Installing communication devices in your vehicle can drastically change and improve the way you conduct your work on the road. With the right technology, users can extend the hours they are out of the office without sacrificing work quality while on the road.
Industries like public safety including police officers and first responders, road crew teams, public transportation, and delivery services are all candidates for vehicle communications technology. Accessories like in-vehicle routers, in-vehicle two-way radio chargers, and vehicle antennas create a cohesive communications vehicle.
With this technology workers in the above professions can access the internet, keep their life-saving radios charged, and keep their cars connected to frequencies. Learn more about these communications accessories to determine which ones you can benefit from using in your vehicles.
In-Vehicle Router:
In-vehicle routers are powerful communications accessories to add to any vehicle. They are great for numerous reasons including adding LTE, WiFi, and/or ethernet connection, GPS, internet security, and 5G connections to your car.
We recommend Cradlepoint as the top brand for in-vehicle routers. These routers are designed for police officers, firefighters, and public safety officials. As a result, the routers are ruggedized for vibration, shock, dust, splash, and humidity ensuring a long life for the routers.
Moreover, the Cradlepoint routers are made to be certified by the Public Safety Network to make them ready to use for police officers and more. Public Safety Networks or PSN are great for in-vehicle access so while on the road responding to emergencies workers can guarantee private and uninterrupted access.
These routers also offer security including multi-zone firewalls, IDS/IPS, and general internet security. With this additional protection, these routers are optimal for anyone looking for a private and secure internet connection while on the road.
Lastly, in-vehicle routers provide GPS for location tracking. This data can be present or historic so main offices can track where a vehicle is in the present time and where it used to be on the road.
In-Vehicle Chargers:
In-vehicle chargers for two-way radios are another great tool to transform your vehicle for communications. This accessory is great because it can charge your radio while on the road. As a result, professionals can be out of the office for extended periods.
This flexibility is an advantage for industries like delivery drivers and public transportation. In-vehicle chargers have a small footprint and are easy to install. Most models also come with a mounting bracket and tie-down straps for floor or dash mounting.
Waveband in-vehicle chargers also feature an AC adapter, a wall plug, interchangeable adapter plates, and a VPA. The interchangeable adapter plates are great because you will not need a new charger if you upgrade or change your radios. A VPA or vehicle power adapter is useful for professionals who may change vehicles.
Most in-vehicle chargers take 3-4 hours to fully charge a two-way radio battery. The batteries are also able to charge while still attached to the radio. Overall, in-vehicle chargers for two-way radios were designed for convenience and emergencies.
Antenna:
Antennas for vehicle communication are much more than just your traditional FM/AM radio antenna. Vehicular antennas are used for internet or Wi-Fi, GPS, cellular connection, and access to extended bands of connection.
These are very similar to the in-vehicle routers, but they offer one step more—extended bands of radio connectivity. Vehicle antennas help ensure your radio has signal and connection even in remote areas or on the other hand, dense cities where interruptions are frequent.
There are four types of vehicle antennas to enhance your vehicle communications abilities. The four types include whip, fin, low-profile, and GPS. The GPS antenna only offers location services.
Whip antennas are thin wires that look similar to traditional vehicle antennas. These are great for delivery drivers, public transportation, road crew teams, and more. They offer internet connection, GPS, cellular, and radio connection.
Fin vehicle antennas look like a small shark fin on top of the vehicle. These are often used for police vehicles, fire trucks, and other public safety vehicles. The last option is the low-profile antennas. These are great for undercover police officers as they provide the same levels of connection while not calling attention.
In-vehicle routers, radio chargers, and antennas are all important accessories that ensure your vehicle is equipped to handle critical communications. Those who work in professions where they are constantly on the go like delivery drivers, public transport drivers, and public safety can highly benefit from these accessories.
If your vehicles are equipped with the above communications tools, it doesn’t hurt to make sure they are up to date. Having the latest communications technology improves connection rates and thus safety.
If you have any questions about the accessories or which ones will work best for your needs or radios, please feel free to contact our team of experts.
