Communication within school (mobiles or 2-way radios?)

[Edu-IT]

I thought you had Ruckus James?

We have some kind of paging system in place, or we did. It's still installed but there's no software for it yet. I believe that is one way only though.

[localzuk]

I have some documentation on a Motorola solution at work, which is a 'converged radio/phone' solution. You have a device on the network which can transfer phone calls to certain motorola radios. So you can have both functions with radios and phone capabilities. I'll dig them out on Monday if you want?

[chinesewhispers]

These look interesting (and nice and small, some of our staff are female, and don't have pockets/belts to clip to, so size will be important)

Motorola XTL PMR446 radio

and maybe one of these for the office

Desktop PMR446 radio

It'll be to communicate within my team, so not looking for a 'whole school' solution (they already have about 20 other handsets used between premises staff, security, cleaners, pastoral etc all on the same channel). As long as it can be isolated from them (I'm not interested which toilets are open every 10 minutes!).

Thanks for the info so far, I'll let you know how I get on.

[laserblazer]

In theory, all PMR446 performance is going to be much of a muchness because the spec. is tied to 500mw into an inefficient aerial. Some models perform better because the receiver is more sensitive. Coverage across a large site is going to be iffy", especially if there are some thick walls and other obstructions. So borrow some radios and try it first. You may find that, by the time ypu have forked out for a decent bit of kit, that mobile phones are the cheaper option.

[localzuk]

Ok, found the information regarding the Motorola system. They call it 'Motorola Total Enterprise Access and Mobility (TEAM)'.

That system allows you to have an integrated VoWLAN/Radio/Mobile setup. TEAM VoWLAN Solution - Motorola USA

[mbrunt]

if you do go with personal radios (even if you buy pro licensed ones) never to disclose personal info over them. it could come back to haunt you!