Adding, Removing, Replacing, or Suspending a Private-Network Radio

Radios must be specifically assigned to a Talk2Me private network before they can communicate with other radios on that network.

Purchasing a radio, inserting a SIM, or placing it near another radio does not automatically add it to a private network. When radios are purchased together as part of a configured private-network order—or purchased for an existing Talk2Me private network—the assignment may be completed before shipment.

When to Use This Guide

Use these instructions when you need to:

• Add a newly purchased radio.
• Add an existing compatible radio.
• Replace a damaged, defective, lost, or upgraded radio.
• Remove a radio that is no longer needed.
• Suspend a lost or stolen radio.
• Transfer a radio to another authorized user.
• Move a radio between private networks.
• Correct a radio assigned to the wrong network.
• Update the radio’s username or group assignments.

Information Needed for a Radio Change

Before submitting a request, collect:

• Private-network name
• Customer, company, family, or organization name
• Authorized administrator or primary contact name
• Platform Manager account name or email
• Radio model
• Radio IMEI
• Current radio username, when applicable
• Requested new username
• Groups the radio should join or leave
• Order number or proof of purchase, when requested
• Reason for adding, replacing, removing, suspending, or transferring the radio
• Whether the original radio is still available
• Whether the cellular SIM also requires review

For changes involving multiple radios, provide a separate list or table with one row per IMEI.

Find and Verify the Radio IMEI

The IMEI uniquely identifies the physical radio.

Menu wording varies by model. On supported radios, the IMEI may appear under a path such as:

Menu → Settings → Service Information

It may also appear under:

• IMEI Information
• About
• An IMEI or service-information QR code
• A product label
• The original packaging
• Order or account records

Carefully compare every digit before submitting the request.

Add a Radio to the Private Network

1. Confirm that the radio is compatible with the Talk2Me private network.
2. Locate and verify the radio IMEI.
3. Choose a clear username.
4. Identify the groups the radio should join.
5. Submit a Private Network Support request.
6. Select the closest option for adding a radio or changing an existing network.
7. Include the required radio, account, username, and group information.
8. Wait for Talk2Me to confirm that the private-network account has been configured.
9. Restart the radio.
10. Allow up to approximately two minutes for reconnection.
11. Confirm that the private network and assigned groups appear.

A radio does not gain access merely because it is near another private-network radio. Its account must be assigned to the correct network and groups.

Choose a Radio Username

The username should clearly identify the radio’s assigned person, vehicle, team, job function, or location.

Examples include:

• Dispatch
• Unit 3
• Service Truck
• Warehouse
• Security 2
• Front Office
• Ethan
• Maintenance

Avoid usernames that:

• Duplicate another radio.
• Are excessively long.
• Contain unsupported symbols.
• Reveal unnecessary personal information.
• Impersonate another person, company, agency, or organization.
• Could reasonably be mistaken for an emergency service.
• Contain offensive, threatening, or disruptive language.

Replace a Radio

When replacing a damaged, defective, lost, retired, or upgraded radio, provide information for both devices.

Original radio

• Model
• IMEI
• Username
• Assigned groups
• Current condition or reason for replacement
• Whether the original radio remains available

Replacement radio

• Model
• IMEI
• Requested username
• Requested groups
• Order, warranty, or replacement information when applicable

Do not overwrite another radio’s IMEI or account information as a shortcut.

Replacing a Radio Does Not Automatically Transfer SIM Service

The following are related but separate:

• The physical radio
• The cellular SIM and data plan
• The private-network platform account
• Other assigned Talk2Me platform accounts
• Radio usernames and group permissions

Do not move the SIM from the original radio to the replacement unless Talk2Me Support provides exact instructions.

Moving a SIM without guidance may:

• Place it in the wrong SIM slot.
• Damage the SIM or radio.
• Associate service with the wrong device or renewal record.
• Delay activation.
• Prevent cellular connectivity.

Suspend a Lost or Stolen Radio

Suspend access promptly when a radio is lost, stolen, or no longer controlled by an authorized user.

When the account and permissions support it, an authorized Platform Manager administrator may be able to suspend the private-network user:

1. Sign in to Platform Manager.
2. Open My User.
3. Select User List.
4. Locate the radio by username or IMEI.
5. Select Edit.
6. Verify the model, username, and IMEI carefully.
7. Change the available account-status setting to Suspended.
8. Select Update.
9. Confirm that the change was saved.

Available controls and administrator permissions may vary by private-network account.

