Category Archives: Public Safety

Panasonic Offering Free Replacement Batteries for FZ-G1 Toughpad Tablets

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Panasonic has identified a possible problem with the Li-ion battery included with theirPanasonic Logo popular FZ-G1 Toughpad and recently announced a free battery replacement program. Almost all FZ-G1 owners are eligible and should download the BIOS utility to prevent the overheating problem affecting Li-ion batteries.

All FZ-G1 tablet models below in combination with the listed battery packs are affected: Rugged Tablet

  • FZ-G1Axxxxxx
  • FZ-G1Bxxxxxx
  • FZ-G1Cxxxxxx
  • FZ-G1Fxxxxxx
  • FZ-G1Jxxxxxx
  • FZ-G1Kxxxxxx
  • FZ-G1Lxxxxxx
  • FZ-G1Nxxxxxx
  • FZ-VZSU84U
  • FZ-VZSU89U
  • FZ-VZSU96U

tabletbattery

 

The Problem
The root cause of this issue is contamination inside the battery cells. When batteries
covered under this recall notice are used in environments with wide temperature
variation, a short circuit can occur inside the cell that can cause overheating and ignition.

The Fix

  1. Contact Panasonic to receive a replacement battery.
  2.  Download and run Panasonic’s BIOS Utility on the tablet which enables battery charging controls to minimize the risk of overheating and ignition

More Information
See Panasonic’s announcement

Emergency Vehicle Equipment Contract Awarded to Magnum Electronics

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Magnum Electronics Logo

For State Agencies, School Districts, Municipalities, Fire Companies

Emergency Vehicle Warning Systems and Equipment

DOVER, DE May 1, 2017

The State of Delaware Government Support Services, Office of Management and Budget has published an award notice to Magnum Electronics for a statewide contract renewable up to five years. Delaware State Contract # GSS17626-ERVEH_WARN was a multiple source award after competitive sealed proposals were evaluated and best and final offers were submitted.

The contract is intended to cover the State’s requirements for vehicle emergency and exterior lighting, sirens, prisoner cages, laptop mounts, consoles, gun racks, tool boxes, and any related equipment for supplying and equipping state agency vehicles. Types of agency vehicles include; police cars, ambulances, fire department vehicles, pickup trucks, utility vehicles, bucket trucks, dump trucks, construction equipment, ATVs, trailers, boats, buses, motorcycles, and bicycles.

Magnum Electronics has been awarded the maximum allowable 20 contract catalogs including Acari No-Drill Mounts, Cradlepoint Vehicle Routers, David Clark Intercoms, Federal Signal Warning Lighting, Gamber Johnson Mounts, Globalstar Satellite Communications, GOLIGHT, J.R. Setina, Jotto Desk Consoles, Kussmaul Electronics, Lind, Magnetic Mic, Mobile Mark Antennas, Motorola Solutions, Panorama Antennas, Power Products, Rockland Custom Cabinets, Signal Vehicle Products, and Truck Vault.

This segment of our business is growing rapidly and now our customers can purchase both fleet safety equipment and our installation upfit services using the GSS15735A-VEH_UPFIT state contract said Bill Ridenour, President of Magnum Electronics. Our Dover service facility is convenient and our experienced, ETA certified staff is proud of each installation.

The Magnum Electronics contract code is GSS17626-ERVEH_WARNV08 using FSF# 0000004196. For more information visit the State of Delaware awarded contracts webpage.

Contact Information

Magnum Electronics, Inc 302-734-9250 bill.ridenour@magnumelectronics.com

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Motorola WAVE OnCloud PTT Service Now Available

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Smartphone 2-Way Radio App With Location and Low Monthly Fee

Motorola Solutions introduced WAVE OnCloud, a monthly subscription SaaS at last month’s IWCE. It is designed to work with or without your existing 2-way radio system and provide voice group/private calls, group text messaging, and real-time location.

