M/A Comm Open Sky

[jasonpeoria911]

So is there any place thats had success using Open Sky? I know PA had a huge problem getting it setup and went way over budget. I've read multiple stories online about other places having big troubles. I've yet to find one success story from it. Anybody know any departments that use it and like it?

Jason

 

[N_Jay]

So is there any place thats had success using Open Sky? I know PA had a huge problem getting it setup and went way over budget. I've read multiple stories online about other places having big troubles. I've yet to find one success story from it. Anybody know any departments that use it and like it?

Jason

OCTD Orange CA,
One of the utilities in AZ (I think the Salt River Project)

There are others.

 

[1268]

Jason your not reading enough

I have posted my success with this system and a head to head test against Moto where Open Sky was a hands down winner. I have a open sky radio next to me, no problems and frankly I think the whole issue has been blown way out of proportion. I have just as many issues both with the system and budgets with Moto as with M/A Com. PM me for specifics.

 

[a29zuk]

Oakland Co. Michigan has been having problems since at least 2004(see updates in the database). They continue to use their 800Mhz analog system which is fine with me as I can still monitor them.

 

[Mark01]

I have posted my success with this system and a head to head test against Moto where Open Sky was a hands down winner

1268, Correct me If I'm wrong but looking at your previous post about this test you are referring to "using a built out ma/com 900 mhzEDACS open sky system"This is a different type radio system than the Open Sky 800 mhz TDMA/VOIP type system being installed in Oakland Co. Mi And the State of PA .Oakland Co is supposedly to have this system up and running in late 2007.


Mark

 

[1268]

Your right, however Jason NEVER said 800mhz ,he asked where there any success stories and there are. I have been open sky's biggest critic but when something works I am man enough to say I was wrong. DO NOT blame the system all the time folks there is a lot of variables such has bad tower placement ,bad installs etc. It's not always the system.

 

[N_Jay]

Your right, however Jason NEVER said 800mhz ,he asked where there any success stories and there are. I have been open sky's biggest critic but when something works I am man enough to say I was wrong. DO NOT blame the system all the time folks there is a lot of variables such has bad tower placement ,bad installs etc. It's not always the system.

Quick note.

EDACS even with PROVOICE is NOT OpenSky!

 

[1268]

Your correct N_jay did I miss something ? You are aware that MA/COM has a 900mhz open sky system out. Not being a smart, butt I am not as knowledgeable about there EDACS stuff as you

 

[N_Jay]

Your correct N_jay did I miss something ? You are aware that MA/COM has a 900mhz open sky system out. Not being a smart, butt I am not as knowledgeable about there EDACS stuff as you

Yes, I am very aware of the 900 MHz OpenSky 2 slot 9600 BPS system.

What systems did you head-to-head test against the OpenSky?

What was the determining metric?

 

[mike916]

We are in the process of turning up a 900 Mhz 2 slot 5 site OpenSky system. I am not the lead tech but he is saying that the system is still not ready for use as there are any number of little glitchs such as a portable will loose system registration and go dumb and the site transmitters I/Q pattern alignments tend to drift. MA/Comm is working the problems (I am told). So is this just a case of growing pains that any new install has or is it a case of 900 2 slot being the "new kid on the block"?

Is there anyone out there that has a FULLY functional OpenSky system, be it 800 or 900, 2 slot or 4 slot TDMA?

And I don't want to hear the old Moto vs. everybody else B.S. because we have been thru that and Moto was NOT EVER able to get to work a VHF digital simulcast system that we had them install on a couple of mountain tops. Early adopters always get to deal with the Beta testing period.

 

[N4DES]

The City of West Palm Beach (FL) is attempting to put a system up a 4 slot system in 800.
Some of their "internal folks" are playing with it but it isn't ready for prime time as they are still passing traffic on their Motorola Type II system.

 

[KI7WB]

OpenSky 900 MHz Implementation

I'm in the middle of installing and turning-up an OpenSky 900 MHz 2-timeslot system. Currently we have multiple RF sites in progress of going on-the-air with two redundant switching centers. We are discovering that the system is requiring code de-bugging at the system level for portables, mobiles, consoles and base stations. It is looking like the system is so new that only "Beta" versions of the equipment software code is available for field use.
We are using the P5300 and M5300 radios and I suspect we are trying to wake-up the first production run.
Questions: Anyone else out there installing and turning-up a 900 MHz OpenSky systems, and if so, what sort of issues are you challenged with? What quality of technical support and responsiveness have other OpenSky (700/800/900MHz) system installers and users seen from MA-Com? Lastly, are there any suggestions on how to improve the level of techncial support from the vendor?

