2011, a Wiscomm year-end review

We have made it a tradition to write these year-end summaries and hopefully chronicle and excite our incredibly loyal customer base we have been blessed to grow over the past few years. This year has been nothing less then phenomenal, we all have read how the economy has continued to languish worldwide, that makes us especially proud to highlight our nearly a 50% year-over-year sales growth.

This unprecedented sales growth come from a number of factors. First has to be our no nonsense sales approach, this along with our new web store launch, the continued growth of our new radios sales with awesome partners like Blackbox and Titan Radios, a very healthy flow of our used radio sales and the addition of supporting product lines like our Astron Power Supplies, E/M-Wave Antenna Line and our private label programming cables.

Looking forward to 2012 we have a number of initiatives planned, here is sneak peek of our plans:

• The addition of our private label "Wiscomm" brand of remote speaker microphones and audio accessories.
• A launch of a business-line with the focus on the communication needs of the hospitality industry.
• Adding two or three more new radio lines.
• New, dedicated online stores for our programming cable and battery business.
• Expanded customer phone hours, we currently staff our phone lines from 9:00am to 3:00pm Central US time, while we offer email support from 7am-11pm Central US time.
• The addition of 2-3 sales associates serving the needs of our Wisconsin public safety clients and our nationwide hospitality clients.
• Expanding our Military and Federal Government sales team.
• A host of infrastructure improvements that will speed the processing of orders.

We can't finish the year without thanking our partners at Motorola Solutions. As mentioned in previous posts, we work with a core group of "Motorolans" that are really top notch, they help guide us through the minefield and "bomb-throwers", to that the Wiscomm team is truly grateful. Our growth has challenged our competition to rethink their business strategies and adapt, we think that is good for both Motorola and the communication industry as a whole. Business is changing, the communication industry is definitely changing and most importantly the funding platform to support public safety is changing, everyone must embrace and adapt.

This is an incredibly difficult business, heck all small business is hard. Harder then those who have never launched a small business will ever know. While we often get pulled in all different directions, one thing we always must remember is the customer. If there is ever anything we can do for you, please contact us personally, we remember who built this company.

Humbly, 

Craig Ochs

Mark Toole

Solution Providers, Wiscomm LLC

Exciting new Titan TR400 launches with Wiscomm

As a follow-up to the popular TR200 portables, our friends at Titan Radio have launched a the brand new TR400 line of portable radios. This new line is available in VHF 146-174 Mhz or UHF 450-470 Mhz featuring a full 5 / 4 watts of power and very generous 2 year warranty. The TR400 is both wide and narrowband ready so you are ready for the future.

The TR400 comes complete with LiIon battery, Drop-In Charger, Antenna, Carry Strap and all documentation.

The lowest advertised price on the the radio is $299 each, we strongly recommend you giving us a call and watch some of the magic we can do on pricing for quantity purchases. We will be beat ALL the major radio lines pricing.

Check the radios and the full line of TR400 accessories in our awesome online store at ShopWiscomm.com

End of the year specials from our great partners!

We are really happy to work with many great partners throughout the year, as we near the holiday season we are happy that several of them have stepped up to give some great discounts and offers. All these offers run through the December 31st.

BANTAM Portable Radios - We have worked with Klein Electronics to successfully launch the new Blackbox BANTAM series of portable radios. To make this radio even better we are offering a FREE 6-Shot Slim Bank Charger with every set of 6 radios purchased. For $1,149.00 you get 6 full 4/5-watt powered radios, your choice of VHF or UHF (fully programmable), an incredible two-year warranty all in a durable compact radio and popular 6-Shot Slim Bank Charger. This is a savings of $319.00, and is exclusive to Wiscomm. This is a very agressive deal!

GRE America / Alinco Amateur Radios - They have just announced savings of up to $80 on select scanners and Amateur Radios.

• PSR-700 - $189.00 Save $10
• PSR-310 - $169.00 Save $20
• PSR-410 - $169.00 Save $20
• PSR-500 - $389.00 Save $10
• PSR-600 - $389.00 Save $20
• DJ-175T VHF Portable - $99.00 Save $10, A full power VHF Amateur radio for under $100!
• DJ-G7T Tri-Band Portable - $289.00 Save $80
• DJ-V17 VHF Portable - $149.00 Save $10
• DJ-V27 220 Portable - $169.00 Save $10
• DJ-V47 UHF Portable - $179.00 Save $10
• DR-435TMK3 Mobile - $299.00 Save $10

Motorola Solutions is having an end of the year special on select batteries. If you need 10 or more of the following batteries, contact us for some magical pricing and offers.

