Latest News

Hat-trick of awards for AWCSL products

June 2011: Gerald David OBE award for Innovation in Business Radio once again goes to AWCSL

Once again AWCSL have the honour of winning the Gerald David OBE award for Innovation in Business Radio, this time with our newest product the DRCip. Adrian and Wendy went to the FCS AGM and award giving ceremony in London to receive the award.

Upon receiving the award, Adrian Charlton said "All at A.W. Communication Systems Ltd are pleased to once again receive the Gerald David O.B.E. award for innovation in business radio. This is the third time that we have been honoured with this prestigious accolade and we are very grateful that our peers within the communications industry recognise our dedication to pursuing new and innovative solutions. Our thanks go to all at the FCS for their continual endeavours in pressing forward the aims and aspirations of the members and for giving the industry the pleasure of being able to present its products and services for genuine recognition through this award scheme."

AWCSL staff manage all 13.1 miles

October 2010: Over £1030 raised for the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association

AWCSL would like to thank all those who helped us to reach our sponsorship target and for all the support given to us during training and on race day. Every member of staff that signed up to the challenge made it round in under 3 hours, with some enjoying it that much that they foolishly said they might run again next year. There were a few stiff legs and complaints on the Monday after, but everybody made it into work even though just standing up was a struggle for some.

All runners managed to beat the targets they set themselves at the start of the training programme, even though those targets did not seem very high. It is important to remember that the fact everybody made it round is an achievement as more than half the team could not run a mile when we started training. All finishing times can be seen below.

New TRip now in production

August 2010: Most recent upgrade makes production more efficient

If you order a TRip now, chances are you will end up with the new version. Named TRip2, the new unit does exactly the same job that the other one did, including being completely compatible with all AWCSL products, but makes the manufacturing process more reliable. Because the new PCB is not multi-layered like the old version we have a lower fail rate when it comes to the programming and testing stages of production.

One of the benefits of the TRip2 is that it has a higher dynamic range and lower noise. It is built on an enhanced Linux based platform which means that the unit can easily be extended in the future to adapt to the ever changing radio communications environment.

AWCSL takes on fund raising challenge for Lake District Mountain Rescue

August 2010: All members of staff foolishly signed up for 13 mile run

A month ago someone in the office had the wonderful idea that we should do the Great Cumbria Run, a half marathon (13.1 miles) starting and ending near Carlisle Castle. It only took one day for all the members of staff to decide to join in. Adrian suggested that it would be a good team-building exercise and therefore it was decided that we should all run for the same charity as a company. Out of all the people taking part, Martin is the only one that is capable of running this kind of distance, but the others hope to catch up by race day with a harsh training schedule and lots of team support.

The race itself takes place at 10 AM on the 10th October 2010. We are all hoping to raise money for the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association. The LDSAMRA covers all mountain rescue teams working in the Lake District and surrounding area providing a vital service to all those people who find themselves in trouble on the fells. It is a completely voluntary run organisation with the only funding coming from donations. Any one could need the Mountain Rescue services if they are enjoying the Lake District, as an incident on the fells could happen at any time. They also assist in other areas, for example helping out with the recent floods in Cumbria last Autumn

Please help us to raise money by either visiting our Just Giving page, or by contacting Wendy (wendy@awcsl.com) to arrange alternative methods of donation.

Supporting our customers better

December 2009: AWCSL creates a help and support desk

In December 2009 we decided it was time to get a support desk. George Charlton was put in charge of this new role making it easier for people with support issues to ring a direct line straight to Georges desk.

Anybody with a technical problem involving any of our products can now contact our newly trained support staff on 016977 48718.

New product out now

February 2009: New Enhanced Common Headset Switching Unit

February has seen the release of AWCSL’s new Enhanced Common Headset Switching Unit. The product is designed to allow the user to easily switch a single headset between the telephone instrument and the radio control system, and has many features which include: built in amplification, options for monitoring and a hands free option.

Details of the ECHSU can be found on our Accessories page.

Even more new members

January 2009: Our ever growing business

In January AWCSL decided to expand their company and employ new staff. John Graham is employed as a new software developer to help Martin out with his ever increasing workload. January has also seen a new addition to the manufacturing staff in the form of Dawn Marshall. Keep up the hard work chaps.

Newest addition to the team

December 2008: Pick and place machine improves productivity

This month AWCSL decided it was time to buy a new Laser Quadra machine. This is for placement and positioning of components, which seem to be getting smaller and smaller. We also got a new solder reflow oven to improve the flow of the soldier and therefore the finish.

We got the new machine to make our job a little bit easier. It is 1 ½ times faster at building than our old Quadra machine, it has a laser to help get the components more accurately placed on the circuit boards, and because it is more accurate there is less rework needed which also saves us time.

AWCSL supports rally car across Europe for the Great North Air Ambulance

16th September 2008: Team struggles through rain and snow for local charity

A team of employees from AWCSL have driven in an event known as the Scally Rally to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance. The Scally Rally is an annual event that takes place every September. The aim is to drive from Calais, France, to Rimini, Italy, in a car costing £100 or less. The route takes us across France, through Switzerland and Italy, via difficult mountain passes including the infamous Stelvio Pass.

The car they chose for the event was a slightly used Ford Escort which is best described as having character. The good news is that the car made it all the way there, and then all the way back again with all team members intact.

The trip was not entirely without problems, with the weather being only one problem of many. As you can see from the picture there was snow high up in the Alps. By the time the car had made it to France there was a strange noise from the rear wheels (suspected wheel bearing) and you could not rely on the steering to take you in straight lines. The car only overheated twice, once when it decided to snow heavily and once when the rain decided to fall. But they still made it to Italy in one piece.

The team would like to thank AWCSL for sponsoring them and for the support given to them during preparation. They are hoping to go again next year, but only if the weather stays dry.

Gerald David OBE award for innovation in Business Radio

24th June 2008: AW Communication Systems Ltd. Wins Again

FCS is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2008 Gerald David OBE Award for Innovation in Business Radio has been won by AW Communications Systems Ltd (AWCL) for it's TRICX IP-based switch solution.

David Hosie of Audiolink, chairman of the judging panel speaking at the FCS AGM said, “The judges were impressed by the level of all the entries for the 2008 award. We had excellent and diverse candidates from major international manufacturers to small and innovative UK businesses, each introducing new ideas and new ways of delivering services into the important niche radio market. Judging was very close and the winner AW Communications Systems Ltd showed once again how systems and software are driving innovation.

“The judges agreed to make a runner up award to Motorola Ltd for their undoubted significant commercial impact in the BR sector. We would like to thank all the entrants, the judges and in particular Team Simoco for sponsoring the innovation award this year”

On receiving the award from Mark Thomas, Marketing Director of Team Simoco, the award sponsor, Adrian Charlton said “AWCSL are extremely delighted to receive the Gerald David OBE award for Innovation in Business Radio 2008 for our TRICX solution. We appreciate that the competition for the award was of a very high standard, including products from small companies like ours as well as those from large multi-nationals. We are proud that the TRICX is the second product from AWCSL to have won this award, with the TRip winning in 2006. The TRICX solution provides an integrated radio and telephone communication switch using IP based technology and is compatible with analogue and digital radio systems as well as many telephony standards.”

FCS Awards are presented annually in four categories: business radio, mobile equipment installer, fixed service provider and VoIP.

The judging panel for the 2008 award was:

• David Hosie - Audiolink, chairman of the judging panel
• Don Baker - consultant
• David Britland – consultant
• Paul Jarvis - Ofcom
• Jacqui Brookes - FCS