Basingstoke, UK – 9th January 2013 – PMR446 radio users have a new choice in a small-sized, lightweight licence-free radio with the VX-241 PMR446 portable radio from Vertex Standard.  Known for compact radios built for maximum value, Vertex Standard’s new VX-241 PMR446 radio is designed for users to efficiently connect with ease for years of reliable use.

Based on Vertex Standard’s most popular industrial grade radio design, the VX-241 radio delivers comfortable ergonomics and quality performance to serve a variety of business on-site communication needs.  Key features and benefits:

•            Quality audio

•            Long battery life -- up to 19 hours

•            Battery saver and battery power monitor

•            8 Pre-programmed PMR446 frequencies

•            16 channels

•            Squelch and channel interference management

•            Compact and lightweight construction 

Users can also easily monitor their connection status with Vertex Standard’s exclusive Auto-Range Transpond System (ARTS™). If out of range for more than 2 minutes, the radio senses no signal has been received and beeps to alert you.  ARTS is ideal for users who need to monitor coverage range to maintain contact at all times and is only available from Vertex Standard.

The new VX-241 license-free portable radio provides easy-to-use functionality and the durability needed in a lightweight radio for onsite communications.
View additional details about the VX-241 PMR446 portable radio at:
www.vertex-standard-emea.com/vx241_PMR446_radio.html

Count on Vertex Standard radios to connect without compromise.  

About Vertex Standard
Established in 1956 and based in Tokyo, Japan, Vertex Standard is a global manufacturer of two-way radio communications equipment.  Known for compact, feature-rich radios built for maximum value, Vertex Standard remains exclusively focused on developing two-way radios to meet customer needs worldwide by innovating value without sacrificing quality to connect without compromise.  Vertex Standard radios are sold and serviced throughout EMEA through a network of dealerships. For more information on any Vertex Standard product, visit

www.vertex-standard-emea.com or e-mail:
vertexstandard-emea@vertexstandard.com

While two-way radios seem like old technology and they might all look the same, there are many differences to discover in how a two-way radio is designed for enhanced communication performance. Over the years, Vertex Standard has continued to make advancements in two-way radio capabilities while still delivering cost-effective communications and may even displace the need to use mobile phones at work or on the jobsite. Just like mobile phones have many different designs and capabilities, so do two-way radios. Vertex Standard is focused on providing reliable, low-cost two-way radios delivering the performance you need.

As mobile phone expenses increase, many companies have started to re-evaluate their mobile phone usage and assess what technology is really needed. As a result, adoption of two-way radios is increasing to help manage costs. In most cases, two-way radios are a low cost investment. You pay for the cost of the radio and a UHF/VHF frequency license. After that, there are no monthly fees or charges for talk time minutes. Here are some key points to consider in choosing two-way radios:

Range – Vertex Standard land mobile radios are available in High Frequency (HF), Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) ranges. Your work location and communication distance requirements determine which frequency would be best. An Authorised Vertex Standard Dealer can help you select the radio that provides the best reach and coverage you need.

Durability – All Vertex Standard land mobile radios are tested to withstand certain abuse by users. They are designed to keep working when dropped and to withstand extreme temperature ranges from hot to cold. All Vertex Standard two-way radios are certified to meet special Military Standard criteria for performance and reliability. Even the lowest cost Vertex Standard radio available must meet the minimum criteria to ensure reliable performance. Some radio models are also designed to be submersible under fresh water for up to 30 minutes. This is known as the Ingress Protection (IP) rating. Look for a rating of IP 57 for a portable radio that lasts when wet. Vertex Standard offers the VX-820, VX-920 and VX-450 portable radios that are submersible with IP 57 ratings.

Battery Life – Advancements in lithium-ion (known as Li-Ion) battery technology has helped to vastly improve talk time. Where and how a radio is used can affect battery life, but in many cases, users are delighted to have a Vertex Standard radio operate a regular eight-hour day without needing to re-charge. Size of battery improves battery life with some Vertex Standard radios operating up to 20 hours before recharging is required.

Size and Weight – Many users are resistant to using portable two-way radios because they are big and bulky making them difficult to wear or carry. So instead, they carry both a mobile phone and a pager to use when emergencies arise. Vertex Standard offers some of the most compact two way radios available without sacrificing performance or audio quality. This is something you have to see for yourself to realize, and many users have made the switch from carrying two devices for one Vertex Standard radio that fits and provides all the communications performance needed.

Privacy – Mobile phone users may be concerned about keeping conversations private using two-way radios. Encryption technology options are available in Vertex Standard land mobile radios to ensure calls placed over the airwaves remain discreet and secure.

These are some key basics to keep in mind in choosing the right two-way radio for you. Go online to view a complete features summary of Vertex Standard portable and mobile two-way radios.

While there is rapid, wide-spread advancement in a variety of technologies, many people expected the mobile phone and Internet to overtake the need for using two-way radios. Quite surprisingly, these technologies have had little impact on the necessity for two-way radios in many workplaces, and land mobile radios remain a cost-effective communications choice for commercial, industrial and emergency services such as ambulances, police patrols and fire services.

Vertex Standard two-way radios are designed for maximum performance at the lowest cost without sacrificing quality. With a broad portfolio of land mobile radio choices, portable radios tend to be the most popular of two-way radios used. Vertex Standard has designed portable radios with a robust set of features at a low cost to meet the needs of a variety of professional markets. Here is a review of some unique capabilities not as well known that are found in Vertex Standard radios.

Monitor Radio Connection – Only Vertex Standard two way radios have an ‘out of range alerter’ known as Auto-Range Transpond System (ARTS™). If you’ve ever worked in a team of portable radio operators and experienced not knowing if you are still in communications range, Vertex Standard two way radios, with ARTS activated, alerts the user when the radio is in or out of range. Both portable and mobile Vertex Standard radios have this capability. When connectivity at all times is critical, this capability in Vertex Standard radios delivers added communications assurance.

