700MHz Systems in Oregon

[joescanner]

In addition to the three 700MHz STA grants for Portland in the last couple of weeks, there are three pending applications for the Linn/Benton County 700MHz system:

ULS Application - Trunked Public Safety 700 MHz - 0004385358 - BENTON, COUNTY OF
ULS Application - Trunked Public Safety 700 MHz - 0004385359 - LINN, COUNTY OF
ULS Application - Trunked Public Safety 700 MHz - 0004385362 - LINN, COUNTY OF

They all indicate "Offlined to Review Slow Growth":

The Benton & Linn County Trunked Voice Radio System, which will utilize 27 700 MHz 12.5 kHz channel blocks as shown in application. The system is being implemented over a period of 3 years according to the following schedule:

• System Design and Phase 1a operational - June 2011
• Phase 1b operational – June 2012
• Phase 2 operational – June 2013

Benton and Linn County are proceeding with a phased build out of the 700 MHz radio system. To date, the Counties have received a Federal Transportation Bill earmark, Public Safety Interoperable Communications and Department of Homeland Security grant funds for P25 master site equipment, microwave and site development and 700 MHz fixed and subscriber equipment. The regional radio project primarily involving law enforcement, fire, EMS, PSAPS and public works is proceeding efficiently in as much as federal funding is being secured. Local matching funds have come from partners outside of, but not unrelated to the ‘standard’ public safety.

Based on the schedule, the base station and mobile radio equipment that will use the proposed 700 MHz channels will be installed and operational in phases with the last phase completed June 2013, which is well beyond the normal 12-month construction time period for a new license. Therefore, extended implementation, pursuant to §90.155 (b) and §90.629 of the FCC’s Rules is respectfully requested for the channels requested in this application, with a final construction and operating date of June 31, 2013.

Here's a Google Map of the three applications.

 

[Baker845]

Thats nuts Benton and Linn county would built 700mhz system. The Vhf repeaters they use now dont work that great in few areas of the county. 700mhz wont be any better.

 

[mikepdx]

Thats nuts Benton and Linn county would built 700mhz system. The Vhf repeaters they use now dont work that great in few areas of the county. 700mhz wont be any better.

The "trick" is to complete the system with the original grant money.
When it's found the system is inadequate, beg the central government
in Washington DC for even more grant money (with all strings attached)
as well as bleed the local taxpayers using the usual safety threats to
get what they want.

There will be sites on every rise in the county if that's what it takes.

 

[joescanner]

The "trick" is to complete the system with the original grant money.
When it's found the system is inadequate, beg the central government
in Washington DC for even more grant money (with all strings attached)
as well as bleed the local taxpayers using the usual safety threats to
get what they want.

There will be sites on every rise in the county if that's what it takes.

Which, while I agree 100%, is a pathetic excuse for not doing it right the first time. Looking at the sites selected for this system really has me scratching my head. Granted it is the "Willamette Valley," but there are a heck of a lot of ridges and mountains in the coverage area.

It will be interesting to see what happens when the system doesn't provide equivalent coverage to what they have today...

 

[PMJ2kx]

And now...Trimet is jumping on 700Mhz...

ULS Application - Trunked Public Safety 700 MHz - 0004429447 - Tri County Metropolitan Transit District of Oregon

 

[DickH]

And now...Trimet is jumping on 700Mhz...

ULS Application - Trunked Public Safety 700 MHz - 0004429447 - Tri County Metropolitan Transit District of Oregon

Here is a summary of the output freqs.
769.33125
769.85625
770.08125
770.09375
770.28125
770.33125
770.34375
771.03125
771.20625
771.21875
771.25625
771.26875
771.48125
771.49375
771.68125
771.69375
771.75625
771.76875
772.05625
772.06875
772.35625
772.43125
772.44375
772.85625
772.86875
773.23125
773.24375
773.98125
774.18125
774.90625

 

[joescanner]

Thats nuts Benton and Linn county would built 700mhz system. The Vhf repeaters they use now dont work that great in few areas of the county. 700mhz wont be any better.

Baker, here's another part of the answer:

NOTE: The ASTRO 25 simulcast radio subsystem is based on
connecting Benton / Linn County ASTRO 25 system to the existing
Lane County ASTRO 25 master switch that resides in Eugene, OR.

 

[Baker845]

I didnt know that was taking place. Thank you Joe for info.

 

[PMJ2kx]

Trimet got their STA approved. They should be prototype testing as we speak, with a second FCC application pending.

ULS License - Trunked Public Safety 700 MHz License - WQNB668 - TriCounty Metropolitan Transit District of Oregon

One thing I am confused about...I've never seen this listed before for a frequency in the FCC DB:
"000770.33125000, 000770.33125000C "

Does that mean they are using those frequencies in both trunked and conventional?

 

[gmitch]

Trimet got their STA approved. They should be prototype testing as we speak, with a second FCC application pending.

ULS License - Trunked Public Safety 700 MHz License - WQNB668 - TriCounty Metropolitan Transit District of Oregon

One thing I am confused about...I've never seen this listed before for a frequency in the FCC DB:
"000770.33125000, 000770.33125000C "

Does that mean they are using those frequencies in both trunked and conventional?

The little c means a range of frequencies but it looks like a goof here. If you look at the reference copy it shows, for example, 770.33125-770.33125.

 

[gmitch]

Trimet got their STA approved. They should be prototype testing as we speak, with a second FCC application pending.

ULS License - Trunked Public Safety 700 MHz License - WQNB668 - TriCounty Metropolitan Transit District of Oregon

An solid tone is now on 770.34375 in P25 modulation from Mt. Scott. Strong signal.

 

[joescanner]

Trimet got their STA approved. They should be prototype testing as we speak, with a second FCC application pending.

ULS License - Trunked Public Safety 700 MHz License - WQNB668 - TriCounty Metropolitan Transit District of Oregon

An solid tone is now on 770.34375 in P25 modulation from Mt. Scott. Strong signal.

We were testing voice (a little - nothing structured) last Thursday. The audio quality is pretty good. Coverage testing is underway.

 

[Tacosalad]

Since it is past the June 2011 date, does anyone know if the 700mhz trunked system in Linn/Benton is operational? Also, is this going to be a P25 system?

 

[joescanner]

I haven't been down there lately to see, and I've heard no other reports.

Also, anything in 700MHz is going to be digital voice (not necessarily P25), but in this case, will be a part of the Lane County P25 system (seperate RFSS, but under the direction of the Lane County Astro25 controller).

 

[joescanner]

Well, here's a couple interesting documents...
7-county interoperable radio network background and description (2009-12-10)

7-county interoperable radio network inter-governmental agreement

7-county interoperable radio network map

professional services contract for consultant for 7-county interoperable radio network

Another professional services contract

May 2010 order for amendment of 2006 IGA for operational use

 

[joescanner]

Well, I was in the area today, and didn't hear any activity on any of the Linn/Benton licensed 700MHz frequencies. The schedule must have slipped...

 

[OregonScanner]

The Benton County simulcast is active. The System ID & WACN are the same as Lane County's TRS (since the P25 controller is in Eugene)

774.38125cc
System ID: 1F3
WACN: BEE00
R001
Site: 010
NAC: 1FA (lane county's are 1F0)

I was unable to obtain a control channel for the Monroe, Linn County simulcast, McCully Mtn, & Green Peter sites.

 

[gmitch]

Here is some more info on the Benton / Linn system:

PDF - Region 35 presentation for meeting.pdf

PDF 700Mhz license application - Summery.pdf

The full zip is here:
http://www.region-35.org/LinnBenton700App.zip