The construction industry is on a roll, according to experts who project construction starts will be up 9% this year, on top of last year's 5% gain. The biggest increases in activity will be in single-family housing, commercial building, and multifamily housing. Getting all that construction work done as efficiently and safely as possible will take top-floor communications capabilities, and that's where two-way radios come in. Two-way radios have long been popular tools on construction sites, and it's easy to see why. The one-to-many communications device makes it possible to alert entire groups of people to situations and facilitate their input on resolutions. Radio communications are immediate, which makes for quicker problem solving. Radios allow workers to be heard in noisy environments, and speaker-microphones keep their hands free for essential tasks. Plenty of two-way radios are very easy to use—just push to talk and release to listen. Many are designed especially for construction's harsh work environments and can last for years. Those that are submersible in water not only come through wet conditions, they can be cleaned with water, which extends their useful lives. The bottom line? If construction workers aren't walking back and forth across large job sites looking for answers, groups can be more efficient. More efficient groups often need less manpower. They can also use their improved communications capabilities to more swiftly identify and address safety concerns. Which radios do construction organizations choose? That often depends on the size of the organization or the complexity of the project. Smaller, independent contractors are focused on coordinating their foremen, employees, and subcontractors. They are most likely to rely on simple but rugged talk-and-listen portable units, like the commercial-grade radios from Motorola Solutions. One of the most popular commercial two-way radios ever released, the Motorola CP200 is lightweight, durable, and easy to use. It is now available in a digital version, the Motorola CP200d. The CP200d retains the radio's simplicity and reliability, and the form factor is virtually the same. The new model is backward compatible, so it uses the same chargers, batteries, and speaker-microphones. It is also being made available in a digital-capable version that can be converted later from analog to digital operation. Leaders of mid-size construction firms want to keep in touch with their construction crews even as they leave construction sites for supplies and move between sites. They also want to make sure crews can stay in contact with one another. Such firms tend to look for options that include the Motorola HT Series portable and CDM Series mobile two-way radios. These more sophisticated radios pave the way for trunking, which makes possible communications across a much wider area. The largest construction organizations want to take voice communications to the next level and to integrate voice and data. Doing this requires digital technology and the industry-leading MOTOTRBO line from Motorola Solutions. Digital two-way radios have a host of advantages over analog models, including improved audio quality, enhanced clarity throughout the coverage range, greater efficiency, extended battery life, and applications that add functionality. One popular MOTOTRBO model among construction firms is the Motorola XPR6350. It features one-touch calling, quick text messaging, and enhanced call management, making it ideal for professionals. From enhancing productivity and minimizing delays to improving worker safety and reducing operating costs, two-way radios have earned a permanent place on many a tool belt. The available options and features have never been better, no matter where radios are being put to work.