I think that if it was approach correctly we may be able to get the building owner to fund these systems.
You can always add a BDA between the two antennas later if you need more signal.
This is exactly what causes interference. Improperly designed system without proper engineering, design and installation that puts first responders lives at risk.
This is exactly what causes interference. Improperly designed system without proper engineering, design and installation that puts first responders lives at risk.
I understand peoples comments about trying out different solutions to resolve radio issues. Most of the time I believe this comments are made from the perspective that a lot of Public Safety agencies don't have the funding to put on of these system in every building they have radio issues in.
However in this case I believe the building owner or occupant should or would be responsible for the cost of installing this system. Now this doesn't mean that since someone else is paying for it the most elaborate and expensive system possible should be installed. That isn't a real positive PR move for the agency requiring the installation.
Has your agency considered hiring a ----vendor neutral land mobile radio consultant -----to look into this problem? Regardless whether the building owner pays or your department pays, the integrity of your agency's radio signals will be impacted. The solution might be a new simulcast system in some part of town, or specific BDA/DAS solution that works for each building. This is nothing that should be bought off the shelf, or the responsibility entirely placed in the hands of the building owners. You might not be happy with the end product, even if it is a very elaborate and expensive solution by others.
We are apart of a vendor neutral radio technician consortium with a few other counties in which we work closely with on many different levels. There are dozens of Public Safety agencies that are directly or indirectly involved in this consortium. Since we made this transition a few years ago we have been very satisfied with the outcome. The solutions to our radio problems and issues no longer come from a vendor(s) who love to throw money at the problems. Are radio techs are actually employed by a local municipality.
One of our issues is that we just don't have the money to put up a brand new full simulcast site or even just a voter/receiver site.
Here is a very basic Map that I have created to give a visualization of our County Wide simulcast system that I use for some of the Radio/Communications classes I put on.
Have you considered a vehicular mounted repeater for penetration into large structures? There are some NFPA requirements that may need to be met such as logging recorder and monitoring at central dispatch. Some agencies have gone this route due to the complexity and cost of BDA/DAS installations.
The only rational way to do this is to hire a company that specializes in installing these systems. Don't be surprised if the installed cost gets into six-figure territory.
If no one on their staff is an ETA certified RF interference mitigation technician, then keep shopping. (Ask for their ETA cert number).