Hear comes the show

Each year, the International Wireless Communications Expo invites vendors to showcase their newest wares to public safety and enterprise users from around the globe. This month’s IWCE 2008 in Las Vegas is no different — with a plethora of mobile-radio products being launched exclusively at the show.

One such product is the HH7700 from Datron World Communications. The HH7700 is a ruggedized VHF handheld transceiver. John Biljan, the company’s national sales manager, said the transceiver operates in the 30 to 88 MHz band and is compact for a low-band radio that covers such an operating spread.

Biljan refers to the device as a squad radio. He said most military units are burdened because they have access to only one radio, which is usually in the hands of the squad leader. As a result, the company wanted to develop a radio that was cost-effective and lightweight enough to be carried by multiple soldiers in a squad. He said the radio was developed specifically for the National Guard as well as military forces that use the 30 to 88 MHz band in a tactical environment.

“Most radio applications when you have a squad or team of soldiers — usually one operator or one of those squad leaders has a radio and the balance of them do not,” Biljan said. “This thing is so affordable and comes in such a compact size that it is considered a soldier’s radio, where every soldier in the squad has a radio.”

The radio offers sub-audible, continuous tone-coded squelch system (CTCSS) signaling and offers up to 2320 channels at 25 kHz channel widths or 4640 channels at 12.5 kHz channel widths, Biljan said. In the standard configuration, it provides up to 16 programmable memory channels and radio frequency power output levels that equal 500 milliwatts, 1 watt and 5 watts — all of which are user selectable and programmable.

However, it has not yet been certified to meet current military specifications. Biljan said the company currently is in the process of attaining certification. He said tests thus far show the transceiver to be water-resistant and capable of operating in harsh environments.

“It also has a very high humidity factor of 90%, so it’s very good for jungle applications,” he said.

The transceiver has an optional embedded voice scrambler, which is compatible with Datron’s existing VHF radios. Biljan said it is interoperable in FM clear-voice mode with the company’s Squad Radio family, the Spectre-V series. It also is interoperable with several other single-channel 30 to 88 MHz VHF/FM radios that use the CTCSS squelch system.

Datron offers users two battery pack options. Biljan said the standard capacity battery supports up to 10 hours of use while the high-capacity battery provides up to 18 hours. The radios retail for less than $1000, which includes batteries, charger, cables and antenna.
www.dtwc.com

Digital signal booster

The Node A digital signal booster from Andrew Corp. supports multiple band configurations — including land mobile radio, cellular and WiMAX, among others — in a single unit. The device offers an automatic gain control per time slot for upcoming narrowband P25 networks. It also provides up to 32 user-programmable channel filters and four variable-band filters, according to the company. The unit has a two- and four-slot box configuration and provides software-based variable bandwidth filtering from 6.25 kHz to 5 MHz.
www.andrew.com

Conventional and trunked radios

Kenwood offers the NEXEDGE product line. The line includes the NX-300/300 portables, the NX-700/800 mobiles and the NXR-700/800 base units that operate in 25 and 12 kHz analog mode as well as in 12.5 and 6.25 kHz digital mode, according to the company. (Read more about this product line in this month’s Spotlight on page 90.)
www.kenwoodusa.com

Mobile wireless amplifier kit

Wilson Electronics’ Mobile Wireless Amplifier Kit with Phone Cradle allows drivers to have hands-free cell phone service, according to the company. The kit includes the company’s SignalBoost dual-band mobile amplifier, a 12-inch magnet-mount antenna and hands-free phone Cradle Plus device that has a built-in antenna, according to the company. It costs $249.
www.wilsonelectronics.com

Power system enclosure, power sentry and power timer

Newmar Corp.’s Model EP-12-70 power system enclosure was developed for 12- and 24-volt radios and batteries installed in outdoor enclosures that are rated by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, or NEMA. It features a low-voltage battery disconnect, alarms and a circuit that adjusts the charge controller activation points based on battery temperature. The company’s CPS-20 computer power sentry monitors vehicle voltage. It also sends alerts to mobile computer operators when system shutdown is imminent and automatically saves data. If the vehicle is unattended, shutdown sequence is automatically initiated, according to the company. The TMR-30 power timer prevents power drain from vehicle batteries due to radios and other equipment being left on.
www.newmarcorp.com

Bidirectional amplifiers

Comprod Communications’ VHF (132 to 174 MHz), UHF (406 to 512 MHz) and 700/800/900 MHz bidirectional amplifiers were designed for in-building solutions, according to the company. The amplifiers have a maximum gain of +72 dB, according to the company.
www.comprodcom.com

Switch-mode power supplies

Samlex America’s SEC-1235 and SEC-1235M are 30- to 35-amp switch-mode power supplies. The models offer a radio-frequency noise current of less than 5 milliamps. The SEC-1235M comes standard with a voltmeter and an ammeter, an instrument used to measure the flow of electric current in a circuit. Both models include a three-year warranty and Underwriters Laboratories’ safety certification for information technology equipment power supplies. They meet the FCC’s Part 15(B) specifications regarding the limits on electromagnetic interference for Class B digital devices.
www.samlexamerica.com