Also contact Talk2Me promptly when

• The radio may have been stolen.
• The administrator cannot locate the radio in Platform Manager.
• Platform Manager access is unavailable.
• The radio may have access to PRS, CRS, HamLink, or another platform.
• The cellular SIM also needs to be suspended or reviewed.
• Sensitive network or business information may be at risk.

What private-network suspension may not disable

• Cellular SIM service
• Other Talk2Me platforms assigned to the radio
• Supported Wi-Fi functions
• Ordinary telephone service on compatible models with a separate voice plan
• Separate UHF/VHF functions
• The physical device itself

Remove a Radio Permanently

Submit a Private Network Support request before permanently removing a radio.

Permanent removal may affect:

• Private-network access
• Group assignments
• Username and administrative history
• Applicable platform licenses or account assignments
• Replacement processing
• Ownership transfers
• Future reactivation

Include the reason for removal and whether the radio will be:

• Retired
• Sold
• Returned
• Replaced
• Transferred
• Moved to another private network
• Kept without private-network access

Do not delete, repurpose, or overwrite another radio’s account as a workaround.

Transfer a Radio to Another User

When the physical radio remains on the same private network but is assigned to a new user, review:

• Radio username
• Contact number or administrative information
• Group assignments
• Administrative notes
• Direct-member permissions when supported
• Other enabled user settings

Authorized administrators may be able to update supported fields through:

Platform Manager → My User → User List → Edit

After saving:

1. Restart the radio.
2. Allow up to approximately two minutes for synchronization.
3. Confirm the new username.
4. Confirm the correct groups.
5. Make a brief test transmission when appropriate.

Submit Private Network Support when the field is unavailable, the update does not save, or the radio requires an account-level transfer.

Move a Radio to Another Private Network

A radio should not be moved between private networks without Talk2Me’s assistance.

Submit a request containing:

• Current private-network name
• Destination private-network name
• Radio model and IMEI
• Current username
• Requested new username
• Requested destination groups
• Authorization from the applicable network owner or administrator
• Reason for the transfer
• Whether SIM service or other platform access also requires review

Talk2Me may verify ownership, administrator authority, account status, and destination-network approval before completing the move.

Troubleshoot Radio Changes

The radio was added, but the private network is missing

1. Confirm that Talk2Me completed the request.
2. Restart the radio once.
3. Allow up to approximately two minutes for reconnection.
4. Confirm that cellular data or supported Wi-Fi is available.
5. Open Menu.
6. Select Network when the model supports it.
7. Look for the assigned private-network option.
8. Select the network and confirm that it is marked or checked.
9. Open Group and select an assigned group.
10. Confirm that the correct IMEI was submitted.

Some radios do not display a Network menu when only one platform is assigned or the model does not support on-device switching.

The radio appears in Platform Manager but will not connect

Confirm that:

• The private-network account is active and not suspended.
• Supported voice or communication access is enabled.
• The radio has cellular data or supported Wi-Fi.
• SIM service is active when using cellular data.
• The correct private network is selected.
• The radio belongs to at least one group.
• The correct IMEI appears in Platform Manager.
• The radio has been restarted since the change.

A removed or suspended radio still appears

Platform information may not disappear immediately after a change.

1. Refresh Platform Manager.
2. Sign out and sign back in.
3. Search by IMEI.
4. Confirm whether the account is suspended rather than permanently removed.
5. Wait for Talk2Me to confirm that permanent removal is complete.

A suspended radio may remain visible in User List for administrative and recordkeeping purposes.

Still Need Help?

Submit a Private Network Support request when:

• A radio needs to be added.
• A replacement radio needs configuration.
• A radio was lost or stolen.
• A radio needs to be suspended or removed.
• A radio is assigned to the wrong network.
• A radio needs to move between private networks.
• A radio is missing from Platform Manager.
• The private network does not appear after setup.
• Group or username changes are not working.

Information to include

• Private-network name
• Customer, company, or organization name
• Authorized administrator or primary contact
• Platform Manager account name or email
• Radio model
• Radio IMEI
• Current username
• Requested username
• Requested groups
• Reason for the change
• Order, warranty, or replacement information
• Whether the original radio remains available
• Whether SIM service also requires review
• Photographs or screenshots
• Troubleshooting already completed
• Existing support-ticket number

Never include your Platform Manager password, Wi-Fi password, Support Center password, or payment information in a support request.

Related Guides

• What Is a Talk2Me Private Radio Network? 
• How to Sign In to the Private Network Platform Manager 
• Managing Your Platform Manager Profile and Password 
• How to Switch Between Public and Private Networks 
• How to Select and Use Groups and Channels 
• Radio Will Not Connect or Shows Offline