IOS & Android Screen ShotsThe WAVE Mobile Communicator app is easily downloaded to your Android or iOS device. Your mobile workforce will have instant and secure group communications anywhere with Wi-Fi, 4G, or 3G broadband connectivity. The phone app has a large PTT (push-to-talk) button on the display. We have a variety of WAVE certified accessories including wireless PTT pods, lapel microphones, and remote speaker-mics located in our online store.

Screenshot with Google Map

Desktop users can use their Chrome or Firefox browser to access the Web Communicator with full functionality including Google Maps integration, user availability, and voice call/text message history. All messages are encrypted for enhanced security. Setup is very easy and software updates are automatically downloaded like other smartphone apps.

Magnum Electronics is WAVE Certified for Sales and Support

Motorola MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus trunking system integration is available with a gateway for seamless smartphone-to-radio communications. Conventional non-trunking MOTOTRBO users will have to wait until next year.

Contact our WAVE certified sales and support staff if you need wide area or on-site communications for your workteam. We can provide a 30 day demonstration for up to 10 users. After the trial period, the broadband-only service is $5 per month per user when pre-paid annually.

Download our Motorola WAVE wireless accessories .pdf

Signup for a Motorola WAVE OnCloud 30 Day Trial

Call our Dover, Delaware office at 302-734-9250 M-F 8-5pm EST or complete the form below and we will setup a 30 day free trial for up to 10 users. 

 

Alert: Motorola Solutions and Vertex Standard Supply Disruption

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No Shipments From April 7-18th Due to ERP Upgrade

Radio Solutions Channel PartnerMotorola Solutions and their wholly-owned subsidiary, Vertex Standard informed us a new software ERP upgrade will halt order processing, depot repairs, and shipments beginning April 7th.

Expect shipments to slowly ramp up starting the afternoon of Tuesday, April 18th. The planned upgrade has been in process for the past 2 years.

Shutdown Affects Radios, Parts, Accessories, and Repairs

Anything that has not shipped by the evening of April 6th will be affected. Motorola and Vertex will not be able to process any new orders until 4/18/17. We are taking steps to stock additional inventory but with 3,000+ products it will be difficult.

Motorola APX XE Extreme Remote Speaker-Mics Compared

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APX XE vs APX XE-500 Features

Motorola APX XE vs. APX XE500 RSM Feature Comparison

Motorola’s IMPRES XE rugged remote speaker-microphone (RSM) choices for extreme environments are designed for firefighters with APX 6000XE, APX 7000XE, and APX 8000XE P25 radios. Available in black or high visibility green, they have a strobe light, orange emergency button, and clip with D-ring.

Motorola APX XE and APX XE500 Shared Features

Both the XE and XE-500 are rated IP68 for submersibility and carry an intrinsically-safe rating to match the APX radio certification. Both have a large volume toggle switch and are 50% louder than a XTS RSM. There is a reflective label on both styles for increased visibility. The APX XE was introduced about 5 years ago and is available in green (NNTN8575A) and black (NNTN8575ABLK).

New APX XE500 Feature ImprovementsXE500 Features and Controls

The XE500 started shipping last year with additional features. It has a channel knob and larger emergency button with embedded orange lighting. Noise suppression is improved and can pickup your voice when you can’t hear yourself talking. The heat resistant cable can withstand 500 degrees for 5 minutes without harm.

The XE500 is intrinsically safe rated for UL-TIA4950 but does not have a FM certification. If your department uses intrinsically-safe APX radios, check to determine if you need FM or UL certified accessories. They are not interchangeable.

The XE500 is available in green (PMMN4106A) or black (PMMN4106ABLK).

Link to Motorola APX XE500 Datasheet   Link to APX XE Datasheet

DOJ Announces 2017 Grant Program for Police Body-Worn Cameras

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Applications due 2/16/17

Form 424 Application Deadline is February 16, 2017

The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced a 2017 Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Grant Program Solicitation with $17 million available. Applications from state and local government agencies must be submitted by 2/16/17. Police departments with less than 25 sworn officers can request up to $50,000 starting in October. The grant program includes multiple categories to insure funding is available for small and large law enforcement agencies.

