The Responder - December 2012

December 2012 Issue 7

Greetings!

The narrowbanding deadline is fast approaching. We know there are some organizations still working to meet this deadline, and EFJohnson remains fully prepared to help them quickly and efficiently comply with this mandate.

As you know, in 2004 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an order requiring all public safety and business industrial land mobile radio systems operating in the 150-512 MHz radio bands to cease using 25 kHz efficiency technology by the end of 2012. These organizations must begin using at least 12.5 kHz efficiency technology on January 1, 2013. This order was the result of two decades of work by the FCC to provide greater spectrum access for public safety and non-public safety users, as well as to ensure more efficient use of the spectrum. The migration will create additional channel capacity on the radio spectrum, ultimately supporting more users.

Organizations that do not meet this deadline may be subject to action by the FCC, which could include monetary fines or loss of their licenses.

If your organization has not yet started the migration, meeting the January 1, 2013 deadline may seem like an impossible task. However, EFJohnson has several solutions available that can be implemented before the deadline.

One option is our ATLAS P25 Systems Solution, a robust system that not only addresses narrowbanding, but also offers a seamless path to interoperability. The beauty of ATLAS is that you can start small and build a larger system over time, as capacity demands and as your budget allows. By simply adding new plug-and-play sites, the system is easily expanded with limited operational impact.

ATLAS is the most reliable system currently available in the marketplace. Since ATLAS is designed with our patented distributed architecture, the system will continue to operate even with a single point of failure.

EFJohnson's subscriber lines offer another option for helping you meet the narrowbanding deadline. Our Viking and ES series radios provide the best value without sacrificing quality. With a wide selection of public safety radios to choose from, EFJohnson has a radio with the features you need in a price range that meets your budget.

We have also extended some of our radio trade-in promotions through the end of this year, making our radios even more affordable. Your dealer or EFJohnson sales representative can provide more details about our trade-in opportunities.

EFJohnson is committed to providing communications solutions that are best suited to our customers' specific requirements and budgets, and we are well-positioned to help you meet the narrowbanding transition head on.

I encourage you to contact your dealer or sales representative to learn more about how we can specifically help you address the narrowbanding migration, or any of your other mission-critical communications needs.

Sincerely,

Andy Adams, CEO

EFJohnson Technologies

EFJohnson offers you an opportunity to learn a smarter way to P25 without leaving the comfort of your office. The International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) and Urgent Communications are offering a preview of our products and system solutions during a one-day virtual trade show. Originally planned for October, the trade show is now scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, 2012.

The IWCE/Urgent Communications Virtual Trade Show brings communications technology professionals together with key vendors to address today's most critical questions. The convenient, interactive trade show includes three informative webinars. It also includes a virtual exhibit hall featuring the exhibitors signed on for IWCE 2013, so participants can receive their first look at the latest advancements in communications technology.

EFJohnson's virtual trade show booth will offer a closer look at our ATLAS P25 Systems Solution. By using smarter engineering, ATLAS' patented distributed architecture provides customers the most reliable, flexible solution in the industry for the lowest cost of ownership. The Viking VP600, 51FIRE ES and other P25-compliant portable and mobile radios will also be spotlighted.

Registration for the IWCE/Urgent Communications Virtual Trade Show is free, and participants will automatically be registered to receive a free exhibit hall pass to IWCE 2013. Click here to register for the virtual trade show.

Christian Barker, director of product management for EFJohnson, will share his insights and expertise about how advances in technology are resulting in new communications tools for the fire industry during a panel discussion at the 2013 International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE). The conference takes place March 11-15 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The panel, titled "The Evolution of Firefighter Communications," will review the latest technologies and software that are now available to the fire industry, as well as address the new National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines affecting the manufacturing, design and certification of hand-held radios. Panel participants will also take a futuristic look at where fire service communications will be in 10 years.

Barker joined EFJohnson in August 2011 as director of product management. Previously, he worked with Northrop Grumman in Virginia managing communications equipment for new aircraft carrier construction. Barker also served as a product manager for public safety communication product lines with Harris Corporation.

IWCE offers professionals in the communications technology industry an opportunity to touch the most innovative new technologies, connect with colleagues from around the world and attend an expansive conference program of training, workshops and sessions on specific trends and applications. It also allows participants to network with more than 330 leading suppliers showcasing the latest products and services.

For more information about IWCE, visit www.iwceexpo.com.

To help make the holidays just a little brighter for families in need, EFJohnson employees are once again collecting unwrapped toys and accepting financial contributions for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The toy collection drive, which has become a highly anticipated holiday tradition since the company sponsored its first campaign several years ago, takes place through December 14.

This year, to augment employee donations, EFJohnson's engineering group used the money it collected from recycling old electronic items to purchase additional toys for the drive. A total of $1,600 from the recycling fund was used to purchase dozens of items from Toys R Us.

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to economically disadvantaged children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. By helping less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas, we are playing an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable resources - our children.

EFJohnson is a proud supporter of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program and the Wounded Warrior Project. For more information about these organizations, visit http://www.toysfortots.org

or http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

In This Issue

Message From Our CEO

IWCE Virtual Trade Show - December 12

Christian Barker Joins Panel on Firefighter Communications at IWCE 2013

EFJ Employees Participate in Toys for Tots Program

Expert Insight - Simulcasting P25