Stoc

[y10kiscoming]

From the RR news/home/front page:

http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=4339130

so.. let me get this straight.... he invented a multi-channel localized (and hopefully site-programmable?) crossband repeater.

from the FCC's standpoint, wouldnt something like this be ripe for misuse?

would you need new licenses for it?

should be an interesting story as it develops.

-Mark

 

[800crazy1]

wow....good catch, yes should be very interesting !

 

[Alarmroom]

Stocs

This system was licensed last year and combines all three communications bands, VHF, UHF , and 800 MHZ and was desgined to be a KISS operation. Using the VTAC, and UTAC channels plus five 800 Mhz channels the "black box" was a Captiol Region Council of Governments project demonstated in 2004. CRCOG has the 'black box" plus two perminately mounted units in two mobile comand posts.

 

[CT22]

Ok, so how do you use it if your on low band (33/46 MHz)? Once again someone left out half the state.

I hope this thing doesnt look like the photo of a strage contraption on the DEMHS site.... it looks like an old Mastr II cabinet with a bunch of mag mount antennas (if thats the actual unit).

 

[KB1JHU]

Ok, so how do you use it if your on low band (33/46 MHz)? Once again someone left out half the state.

This is from the DEMHS I-Call/I-Tac & STOCS Training PowerPoint:

For those municipalities still using Low Band Radios

33 MHz
37-39 MHz
45-46 MHz

Purchase the appropriate VHF, UHF or 800 MHz radio that is used in your area for interface with existing networks and install the Interoperability Frequencies.

From what I see looking at departments on low band, many have UHF vehicular cross-band repeaters and already use UHF portables. Since STOCS is only meant to be used on portables and, when needed, put through a low power cross-band repeater, they should be all set. Any that are exclusively on low band, with no cross-band repeater already in place, I guess they'll have to buy some new portables.

 

[oilmillcharlie]

Must be what this is all about. Courtesy of Rich McVicar 1/15/2006

GP - CONVENTIONAL PUB SAF & SPEC EMER


GP WQCB656
State Of Connecticut - DEMHS - Thomas Walsh
HARTFORD, CT
[interoperability as a secondary operation]
ctrl pt 1 - 360 BROAD STREET HARTFORD CT 860-566-3180
01/14/06 Administrative Update Applied
1 - FAIRFIELD County
Antenna structures for land, base and fixed stations

authorized by the
Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau for operation at temporary

unspecified locations
may b
without specific prior approval of the Commission where

such antenna
structures
exceed a height of 60.96 meters (200 feet) above ground

level; provided that
the
height of such antennas more than 6.10 meters (20 feet)

above ground,
including
supporting structures (whether natural formation or

man-made), do not exceed
any
slope ratios set forth in Section 17.7(b). Any antenna to

be erected in
excess
foregoing limitations requires prior Commission approval.

Licensees seeking
suc
approval should file application for modification of

license. In
addition,notif
to the Federal Aviation Administration is required

whenever the antenna will
exc
meters (200 feet) above the ground and whenever

notification is otherwise
requi
Section 17.7 of the Commission's Rules. Such notification

shouldbe given by
fil
Form 7460-1, Notice of Proposed Construction or

Alteration, in duplicate,
with t
nearest office of the Federal Aviation Administration,

which form is
available f
offlice.
855.9875 FB2T 3x3e
856.2625 FB2T 3x3e
860.2375 FB2T 3x3e
2 - HARTFORD County

855.7125 FB2T 3x3e
855.9875 FB2T 3x3e
858.4625 FB2T 3x3e
3 - LITCHFIELD County

855.7125 FB2T 3x3e
855.9875 FB2T 3x3e
858.4625 FB2T 3x3e
4 - MIDDLESEX County

855.7125 FB2T 3x3e
855.9875 FB2T 3x3e
858.4625 FB2T 3x3e
5 - NEW HAVEN County


855.7125 FB2T 3x3e
855.9875 FB2T 3x3e
858.4625 FB2T 3x3e
6 - NEW LONDON County

855.7125 FB2T 3x3e
855.9875 FB2T 3x3e
856.2625 FB2T 3x3e
7 - TOLLAND County
855.7125 FB2T 3x3e
855.9875 FB2T 3x3e
858.4625 FB2T 3x3e
8 - WINDHAM County

855.7125 FB2T 3x3e
855.9875 FB2T 3x3e
858.4625 FB2T 3x3e
9 - CT Statewide
810.7125 MO 1500x3e
810.9875 MO 1500x3e
811.2625 MO 1500x3e
813.4625 MO 1500x3e
815.2375 MO 1500x3e


