What is the status of the new Morris County 700MHz system?

[Clarky]

I was wondering when the new 700MHz system will be up and running? Once the system is operating at 100%, will the UHF channels be taken out of service, except for paging?

 

[GTR8000]

Sites are still being constructed, so no definitive date. 700 will eventually replace T-Band.

 

[K2NEC]

We were also told that there would be some UHF frequencies kept for conventional ops

 

[GTR8000]

Seems reasonable enough. You never, ever give up good spectrum once you have it...especially valuable UHF/T-Band frequencies like that.

 

[lynchy135]

You never, ever give up good spectrum once you have it

I know its slightly off topic, but what is required to keep the spectrum? Just paying the renewal fees or do you need to demonstrate you still use it?

 

[GTR8000]

There are no FCC renewal fees for government agencies/public safety, hence why you see stuff like low band frequencies that haven't been used in 30 years get perpetually renewed. That probably also answers your question about demonstrating that the frequencies are still being used.

 

[tvengr]

especially valuable UHF/T-Band frequencies like that.

What is the bandwidth requirement for grandfathered and new UHF T-Band frequencies?

 

[GTR8000]

What is the bandwidth requirement for grandfathered and new UHF T-Band frequencies?

Any licensed stations that predated the now-defunct T-Band giveback were exempted from narrowbanding, so 25 kHz is still permitted (see: NYPD). New licenses (and possibly major modifications) must comply with the narrowbanding mandate. I don't recall if any official notice has been given as to a new narrowband mandate for incumbent and previously grandfathered licensees, but I'm sure it's coming eventually.

 

[tvengr]

Any licensed stations that predated the now-defunct T-Band giveback were exempted from narrowbanding, so 25 kHz is still permitted (see: NYPD). New licenses (and possibly major modifications) must comply with the narrowbanding mandate. I don't recall if any official notice has been given as to a new narrowband mandate for incumbent and previously grandfathered licensees, but I'm sure it's coming eventually.

Thank you!

 

[rr60]

I have been checking the signal of Site 6, 700MHZ from time to time. -120dB with plenty of multipath. RSSI 72. No changes noted as of 8/22.

I see the same attempted affiliations and denials. I suspect this is automated. Site 5 is not a neighbor yet.

 

[GTR8000]

I've been tracking the 700 cell in Unitrunker since the start of the year. The bulk of the activity is the Prosecutor's Office. The 700 cell is TDMA exclusive for voice traffic.

 

[rr60]

Copy that.

 

[slingshot202]

Signal is weak here in Livingston. Lately the 996XT has been unhappy with the signal - but the SDS200 is keeping the old network alive. Keeping an eye on this network to know when I have a fancy 996XT that can serve as an BCT15X.