I need help selecting the best 2 way option for my security company.

[csogusa]

Hello all.

I have a security company that’s growing exponentially and I need to communicate effectively with most of my officers regularly, a lot of my contracts are 2 hours away from my house as I just absorbed another company. I have limited radio knowledge, outside of simple programming using chirp, and recreational and amateur 2 way use. Most officers are static, some have onsite local radios at their sites, China cheapos I’m really the only one that patrols multiple client locations. However in the spring we are going to target another college town. And I’ll definitely need long range effective communication. Maybe adding a dispatcher then. We also might be contracting with law enforcement.

So, I’m looking for advice, what should I go with? P25 Ph.2? Or network radios using zello. I see 911 inet is middle manning zello but has a few extra features I can pay zello for. We don’t currently use a dispatcher. I don’t have a huge budget as uniforms and cold weather gear is eating our surplus. I’d like something I can easily deal with and program.

Thanks in advance.

 

[IAmSixNine]

Well you answered your own question in regards to P25 when you say we dont have a huge budget. That equipment is not cheap.
One option is to put up your own radio system which will be a big investment but allow you to control your own equipment.
Another option is to rent air time and radios from an existing 2-way shop that allows customers on their network. Many public safety radio systems dont allow private companies on their networks.
Zello or PTToLTE is another option.
I am sure others with much much more experience will chime in here but i would suggest trying out the zello option first. See how well that fits your needs and then evaluate it after a few months. This will give you minimal investment initially while allowing you to communicate with employees.
You can do 1 on 1 or 1 to many with the use of channels. Perhaps create a channel for each job site and have employees on duty for each site log into the channel.

 

[KK6ZTE]

Look into the Kenwood Boundless service (PTT over Cellular) or similar.

 

[I_am_Alpha1]

"rent air time and radios from an existing 2-way shop"

We have a winner

Smith Two-Way Radio (Harrison) -- a place to start

 

[JASII]

https://shop.motorolasolutions.com/wave-tlk-100-two-way-radio/product/WaveRadio

 

[buddrousa]

Security Company think about this.
Unit 5 we have a service call at address 1234 for a system that will not arm well office I can not fix that.
Now would you pay for security services that announced over a radio your system would not work and gave out your address.

 

[alcahuete]

Security Company think about this.
Unit 5 we have a service call at address 1234 for a system that will not arm well office I can not fix that.
Now would you pay for security services that announced over a radio your system would not work and gave out your address.

Digital with encryption and you never have to worry about that happening.

 

[RayAir]

I would look to rent radios from an air time provider with a wide area Mototrbo Connect Plus or T3 system and be tell them you want to use Enhanced Privacy (no default programming either). Locally, the cost to rent radios on systems like these is $15-$25/month per radio.
I don't know what your local options are for renting radios, but this would be what I'd start with.

You could back it up with SMS. Use an app like Signal to send private or group texts. It's voice capable too and offers strong E2E encryption.

 

[12dbsinad]

If you need a real fast way to start communicating you could always download zello on smartphones ( I assume nearly everyone has one). It would be the cheapest and fastest alternative.

If you find zello does not cut it, the next step would be either dedicated LTE PTT radio's or airtime rental from a digital system. The first thing you would need to find out would be if there is a comm company around you that has adequate coverage for your needs. If you're only using handhelds it would be more of an issue and are you concerned about in-building coverage? If you have a Icom dealer in your area you could explore Icom LTE radio's. These would work anywhere nationwide as long as you have LTE coverage. Expect to pay 15-35 dollars per unit, per month for airtime rental. Those are pretty much your options with wide area coverage.

 

[csogusa]

M

"rent air time and radios from an existing 2-way shop"

We have a winner

Smith Two-Way Radio (Harrison) -- a place to start

this company is in Mississippi. I travel there and my folks live there, I’m back and forth constantly. But when I grow up near Harrison I will look into them.

 

[csogusa]

Security Company think about this.
Unit 5 we have a service call at address 1234 for a system that will not arm well office I can not fix that.
Now would you pay for security services that announced over a radio your system would not work and gave out your address.

These are for security officers at assigned details and sites, not service calls on equipment.

 

[ka3aaa]

Why not just use cell phones, no fuss, no mess, and best of all no cost, done.

 

[mmckenna]

Building a radio system that will cover 2 hours in each direction from your office is not going to be easy or cheap.
To get anything reliable, you'd be looking at multiple radio sites, site linking over internet, not to mention the cost of the repeaters, maintenance, tower/space lease, internet access, and all the headaches that brings. Then you are looking at a few hundred dollars per radio.

Then you'll have all the issues listening to your security officers telling you that the radios won't work in building X.

Trying to build out radio service for an area that big is going to be very expensive from the get-go, and have a lot of high ongoing costs.

Push to talk over cellular is a much cheaper approach and is going to give you the coverage you need.

 

[R8000]

You need to contact a local reputable radio vendor and ask them this question. If you own the company, it's beneficial to you to build a relationship with a local vendor that will support you when needed, not a website forum.

It's like using CB radios for delivery and service vehicles. It really doesn't project a image that your company is serious, and you are just going on the cheap to get by. If your officers are running around with china radios or using a cell phone with an app, it doesn't make your company look good or stand out from the competition.

Many many posts on RR are from businesses or even public safety agencies trying to save a dime, and get often really bad advice and end up worse off than if they had just sought the help of a good 2 way shop. Spend the extra money, you will be happy you did in the long run.

Renting airtime on a trunked system owned by a radio shop is by far the most popular way for contract security companies to handle communications.

Good luck

 

[laidback]

Easy, company purchased cell phones and plans. Police use them here all the time they don't want anyone to hear what they are talking about.

 

[phillmobile]

If you need a real fast way to start communicating you could always download zello on smartphones ( I assume nearly everyone has one). It would be the cheapest and fastest alternative.
Why not just use cell phones, no fuss, no mess, and best of all no cost, done.

But illegal while driving? well done

 

[12dbsinad]

If you need a real fast way to start communicating you could always download zello on smartphones ( I assume nearly everyone has one). It would be the cheapest and fastest alternative.
Why not just use cell phones, no fuss, no mess, and best of all no cost, done.

But illegal while driving? well done

Most states allow for hands free use of a cellphone. Zello can also be used hands free. All of these suggestions are given to the OP in regards that he/she will employ responsibility and common sense if using these devices while driving.

 

[buddrousa]

https://handsfreetn.com/files/pc0412.pdf

 

[cmdrwill]

Nation wide push to talk over cellular systems. They have some nice PTTOC handheld radios.

www.iptt.us

 

[speedway_navigator]

Hytera has their Halo PoC system out now but I've heard the terms of service allow them to track use and location data. I wonder how many others do this.