• PMNN4065 TRBO
• PMNN4066 TRBO
• PMNN4069 TRBO
• PMNN4077 TRBO
• NNTN4496 CP-Series
• NNTN4497 CP-Series
• NNTN4851 CP-Series
• NNTN4852 CP-Series
• NNTN4970 CP-Series
• HNN4001 HT-Series
• HNN4002 HT-Series
• HNN4003 HT-Series
• HNN9008 HT-Series
• HNN9009 HT-Series
• HNN9010 HT-Series
• HNN9011 HT-Series
• HNN9012 HT-Series
• HNN9013 HT-Series
• NNTN7380 HT-Series

Finally, Look for some very aggressive pricing on our quality aftermarket programming cables. Wiscomm has always been known for our great quality programming cables, we have negotiated some awesome pricing. The warehouse is stocked and ready. We offer cables for Kenwood, Motorola and ICOM.

Motorola releases details about APX XE Remote Speaker Mic

We have gotten tremendous response on the announcement of Motorola's new Remote Speaker Microphone for the increasingly popular APX series radio. Motorola has just sent over some additional details on the new APX XE RSM - NNTN8203.

• XE RSM Target List Price between $275 - $300 USD.
• XE RSM requires APX Radio R7.11.5 firmware (December 2011 time frame).
• XE RSM will work with all APX Portable Radios.
• XE RSM only comes in High Impact Green color housing, no Black or Yellow.
• XE RSM does not have a control channel knob on top of the mic.
• XE RSM does not have a Secondary Audio Accessory connector.
• XE RSM does not have a Display.
• XE RSM will not be orderable until Dec 2011 timeframe. (NOT SHIPPING TILL Q1 2012)

We are expecting huge demand for this microphone as we are seeing a ton of APX portables entering the field lately and expect that number to grow in 2012 with the anticipated sunset of the XTS series. We will be announcing how we will be handling the waiting list for this product, likely in November. Based on past product launches this will likely be quite difficult to procure through 2012.

Here is the updated specifications:

XE Remote Speaker Microphone Specs

We're Number One!

We are normally not ones who toot our horn and my nature like to live below the radar, however we have just received some news that puts a smile on our humble faces from ear to ear.

Our good friends from the glass tower in Schaumburg called a few days ago to let us know we are now the largest Motorola "Independent Parts, Batteries and Accessories Reseller" in the United States. Having accomplished this in what is well documented as very challenging business environment is what really gives us hope as what we can do once we break out of this worldwide economic funk.

Motorola has truly been an excellent partner to work with as we grow and develop our business, we have learned to navigate phone trees and hierarchy of working with the largest communications supplier in the world. The handful of Motorola crew we work with have a genuine desire for us to succeed.

We are working on several new initiatives still to launch later this year we truly believe the best is yet to come, we believe in the Motorola product and are looking forward to some exciting announcements with them soon.

Thanks to our loyal customers, our goal has always been to make your buying experience as hassle free as possible, if you see something that needs to be changed or an easier way to do something simply let us know, you are a partner in our business and we are here for you.

Sincerely,
Craig & Mark
Wiscomm LLC

Save up to $400 on Motorola DTR410 and DTR550 Digital Radios through Sep 30th

Are you looking to add some DTR series digital radios to you small business? Trade-in your existing analog two-way radio fleet and save up to $400 on 8 Motorola DTR series Digital radios.

Receive a $200 rebate for every eight (8) DTR series (DTR410 or DTR550) radios purchased or receive a $400 rebate check when they purchase (8) DTR series in a single order when 8 qualifying radios and /or push-to-talk cellular products are traded in.

The DTR series allows your business to talk license-free in facilities up to 350,000 square feet and up to 30 floors, all with great security and crystal clear digital audio.

Check out our complete line of DTR series radios, batteries and accessories through easy, safe and secure Wiscomm online store.

Blackbox launches new "Bantam" Series Portables

Following up the success of the Blackbox+ portable radio and the Blackbox mobiles we are pleased to announce the addition the new Blackbox "Bantam" Series portables. The Bantam series is even slightly more compact in size in compared to the Blackbox + series and uses your existing Kenwood 2-pin audio accessories.

