working from home via radio

[c88m87]

I work at a food warehouse coordinating trailer movement in the yard. We use commercial radios and software to communicate with the jockeys moving trailers around. I can do most of this from home (60 miles away) but use the radio. I really need to be able to talk back and forth via radio, anyone have an answer as to how to do this please?

 

[MTS2000des]

without knowing what type of system you use at work (DMR, NXDN, LTR, conventional, two cups and a string), it is difficult to recommend a solution. Generally, remote dispatching requires some type of RoiP interface. You mention "commercial radios and software", what specific software and radio system is utilized? This would be a starting point. Keep in mind, that any specific solution really needs someone on site who knows the system(s) in use at your facility to be able to implement something that works, and of course, this all depends on the funds allocated.

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah, easily done, but the solution will depend on the type of radio and radio system you are using.
Radio over IP is an easy option if you have network connections at each end.
Telephone patch would work, too, but you'd tie up a phone line on each end.

There are many interfaces that will allow you to use your smart phone tied back to the radio, however the network interface to the radio will require some careful design.

 

[c88m87]

mototrbo cp200d handhelds at work and I have btech dmr6x2. We are using a digital repeater with different cc and dual time slots for 2 of the channels, one is the channel I need most.

 

[MTS2000des]

Everything mmckenna said and then some. Depending on the repeater, one can deploy a remote dispatch console via IPSC, but additional hardware/software needed, and you really need someone with boots on the ground to look at your system, network connectivity on both ends, and then propose a solution based on your entities' budget.

 

[baybum]

A walkie-talkie app for cell phones would be the quickest and cheapest way to go. I've used "Two Way" before and works great.

The Best Walkie-Talkie Apps for Android and iOS | Digital Trends

There are times when sending a text message isn't the fastest or most efficient way to communicate. Here are the best walkie-talkie apps for Android and iOS.

www.digitaltrends.com

 

[ten13]

A walkie-talkie app for cell phones would be the quickest and cheapest way to go.

I agree.

I've only used Zello, but for what you want, the app thing is the way to go.

Why invest some big money into a radio system that you will probably only use for the short term, when you get one of those phone apps, and when it's all over, and you have no need for it anymore, you just stop using it?

 

[c88m87]

FCC Callsign WRAR683

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=3999064

it would be hard to use a app since everyone else are using a cp200d. Plus cell service there is poor. So back to the problem at hand is how to talk to them from 60 miles away? With this covid19 this is something that will be needed in order to continue to function in some manner and since I'm the only one with my own radio what is required for something like this to make it happen? If its a computer program then what is it? Supposedly the system is networked but I haven't seen anything that would support this nor does IT know anything about it being networked. check out the link above for more info and I am going to reach out to IT to see if I can get even more info on the system, so stay posted.

 

[MTS2000des]

You can use a Zello gateway, you'll need a donor radio (preferably a mobile) located within your coverage area, a PC or purpose built device like an Android phone with a Zello gateway connected to it, and thus internet connectivity at the site itself. Then you can use a Zello client on a PC or device at home to dispatch. I've rolled my own Zello radio gateway to a ham repeater using a PC, a SignalLink USB, and a donor radio. It's pretty stable but I don't know if I'd rely on it for dispatch use.

Again, setting up this stuff requires someone with experience if you want it to work right. and those folks usually bill by the hour. Good luck.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

"Radio" & "IT" == Abandon Ship!

It's rare if IT actually knows what's going on with a radio system due to many systems being only recently brought into IT's domain. You'll likely need to contact your radio vendor to get more information.

As for the app side of it, there are "Radio Gateway's" but they are not free nor are they simple to setup typically.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I work at a food warehouse coordinating trailer movement in the yard. We use commercial radios and software to communicate with the jockeys moving trailers around. I can do most of this from home (60 miles away) but use the radio. I really need to be able to talk back and forth via radio, anyone have an answer as to how to do this please?

Might that be a safety issue? I say this because Disneyworld has a monorail system and the operators got lazy and coordinated positioning of the trains via radio while having dinner at Denny's. A train operator was killed when another train backed into his spot.

 

[mmckenna]

"Radio" & "IT" == Abandon Ship!

Exactly. Unfortunately I'm under the larger IT department at work. IT guys are often pretty useless when it comes to radio. To them, everything should be WiFi.

The zello app is a good option, but like MTS and P25 said above, you need to have the physical interface. Industry wide, that's often done at the repeater using a dedicated interface. The mobile radio with a computer to handle the interface is an option, but you need to understand what the FCC license allows. Remember, as an employee, you do not have an FCC license, the licensee (person who's name is on the license) is the only one who can legally add radios to the system.

 

[TampaTyron]

CTI Products makes a simple app that you run on your PC. This app connects over IP to a base gateway and base radio located in the coverage area. So, radio and gateway sitting near the IT closet at low power. You connect to the IP and port that the IT guys open up and forward to the box. Now you are I business. I have done this exact setup about 8-10 times so far. TT

 

[Firebuff880]

JPS Interop has excelled at this for years.

Donor Radio and NXU-2A at the property and Software on your PC --

NXU-2A RoIP Gateway - JPS Interoperability Solutions

The NXU-2A is the industry leading RoIP gateway, bridging radios, mobile devices, and dispatch consoles across digital networks.

www.jpsinterop.com

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[Project25_MASTR]

JPS Interop has excelled at this for years.

Donor Radio and NXU-2A at the property and Software on your PC --

NXU-2A RoIP Gateway - JPS Interoperability Solutions

The NXU-2A is the industry leading RoIP gateway, bridging radios, mobile devices, and dispatch consoles across digital networks.

www.jpsinterop.com

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Don't forget to open ports in the on-site firewall, provide the public IP, etc.

NXU-2's are still about $1,000 each...so again not a low cost solution per-say.

 

[MTS2000des]

my guess is when the reality hits that this costs MONEY to do right, and requires involvement of someone locally with the right skill set, they gave up and haven't returned.