Police, fire and medical personnel never know when they will be called in to save someone’s life in a potentially explosive environment and widespread use of intrinsically safe radios is one more way to try to keep all your first responders safe.

The IC-F70/F80 series is made for the harsh conditions that first responders face every day. It is sealed with waterproof gaskets, which makes it submersible up to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes, according to the International Standard IEC60529 (2001).

“We have reduced the retail prices on the I.S. versions to match the non-I.S. versions,” said Chris Lougee, Vice President of Icom America. “For the same price, you can purchase a rugged and submersible P25-capable radio, which is also certified as Intrinsically Safe. That’s why we’ve called this program `Intrinsically Safe – At No Extra Charge.’”

The series also features built-in multiple signaling for setting up talk groups, up to ten 2-Tone and eight 5- Tone codes decoded on a single memory channel, a large, high-contrast LCD alphanumeric display, and a large capacity 1600mAh Lithium-Ion battery pack.

The IC-F70/F80 can be upgraded to be APCO Project 25 (P25) compliant, which ensures interoperability with other manufacturer’s P25 digital radios in conventional mode. A mixed mode scan allows the user to detect and receive both analog FM and P25 digital modes and to transmit either mode depending on programming.

Icom America’s parent company, Icom Inc., was founded in Osaka, Japan. Icom is a publicly held Japanese corporation; its stock is traded on the Osaka and Tokyo Stock Exchange. Icom began as an engineering and manufacturing company, making advanced, compact solid-state radio equipment for use by amateur radio enthusiasts. Icom has since grown to become an industry leader with a product line that includes state-of-the-art communications equipment for land mobile and marine use as well as avionics. Icom America’s headquarters are in Bellevue, Washington. www.icomamerica.com