IDAS multi site conventional Questions

[360mk2]

Hello,

I work for a law enforcement agency that has quite a bit of area to cover. We currently have 4 conventional VHF sites. we have the same RX frequency at all sites with a different TX ( we do have broadband available at all sites) . Our biggest issue is not being able to hear each other unless we are relatively close to one another.

we have a few thousand dollars left in our radio budget for the fiscal year and my boss has given me the go ahead to look into some system improvements.

I have been looking at the IDAS multi site conventional system with linq repeat+. is this a good option? would it even be worth while to get one site switched over to IDAS? My main goal is to get something up and running that we can use to demonstrate how much better it operates compared to what we are using now.

Is IAS 150DV the only high power option? our current repeaters are 150W


we would definitely need mixed mode operation.

* we did just get most of our fleet switched over to NX-5000 series radios*

any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated, I have sales guys coming out in the next two weeks and I want to have a strong understanding of what we need so I do not get sold on something we do not need and costs too much.

 

[mmckenna]

I have sales guys coming out in the next two weeks and I want to have a strong understanding of what we need so I do not get sold on something we do not need and costs too much.

Be careful with this part.

If you leak how much money you have to spend, they'll find a perfect solution that costs slightly more than what you have available.


I'm not an Icom guy, so I can't answer the specifics. I've been running a trunked NXDN system for about 8 years now. Kenwood, though, not Icom.

What I can tell you is that linking your sites via IP can work well, but there are some things you need to consider…
Make sure you have someone knowledgeable on your staff that can properly set up you IP network to support this. VPN and routers to properly handle the IP requirements is key. You cannot simply hook these up to a simple DSL connection and make them work.

Your IP network will also need to be hardened. That means security and power backup.

Your budget "a few thousand dollars"? How many "few" do you have? Repeaters will be a few grand each.

 

[360mk2]

Thanks for the reply!

do you have any detailed specs on what type of networking equipment that's required? 3 of the 4 sites have new agency owned microwave equipment on board. I'm hoping that they will have the routers that can support what we need to do.

I'm not completely married to using Icom equipment. I was just told its a little easier and more cost effective to use over Kenwood.( the radio shop who told me this is an Icom and Kenwood Dealer who recommends Kenwood NX radios vs Icom )

after going over the contract pricing last night it appears that Icom reduced the discount from 37% off list down to 25%. I also noticed it was cheaper to go kenwood with an amp to get up to 150 watts.

Since we are located in Icom's back yard we have a couple of guys coming out from the Icom America office to meet with us.

 

[360mk2]

As for the money aspect. I wish i had a good idea of what we have to spend but my admin keeps me in the dark on this type of stuff ( since I'm the one dealing with sales guys this is actually nice) I would guess we have 10-15k left.

we also have large grant proposal out for equipment.

 

[mmckenna]

I don't have anything specific for Icom.

What I know on the Kenwood side is that the repeaters need to be on the same network. That can be handled by proper setup of the routing. If there are routers at the site, that should be easy for your IT guys to set up. If not, you can buy some basic routers and have someone set them up to do what you need.