Analog and Digital

[Ebenge]

Today radio maintenance is working on our police ops channel for our county. They are starting to install the new analog repeater system, but I overheard the tech say to the dispatcher that he is going to check his signal on the new digital repeater to. Then he preceded to check it on the same frequency. Why would they have the analog and digital on the same frequency. I know they are using a PL code, but I didn't think they would use the same freq.

I did some research in the newspapers website log
I guess it was my understanding that it had to be all digital or all analog.????

"05/01/2008
County to replace E-911 transmitter
by Erik Owomoyela , News Reporter

County dispatchers and law enforcement officers are slated to receive a new tool to streamline communications, as officials look to replace the county's aging transmitter
The Henry County E-911 board has accepted a bid from West Burlington-based Electronic Applications Co. to replace the county's 25-year-old base transmitter with a new repeater system, for $23,937.39.

No date has been set for the repeater's installation, as the county first needs to obtain a new license to cover the system.

The repeater, a Motorola Astro digital unit, will be able to pick up and amplify calls from any handheld or vehicle-based unit used by county officials, and carry their signal to any other unit within the coverage area. "Effectively, they can talk portable-to-portable anywhere in the county," said Don Hastings, president of Electronic Applications.

Electronic Applications had also offered a more basic transmitter, such as the one the county currently uses, for $22,650.79. Despite the slightly lower cost, county officials went with the repeater.

"There was very little difference between the two models, and this model seemed so much better," said 911 coordinator Joe Buffington.

For more, see our May 1 print edition."

[AlabamaRS]

They could be changing over to digital?

[Ebenge]

No they are installing a new analog repeater system that we had never had before.

[davidmc36]

Originally Posted by Ebenge

No they are installing a new analog repeater system that we had never had before.

Are they digital now? Is the analog to expand redunancy and he was checking that everything was as is should be ie the digital key-up does not affect the analog repeater? Are you strictly analog now and the digital is for future expansion?

[Ebenge]

Yes, the system is strictly analog now, I haven't heard of changing over to digital for anytime in the future. I know that the Emergency Services Commity (911 Board) vetoed the transformation to digital because of the cost. The press release said they were upgrading to a repeater system but not changing to digital so they would not have to replace all of the radios, but it sounds like the one community is using digital.

[fineshot1]

Originally Posted by Ebenge

Today radio maintenance is working on our police ops channel for our county. They are starting to install the new analog repeater system, but I overheard the tech say to the dispatcher that he is going to check his signal on the new digital repeater to. Then he preceded to check it on the same frequency. Why would they have the analog and digital on the same frequency. I know they are using a PL code, but I didn't think they would use the same freq.

Do you know who the repeater equipment vendor is? Motorola makes some repeaters that can do both. A quantar(and some other repeaters) can operate in what is called mixed mode. If you go in on analog it repeats in analog mode and if you go in on P25 it repeats in P25 digital mode. Single repeater and operates in both modes.

[Ebenge]

I edited the top thread, now I am just angry because I have to go out and buy a new scanner. "Happy that I will get a new one, mad because it will cost me"

[georgew0819]

Originally Posted by Ebenge

The repeater, a Motorola Astro digital unit, will be able to pick up and amplify calls from any handheld or vehicle-based unit used by county officials, and carry their signal to any other unit within the coverage area."

From Motorola's Site:
"Introducing new ASTRO digital solutions from Motorola.
ASTRO brings you true full function digital technology in 2-way radio communications systems. The result is exceptional performance and a vast array of features that will give you a totally new perspective on the way you communicate.
To address the demands placed on 2-way radio Systems through the 1990s and beyond, Motorola has implemented digital technology into land mobile radio. ASTRO is the first dramatic step forward in digital 2-way radio communications.

To help you take the initial step, ASTRO digital radios operate not only in the new digital mode, but also in analogue and the Motorola Securenet digital encryption modes to facilitate the migration from your existing system.

Motorola will help you determine how ASTRO will improve your communications capabilities wifh the next generation fully digital RF technology

Analogue to digital: migration made simple
Now that you have learned about the exciting advantages of ASTRO Digital Solutions, you will appreciate how easy it is to migrate from your current system to digital. Graceful migration is a top priority for Motorola‘s new 2-way radio technology.

First ASTRO field units and base stations are designed to be extremely flexible and operate in analogue, Securenet and ASTRO digital modes. They also operate on 12.5/20/25 kHz channels.

Migrate only as much of your System as you need. ASTRO makes it possible in a number of different ways - smoothly and cost effectively :

RADIO-BY-RADIO MIGRATION:
The gradual replacement of existing analogue radios with digital radios can provide a foundation for a later move to digital. Since all of the digital radios can operate as analogue or Securenet units you can maintain current System services while laying the groundwork for a future shift to digital. "

Looks like a digital change is in the works

[Ebenge]

Thanks for all your input and for the info from the Motorola web site.