Motorola Body-Worn Camera and Integrated Speaker-Mic Works with APX Radios

Video Speaker-Mic BWCThe new Motorola SI500 video speaker-microphone is the perfect solution for our APX radio customers. It uses the cloud-based CommandCentral Vault evidence management application that meets CJIS standards.

It is a smart device with touchscreen that provides fast and secure evidence transfer. The SI500 is a restricted MR product so we can only quote it to our Delaware and Maryland assigned accounts who purchase APX.

Download the 2017 DOJ Body-worn Camera Grant Program executive summary for more information. We ordered a SI500 demo and expect to have it in the next few weeks. Contact us for more info and a formal Motorola quote at our Dover, Delaware office.

Motorola Certified 3M Peltor Headsets for APX, MOTOTRBO

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Motorola BatwingsMotorola APX P25 and MOTOTRBO DMR radio users working in high noise environments can now use 3M Peltor hearing protection. There are 14 headsets certified in a variety of styles with up to 26dB NRR. All are optimized for digital and carry a 12 month warranty.

Direct Connect Headsets

APX XPR Headband HeadsetDirect connect headsets do not require an adapter and include the push-to-talk button on the earcup. The RMN5137 over-the-head style provides a 25dB noise reduction rating. RMN5138 behind-the-head version offers 24dB and can be worn with headgear. There is also the RMN5139 with clips for hardhat attachments. All have noise-cancelling boom microphones.

Headsets Using Nexus PTT Radio Adapter

Standard headsets with Nexus plugs use the PMLN6095 APX/MOTOTRBO adapter. This PTT cable is not compatible with the ComTac III or SWAT-Tac models that require NATO wiring. Specs are identical with the direct connect models and the same style choices are available – PMLN6088, RLN6477, or the RMN4051.

Listen Only Headsets With 3.5mm Connectors3.5mm Non-threaded Neckband Listen only Headset

Motorola offers listen only headsets with both threaded and non-threaded plugs for use with remote speaker-microphones. Most RSM’s with a 3.5mm jack require a non-threaded accessory plug. The RMN4055 (headband), RMN5132 (Neckband), and RMN5133 (hardhat) are the most popular.

3.5mm Threaded Hardhat Attachment Headset

The exception is the NNTN8383 RSM with an industrial noise-cancelling (INC) microphone. The 3.5mm threaded jack is located on the the cord.

The RMN4057 with hardhat attachment and threaded plug is the correct choice. For headband style and 3.5mm threaded connector choose the RMN4056.

TacticalPro Headsets with Ambient Listening

3M Peltor TacticalPro electronic headsets include small microphones on the ear cups to pickup surrounding sounds for increased awareness and safety. The TacticalPro works great in environments with harmful impulse noise because it instantly block harmful sounds. It also will amplify low sounds to a comfortable level when needed. These headsets also use the PMLN6095 Nexus radio adapter and are available in all 3 styles – RMN4052, RMN5135, and RMN4053.

Motorola and 3M Peltor Part Number Cross Reference

The Motorola 3M Peltor Cross Reference Chart shows all of the Motorola certified headsets and the associated 3M Peltor part numbers. The headsets are optimized to work with APX 8000, APX 7000, APX 6000, APX 4000, APX 3000, and APX 1000. MOTOTRBO radios include the XPR 7000 and XPR 6000 series.

Nexus adapters are also available for Motorola XTS 5000, XTS 2500, XTS 1500, PR1500, PR860, HT1550, HT1250, HT750, CP200, and CP185.

