Looking to purchase a digital scanner and I'm not very scanner savvy which is my reason for looking at the HP series due to its simplicity. I understand the HP2 can monitor Phase 2 while the HP1 cannot. My question is, how long will Phase 1 (which is what most of my local agencies have recently switched to) last and be functional on a HP1? Will these agencies be switching to Phase 2 soon making the HP1 useless and a pointless purchase? I'm not quite clear on the Phase 1 and 2 radio systems. Thanks in advance.
HP1 vs. HP2
- Thread starter bouges18
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How soon they switch depends on the area in which you live. A better way to approach this purchase depends on whether you plan to buy a new or used unit. Assuming that you are buying a new one, you might as well get the HP-2 since the extra cost will be worth it in the long run.
There are systems out there that are 20 years old. Hard to say when your area might upgrade, but I would go with the HP-2 since it's a little more future-proof. I also like the looks much more than the HP-1. I could go either way on the USB charging port. Sometimes it's nice - sometimes I like separate charge ports.
It might help if you said what area you are in. Some people may have better info on future systems in your area.
It might help if you said what area you are in. Some people may have better info on future systems in your area.
Purely my own opinion, but I think P25 Phase I will disappear much faster than most are thinking. Every time I have attempted to guess how quickly (or slowly) a radio and/or network technology will advance and become less expensive... I have been wrong. The change has happened much more quickly than I expected, and the cost reduction much greater than I expected... in many cases to the point that keeping the older stuff actually becomes a more expensive option. You may want to read this thread:
http://forums.radioreference.com/industry-discussion/301508-any-reason-build-p25-phase-i.html
http://forums.radioreference.com/industry-discussion/301508-any-reason-build-p25-phase-i.html
No one ever gets disappointed for guessing wrong on technology, right? And manufacturers never tick off their customers, either. And if you believe that.... ;-) Seriously though.... the argument has been made that rapid technology change is exactly what manufacturers count on to sell more gear. Pick a manufacturer of cellphones. How many different cellphone models from that manufacturer have been introduced in the past five years?
I live in the St. Louis, MO area. The Missouri Highway Patrol just switched to the Phase 1 system last year which leads me to believe they will be Phase 1 for awhile. Also, all of the other local agencies who went digital in late 2014 also are Phase 1. I might be wrong but I would assume these agencies would stay Phase 1 unless mandated to go to Phase 2, at least for awhile.
What happened in Ohio was the state strongly supported pushing users onto their system. (MARCS). It rapidly reached capacity and gen 2 - MARCS-Ip was created and all MARCS users will migrate to it next year.
It is P2 capable - but no one still knows (publicly at least) any definite P2 change over. The new system has increased capacity and P2 would give evenmore. My understanding is that all users on s site need to be p2 or it defaults to p1. That p2 change statewide could require a lot of new equipment.
ANYWAY - one needs to have a good guess for their local area to make the decision. P1 might be fine for3-4 years or more. By then there will be newer better radios anyway.
I'd check with the MO forum and see if there is any local info. I have no p2, but have 2 p2 radios.
It is P2 capable - but no one still knows (publicly at least) any definite P2 change over. The new system has increased capacity and P2 would give evenmore. My understanding is that all users on s site need to be p2 or it defaults to p1. That p2 change statewide could require a lot of new equipment.
ANYWAY - one needs to have a good guess for their local area to make the decision. P1 might be fine for3-4 years or more. By then there will be newer better radios anyway.
I'd check with the MO forum and see if there is any local info. I have no p2, but have 2 p2 radios.
Then I would say you should be safe for a while. Of course, that could change tomorrow. In my first reply I outlines the differences between the HP-1 and HP-2. That said, one thing I didn't mention is that many dealers are putting the HP-1 in clearance, so you should be able to find a very nice price even on a new unit.
Your point is completely logical for MHP. Why would they change equipment on a working system... if you consider only the customer's point of view? But what if the manufacturer (or a competitor) produces a demonstrably better solution using advanced technology... and is motivated (as they always are) to sell more to their existing customer base? Then you as a manufacturer offer an upgrade package that includes incentives like trade-in and buyback for the existing fleet. Because if you don't do it, your competition will. This has been the norm for some time in consumer electronics, and my opinion is that we'll see it become a more common practice in sales to government and enterprise. At least I would be reluctant to claim that communications equipment manufacturers never will engage in such behavior... or that some are not doing so already.
All users on a site on the same TG. One TG may use Phase II while another uses Phase I. Also, one site may use Phase II for a TG while a different site that has an old radio affiliated could be using Phase I. At least that's how I understand it. It only takes one Phase I radio to revert the TG on that site to Phase I.
I've heard that, and seems more correct, but I've heard site also.
I'm set either way Have a HP1 dedicated for mobile but will probably set up dual power sources so I can use the -2 for trips outside the known world.
I'm set either way
Have a HP1 dedicated for mobile but will probably set up dual power sources so I can use the -2 for trips outside the known world.- Status
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