Hi guys,
I don't have that muchh information about MPSCS. Can someone tell me how it works and what are differences with conventional?
Also I have a question about the radio that I should use. Our department is working on 700/800 patched to oakland county. And we have the vhf conventional channel as a backup radio frequency.
What radio I need if I want to program it with 700/800 trunk system? I already have ht1250 and xpr7550 both vhf.
I'll only address the "What radio" question since the conventional vs. trunking question has already been addressed. While part of the "What radio" question has also been addressed quite well (basically use a scanner, which is really the best answer generally), it appears that you are really asking about a radio that will not only receive, but also transmit. If you only need a receive solution, get a scanner. You'll save money, grief, and have the best chance of remain legal.
If you really have a need to transmit on the system you really need to address this in a legal and professional manner. The large systems, especially the state-wide ones like MPSCS, are very complex systems and have very strict rules on what radios and users are allowed on them. This is to protect the users and system from trouble due to radios being improperly programed, cloned radios, and radios that may not be fully compatible. They also have ways to "kill" unauthorized radios that use the system so that's an incentive to do it right the first time (you really want an expensive radio that was killed and then just an expensive paper weight?).
Start out by talking to your department manager about what you need to purchase (or even if you're allowed to purchase one yourself). This would need to include all of the specific features and options required for use on the desired system. Often these systems have authorized suppliers that both know what is allowed and what is required on that radio. You may be forced to purchase from one of those suppliers to have your radio allowed on the system. It won't be something as simple as "You need a XTS-5000 and there are plenty on e-Bay".
Once you have the radio with all the correct options, you'll need to request that it be allowed on the system. There's paperwork required and most likely a fee (perhaps a monthly fee) to place the radio on the approved list and be able to use it on the system. If you order it from an approved supplier, they may handle this for you, but check to be sure.
Once you have the radio and the approval for it to be on the system, you'll need it to be programmed. Often this must be done by an authorized programmer for the system and use a standardized template based on your agency's needs. This may be a group that runs the system for your state or may be an authorized company contracted by the system for this purpose. Again, that authorized supplier may handle the programming as well, but again, check to make sure.
Although I mention this last, it should be the first thing you do officially. Get your permission IN WRITING prior to placing a personal radio on the system. This permission should be from not only your agency (who will be responsible for you as a user and for any fees) but from the agency that runs the system. This will protect you if they kill your radio in error and make sure that YOU covered YOURSELF from any issues that may crop up since this permission should include the rules you must follow as a user with a personal radio on the system. This is especially important if your state (as many do) has laws protecting the public safety radio systems from "unauthorized" users. A little grief now is much better than a huge fine and/or jail time that may result from being an "unauthorized" user.