Choose The Correct Motorola Intrinsically-Safe Battery

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New Motorola IS Radios Are Now UL Certified

Workers using communications devices in refineries, grain elevators, and fuel storage facilities need an intrinsically-safe certified 2-way radio. Hazardous locations, called HAZLOC, certified radios have a label to identify the NFPA 70 certifications for classifications and groups. Starting 2016, Motorola stopped shipping FM (Factory Mutual) certified radios and transitioned to UL (Underwriters Laboratories). It is important to know FM and UL TIA-4950 intrinsically-safe batteries are NOT interchangeable.

Astro and MOTOTRBO IS Radios

How to Identify FM and UL Certified RadiosGreen dots on battery and radio

Radios with a FM certification have a label with GREEN text and GREEN dot usually on the bottom of the radio. FM certified batteries have the same GREEN label and GREEN dot. In order to be certified, you need two dots with the same color.

UL certified radios have a label with WHITE text and a WHITE dot. APX and XPR 7000 series intrinsically-safe radio fleets delivered before and after 1/1/16 need to make sure the batteries are correct. FM certified replacement batteries will continue to be available for a long time and are safe. Purchasing managers will need to know if FM or a UL replacement battery is required.

APX and XPR 7000/6000/3000 FM and UL Battery Choices

APX FM (green dot) batteries include NNTN7033, NNTN7035, NNTN7036, NNTN8092, and NNTN8129.

APX UL TIA4950 HAZLOC (white dot) batteries are NNTN8921, NNTN8930, PMNN4504, PMNN4505, and NNTN8560.

XPR 7000 FM (green dot) battery is the NNTN8129. The XPR 6000 series uses the PMNN4069.

XPR 7000 UL TIA-4950 HAZLOC (white dot) battery is the NNTN8560. The XPR 7000e/3000e UL TIA-4950 HAZLOC battery is the PMNN4489.

Fact Sheet – Motorola FM to UL Transition

Motorola FAQ FM to UL TIA Document – MOTOTRBO

Panasonic Toughbook 20 Tablet, Keyboard, and Handle

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Fully-Rugged All-in-One Mobile Computer Now Shipping

Rugged Tablet with keyboard handlePanasonic’s latest Toughbook 20 for mobile workers offers the flexibility of a tablet but includes a detachable keyboard with handle. For users who need a tablet but want a comfortable keyboard this is the solution.

The Toughbook CF-20 handle makes it easy to carry on the job. At only 3.9 lbs, it has a sunlight readable display and can be used with gloves. It can be ordered with 4G LTE that supports multiple cell carriers. The Panasonic rotating hand strap is a recommended accessory for use in tablet mode. We found the Boston LeaToughbook Tablet with Handlether shoulder strap easily attaches to the tablet and can be used to carry the emissive backlit keyboard too.

There is also a rugged dock available designed for public-safety and utility vehicles. The Toughbook 20 ships with Windows 10 Pro installed but can support Windows 7 or 8 for older CAD systems.

Download Panasonic Toughbook 20 Data Sheet

For a price quote or additional information call our Dover, Delaware office at 302-734-9250 during normal business hours or use the form below.

Magnetic Palm Mic Holder Improves Driver Safety

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Compatible With All 2-Way Mobile Radio BrandsInnovative MMSU-1 Single

One of the new mobile radio accessories that got our attention at IWCE this year was a magnetic palm microphone holder. It replaces the standard clip used by Motorola, Vertex Standard, Harris, Kenwood, Icom, and others. The powerful magnet pulls the palm microphone toward the base and supports scan, DPL, tone coded squelch, etc.

Magnetic Palm Mic Holder The MMSU-1 Magnetic Mic Holder from Innovative Products in Knoxville, TN comes individually boxed. Everything you need is in the box including stainless steel screws, stainless lock nuts, grounding screw, instructions, and hex wrench.

There is also a discounted MMBP-25 bulk pack for fleet upgrades.

Perfect for Public Safety Personnel and Public Works Drivers

Police, fire, and ems drivers will keep their eyes on the road responding to emergencies. All fleet owners will benefit from decreased driver distraction and improved safety. The magnetic mic holder is a nice addition for the Astron integrated base station power supplies too.