options.

“The fact that Carlson targets smaller agencies with an affordable product is unique,” says one reviewer.

FYI: 800/834-2076; sales@carlsonwireless.com; www.carlsonwireless.com

SwitchplusIP Command-Center

‘Tailgate’ Comm Center
The SwitchplusIP Command-Center LT is a portable dispatch system. This modular IP-based command and control system provides remote and mobile operators with flexible, rapid and interoperable access to vital communications resources in an extremely small and ruggedized package.

One reviewer says, “I was really excited to see this eight-channel radio system that can run for five hours on battery. It will allow you to establish a small dispatch center on the tailgate of a pickup truck on scene, if necessary. Call-conferencing software can link up to 30 phone calls and monitor up to 16 radio channels, with radio patching and a radio activity tracking function also available. This mobile dispatch system can operate using a Wi-Fi connection on a tablet or laptop using a USB-connected telephone and headset. Anyone interested in giving their agency the ability to continue dispatch operations on the scene of a disaster or away from the main center should consider this product.”

FYI: 630/445-5332; david.alonzi@c4i.com; www.c4i.com

Mobile CAD Puts Safety First

APSS

APSSSentinel from Alert PSS is user friendly and rapidly provides information to officers to ensure safety comes first. Critical CAD/RMS, state and federal data is available. The APSS Gateway can provide data from many external data sources right to the mobile device through APSSSentinel.

Our review team liked the fact that Alert will sell the mobile product separately and that it offers interfaces to many other CAD software products, allowing for a flexible, cost-effective system. They also liked the customizable function buttons.

“This CAD product seemed very clear and simple to read and understand,” said one reviewer. It could be configured to handle a variety of resources: wreckers, emergency management resources, and city and county vehicles, for example.  For those in the market for a new CAD system, this company is worth investigating.”

FYI: 877/686-0911; sales@alertpss.com; www.alertpss.com

Looking Up

Datron Scout

Our review team couldn’t stop talking about the Datron Scout, the lightweight, quad-rotor micro air vehicle designed to provide on-demand intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

“I can see this as an awesome military tool or perhaps on a SWAT call for surveillance,” says one reviewer. “It hovers in the air and can be controlled from afar. The Scout is capable of Wi-Fi, GPS and video, and can be used day or night.”

The Datron Scout can be used to effectively enhance the ISR element of any mission with its touch-screen control interface, vertical take-off, “hover and stare” capability and silent operation. A quick-change payload interface allows the user to rapidly exchange camera systems for different missions. Intelligent fault handling ensures that automatic corrections are made for unexpected problems: loss of communications link, excessive wind speeds or low in-flight battery levels.

FYI: 760/597-1500; cbarter@dtwc.com; www.dtwc.com

No Power, Cranks, Chains or Pulleys Required

the VT

The Vertical, Tri-Planar, Intra­operative Dispatch Console from eTechnology Systems is called the “VT” for short. “If your dispatch center is looking to ‘go green,’ then the Vertical Tri-Planar, Interoperative Dispatch Console is something you should consider,” says one reviewer. “This dispatch console adjusts from sit to stand without using any power, cranks, chains, gears or balance weights. Adjustments are effortless and can be done with one hand. The console also allows for individualized control of cool air, heat and air purification.”

The VT console is streamlined but large enough to accommodate eight or more flat screen monitors with a vertically adjustable viewing range. The large keyboard pad/worksurface is likewise vertically adjustable from a low of 24″ off the floor to 48″ above — all without power, cranks gears or balance weights. The keyboard pad is large enough to hold multiple keyboards plus communication equipment.

The VT Dispatch Console is easily customized to provide CPU storage on “roll out shelves” with “dwarf wall” configurations that include fabric covered acoustical tiles for noise control and provide wire management accommodation for access and security.

You get all of the above at a capital cost far below the old electric consoles.

FYI: 800/722-8545; paul@etechnologysystems.com; www.etechnologysystems.com