Below is an updated training video from Motorola Solutions for firefighters using APX series 2-way radios and remote speaker-microphones. The original video “Say It Loud and Clear” was developed with help from the IAFC.
The new version includes the XE500 extreme temperature remote speaker-mics designed for firefighters in addition to the standard RSM’s with Windporting.
While attending an IACP Conference a couple years ago, we found CTech Manufacturing a supplier of aluminum cabinets for the public-safety market. We were looking for a tactical storage cabinet that was lighter with better mounting options for our SUV upfits.
We like CTech’s CopBox and ChiefBox Tactical Cabinets designed for MID and FULL size SUV’s. There are 16 different standard sizes to choose from or you can design your own. The CopBox and ChiefBox have a QuickLink Mounting solution that make it possible to transfer the cabinet to a newer style vehicle in the future. You might have to replace the mounting plate depending on the model.
We recently installed the red F47-351 ChiefBox for Little Creek Volunteer Fire Company’s new command vehicle as part of an upfit services project. The F47-351 has four drawers including a pull-out whiteboard and a compartment for SCBA’s, etc. Installation was quick and easier than a wood cabinet.
The CopBox and ChiefBox are significantly lighter than wood cabinets and their patented MotionLatch allows one-handed drawer opening. They also allow you to access the spare tire in some vehicles and CTech offers a lifetime warranty.
Download CTech Tactical Catalog 2019 .pdf
As a CTech Manufacturing authorized dealer, we provide carts, fixed cabinets, and tool drawers too. Need a closer look? Come visit our office in Dover and see the T40-302 cabinet and let us show you our current upfit projects. We are open 8-5pm M-F or give us a call at 302-734-9250 and schedule an appointment to discuss your storage needs.
Download CTech Master Catalog 2019
Boston Leather has designed a custom carrying case for each Motorola APX radio model including the option to use a strap or belt loop. Their standard cases are plain black full grain leather with silver hardware but almost anything is possible for custom orders.
It is important to know which battery you are using on your APX 8000, 7000, and 6000 because a longer case is need for the high-capacity batteries. There are also 3 different APX configurations available. This article provides choices for each Motorola APX model radio when used by fire, ems, or law enforcement professionals.
Motorola APX 1.5 models only have a top display. The 5611RC15-1 holder is compatible with standard batteries and the 5611RCXB-1 is for extended length high-capacity batteries. There is also the original 5618RCNW-1 that was designed for the APX 6000 Model 1.5.
The 5481RC-1-E universal case is also a good choice if you want access to the top half of the radio.
The model 2.5 has a top and side display with a limited keypad. The 5611RC-1 is designed for standard length batteries and has D-rings for a strap. The 5611-1 is the same case without the D-rings.
APX 6000/8000 Model 2.5 radios using extended batteries require the 5611RCXB25-1. If you prefer a radio holder that protects the side display choose the 5611RCNW-1. It has the sides open for larger audio connectors.
The model 3.5 has a top and side display along with a full keypad. The 5611RC35-1 has a larger front cutout for access to the entire keypad and is compatible with standard size batteries. This case is also compatible with the SRX 2200 military radio.
Extended battery users should choose the 5611RCNW-1 no window holder.
There are 3 Boston Leather radio holder choices for APX 7000 models.The standard holder for non-XE models with short batteries is the 5613RC-1. Rugged XE 1.5 models with standard batteries will need the 5612RC-1.
There is also a custom holder for the APX 7000 with an extended battery. The 5613RCXB-1 has cutouts and custom designed for the model 3.5 with full keypad and side display.
The 5701RC-1 is the recommended holder for the APX 4000. It includes cutouts for the display, full keypad, and microphone connector. This case can be worn on a duty belt and ordered without clips.
There is also a slightly different design 5701RCHW-1 with a high window.
Custom installations and vehicle upfitting for public-safety/commercial customers has been a growing segment of our technical service offerings.
We have formal agreements with emergency warning lighting, mobile video, rugged computer, LTE router, GPS fleet management, cabinet, and other manufacturers supporting mobile workers. We hold State of Delaware contracts for equipment and installation services along with the required insurance coverage. Below is a Chevy Tahoe our ETA certified upfit technicians completed recently.
We also provide amber safety warning lights for construction and public works vehicles. Our Acari Drill-Free mounts can be used to mount beacons, work lights, and antennas easily without holes.
To speak with our service team and request a quote call our office at 302-734-9250 during normal business hours. Located in Dover, we are an easy drive from anywhere in Delaware and most of the Delmarva peninsula.
