Tait Product Manager Bob Shepheard shared some thoughts on the product development process behind the Tait TP9800 P25 Multiband Radios, and the reception they have received from our customers.

Perception of Tait

Tait are not the biggest players in the market, so it’s great to hear what sort of reputation we’ve built in the marketplace. With Tait’s appearance at multiple events, like Comms Connect, APCO and IWCE, we’ve received feedback from people in a number of different industries. There is a genuine appreciation for the Tait team making the effort to travel all the way from our headquarters in New Zealand to spend time learning about local market conditions and requirements of Tait customers, and potential customers as well. A recurring theme of feedback has been “Rock solid infrastructure, it’s a shame there’s no multiband portable”.

Engineering Excellence

Tait is an engineering company at heart, with a wealth of experience in developing innovative products that goes back over 50 years. The desire for a multiband portable radio was shared with our engineers, along with specific feedback on form factor and features that our customers need. Our product design teams got to work designing a device that would exceed expectations. After a thorough concept to production process, early prototypes of the what would become the TP9800 portable were produced and shipped to a select few lucky Tait partners around the world.

Showcasing early stages of the multiband radio to different partners and customers at events, there was excellent feedback about how it compares to other Multiband Portables that are currently on the market. With the target market for a P25 multiband radio being public safety agencies like Law Enforcement, Fire Rescue, and Ambulance the TP9800 met the then unrecognized need of being light and compact for these mobile teams. Police typically don’t want the big form factor of other multiband radios, while emergency services like fire and ambulance need to minimize the weight of their equipment load, and be hands free at a moment’s notice. 

Additional improvements were made to the multiband radio with larger knobs being available for easy gloved use, improving accessibility for those who need it. On the note of accessibility, reuse of existing audio and carry accessories is also possible with the Tait TP9800 Multiband portable.

Game Changer

The TP9800 has been extremely well received, with universal and enthusiastic response to its lightweight, compact form factor and very attractive pricing. It has been described by dealers as being ‘disruptive’ to the market. Overall, we feel we have a winner.

Rugged, lightweight, multi-agency cooperation

TP9800 Multiband Portable Radios Increase worker safety and productivity across multiple radio networks and frequency bands with the TP9800 Multiband Portable, a versatile, lightweight and compact radio designed for maximum reliability and interoperability.

Seamless Multiband Performance

Connect across all your bands from one dynamic portable. The TP9800 Multiband Portable is configurable to operate on any combination of VHF, UHF and 700/800MHz bands. Flexible and simple ordering and deployment of single, dual, and multiband operation at time of purchase, or subsequently over the air. Bands are not locked and can be reconfigured.

Rugged, Lightweight Design

Experience the lightest P25 multiband portable radio on the market with high capacity battery and compact design. Bridge communications between agencies, or roam between network coverage areas, without the need for several bulky devices.