I've been reading documentation, meeting notes, and other information regarding the future of UCAN. Most notably the "Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan" (SCIP) laid out by the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee that Huntsman formed in 2007. This replaces the old interoperability committee you may be aware of that sort of watched over VECC/UCAN, etc. Let's call this "UCAN 2.0."
As many predicted here, the main challenges of the committee are in obtaining the many millions of dollars needed to enhance and operate the existing UCAN system. Most notably, their goals in reaching DHS initiatives to obtain grant money, etc. The Utah legislature has apparently not been too responsive, but the fed seems to have printed some funny money and is passing it out among sates. The last big push for that grant money happens this year, with several million up for capture by the state.
One of the improvements seem to be focusing around P25 for UCAN. Building out systems that will eventually be capable of supporting a digital infrastructure. The idea is that this would ease integration. Right now the regional interoperability - even among the federal government - seems to be a mix of great and terrible. The way things are being held together right now is via grant money. Without that grant money (which apparently goes away in 2011) rural agencies would be mostly unable to participate in UCAN. While SCIP does have P25 aspirations, they are likely a ways off as they try and find methods to pay for all the upgrades (911 fees, tax increases, etc), and keep the rural agencies plugged in.
Another thing that is coming up, but which I don't quite understand, is "narrow-band migration." It sounds like a current issue the interoperability committee is working on in earnest. It does not seem like it would impact the scanning community as deeply as P25 would, but I am not an expert.
I could find no information - anywhere - indicating a P25 en mass migration is in the works any time soon. Everything i saw was indicating they are still working on the technology foundation to support such a system. That work is being limited to the Wasatch front right now. it is also being hampered due to lack of funds.
Hopefully this helps put to rest any concerns from "Radio Shack Experts" telling people UCAN is going to push out digital next month. ;-) Someday? If they find the money. Next month? Nope.
As many predicted here, the main challenges of the committee are in obtaining the many millions of dollars needed to enhance and operate the existing UCAN system. Most notably, their goals in reaching DHS initiatives to obtain grant money, etc. The Utah legislature has apparently not been too responsive, but the fed seems to have printed some funny money and is passing it out among sates. The last big push for that grant money happens this year, with several million up for capture by the state.
One of the improvements seem to be focusing around P25 for UCAN. Building out systems that will eventually be capable of supporting a digital infrastructure. The idea is that this would ease integration. Right now the regional interoperability - even among the federal government - seems to be a mix of great and terrible. The way things are being held together right now is via grant money. Without that grant money (which apparently goes away in 2011) rural agencies would be mostly unable to participate in UCAN. While SCIP does have P25 aspirations, they are likely a ways off as they try and find methods to pay for all the upgrades (911 fees, tax increases, etc), and keep the rural agencies plugged in.
Another thing that is coming up, but which I don't quite understand, is "narrow-band migration." It sounds like a current issue the interoperability committee is working on in earnest. It does not seem like it would impact the scanning community as deeply as P25 would, but I am not an expert.
I could find no information - anywhere - indicating a P25 en mass migration is in the works any time soon. Everything i saw was indicating they are still working on the technology foundation to support such a system. That work is being limited to the Wasatch front right now. it is also being hampered due to lack of funds.
Hopefully this helps put to rest any concerns from "Radio Shack Experts" telling people UCAN is going to push out digital next month. ;-) Someday? If they find the money. Next month? Nope.
