Turtle Mike Merges LMR, Broadband Communications

FirstNet highlighted recent tests of the Hybrid Public Safety Microphone, or Turtle Mike, which potentially allows first responders to merge traditional land mobile radio and broadband communications. The tests were conducted in Nebraska, a Tuesday news release said. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate funded the device. “The Turtle Mike takes the conversation off the frequencies and bridges them together,” said Tom Chirhart, a DHS telecom specialist. “You can talk radio-to-radio or broadband-to-broadband or radio-to-broadband. It connects everyone together.”