Two-way radio shop now high-tech biz

JCS/TEL-LINK on cutting edge

By Jim Obert

Business Today

In 1959, when vacuum tubes and tacky transistors ruled the radio roost, Charles Johnson of Cape Girardeau founded Johnson Communications Service.

For the next 11 years, he ran an authorized Motorola service center that installed and repaired Motorola two-way radio equipment throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

1n 1970, Johnson and Clarence Suedekum, who ran Suedekum Electronics Supply in Cape, formed J&S Communications, reportedly the first, paging, interconnect, marine radio and telephone answering business in the region.

TEL-LINK, the paging, telephone interconnect service, voice mail and telephone answering service division of JCS, was formed in 1987.

Kathy Swan, who co-owns JCS/TEL-LINK with her husband, Reg, and who is the daughter of Charles Johnson, the founder of Johnson Communications Services, said the company lays claim to being the largest locally-owned paging company in the region.

The company also serves as agents for four other regional paging carriers to include Ameritech.

"We're able to provide expanded regional paging to St. Louis, Columbia, Jefferson City, Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois as well as nationwide paging," said Swan.

The business was the first Ameritech cellular dealer in Southeast Missouri, said Swan, adding that JCS/TEL-LINK also offers the complete line of cellular services from Verizon Wireless.

Don Hinkebein, operations manager at the JCS/TEL-LINK, said many clients benefit from the use of cellular and paging "as part of their total communications package."

Hinkebein said the company's 24-hour telephone answering service/voice mail service uses computerized state-of-the-art equipment for high-fidelity recorded messages. Customers can automate and customize their voice mail services.

The company, which employs about 40 workers, also offers tower rental, equipment rental, community repeater and SMR, a new type of two-way radio technology.

Swan said three tower sites throughout Southeast Missouri provide space for a variety of businesses and government agencies to locate their radio equipment and antennas.

Long- and short-term leases are available for two-way radio equipment.

"Air time leasing is available for two-way radio users who do not own their own transmitting equipment," said Swan, adding that in 1997 "trunking" (a mobile channel radio system) was added to provide several channels for air-time leasing.

As the only American Mobile Satellite dealer in the state, JCS/TEL-LINK sells and installs communication products for satellite telephone, voice dispatch and geographical tracking. Trucking companies and government agencies are customers.

According to Swan, satellite telephones have been installed for TV news and for emergency services operations.

An authorized C-Spec dealer, the business provides OverLAN Wireless products. Hinkebein said wireless computer networking can provide a high-speed link between different branches of an organization, which is less expensive than running telephone lines.

In 1996, the business started a vehicle audio division that custom designs and installs stereo products.

A year later JCS/TEL-LINK was given the Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year Award.

Last year JEFFCO Wireless, an off-shoot of the Cape business, opened in Arnold. It provides Verizon Wireless cellular and Ameritech paging services.

Earlier this year, cellular and paging services branch offices were opened in Jackson, and in Chester and Anna in Illinois.

Hinkebein said the company is always looking at new products, and as technology advances so does the training of the company's technicians and salespeople.

Swan said JCS/TEL-LINK does not just sell products -- it designs communications solutions that meet many customer needs.

PICS -- (I'll have to write them when I see them...) -- probably 2 pics only. main pic is a woman and man next to fancy car..