Two-Way Radios
Illinois State University operates a comprehensive two-way radio system for campus departments and personnel using the State of Illinois Public Safety/Public Service radio system, StarCom21.
Emergency Management oversees all radio operations across the ISU campus.
Key Features
- Wide area coverage: 10+ mile range across the campus area
- Direct radio-to-radio capability: Shore-range communication (a few hundred feet)
- Interoperable channels: Dedicated channels for large events or incidents (Contact Emergency Management to request use)
- Emergency channel: Direct connection to the ISU Police Department (Channel 1 – “POLICE”)
- Emergency alerting: Simultaneous alerts to all radios during emergency situations
- Standardized programming: All 500+ radios share the same configuration, enabling universal communication
Campus Radio Overview & Radio Channel Lineup
Department radio contacts can access the Campus Radio Overview document via the Campus Two-Way Radios Microsoft Teams channel. This resource includes:
- Basic user guide and button map
- Radio channel lineup
- Troubleshooting steps for common issues
To request access to the Teams channel or obtain a copy of the document, contact:
Dan Simon, Emergency Operations Manager, at dssimo1@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-3108.
Contact Emergency Management for:
- New radio and accessory purchases
- Radio opertions training
- Radio channel assignments
- Cache radio checkouts/loans
Have additional questions about radios?
Summer 2026 Radio Tuning Project
During Summer 2026, Emergency Management will collect all campus radios to perform routine tuning. This process ensures radios continue transmitting and receiving on the correct frequencies, helping extend their lifespan and long-term reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Will I notice performance changes in my radio after tuning?
A: Tuning supports long-term health of the radios. You are unlikely to notice immediate performance changes.
Q: How long does tuning take and will radios be unavailable for long periods of time?
A: Each radio takes approximately 25-30 minutes to tune. Emergency Management will coordinate with each department to minimize operational disruption and return radios promptly.
Q: Is there a cost for this service?
A: No. Tuning is provided at no cost to departments.
Q: Will damaged radios be repaired during tuning?
A: No. While staff will document any damage or issues, repairs will not be performed during the tuning process. Emergency Management will coordinate follow-up maintenance as needed.