Thursday, April 29, 2010

Improved Dual Band Portable Now Available!


The Dual Band Plus VHF/UHF portable radio announced last month is now available with keypad programming and voice channel change announcements. The Dual Band Plus DBP Series can now be ordered on line by clicking here. If you missed our earlier new product announcement, click here for more information on this incredible new radio.

You'll be pleased to know that the manufacturer or this product, although new to the US, is ISO-9001 certified with over fifteen years experience in producing high performance communications equipment. It's a great solution at an affordable price (just $199) for anyone needing a single radio (with paging capability) for VHF and UHF operation.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

New Reporter II Vehicle Camera System

Incredible new Reporter II vehicle camera system is ideally suited for installation in ambulances, buses, and commercial vehicles. New advanced Mobile Digital Video Recorder (MDVR) can monitor and record all activity from up to four cameras to an SD card, USB Thumb Drive, or transmitted live with optional cellular data or Wi-Fi cards!

Cameras can be installed to monitor the driver, passengers, and outside activity - front, back, or both! The basic single camera driver monitoring system including PC monitoring software is under $1,200!

Additional information is available at www.info4u.us/ReporterII.pdf or by calling 205.854.2611. You can also contact us by email at sales@falcondirect.com.

Friday, April 23, 2010

2010 AFG Application Program Closes May 28th

The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Guidance. The application period is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 26, 2010, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). Applications for these grants must be received by Friday, May 28, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). See the AFG web site for more details at:

www.firegrantsupport.com/docs/2010AFGguidance.pdf.

Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide approximately $390 million to fire departments and non affiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country. AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to obtain training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

An applicant tutorial is available at www.firegrantsupport.com. The tutorial provides valuable grant information and will walk you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the funding priorities and evaluation criteria.

The AFG Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.

Applicants who have questions regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grants opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov. During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (EDT), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume and demand.

If your needs contemplate new communications equipment, please give us a call for some helpful ideas, budgetary numbers, and useful information to help you be sure you are in compliance with all applicable guidelines. Our phone number is 205.854.2611 or you can email us - AFG2010@falcondirect.com.

Monday, April 19, 2010

New Sony PCS-XG55 Video Conferencing System Now Available!

The video conferencing experience you've been waiting for -- the PCS-XG55 has now arrived! This powerful, best-in-class video conferencing system offers HD quality for the stunning price of $5,999. Video conferencing is the key to affordable distance learning for corporate, educational, governmental, and public safety users.

Falcon Direct, Spire Global (US Marketing Partner for Sony) and Sony would like to extend a priority offer to you: demo or purchase the new PCS-XG55 systems before we release or even announce to the general public that they are now in stock.

Our fire department users will be especially interested in the XG55 as this device coupled with a 50" HDTV and high speed Internet connection can provide a cost efficient alternative to out of town classroom training. With the XG55, the classroom comes to you! Every 2010 AFG grant application should make provisions for training and the XG55 should be a part of any training plan!

Call us to set up a demo or order now to before the rush. See, hear, and experience for yourself all the
PCS-XG55 has to offer today, then give us a call at 205.854.2611 to arrange for a demonstration at no obligation.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

A Special Message Concerning Interoperability

Recently, a senior official of a large communications manufacturer stated that under certain conditions, users can circumvent the P25 public safety communications standard in open defiance of the concerted efforts of hundreds of dedicated professionals over almost two decades. Another major manufacturer is allowing the indirect distribution channel (think dealers) to promote a competing technology while the direct sales force is advancing the P25 standard. NEITHER of these technologies (DMR or NXDN) is compatible with P25. Clearly, there is something wrong with this picture.

Personally, we think such actions are counter productive, not in the best interest of public safety users, and totally self serving. Unfortunately, most 2-way radio users rely on their communications suppliers, which generally will be a local dealer. The typical public safety user relies (think TRUSTS) their supplier to guide them in doing the right thing. To abuse that trust is a violation of moral, ethical, and possibly even legal responsibility.

Over 15 years ago, a technical operating standard known as APCO-25 (P25) was developed for the purpose of defining a standard communications platform. This platform allows public safety users to plan their communications system for efficiency, interoperability, and long term cost benefits based on the economies of an open system.

We understand that in some cases, to ignore the P25 standard may be the result of lack of knowledge. In some cases, it could be for personal gain. In either case, lack of knowledge is inexcusable for any professional, and to put personal gain above the customers long term needs is unconscionable. The information is there for anyone who takes the time to do a few simple searches on the Internet. The fact is that there is only ONE approved federal communications standard and there is only ONE standard approved for FEMA grant funding. Check it out for yourself at www.info4u.us/Interoperability_Facts.pdf.

If you are involved in public safety at any level in Alabama or Mississippi, please call us for additional information of a public safety information program that we would be pleased to present in your community. Our phone number is 205.854.2611 or you can email us at TrueFacts@falcondirect.com. We also have a presentation package which we will provide for users outside Alabama and Mississippi that is free on request.

We urge you to get the facts and check them out. You may ultimately decide that you don't care about federal interoperable plans. Maybe you don't need federal grant funding. Then, by all means, consider alternative technology. We have one of our own. If you would like more information on a very affordable alternative, send us an email to Planner@falcondirect.com. In the meantime, additional information is available by clicking on the Digital Radios archive section at the top right hand side of this page.

Whatever you do, get all the facts before making a decision based on what someone tells you. Get the facts for yourself, then make your decision. We would consider it an honor to assist you.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

New FCC Narrow Band Changes Released

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a Second Report and Order in WP Docket No. 07-100, which amended certain rules within Part 90. One rule change was designed to facilitate system narrowbanding requirements that apply to both Business/Industrial and Public Safety licensees effective January 1, 2013.

Specifically, the FCC amended its rules "to provide an exemption from the frequency coordination requirement for modification applications that only reduce authorized bandwidth while remaining on the original center frequencies, and do not seek any other changes in technical parameters." This change will become effective 30-days following publication in the Federal Register.

  • Licensees may file directly on the FCC's Universal Filing System (ULS) to reduce their currently licensed channel bandwidths to comply with the narrowbanding rules. Licensees will need the FCC Registration Number (FRN) and associated password. A $60 FCC application fee is assessed unless the licensee is a governmental entity.
  • A change from analog operations to digital operations, however, is considered a change in system technical parameters, and therefore cannot be accomplished directly through ULS, as that method of narrowbanding requires evidence of frequency coordination.
  • Efforts to modify other license parameters directly through the ULS will be reviewed by the FCC staff, and licensees will be notified should the FCC discover any requested amendments that require evidence of frequency coordination. FCC staff reviews of this nature will normally delay license processing and issuance.
  • The FCC will not limit the number of emission designators that may be requested at any one time. However, it is recommended that only those emission designators that licensees are willing to certify use of, should be listed.
If you require assistance is filing to update your existing FCC license, please give us a call at 205.854.2611 or email FCC.Help@falcondirect.com.