The best part of the Bantam series is the price, starting at $188.00 each (quantity discounts available). The Bantam features a Heavy Duty Aluminum Chassis, Lithium Ion Battery, Voice Channel Enunciation, Low-Cost (Subscription Free) programming software package and a Two-Year Warranty. I encourage you to find a better value in portable radios.

We have loaded the entire Bantam line into our wonderful online store, check them out for yourself, you surely will not be disappointed.

Motorola Backorder Update, June 10, 2011

Was just taking a few minutes to review the weekly list that Motorola publishes as " Troubled Parts". These are usually a list of items that are on backorder, having manufacturing issues or items that are being reserved for special event customers (i.e. natural disasters). Here are a couple of the most popular items Motorola is now listing as "troubled":

RKN4105A PROGRAMMING CABLE, USB, XTS2500
RMN5088B CommanderII Remote Speaker Microphone w/ Channel Knob, Submersible
PMLN5659A APX6000 CC 2.75 SWL BL 4200MAH
PMMN4045B REMOTE SPEAKER MIC, NC
PMLN5324B LEATHER CASE 2.75" SWL BL 2500MAH
NTN8831A XTS TRI-CHEMISTRY CHARGER
PMLN5712A OPERATION CRITICAL WIRELESS ADAPTER
HNN9029AR IMPRES BATT NICD 1500 MAH 7.5V IS
4080523Z02 SWITCH, TACT
HNN9009AR PREMIUM, NIMH, 1900 MAH, 7.5V
PMNN4077C MOTOTRBO 2200 LIION IMP BATTERY
NNTN7756A BEACON MUC 120V W/US PLUG
PMLN5653A IMPRES EAR MIC SYSTEM
NNTN7073B IMPRES CG MUD MACKINAW US/NA/CA/LA
NNTN4190A ASSY,BAT,RBR
RLN6434A APX TRAVEL CHARGER
HNN9034C BATTERY, NICD, SMART FM
NNTN5491A FALCON MINI-KEYBOARD BASE
5185633C42 DISP,LCD,,,,5V,RECT,44.8X32.6,BLUE-

Again, these are just a few of the items that have extended delivery dates. If you have any questions on a specific item, please contact us and we can research expected delivery times. Unfortunately we have become experts in managing Motorola's inventory and backorders Hope this helps!

Questions about Basic & Detailed Service Manuals?

One of the most common questions we get around here is about service manuals. "What is the difference between Basic and Advanced Motorola Service Manuals"?

First of all we advise most of our customers who operate any kind of fleet of a particular model of radio to invest in the "Basic Service Manual (BSM)", The BSM includes information about the various sub-models to your radio with clear model numbers, they also include step-by-step descriptions on how to disassemble, repair most common problems and reassemble the radio. The BSM also provides a parts listing of most non-electrical components, this is crucial when trying to reorder parts. Along with the parts listing it also includes a comprehensive list of batteries and accessories for your specific model radio.

The "Detailed Service Manual (DSM)" features the electrical breakdowns and technical service procedures for servicing your Motorola radio. These manuals are usually quite large in size (some weighing upwards of 10 pounds) and unless you are a certified technician likely over your head, plus with the complexity and relatively low cost of Depot repairs the information you can gleen from the DSM will still not likely help the process. We rarely need to reference the DSM manuals on a regular basis.

So our rule of thumb is if you have more then a handful of radios in your business and agency you should really invest the $20-$50 in the Basic Service Manual.

We carry most of the manuals for current and slightly older Motorola radios in our store. If you are looking for a manual not list, simply drop us a note and we will see what is available.

GRANT READY, P25 Digital VHF Mobile available from ICOM

We have been getting a lot of requests lately for VHF P25 Mobile radios, working with ICOM we can now offer the ICOM F1721D Mobile radio. This compact, easy to use model is P25 ready out of the box, no costly upgrades. The F1721D is a 50 watt VHF 136-174 Mhz P25 Digital Mobile Radio, Up to 256 memory channels can be divided into 32 memory zones, and allows you quick access to the intended channel. MDC1200, 2-Tone & 5-Tone. The IC-F1721D series is APCO Project 25 (P25) compliant. The mixed mode scan allows you to detect and receive both analog FM and P25 digital modes. A nice, full-size public safety ready microphone and the THREE-YEAR WARRANTY tops the tremendous value ICOM offers.

Best of all, the cost of these ICOM mobiles are likely half of what you would spend with the other guys, stretch those grant dollars further with the quality of ICOM Land Mobile and the F1721D Mobile Radio. Check out the Wiscomm store for the best updated pricing on the IC-F1721D.