On Course communications Cancel The title field is required!

1. Curtis Nickerson

   

   0 posts
   
   1/11/2012 8:01 AM

   Hello All,
   We currently have a few key people with nextel's and this is our primary source of communication. Unfortunately we are located in a bit of a "dead spot" for sprint nextel so reception is poor at best. Most of the time I end up calling them on their own personal cell phone to reach them. I am considering going with the traditional 2-way radio (walkie talkie) We have several licensed frequencies from the fcc, we have an extra antenna tower we would just have the start up costs of the repeater and radios. I have found a great source for these and can get 12 radios and the repeater (and needed hardware) for around $4500. This would give me the ability to communicate with 12 staffers rather then 4. And would save me on monthly nextel charges.
   
   What I would like to know is, what is everyone else using, is there a better way?
   Thanks

   
   
   
   
2. Curtis Nickerson

   

   0 posts
   
   1/11/2012 8:01 AM

   Hello All,
   We currently have a few key people with nextel's and this is our primary source of communication. Unfortunately we are located in a bit of a "dead spot" for sprint nextel so reception is poor at best. Most of the time I end up calling them on their own personal cell phone to reach them. I am considering going with the traditional 2-way radio (walkie talkie) We have several licensed frequencies from the fcc, we have an extra antenna tower we would just have the start up costs of the repeater and radios. I have found a great source for these and can get 12 radios and the repeater (and needed hardware) for around $4500. This would give me the ability to communicate with 12 staffers rather then 4. And would save me on monthly nextel charges.
   
   What I would like to know is, what is everyone else using, is there a better way?
   Thanks

   
   
   
   
3. Heath Puckett

   

   0 posts
   
   1/11/2012 9:01 AM

   We have 4 full time, 4-8 seasonal, one mechanic, one assistant, and myself, and only 3 irrigation radios. Due to the lack of communication tools, I have allowed personal cell phones to be carried on the property in the past....on 3 conditions: ringer must be turned off, personal calls/texts are kept to a strict minimum, and in return, I may call them during the day for work-related issues.
   
   With the proliferation of smart phones, facebook, apps, etc., it is not in the best interest of the operation to continue in this manner. I have been working on getting approval to purchase 2-way radios for the entire staff so that the issue of personal cell phone use during working hours is eliminated. Either way, we must have some way to communicate with everyone for the sake of safety and efficiency.

   
   
   
   
4. Andrew Cross

   

   5 posts
   
   1/11/2012 10:01 AM

   We use 2 way radios here as well. I only have 4 of them, myself, asst, mechanic, and foreman. If they forget them on their cart then I call their cell phones.
   
   When I got here we had 4 radios that worked very sporadically, I used that and the fact we needed to upgrade irrigation to narrow band as my big push for new radios.
   
   You can never have too much communication with your staff just make sure they don't turn it into a party line. Sometimes silence is golden!

   
   
   
   
5. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   1/11/2012 12:01 PM

   For that price, I would jump on it. We were quoted about $3,600 last year for just a new repeater using our existing antennae and radios.
   
   My staff also carries cell phones, that the company supplies. We get a big bulk discount because we have so many, and most of them are restricted so they can only call each other. Each phone ends up costing me about $15/month. We still have some two-way radios, but some things are just better said over a private line.

   
   
   
   
6. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   1/11/2012 2:01 PM

   Our Parks department uses cell phones, supervisors at a certain level have phone capabilities, the few that filter down to the crew are only two way radio's basically, but as Andy says, they are direct connects. We have a spare that hardly gets used, we don't pay anything, mine is about $5 a month, I guess because I don't use it much for a phone, our mechanic who uses his as his only phone since he travels from shop to shop cost about $15 per month. I wish he would use the shop phone for outgoing calls but since I'm not his boss....
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
7. McCallum David K

   
   1/12/2012 12:01 PM

   You pay $5 a month for your phone (or someone does if not you personally) and the mechanic's bill is $15 and you WISH HE WOULD USE THE SHOP PHONE to cut down on the expense? You'd have a minor coronary if you saw ours.

   
   
   
   
8. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   1/12/2012 7:01 PM

   David, I got thinking later, I guess when he makes a call, if it's not an 1-800- number it might be cheaper the way he is doing it, but are you surprised when you see my posts in other areas of the forum?
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO