Westminster & Arvada P25 Systems?

[greenthumb]

Lots of chatter in radio-land that Westminster may be choosing to sole source Cassidian for their P25 system, and not bringing Arvada along? There is also word of an RFP on the street for a P25 system for Arvada too. Interesting...

[k0pwo]

I would think it would make more sense for both of these departments to join the DTRS system. I don't see a lot of advantages for departments this size to maintain their own radio system anymore when there is a system that covers their cities and allows them to roam out of their cities and stay in contact. I understand the wanting to control their own radio system, but the state system's advantages far out way that. At least I think so.

[greenthumb]

It seems that Westminster is looking to do their own thing, but Arvada wants to share a system with someone else. DTRS is one idea, but it is too capacity-limited to be able to handle these cities as it sits today, and coverage limited on the west end of these cities. With no sites in Westminster or Arvada, they lose a lot of in building coverage. They would probably end up having their own site(s) on DTRS and then not be allowed on any neighboring site(s) like the simulcast, Thorodin, Lookout, etc. until they add channels - which adds more cost to them on top of what they're needing in their cities. The other issue is the sustainability of DTRS these days - being so big without any funding - which I would imagine these cities view as a problem and risk unto itself.

[jimmnn]

Agree completely DTRS is out of money and is not a substainable business model.

Jim<

[abqscan]

I would love to see the Rocky Mountain EDACS users group (including Lakewood) create a metro wide P25 system somewhat like what El Paso County has. Sure, Death Valley might get 10 feet of snow before this happens, yet, I think the benefits of this type of system would have wonderful advantages for the users of it.

[towersites]

Its around the corner. Want to find out more? We are looking for a few good men with RF back grounds.

[greenthumb]

As the solicitation is now closed, all of the documents for the Arvada RFP are public at this link:

City of Arvada Closed Bids & Solicitations - P25 Radio System Upgrade

[rckydenver]

Thanks greenthumb for the above info. I read the first part of adobe reader part where there looking at min of 7 to max of 14 freqs. Sounds like well be putting our scanners in search mode down the line.. Take about 9 months. To be completed by the years end.

[Kevin_N]

Kind of surprising they are parting ways after all these years.

[jimmnn]

The RFP states the desired use of an existing P25 system while adding a primary site (68th and Estes). Has the City already established inter-governmental agreements with neighboring P25 systems? If yes, can the City indicate the specific neighboring system(s) with which an IGA has been established?
No inter-governmental agreement has been established for the system requested in this RFP.

Also says 800MHz only, no 700MHz will be used.

Jim<

[rckydenver]

This was just posted on the local hub on Denver Post, article on the Westminster PD radio system, saying that there current radio is outdated and hard to get parts for it. 20 years of EDACS..Wondering who also going digital beside Arvada?

Westminster police, fire radio to go all-digital - Your Hub

[greenthumb]

A little more insight on Westminster's decision:

http://www.ci.westminster.co.us/Port...pmag011413.pdf

$60K/year at El Dorado Mtn? Ouch...

[jimmnn]

What do we know about Cassidian?

Cassidian Communications (formerly PlantCML), The leading provider of mission critical communications and response technology for public safety business continuity and homeland defense

Jim<

[Toneslider12]

I'm curious what this radio system will do to the current interoperability solution of using Network First with Westy's neighbors. Will NWF still work?

[greenthumb]

Theoretically, there are a lot of ways to get that system to work with Network First. It will be interesting to see if it happens though.

[rckydenver]

Found this article from the Business Wire the below link.. Anyone have an idea when they well be testing this new P25 out. BTW i did get a PSR 800 at the HRO about three months ago if they use the Phase 2.

Cassidian Communications Awarded Contract for P25 Digital Land Mobile Radio System | Business Wire

[greenthumb]

Westminster just applied for a 10 GHz microwave link from the public safety center on Yates out to the fire station near 100th & Wadsworth. We'll have to see if this ends up being one of their P25 sites - no tower there that I can see right now and the microwave is supposed to be mounted on the fire station.