Monitor Worker Safety – Many workers using portable radios are faced with dangerous occupations working alone such as prisons, police patrols, security night shifts or even agriculture. Using “Lone Worker” is an enhanced means of emergency notification to monitor worker safety. When a worker is alone, the portable radio can be set with a time limit that requires the worker to reset at a required interval. If the worker fails to press the reset button, the radio will automatically send an emergency alert to notify others the worker is unresponsive and may need help. Vertex Standard is committed to providing affordable safety solutions and all Vertex Standard portable radios include the Lone Worker mode.

Manage Radio Privacy – Vertex Standard radios feature a ‘stun/kill/revive’ capability that is useful when a radio is lost or stolen. The ‘stun’ mode can be activated that remotely turns off the missing two-way radio and prevents someone else from being able to use the radio or overhear conversations not intended for them. If the two-way radio is recovered, it can be ‘revived’ using a special transmit to reactivate the radio for regular use without special assistance. Or for added assurance, a missing radio can be ‘killed’ to be fully disabled. This is also done remotely, but if the radio is recovered, it will require Dealer assistance to reactivate.

These are just a few examples of enhanced capabilities found in Vertex Standard two-way radios. To discover more and determine the right radio for your needs, locate your Authorised Dealer for additional assistance.

If you don’t work with two way radios every day or if you have been using the same old, tired radio for the last twenty years, you’d be forgiven for thinking that these radios had been left behind in terms of technological advancement. You’d be forgiven for thinking that it was only mobile phones that were making giant leaps and bounds in their capabilities. Phones are becoming ever more advanced - they’re getting lighter, they’re getting thinner, they can browse the internet, play movies, download emails and pictures, even be used as a GPS system. But what about two way radios from specialist communication companies such as Vertex? Do you even still need to use them if you have a mobile phone? The common misconception is that just because many of these plastic two way radios look the same, they are the same. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

For a start, let’s address the major issue with mobile phones. Do mobiles make the use of two way radios redundant? Can you realistically replace your existing set of radios with a set of gadget ridden mobiles and will this make your communications more effective and more efficient? In a word, no. For a start, there are no contract payments with two way radios as they use frequencies such as FRS/GMRS channels to communicate through the air waves with no requirement for satellite. This means a free and reliable signal, whenever you’re within range. But this article isn’t about addressing the obvious. It’s about revealing the latest features of the most modern designs of two way radios, features that you probably won’t have heard of and may change your thinking about exactly which radios you need to buy.

Two way radios have always been limited by range. Terms such as “line of sight” and “ideal conditions” have been used in the same sentence as a radio purchase for years and whilst still relevant today, the improvements in signal strength and reliability have made this less of a concern. With multiple channels plus VHF and UHF frequencies coming as standard in most Vertex portable two way radios, even the most basic model can do a great job. LCD screens have been introduced over the years, as well as improvements in weight and size without losing battery performance. With the use of Li-Ion battery technology, talk time has vastly improved per device with some Vertex radios providing anything from 15 to 20 hours before a recharge is required. Another improvement over time has been in durability. Waterproof and floatable portable radios mean the weather or the environment are no longer a barrier to the use of the latest radios.

At Vertex, we incorporate all the latest features into our portable two way radios so users can be assured of the best possible communications. Customisable LED coloured flashing on the display to easily identify the caller, vibrate function and page function in case of missed communications, emergency notification for emergency alerting and remote listen so others can tune in during emergencies. There are even new features like audio bleeps to alert the operator when the device has been out of range for more than two minutes or remote ‘stun’ to disable a device from being used should it be stolen.

Take a look online at all the features available in the latest range of Vertex portable and mobile two way radios before you make a purchase.

Some of the most common uses of two way radios are for serving the general public. Taxis utilise mobiles for shorter range radio communications while haulage companies use HF radios with multiple modes for their long distance communication requirements. The most popular and commonly seen radio is the portable radio. These devices provide two way communications over short range distances for talking with other portable radio users or for receiving communications from a base.

A fundamental requirement of portable radios is to be reliable. With many emergency services utilising radio communications including ambulances, police patrols and fire services, it’s vital that information can be passed remotely from base to the operatives out on the job and vice versa. As a consequence, modern two way radios such as those developed by Vertex are more reliable and robust than ever. A massive progression in features, performance and capabilities has ensured that today’s next generation of radios are providing new standards of reliability in the field.

Latest Vertex two way radios have multiple and ingenious new features. One of these is called ‘stun’ mode. This is commonly used in situations such as stolen taxis whereby the portable radio can be remotely switched off and prevented from use by the thief with a “stun”.

Another great feature on Vertex radios is called ‘Lone Worker’ mode. This is ideal forportable radio operators working in dangerous situations such as in prisons, on police patrols or on security night shifts. The portable radio can be set with a predetermined time limit that requires a reset from the worker. If the radio isn’t reset, an automatic emergency alarm is raised. This great feature could realistically save a life, all due to a modern radio!

Another innovation on latest Vertex two way radios that you might not be aware of is the ‘out of range alerter’. If you’ve ever worked in a team of portable radio operators, one of the most commonly encountered issues is being unable to get in touch with a colleague. Now there’s no excuse. If a member of the team is out of range, the Vertex two way radio will detect this automatically and after two minutes, will emit a bleeping noise to alert the operator. This can help prevent any team member using a radio from becoming unreachable.

With latest Vertex two way radios providing a whole range of great features specifically designed with the typical radio operator and their profession in mind, it’s definitely worth looking online for the latest specifications and features to match the right model to your specific needs.