Zetron
Zetron Inc. launched the Model Z907 PCS Fault Finder, which provides fast
notification of power amplifier and antenna problems at personal communications services sites. The PCS Fault Finder
monitors forward radio-frequency power and antenna return loss in the 1.8 GHz to 2.0 GHz frequency band. It also
features user-adjustable thresholds that generate an alarm output when RF power or antenna return loss falls below the
threshold value. The company also announced the CellPhone Detector Plus for use in areas within power plants,
hospitals, industrial plants and other facilities where sensitive electronic equipment could malfunction due to
electromagnetic interference caused by nearby use of wireless communications devices. Upon detecting cellular phone
or two-way radio transmissions, the CellPhone Detector Plus sounds an alarm followed by a voice message requesting
the user turn their device off immediately. It can detect both analog and digital phones and sound an alarm even if the
cellular phone is in standby mode. (425) 820-6363.
Cobra Electronics
Cobra Electronics Corp. introduced the
MicroTalk FRS-310WX, a Family Radio Service model that includes a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association
10-channel weather receiver. The water-resistant two-way radio measures 4 inches high and weighs fewer than 8
ounces. It has 14 channels and 38 sub-channels, making 532 addressable channels available, and is powered by four
AAA batteries. Alkaline batteries provide up to 24 hours of use, while available rechargeable NiMH batteries supply up
to 20 hours of use. A removable belt clip and wrist strap are included with each unit. Cobra will ship the MicroTalk
FRS-310WX in June, at a suggested price of $150. (773) 889-8870.
Citel
Citel Inc. announced a new line of
coaxial surge protectors for wireless systems, microwaves, radio antennas, global positioning systems and satellite
systems. The coaxial surge suppressors use gas tube technology and are available in N, BNC, TNC, SMA and 7/16.
Citel P8AX coaxial protectors are available for any power from 1 watt to 1,000 watts, and any frequency from direct
current up to 3 GHz. They also feature very low Voltage Standing Wave Ratio and insertion loss. (800) 248-3548 or
(305) 621-0022.
Hirschmann
A new hands-free kit for L.M. Ericsson and Motorola Inc. mobile phones is
available from Hirschmann Inc. The kit consists of a base unit equipped with a built-in speaker, volume control,
headset port and external antenna port. The kit charges the phone batteries while in the pocket located on the base unit,
so a driver can use the phone even if the batteries are low or dead. The pockets are designed for either Ericsson 300
Series, LX 77 Series or LX 100 Series phones. They also accommodate Motorola Flips, Concert, MicroTac Lite, DPC
650, Dimensions 4000, Teltacs or America phones. (800) 225-0524.
Anritsu
Anritsu Co. introduced the
MS8607A Digital Mobile Radio Transmitter Tester that measures performance of wideband Code Division Multiple
Access and Interim Standard-95 devices. Covering the 300 kHz to 3 GHz frequency range, the tester combines four
instruments and offers modulation analysis and code domain power measurement functions. The MS8607A integrates a
spectrum analyzer (with a frequency range of 10 MHz to 3 GHz), transmitter tester, a thermocouple power meter level
range of 0 to +40 dBm and analog measurement functions for Total Access Communication Systems, J-TACS and
Advanced Mobile Phone Services into one unit. (972) 644-1777.
Bird Electronic
Bird Electronic Corp.
introduced the Site Analyzer. Operating in the 806-2000 MHz frequency range, it can be used to test analog or digital
cellular, data, paging, personal communications services and specialized mobile radio and enhanced SMR antenna
systems. The Site Analyzer features a full-color display and a self-contained analytical system that allows for
comparison field testing without an external personal computer. The company said it also offers superior immunity to
interfering signals, precise fault location, improved storage capacity, a field-replacement three-hour lithium ion battery
and the ability to store scans in their native format. (440) 248-1200 ext. 2207.
Supra Products
Supra Products
Inc. introduced the TRAC-Station, a general-purpose electronic controller that operates a variety of electrified locking
devices. Once the TRAC-Station activates an access control device, it can operate devices such as electrified, mortised
and cylindrical lock-sets, strikes, panic bars, power gates and overhead doors. In addition to providing access, TRAC-
Station also can activate other electronic devices, such as close-circuit television. One of its primary features is that it
can activate and de-activate a local alarm zone, alleviating the concern over false alarms or unidentified entrance. For
users who need direct power, TRAC-Station can be operated by either 24-volt direct current or by using a 110
alternating current transformer. It also can be powered by a battery pack using AAA alkaline batteries. TRAC-Station
list prices range from $650 to $900, depending on configurations. (800) 547-0252.
LGC Wireless
LGC Wireless
introduced a Global System for Mobile communications version of its repeater called the PCS Extender. The PCS
Extender provides coverage to outdoor GSM networks, retail stores, office complexes, shopping malls, hospitals,
parking garages and campus environments. It weighs less than 20 pounds and is ideal for relatively small areas or,
when used in conjunction with LGC Wireless’ patented LGCell distributed antenna system, for large buildings and
professional campuses. (408) 487-2400.
