The Solution:

When Lenny Kasten, the USABS team General Manager, and Coach Michael Dionne personally reached out to RCA Communications Systems to find the best radio for Team USA. As the exclusive distributor of RCA radios, RCA Communications Systems’ technology experts immediately recommended the RPX4500 and RPX4600 radio series for the job.

Not only do these RCA RPX4500/RPX4600 handheld digital radios meet all Project 25 (P25) specifications for police, fire, ambulance, and other emergency services, they also meet the highest standards of military specifications (MIL-STD-810F) for durability, droppage, shock and water resistance. In addition, each radio boasts 5W of power for maximum signal coverage and with 3000mAh Li-Ion batteries, they will last up to 11 hours on a single charge. Add in RCA’s 4 Year Warranty -the best in the industry – and Team USA was sold!

“In terms of quality, these are the best radios we’ve ever had. I’ve been on the US team doing this for more than 20 years, and so I can tell you they are the best we’ve ever had. We use them all over the world, and no matter where we go, they work perfectly. Want to know something else? They are better radios than any other nations have! When you compare them with the German radios, Italian radios, there’s no comparison. We use them in Europe, Asia, you name it, they work everywhere. Plus, Discount Two Way Radios even programmed them for us and everything,” said Kasten.

On top of everything else, the RPX4600 radios will also help keep each member of the team safer.

“Whenever there is a crash, I rely on the RCA RPX4600 radios to gain additional information immediately.  The coaches are typically down lower in the track and can help me find athletes if they are ejected from the sled and if they are walking after the crash.  Crashes are a very stressful time and having the additional information ensures that I can find, evaluate and ensure the best care for each athlete.  I will also relay information back to the coaches and crew chief so they can start working on fixes or replacements before the athletes arrive back to the start.  Without the use of our radios, this process would be chaotic and would result in poor management of many situations,”

said Andrew Ernst, Athletic Trainer for the team.

The RCA Communications System Special Donation:

RCA Communications Systems not only helped the USA Olympic Bobsled and Skeleton team find the perfect radio system for the team, they offered to donate the entire collection of radios, and accessories to the team as way to show its support for these young athletes.

“Unlike most nations, the United States government does not fund the US Olympic Movement. Every single athlete is 100 percent self-supported. It’s not about seeking fame and fortune for these people. Some of the athletes have slept in their cars for the opportunity to train at an Olympic Training Center. They have one goal—to be the best in the world—and they pursue that goal with every subatomic particle of their being, wearing USA on their backs. That's a journey that inspired us a RCA Communication Systems, because we too understand about being the best by doing our best. We are the leaders of the digital two-way radio world, so we wanted to help them with their communications needs. It was that simple,”

said Ben Burns, CEO and Founder of RCA Communications Systems.