{ Narrow-Banding } Starts Jan 1,2013

ElektrikReader · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2012, 6:48 PM

Will any Scanners {being sold now}, be able to scan the new Public-Safety "Narrow Banded" channels after January 1,2013 ?

n5ims · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2012, 6:54 PM

Nearly all of those that were designed in the past 5 years or so should work just fine on the "new" narrow-band channels. Even many that weren't designed for narrowband use should still work on many of the existing systems as they migrate to narrowband transmissions (although their audio may be a bit low) since only the bandwidth is normally changed, not the frequency when they migrate. This will change as they start using the new inbetween channels since the older radios won't know which frequency to tune to (you'll generally hear both).

Since this rule had nearly 10 years between the time it was announced and the deadline most scanner makers have had loads of time to make sure that their newer products were compatible.

Redneck0410 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2012, 6:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElektrikReader

Will any Scanners {being sold now}, be able to scan the new Public-Safety "Narrow Banded" channels after January 1,2013 ?

I would think the ones that don't support narrowbanding will have firmware upgrades or something along those lines to take care of that. I own a BCT15x and it is narrow-band compliant. If I remember correctly, most if not all of the DMA unidens on the market today support narrowbanding. Someone along the lines here will correct me if I am wrong.

ElektrikReader · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2012, 7:26 PM

Thanks for the quick replies. I am unconvinced however that many Scanners ( particularly the Analog types) will be able to scan these channels without some kind of modification by the manufacturer. Any thoughts on that ?

gewecke · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2012, 7:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElektrikReader

Thanks for the quick replies. I am unconvinced however that many Scanners ( particularly the Analog types) will be able to scan these channels without some kind of modification by the manufacturer. Any thoughts on that ?

Your concern is unfounded. No mods will be necessary, unless you wish to install a amplified speaker since the received audio will be lower on a narrow band compliant radio. This has already been confirmed as a non-issue.

73,
n9zas

ElektrikReader · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2012, 7:56 PM

Thanks to all for your ideas. I am going to try and keep an open mind on this topic, especially since, I just skimmed the Wiki article on this subject. I am going to read the article(s) now. thanks again.

BoxAlarm187 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2012, 7:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElektrikReader

Thanks to all for your ideas. I am going to try and keep an open mind on this topic.

You can rest easy...most of the agencies in my area have already rebanded (including mine), and all of my scanners are still receiving just fine. You have nothing to worry about.

UPMan · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2012, 1:05 PM

Should be noted that, despite the topic heading, 1/1/2013 is the deadline to complete narrowbanding. So, most systems requiring changes have already made those changes.

There are several paths to narrowbanding. Some systems will migrate to digital systems (which would require a digital scanner). Many (probably most) will "narrowband in place." That is, they'll adjust their existing system to use a NFM modulation. In that case, older conventional scanners will have the volume reduced by about 1/2. After 1/1/2013, FCC will start assigning users into the "in-between" spaces freed up by narrowbanding. For those channels, older scanners will not be able to precisely tune to the new frequency, but will still work (albeit with lower volume and non-optimal reception).

Uniden trunking scanners all handle NFM and the new steps just fine. The new BC125AT is narrowband compatible, as is the BC75XLT that is about to start shipping. We'll complete our transition on the conventional scanners by early next year.

mmckenna · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2012, 1:44 PM

I have an old 895xlt and it works fine. We narrow banded our fire department back in the spring, and I'm doing our police department in a few weeks. When it scans between the two, our fire system sounds quieter compared to the PD, but it's not bad enough to require adjusting the volume.

Like others said, not a problem. Even the commercial transceivers don't have an issue with it.

pj61 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-06-2012, 6:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UPMan

Should be noted that, despite the topic heading, 1/1/2013 is the deadline to complete narrowbanding. So, most systems requiring changes have already made those changes.

There are several paths to narrowbanding. Some systems will migrate to digital systems (which would require a digital scanner). Many (probably most) will "narrowband in place." That is, they'll adjust their existing system to use a NFM modulation. In that case, older conventional scanners will have the volume reduced by about 1/2. After 1/1/2013, FCC will start assigning users into the "in-between" spaces freed up by narrowbanding. For those channels, older scanners will not be able to precisely tune to the new frequency, but will still work (albeit with lower volume and non-optimal reception).

Uniden trunking scanners all handle NFM and the new steps just fine. The new BC125AT is narrowband compatible, as is the BC75XLT that is about to start shipping. We'll complete our transition on the conventional scanners by early next year.

You mentioned that the BC75XLT is about to start shipping. I have been unable to find any information
on this model. Is this a new model or is it an updated version of the BC72XLT? Thanks

joshua80 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-06-2012, 8:07 PM

So is Narrow-Banding just for Vhf?
Or is it both Vhf/Uhf.

ka3jjz · #12 (**permalink**) 10-06-2012, 8:19 PM

It affects both VHF hi band and UHF, but NOT UHF-T (470-512 Mhz) - the FCC has exempted this range because all users are supposed to vacate that band by 2020 or so

See this article from our wiki - the link to the FCC docket is in bold about 2/3 the way down, before the FAQ...

Narrowbanding- the RR Wiki

Mike

mancow · #13 (**permalink**) 10-06-2012, 8:27 PM

I'm sure the Nation's biggest Police Department NYPD occupying that spectrum had the most to do with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka3jjz

It affects both VHF hi band and UHF, but NOT UHF-T (470-512 Mhz) - the FCC has exempted this range because all users are supposed to vacate that band by 2020 or so

See this article from our wiki - the link to the FCC docket is in bold about 2/3 the way down, before the FAQ...

Narrowbanding- the RR Wiki

Mike

Chauffeur6 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-06-2012, 9:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshua80

So is Narrow-Banding just for Vhf?
Or is it both Vhf/Uhf.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka3jjz

It affects both VHF hi band and UHF, but NOT UHF-T (470-512 Mhz) - the FCC has exempted this range because all users are supposed to vacate that band by 2020 or so

While true that the FCC issued a full waiver for T-Band 470-512 MHz in April of this year, that doesn't mean agencies haven't already or won't narrowband their equipment in that range...it simply means they are under no obligation to do so anymore. There are plenty of agencies that have already narrowbanded their T-Band equipment prior to the waiver being issued.