Worldwide Push To Talk radio

Unlike a satellite phone, the Icom IC-SAT100 will provide radio service to users with the push of a PTT (Push to Talk) button. It can be used as a communication tool in remote and isolated areas where there is no mobile phone or landline network infrastructure. Also, in the event radio or cellular network infrastructure may be rendered unusable by human or natural disasters, satellite communication can provide a stable and reliable backup solution.

The device uses Iridium satellite network which covers the whole earth, including both poles and can provide wide area global communication anywhere on the planet. Using 66 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites it provides broader, more reliable network coverage compared to Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) satellites. So, someone at the North Pole could talk to someone at the South Pole. According to Icom there’s no other two way PTT device that can do this.

Latency is incredibly low on the IC-SAT100. The delay is roughly 500 milliseconds, the same as it would be for any trunked radio system. Voice quality on the IC-SAT100 is superb and the radio is also MIL spec, waterproof and rugged.

Icom has also introduced the VE-PG4, a radio-over-IP (RoIP) gateway that is based on LTE technology. It acts as a gateway which acts as an interconnection to various devices including PMR, LTE/PoC Radio, IP Phones and also maritime and aviation radio. So, this is an ideal solution for those who want global communications while being able to connect local technology.

By Jake Frith