How Two-Way Radio Systems Improve Schools and Universities

Two-way radio systems keep the information lines open, making them crucial to any school’s or university’s communication network alongside other channels.

The benefits of two-way radio for schools during emergencies, lockdowns, sports events, and day-to-day activities create a safer and more cohesive environment in ways other devices and communication channels cannot.

How Schools and Universities Use Two-Way Radio Systems for Security

Schools, universities, and other educational institutions that use two-way radio systems can overcome many of the issues that cell phones and internet-based devices face.

Two of the most common problems include poor reception and network congestion when large numbers of people try to make simultaneous calls. Two-way radio systems, combined with quality RF (radio frequency) conditioning products and services, provide educational institutions with customized local radio networks that prioritize: 

• Durability during extreme weather events 
• Coverage in locations lacking cell phone reception 
• Effective communication across broad areas 
• Enhanced clarity of speech in noisy environments 

Two-Way Radios Systems for Lockdowns

Using radio systems for lockdowns means teachers, school personnel, and security can remain connected across a shared frequency without making multiple phone calls between individuals. Radio users can still communicate critical information while everyone is confined to their rooms during a security threat — even in areas that lack cell phone coverage

Two-way radios can also work if the power grid fails, giving school staff an effective means of communicating with emergency responders and each other to maintain everyone’s safety.

Two-Way Radios for Emergencies

Medical or otherwise, emergencies happen without much, if any, warning. Although staff members will likely have a cell phone on their person, there is no guarantee that phone calls will go through — especially if that location has a weak network service or a signal blind spot. There is also a chance that the other person does not pick up the call.

Using two-way radio for emergencies overcomes this barrier by broadcasting to all devices on the channel. If one person fails to respond, others will hear and respond to the emergency on the same frequency. This broadcast reduces reaction times and the need to make multiple phone calls until someone picks up.

Keeping All Staff and Personnel Updated on Potential Threats

From 2019 to 2020, 70% of public schools reported at least one violent incident on campus, from threats to fights and incidents involving weapons. Responding to potential and actual threats requires resilient communication strategies that let school personnel coordinate with emergency first responders and bus drivers during evacuations.

With live updates between radio users, two-way radio for schools and universities also enables schools to react quickly as a situation unfolds.

How Schools and Universities Use Two-Way Radio Systems During Events

Using two-way radio systems for security, emergency responses, and school and university event coordination ensures a safe experience for everyone.

TX RX products, like our range of T-Pass Combiners, allow educational institutions to outfit radio antennae with multiple transmitters to access more network channels. This enhanced access allows different departments to communicate without interference and simultaneously use the radio communication network during events.

Live Performances

Schools can coordinate live stage and musical performances and synchronize every part using the latest two-way radio technology. Through two-way radio for live performances, efficient behind-the-scenes and on-stage communication can occur regardless of background noise. Radio devices can also aid in managing and moving crowds and reporting accidents.

Sport Events

Two-way radios are also valuable for sports events and other noisy environments. School athletes, coaches, and safety personnel can use two-way radio networks to communicate instantly with equipment managers, support staff, and referees without leaving the field.

Using Two-Way Radios to Locate Staff or Students

Searching for a staff member or student on campus can take additional time when using standard messaging apps or mobile phones. Broadcasting audio across a radio frequency reduces that time significantly.

Whether participating in a coordinated search effort or collecting information from others, radio users can locate a missing person quicker through a radio broadcast than by searching the grounds alone.

Communicating with Maintenance Personnel

Maintenance personnel sometimes carry out building and grounds maintenance during school hours for routine or emergency repairs. Two-way radio communication systems allow staff to stay informed on maintenance progress to ensure students remain out of specified areas.

Radio devices also improve staff coordination when moving classes and activities away from the maintenance work, preventing available spaces such as gyms and classrooms from being accidentally double-booked.

Why Radio Communication Systems Are Better for Education

Besides the many uses of two-way radio for education, three core benefits improve the safety and communication abilities of all radio users in any scenario.

Instant and Clear Communication in Noisy Environments

Gyms, sports grounds, stages, and classrooms can be noisy environments that prevent clear and concise communication on most standard mobile devices.

Two-way radio systems engineered with noise reduction and voice amplification capabilities reduce background noise from interfering with critical communications. The nature of radio technology also means all communications are broadcasted and received instantly, without delays from connection issues or missed calls.

Reliable Communication During Severe Weather Events

Weather emergencies can reduce the effectiveness of cell towers or cause power outages. And during extreme weather events, cell towers can become overloaded as many people attempt to make calls. 

Two-way radios remove these barriers by providing a communication channel through the institution’s radio antennae, designed to work effectively during severe weather. The communication system is equally effective on backup generator power as on main power.

Local Radio Systems Don’t Rely on Cell Phone or Internet Signal

Blind spots in cell phone reception are widespread across a given area. This can result from a location’s distance from a cell tower or surrounding buildings that block the signal. Additionally, Wi-Fi networks have a limited range, and mobile internet signals must rely on cell phone coverage. 

Radio networks can overcome the coverage challenges of Wi-Fi and cell phone networks through RF conditioning field services. RF professionals can optimize radio networks for an educational institution’s location and geography through professional testing and conditioning. Doing so removes blind spots, boosts signal strength, and provides a more resilient network that continues to function throughout the grounds.

For more information on two-way radio for schools, contact TX RX, the industry leader in RF technology solutions.