How to manage ground activities in 2026
Steps, tool choices and checks for port terminal workers managing ground activities with phone-based signals and communication.
2Dig is published by the makers of OperatorLink, which is compared here alongside other tools.
Managing ground activities starts with clear roles, ready communication tools and agreed signals before work begins. OperatorLink can show STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and pass button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [1]
| Option | What it does | Fee | Card fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| OperatorLink | Shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [1] | Currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [1] | not published |
| Phone video call app | not published | not published | not published |
| Two-way radio | not published | not published | not published |
What you need before you start
Before ground activities begin, confirm who gives directions, who watches the work area and which communication method the crew will use. Keep the selected phones, radios or other tools ready before the shift starts.
If OperatorLink is used, the crew joins one jobsite session from a shared link or QR code. [1] The person starting the jobsite needs to share that link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [1] OperatorLink runs in a phone browser with no app install needed. [1]
Check that each phone can open the browser and that crew members know how STOP, HOLD and SLOW will be used during the work. OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [1]
Step by step
- Identify the people involved in the ground activity and agree who sends directions and who receives them.
- Choose the communication tool before the work starts. Confirm that everyone knows how to send and receive the needed signals.
- If using OperatorLink, the person starting the jobsite shares a link or QR code, and crew members join from it. [1]
- Confirm every crew member is in the session before work begins, so each person sees the same signals. OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [1]
- Agree on the signals that need to stay active. HOLD and SLOW stay on for everyone in the jobsite and are cleared when the last person leaves. [1]
- When using move controls, keep the required button held. Holding a move button keeps sending that move to the other phones, and if it stops arriving for 2 seconds, they drop it. [1]
- Use STOP when work needs to pause. STOP releases every held direction on every phone and shows a full-screen alert to everyone else. [1]
Tools that can do it
OperatorLink is made by the team that publishes this site. It shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [1] Nobody needs to install an app; the page runs in a browser. [1] The person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and the crew joins from it. [1]
A phone video call app is another option. No facts here describe one, so check whether the crew can keep the call open for the whole shift and whether the communication method works for the site.
A two-way radio is another option. No facts here describe one, so check whether the crew agrees on how messages are shared and whether the channel stays clear during the work.
A direct voice call is another option. OperatorLink allows anyone who joins to take part in a voice call run from the phone browser. [1]
Match the option to the work area and keep a fallback ready since communication tools depend on how the site operates.
Common mistakes to avoid
Relying on one person to understand the signals without confirming the process can create confusion, so agree on the method before work begins.
Assuming every phone gives the same alert behavior can cause missed signals. On Android browsers, signals such as STOP make the phone buzz, while iPhone Safari ignores the buzz. [1]
Leaving a session open and expecting it to remain available for later shifts can cause problems. A jobsite link stops working 12 hours after the first person joins it, and a jobsite with nobody in it is wiped after 3 idle hours. [1] [1]
Forgetting that HOLD and SLOW remain active until the last person leaves can lead to confusion. HOLD and SLOW stay on for everyone in the jobsite and are cleared when the last person leaves. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Is OperatorLink free to use?
OperatorLink is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [1] OperatorLink runs in a phone browser with no app install needed. [1] Before using it for a shift, check that the phones can open the browser and that the crew knows the agreed communication process.
How does OperatorLink show ground activity signals?
OperatorLink shows STOP, HOLD and SLOW to the jobsite crew and passes button presses, chat and voice between phones in a phone browser. [1] The person who starts a jobsite shares a link or QR code, and crew members join from it. [1]
What happens when the OperatorLink STOP signal is pressed?
STOP releases every held direction on every phone and shows a full-screen alert to everyone else. [1] HOLD and SLOW work differently because they stay on for everyone in the jobsite and are cleared when the last person leaves. [1]
How long does an OperatorLink jobsite link work?
An OperatorLink jobsite link stops working 12 hours after the first person joins it. [1] A jobsite with nobody in it is wiped after 3 idle hours. [1]
Can OperatorLink support voice communication during work?
Anyone who joins an OperatorLink jobsite can take part in a voice call run from the phone browser. [1] One-tap radio-style calls such as Go Ahead, Copy That and All Clear are sent as chat messages. [1] Check that the crew has the communication method needed for the work area.
OperatorLink is currently free to use, and no paid plan is built yet. [1]
Try OperatorLinkSources
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