Antenex
The Antenex Trapper lightning arrester for sensitive radio
equipment is now available from Antenex. The gold anodized lightning trapper limits surges to 45 volts in
approximately 100 nanoseconds. A gas discharge tube changes from an open circuit to a short circuit in the presence of
a voltage surge, giving those surges a direct path to the ground, thus protecting the radio equipment. From 0-1000
MHz, one model covers the entire land mobile radio spectrum. Insertion loss is less than 0.1dB up to 500 MHz and less
than 0.25dB up to 1000 MHz. (630) 351-9007.
RF Industries
RF Industries announced the release of the RFN-
1002-2L2 N male solder clamp connector designed for use with LMR-600 low-loss cable from Times Microwave. All
N series connectors for LMR-600 cable feature silver-plated bodies, gold-plated contacts and Teflon insulations. (800)
233-1728.
Fujitsu
Fujitsu Microelectronics Inc. is a new family of Phase Locked Loop frequency synthesizer
chips. The new SL series applies a BiComplementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor process and enhanced design
techniques to improve every performance parameter. The SL series comprises seven devices, ranging from the 1.2 GHz
MB15E03SL single serial input synthesizer to the MB15F08SL 2.5 GHz/1.2 GHZ dual Radio Frequency PLL device.
These advanced PLLs are designed to meet requirements for wireless products supporting Advanced Mobile Phone
Service, Interim Standard-54-136 Time Division Multiple Access, IS-95 Code Division Multiple Access, Global
System for Mobile communications, Digital Cellular System 1800, Personal Communications Services 1900, Digital
European Cordless Telecommunications, Industrial Scientific Medical cordless, wireless local area network, 15M900
and 15M2400 applications. The SL series is available in standard 16-pin packages or in Fujitsu’s new bump chip car
rier
ultra small chip-size packages. Pricing for members of the series begins at $1.45 in volumes of 10,000 units or more.
(800) 866-8606.
Magellan
Magellan Corp. launched its GSC 100 global satel
lite communicator after recently
receiving Canadian type approval. The GSC 100 offers two-way text messaging capabilities via the Orbcomm low-
earth-orbit satellite network. The unit also features a Magellan global positioning system receiver for positioning and
navigation. Users can send and receive text messages to and from any Internet e-mail address or other GSC 100s
anywhere in the world for a penny a character. The waterproof transceiver can be used as a handheld terminal,
operating on its rechargeable NiCad battery pack, or it can use an external power source. It weighs 37 ounces and is
priced at $999. (909) 394-5000.
Nexus
Nexus Telocation Systems Ltd. introduced the APnet Supervisory
Control and Data Acquisition network center, which provides one or two-way communication between large numbers
of remote units and a control center or base station. The system performs functions such as event/alarm management
and remote network elements control. In addition, the two-way wide area network offers application database services.
The network includes transceivers, receiver base stations and a network control center. Some common applications for
the system include home security, vending machine management and remote utility meter reading. (972-3) 571-
0226.
Motorola
Motorola Inc.’s Network Solutions Sector announced it is offering a single software package to
enhance Code Division Multiple Access call quality features. This “one-stop-shopping” product offering
will enable operators to enhance the quality of CDMA networks without incurring additional hardware costs.
According to Motorola, the new software is designed to increase the quality of soft hand-off procedures and reduce the
time required for the cellular network to set up a call. Soft hand-off is a method of call processing that provides
uninterrupted voice transmission while a caller travels from one cell to another. Commercial release of the software
suite is targeted for the first quarter of 1999, said the company.
The company also is offering CDMA operators the
ability to expand their customers’ digital cellular roaming capabilities with its Service Option Negotiation solution.
SON software sets up the commands by which a cellular base station communicates with the cellular handsets
throughout the system, said Motorola. The handsets all must speak the same language as the network. With NSS’
Service Option Negotiation, customers who currently have 8K enhanced variable rate coder call quality can take their
digital features with them when they roam throughout Motorola NSS-based networks. (800) 331-
6456.
Ameritec
Ameritec Corp. introduced the AM-440 TestMate, a device to test twisted copper pairs. The
AM-440 responds to Dual Tone Multi Frequency commands and uses voice responses to acknowledge commands. A
technician can command it to open, short, ground or terminate the pair. In addition, the TestMate can send a variety of
tones from voice frequencies to Digital Data System, Integrated Services Digital Network, High bit rate Digital
Subscriber Line and xDSL frequencies. The TestMate can perform multimeter and transmission tests without the use of
a second technician or test center. (626) 915-5441.
American Mobile Satellite
American Mobile Satellite Corp.
introduced its new SkyTouch credit card satellite pay phones, for use with the company’s SkyCell satellite telephone
service. The SkyTouch pay phones, manufactured by International Connectors and Cable Corp., will accept various
credit cards for use, as well as SkyMinutes satellite debit cards. AMSC plans for the phones to be usable in areas
outside of landline and terrestrial wireless coverage, such as remote lodges, park and recreation areas and cruise ships.