OTTO, a high-quality 2-way radio accessory manufacturer from Carpentersville, IL recently introduced a high-temperature purpose-built shoulder microphone for the fire service. The OTTO 500 is designed to function in 500 degree heat for 5 minutes and also fully-submerged underwater for a half hour. 
The OTTO 500 is available for most radio models including Motorola, Harris, Kenwood, Icom, and EFJ. A removable grill makes it easy to clean and has a replaceable debris screen. The PTT is easy to use when wearing gloves and most models have an emergency button. The OTTO 500 has a 3 year warranty and is a good choice for extreme fireground operations.
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.
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).
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 with channel knob is available in green (PMMN4106A) or black (PMMN4106ABLK). The XE500 is now available without a channel knob in high impact green (PMMN4107) and black (PMMN4107_BLK).
Link to Motorola APX XE500 Datasheet Link to APX XE Datasheet
Boston Leather offers 34 custom designed holders for Motorola, Vertex Standard, Kenwood, Harris, EF Johnson, Icom, and Bendix King two-way radios. The compatibility chart below will help find the case designed to fit your radio.
There are also 7 universal cases that adjust to fit almost any model radio. All Boston Leather cases are manufactured Sterling, Illinois and ship in about 2 weeks if not in stock. The “RC” letters indicate large D rings for attaching to firefighter straps. Case numbers without “RC” are designed to be worn on a belt and don’t have D rings.
Holders manufactured with high quality plain leather finish include a (-1) suffix following the model number. High gloss (clarino) finish is available for some holders and has a (-2) indicator. Basketweave finish is also available and has a -3 suffix. The universal 5487RC-5, 5487RC-5, and 5610RC-5 can be ordered in ballistic weave nylon.
Download Boston Leather Radio Holder Size Chart
Contact us to discuss your specific needs if not listed. Boston Leather will design a custom leather holder for any 2-way radio or device carried by firefighters, ems professionals, police, and law enforcement.
Motorola Solutions recently introduced an adapter for remote microphones and Boston Leather fireman straps with clips. Designed for Motorola APX Series P25 public-safety two-way radios, the adapter assembly works with NNTN8575 XE remote microphones . This accessory has a ring loop attached to the top of the clip for hanging on hooks or the antenna.
You will need the NNTN8271 adapter that replaces the remote microphone clip. Also required is a button clip that snaps to the adapter. Motorola sells the buttons in packs of five (NNTN8749) but we will provide them in a single pack too (MAG-NNTN8749).
The Boston Leather 6542 straps with microphone clips are popular with firefighters and ems personnel. The clip provides a more secure attachment for the larger microphones. They are available in extra-large (6542XL) for tall individuals over 74 inches and also with reflective safety tape (6542R).
JPS Interoperability Solutions has a long history of mission critical radio communications connectivity. The JPS ACU-M interoperability gateway console is an excellent tool to quickly improve in-building
coverage for first responders. It is compatible with the JPS ACU-1000 and the ACU-T.
The JPS ACU-M provides interconnection with up to four different 2-way radios, optional 2 VoIP channels, and a local operator handset. Plug-in cables are available for virtually every 2-way radio, satellite, and cell phone in use. The ACU-M can be networked and managed remotely using a computer with the included graphical user interface software.
The JPS ACU-M can be installed in a first-arriving command vehicle or waterproof carry case. Below grade basements that prevent RF penetration can be improved using long radio interface cables connected with the ACU-M gateway repeater. By attaching a portable radio to the end of a very long radio interface cable, the radio can be lowered into a tunnel or RF-blocked structure to provide a means of routing the signal in and out of the structure.
Using the ACU-M’s VoIP’s option, a radio can be connected using WiFi or an ethernet 
bridge and a NXU-2A radio interface. The JPS NXU-2A is a device that converts VoIP/RoIP into audio signals compatible with the remote radio. It uses the same plug-in radio-specific cable as the ACU-M.
The ACU-M is pre-programmed with factory optimized settings for most radio models and manufacturers. Just connect up to four radios with the proper cables and you will be operational in minutes. Touch controls and indicator lights make it easy to patch nets quickly. Remote control software is included too and can be installed on a connected laptop if you prefer.
6/1/16 Update: Raytheon closed the JPS division on 1/29/16 after many years of providing interoperbility solutions. In April, the assets were purchased by Don Scott, one of the original founders of JPS. Key staff and support personnel returned and operations are returning to normal.
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.
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.
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.
Magnum Electronics, Inc. 