A Letter About the new radio system

Here is my take on it from some talks I've had with people involved.

2) Who will manufacture the radio equipment? MA/COM

3) What frequency band is the system to use? The state has several 800MHz frequencies licensed. Check out the FCC General Menu Report Site or a PERCON CD if you have one.

4) Where else is this system deployed, as I have never heard of MA/Com or Tyco Electronics? The system was developed orginally for Federal Express. Them and the Orange Co. CA Mass Transit are the only users, I am aware of, again, note NO PUBLIC SAFETY users, let alone an entire state. FedEx's systems only cover the major areas around their terminals. Check out a copy of Mobile Radio Technology (MRT) this month they give a good overview of the system.

5) Couldn't the existing system be enhanced by adding more sites for better coverage, and something like cellular packet, or dedicated 800Mhz channels for data terminals, GPS, vehicle cameras, etc? Yes, it could, but the cost to do so would most likely be alot higher than a new system. 800MHz trunking and other similar systems will allow for all this to be offered alot cheper than trying to re-build the existing mish mosh of systems. Theres alot of bases out there for PSP for example that have been there a good while. I've seen the ones that share a tower site with my agency. Theres alot of stuff out there thats getting to be like low band bases difficult to service and/or replace.

6) What is the primary reason to abandon the exisitng VHF system? The goal a way for ALL state agencies to use the same radio system for easier inter agency work.

Presently you have: PenDOT on 45MHz & 151MHz some items - PSP on 155 MHz - Turnpike on 155MHz - PEMA on a collection of UHF repeaters - SCI on a mix of 45MHz, UHF Simplex & Repeaters - DER (DEP or what ever they want to call them selves this week, they still do the same thing. If it quacks....) on 155MHz

Its alot easier to tell the dolts in the field to switch to Inter Agency 1 than, trying to tell him to use the other radio, if they have the radio at all, and switch to channel 2 etc.. I think a unified system is great. 800MHz trunk or what ever will work, cellular works, as an example, BUT it takes $$$$$$$$ and PLANNING. Which neither is ever done in co-ordination especially in government work. Just do some research on the state of DE system. Poor planning becuase they got set on a $$$$$$ amount. 700 sites for ~ $200M, is being pretty optimistic in my opinion for the stated coverage criteria be it a 15W mobile or a 3W portable or via a vehicular repeater. 800MHz don't travel well, in PA terrain. The state of OH MARCS systems is another one thats headed to a result like DE and unless some more $$$ and planning is done to spend the $$$ correctly.

January 2000