 

[1268]

900mhz open sky

Same as you, just received the first batch of radios and will be getting started this week. It's so new I suspect we will be the test case's on this stuff. More updates through the week. KI7WB PM for more info

 

[ElroyJetson]

Most issues with Motorola (or anyone else) not being able to make a simulcast system
work are a matter of conflict between engineering needs and budgetary demands.

I believe that if a competent engineer says "This is what you have to have to make the system
work as you want it to" and the customer says "OK, build it like that" then there's NEVER be a
problem with any system failing to meet its performance goals. But there's
ALWAYS a bean counter or two involved in the decision and they say "We can't afford that.
We'll pay 80 percent of that, so give us 80 percent of what we need."

So the system gets built. And the 20 percent that's substandard generates 99 percent of
all system complaints. Result: NOBODY'S happy. The customer doesn't stop whining
because the system doesn't work, the engineer wants to kill the bean counter, bean
counter wants to kill EVERYBODY. The only winner is the salesdroid that got the
commission. What does he care if the system works right or not? He'll probably land the
upgrade contracts anyway, no matter what happens.


Elroy

 

[N_Jay]

Most issues with Motorola (or anyone else) not being able to make a simulcast system
work are a matter of conflict between engineering needs and budgetary demands.

I believe that if a competent engineer says "This is what you have to have to make the system
work as you want it to" and the customer says "OK, build it like that" then there's NEVER be a
problem with any system failing to meet its performance goals. But there's
ALWAYS a bean counter or two involved in the decision and they say "We can't afford that.
We'll pay 80 percent of that, so give us 80 percent of what we need."

So the system gets built. And the 20 percent that's substandard generates 99 percent of
all system complaints. Result: NOBODY'S happy. The customer doesn't stop whining
because the system doesn't work, the engineer wants to kill the bean counter, bean
counter wants to kill EVERYBODY. The only winner is the salesdroid that got the
commission. What does he care if the system works right or not? He'll probably land the
upgrade contracts anyway, no matter what happens.


Elroy

Maybe you need to go into consulting and help all these helpless agencies?

 

[ElroyJetson]

Nah...I hate dealing with politics, and system planning and negotiations are ALL politics.

I'd be tempted to take the brutal approach: Shoot the bean counters in the head and order
the system built as the engineers dictate.


Elroy

 

[Radioman1993]

My God The Truth Is Known

Most issues with Motorola (or anyone else) not being able to make a simulcast system
work are a matter of conflict between engineering needs and budgetary demands.

I believe that if a competent engineer says "This is what you have to have to make the system
work as you want it to" and the customer says "OK, build it like that" then there's NEVER be a
problem with any system failing to meet its performance goals. But there's
ALWAYS a bean counter or two involved in the decision and they say "We can't afford that.
We'll pay 80 percent of that, so give us 80 percent of what we need."

So the system gets built. And the 20 percent that's substandard generates 99 percent of
all system complaints. Result: NOBODY'S happy. The customer doesn't stop whining
because the system doesn't work, the engineer wants to kill the bean counter, bean
counter wants to kill EVERYBODY. The only winner is the salesdroid that got the
commission. What does he care if the system works right or not? He'll probably land the
upgrade contracts anyway, no matter what happens.


Elroy

MY GOD ... someone that realizes the key factor in new system implementation problems. WOW ... I never thought I would read a statement like that on this message board.

Nah...I hate dealing with politics, and system planning and negotiations are ALL politics.

I'd be tempted to take the brutal approach: Shoot the bean counters in the head and order
the system built as the engineers dictate.


Elroy

My thoughts exactly. But then how would the Customer justify their salaries and the pay to the high priced consultants to check over what they wanted to order? Gotta have the high priced YESMAN/KnowItAll in the equation or else it wouldn't be any fun.

Radio

 

[flecom]

Maybe you need to go into consulting and help all these helpless agencies?

But then how would the Customer justify their salaries and the pay to the high priced consultants to check over what they wanted to order? Gotta have the high priced YESMAN/KnowItAll in the equation or else it wouldn't be any fun.

 

[Radioman1993]

OH NO flecom. I am certainly NOT one of those high priced consultants.