(703) 758-6000.
Tektronix
Tektronix Inc. announced the addition of Interim Standard-136 test features (Option
B84) for the CMD80 Radiocommunication Test Set. Option B84 enables the CMD80 to address the major North
American wireless standards as well as key worldwide standards with a single instrument. The CMD80 with Option
B84 offers half-rate channel support, peak and statistical adjacent channel power measurements and carrier switching
time measurements, among other things. The CMD80 Option B84 is available and priced at $10,000 when ordered with
a new CMD80, or $10,800 when ordered as an upgrade. The CMD80 is priced starting at $42,165. (800) 426-
2200.
Cushcraft
Cushcraft Corp. introduced its Squint ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band patch
antenna. The antenna provides for reception in the 2400-2500 MHz frequency band. The radiation has a 55-degree
beamwidth with the maximum directed at 45 degrees from the horizontal plane. The gain at the horizon is 2.5 dBi. The
Squint ISM antenna also features an air dielectric design called MicroAir, which eliminates the losses associated with
etched circuit boards. It measures 4 inches by 4 inches and weighs about a quarter of a pound. Applications for Squint
include wireless telephone booths, industrial complexes, shopping malls, airports, hospitals and more. (603) 627-
7877.
Xircom
Xircom Inc. introduced a new Integrated Services Digital Network data modem for its
GlobalAccess RealPort line of modems, called the RealPort ISDN Connection Kit. The kit adds ISDN connectivity to
the modems, which already support public switched telephone network and Global System for Mobile communications
and cellular networks. (800) 438-4526.
Telemac
Telemac Corp. introduced new enhancements to its prepaid
wireless phones, which will permit rapid activation of Telemac-Enabled Philips Isis phones, make it easier for
consumers to refresh credit balances and provide more real-time billing and rate information to users. Shared
Technologies Cellular Inc., which uses Telemac prepaid technology, activated the enhancements in October of 1998.
Telemac also announced STC is launching two new retail programs for enhanced Telemac-Enabled Philips Isis phones.
Under these programs, branded CellEase and It’s About Choices, STC will offer a national local per-minute rate of 79
cents with all telecom taxes included, said Telemac. (925) 838-2400.
Ora Electronics
Ora Electronics Inc.
introduced Park & Talk, a desktop unit that turns a portable cellular phone or personal communications services
handset into a hands-free speaker phone. Park & Talk contains an auxiliary microphone for dispatch applications with
integrated Digital Enhanced Network handsets. In addition, Park & Talk features a dual-port battery charger that
automatically charges the phone’s battery, as well as an auxiliary battery, said Ora. (818) 772-
2700.
MapInfo
MapInfo Corp. and Northwood Geoscience Ltd. announced the release of deciBel Planner 1.1,
the newest version of their Windows-based radio-frequency propagation modeling software that now supports paging
network planning. DeciBel Planner allows paging companies to build network coverage areas based on the probability
that a signal will be captured by a receiver, and overlay this information with demographic and geographic data, said
MapInfo. Engineers also can compare RF propagation results with field tests, select transmission tower locations and
distribute the information via MapInfo Professional to other departments. MapInfo said deciBel Planner now is
available for $19,000 for a single-user license. (800) 327-8627.
Genesis Group
The Genesis Group introduced
GenWatch, its end-user logging software program designed to show Motorola Inc. trunking system operators who is
talkin
g on their systems. This Windows 95/98/NT compatible software tags each radio unit with an indicator.
Emergency, problem, abuser, stolen or no problem are all indicators the program might use. As a call is received,
GenWatch beeps o
r plays a verbal message to let the user know when a tagged unit is talking, said the company.
According to Joel Fream, senior engineer for American Airlines, Genesis is an “inexpensive way to take an
electronic inventory of every radio accessing the system.” (903) 561-6673.
Spectrian
Spectrian Corp.
introduced PowerStack, its new family of high-power multicarrier amplifiers for wireless base stations. PowerStack is
available in multiple configurations with up to four 100-watt modules in standard 19- or 23-inch racks. Among other
features, the PowerStack multicarrier power amplifier system integrates a combiner and amplifier into a single unit,
reducing space requirements and lowering maintenance costs, said Spectrian. The company said it is targeting cellular
and wireless local loop markets with Advanced Mobile Phone Service, Time Division Multiple Access and Code
Division Multiple Access networks operating in the 869-894 MHz frequency band. (408) 745-
5400.
Trillium
Trillium Digital Systems Inc. introduced its MAP-GSM Phase 2+ protocol software, an enhanced
version of its original Mobile Application Part for Global System for Mobile communications software product. The
current GSM Phase 2 protocol software supports services such as caller ID, call forwarding, conferencing and voice
mail. But recent advancements of the GSM protocol by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute have
created a need for an enhanced software product that could support advanced GSM Phase 2+ services, said Trillium.
(310) 442-9222.
