News Briefs – Friday, Aug. 4, 2006
U.S. military awards radio contract
Digital Angel landed a contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop a new survival radio system for military aircraft. The contract calls for the company to design and build 20 operational radios within eight months to replace the current URT33 system, which will become obsolete when existing frequencies at 121.5 and 243 MHz cease to be monitored by Cospas-Sarsat—the international satellite system coordinated by the U.S., Russia, France and Canada—in Feb. 2009, according to the company.
In other news, the company’s electronic RFID livestock tagging system has been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for use in the National Animal Identification System—a cooperative program between the U.S. government and the livestock industry to help trace, manage and eradicate animal diseases.
Senate committee passes Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has approved the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act authored by Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Joe Lieberman (D-CT). The bill will implement recommendations from the committee’s Hurricane Katrina report, which include reconstituting FEMA, improving emergency staffing and facilitating better communications and interoperability capabilities among emergency responders.
Astron unveils low-profile antenna
Astron Wireless released the GPS/Cellular Low-Profile antenna, which measures 4.65 inches in diameter and 1.6 inches in height, and offers a 3-dBi gain and a two-year warranty. The company also unveiled the HESA Direction Finding Platform for configuring multiple antenna elements in a small-form factor.
Grayling acquires Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain has signed an agreement to be acquired by Grayling Wireless USA. The expected closing date is Aug. 21, 2006.
Survey finds public-safety organizations trust the 4.9 GHz band
PacketHop recently surveyed more than 700 public-safety organizations that filed for 4.9 GHz broadband Wi-Fi spectrum licenses and found that 82% of respondents believe 4.9 GHz networks are becoming vital to incident-area communications, while 87% have deployed or plan to deploy 4.9 GHz systems within two years.
Tradeshow-exhibit manufacturer picks wireless system
The Godfrey Group, a manufacturer and marketer of custom exhibits for tradeshows, chose Ascom’s DCT1900+ system with OfficeT handsets for its wireless, onsite communications system. The digital system can be connected to existing communication networks, and users can place and receive calls from their mobile handsets, according to the company.
Oil port deploys Emergency Response Systems
The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port is deploying SOLA Communications’ Emergency Response Systems for emergency back-up communications and continuity of service in the event of a hurricane. The ERU is a self-contained mobile communications and command center that offers satellite and wireless communication, as well as Internet and remote-access video capabilities.
WAV adds partners
WAV recently announced partnerships with wireless communications vendors. The company said it would provide distribution and reseller support services for Inscape Data Corp., a manufacturer of outdoor wireless network hardware, and Barcoda, a developer of Bluetooth wireless barcode and RFID readers designed for wireless workforces.