PW - CONVENTIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY POOL


PW KCR309
State Of Connecticut - DEMHS - Thomas Walsh
HARTFORD, CT
[interoperability on scene communications]
ctrl pt 1 - STATE ARMORY BROAD ST HARTFORD CT 860-566-3180
01/14/06 Administrative Update Applied
1 - VETERANS HOME & HOSPITAL 287 WEST ST ROCKY HILL

(HARTFORD) CT
45.52 FB 300w
45.6 FB 300w
2 - CT Statewide
151.1375 MO 9500x2.5e
154.4525 MO3 24x2e
155.7525 MO 9500x2.5e
158.7375 MO3 24x2.5e
159.4725 MO3 24x2.5e
453.2125 MO 9500x2.5e
453.4625 MO 9500x2.5e
453.7125 MO 9500x2.5e
453.8625 MO 9500x2.5e
458.2125 MO 9500x2.5e
458.4625 MO3 24x2.5e
458.7125 MO3 24x2.5e
458.8625 MO3 24x2.5e

 

[CT22]

The fact of the matter is that there are still many FD's, PD's and EMS providers on low band in this state that do not have VHF/UHF vehicular repeaters. Of course there are grants to get radios but some places have to worry about other important things to apply for like gear, apparatus, training, etc. Radios are important but RF does not put out a fire, stop bleeding or catch a criminal.

I guess my point is that if your going to try and fix the problem dont half ass it. Maybe there are technical reasons why they cannot add the low band to the mix but it shure would make it much more useable. I think there are some radios out there that can do 30-50 Mhz in one package. I may be wrong but I think a Syntor X9000 could do this.

 

[PJH]

The Motorola Syntor X9000 was pretty much the only known radio that was built to do 30-50 out of the box. Unfortnuatly, its has been out of production for quite some time. Plenty still in service and floating around on eBay.

Additionally, Transporting EMS units are required to have a UHF radio, so that takes them out of the loop.

The cost of a UHF or VHF portable radio to a department is fairly inexpensive.

Not as many departments are still on lowband as you think, but there is still an amount. Tolland County and New London I believe are the largest holdouts. Low band equipement as a whole isn't as abundant as it once was.

 

[CT22]

Middlesex county is still mostly low band believe it or not. The Middletown area (Portland, Cromwell) has moved to high band and some other towns have UHF or VHF cross band repeaters or vehicle repeaters but only a handful have VHF/UHF portables. For example quite a few towns around me has UHF crossbands but few people have a UHF HT and use it. Some still purchases low band HT's and mobiles.

I figured the X9000 was out of production by now. Obviously this concept could work but it would be so much more user friendly if it was low band friendly. From my point of view most firefighters, EMS, and police personnel have limited knowledge when it comes to communications. So the easier it is for them to communicate the better it is for all of us. Now try to train people when to use the appropriate radio and you will have a big cluster!

 

[PJH]

I am sure you didn't mean it, or really imply it, but I wouldn't group the rank and file in the fields "radio dumb" in a loose sense. A very good percentage of them do actually know more than where the PTT and volume controls are. Police Chief's maybe, but the adminsitrive officers no (PD Capt's, FD Chief's, EMS line officers, etc)

Radio theory/operation/etc is standard teaching at the Training academy, Fire Academy and at the State Telecommunicators course.

I was talking to a "newer" firefighter not too long ago. He was asking me about some radio system questions, and I was actually very impressed at what he was taught and comprehended. 5 years ago, you wouldn't have seen this. Of course, results will vary, void where prohibited.

I see more hype and misinformation out there via the media and Federal Government concerining "interop" and related items. Could things be improved? Yup. Are they as bad as they make it seem? Nope, not at all.

 

[andy404ns]

Most paid fire department have a good knowledge of radio communications and how they work. I go to school in Fairfield, CT and their department members were able to answer all of my questions without falter. Volunteer agencies (such as the one I work for) are different. We have a communications officer but he is under no obligation to teach us how radio communication works. However, that isn't to say that the guys don't know anything about it. Word of mouth is the best method for teaching/learning about the subject. When guys see me with my scanner they ask questions and seem interested in my responses. For instance, we have a problem with random opening and closing of transmissions on our dispatch frequency. A lot of guys thought there was a problem with the tower but I explained that the transmissions were actually occurring and were not birdies because they continued after I programmed our CTCSS tone into my scanner. As a result, rumor is that someone is doing it intentionally. Point being that while there is no way to fully educate every member of a fire department on the technology of radio communications, there are systems in place to help everyone learn and stay informed. My guess is that aside from scanner enthusiasts, public safety personnel are among the most well versed on the subject.

 

[CT22]

You guys are missing the point...