Pentaband, omnidirectional antennas

Larsen offers two new pentaband antenna products that combine four-band GSM and W-CDMA 2100 to receive and transmit signals in all cellular bands. Larsen pentaband antennas cover 806 to 960 MHz and 1710 to 2170 MHz frequencies. The OC806/2170TNC version of the pentaband antenna is an omni-directional ceiling mount antenna with a gain of 1.5 dBi to 2.5 dBi and a terminal node controller connector, or TNC. The SPDA17806/2170 is a swivel-mount dipole antenna with a TNC male connector and 0.5 dBi gain in both frequency bands, according to the company.
www.larsen-antennas.com

Interoperability radio suite

Trident Micro Systems offers the iOPT DSP-based interoperability switch that provides cross-connection capabilities to multiple radio resources. The hardware chassis with plug-and-play interface cards connects to existing repeaters, base stations, radio control stations and more, according to the company. It is available in two chassis models. Model 1630 is a 16-slot, rack-mount unit capable of supporting up to 30 independent resources. It may be connected to up to three additional 1630s, supporting connections for up to 126 independent resources. According to the company, multiple groups of four 1630s can be cascaded together to support more than 65,000 independent resources. The Model 612 is a 6-slot, portable or fixed solution capable of supporting up to 12 independent resources and is available with an optional 19-inch rack mount bezel. The company also released the version 4.2 software for its NTS digital trunking platform. The software offers optional features that include emergency declaration, channel backup and priority access. NTS 4.2-enabled systems also provide the ability to select operation in either transmission or message trunking modes per talk-group. It is available for download free of charge to NTS operators who are also subscribers to the company’s quality support program.
www.tridentms.com

8-channel LTR panel

The Model LT8R from Idylltek is an LTR controller that offers multiple channels in a single enclosure. It is available in two, four, six and eight channels and includes an 80-character LCD that displays all activity on all in-use repeaters simultaneously, according to the company.
www.idyllteck.com

Noise-reduction headset

Otto’s Hurricane II headset was designed for extreme noise environments. It has a noise-reduction rating of 29 dB and a noise-canceling boom microphone. It meets MIL-810 specs for harsh environments, weighs 5 ounces and costs $200.
www.otto.com

Portable radios

HYT America is unveiling several new products. The TC-980 and TC-780 are 5-watt UHF and VHF portable radios. The TC-980 meets IP67 standards for protection against water and dust, and both models offer security features including lone worker, man down, scrambler and HDC1200, the company’s multiple-option boards for digital encryption, SmarTrunk and GPS.

Also launched is the TC-700 FM, an intrinsically safe and customizable radio developed specifically for use in potentially explosive environments, including oil and gas installations as well as the gas-laden atmospheres often encountered by first responders. The TC-610 is another 5-watt UHF and VHF radio that has an IP66 rating for water and dust protection. Finally, the TC-620 radio with an LED battery gauge offers advanced speaker protection technology. The radios start at $290.

The company also is releasing the TR-800 repeater that includes an AC/DC power supply with battery charging in addition to a thermal-controlled fan. Its CTCSS/CDCSS feature lets users talk on personal groups without disturbance or unwanted intrusion. Its repeater hang time tools ensure it continues to transmit after an active and valid signal is no longer received, which reduces delays due to the setup of a repeater link. The duration time can be programmed from 0 to 7 seconds. It operates in the 136 to 174 MHz, 350 to 400 MHz, 400 to 470 MHz and 450 to 512 MHz frequencies.
www.hytamerica.com

IWCE 2008 Basics

Where: Las Vegas Convention Center

Technology workshops: Mon., Feb. 25 and Tues., Feb. 26, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Conference sessions: Wed., Feb. 27, 11 a.m.-5:45 p.m.; Thurs., Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 29, 10 a.m.-12:10 p.m.

Exhibits: Wed., Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs., Feb. 28, 10 a.m-5 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Conference tracks: Mobile Voice; Mobile Data; Interoperability; Spectrum Utilization; Emerging Technologies; Business

Opening remarks: Derek Poarch, chief, FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Wed., Feb. 27, 8:30-8:45 a.m.

Keynote: Harlin McEwen, chairman, Public Safety Spectrum Trust, and Morgan O’Brien, chairman, Cyren Call Communications, Wed., Feb. 27, 8:30-10 a.m.

General sessions: “Wireless Surveillance: The Value of Security,” Thurs., Feb. 28, 8:30-10 a.m.; “Systems Integrator Roundtable: Working with the Public Safety Communications Sector,” Thurs., Feb. 28, 1:30-2:30 p.m.; “Point/Counterpoint: Public Safety’s Wish List and Technology’s Reality,” Fri., Feb. 29, 8:30-10 a.m

More info: www.iwceexpo.com