700 MHZ. Trunking Question!

[N1SQB]

Happy Holidays All!
This may be premature in nature but I need to know! My State Police Dept. is rumored to be switching to the new 700 MHZ. P-25 IP-9600 Baud digital spectrum when it becomes available. My question is does anyone know what the step size is going to be on 700 MHZ. I see on some current scanners it says 12.5KHZ. I thought though that I saw a different step size somewhere else,I cant recall where I read it. Just curious. If its too early to be asking this then I apologize. I am just curious if I should spend the big bucks on a current radio or just wait for the band to be fully in use. Are step sizes something that can be updated with newer firmware?

Manny

[crayon]

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Rebanding

[N1SQB]

Thanks Crayon;
I had already gone to that page.! I did not see anything on 700 MHZ. Unless you are telling me that the new 800MHZ. allocation changes,from 25KHZ to now 12KHZ steps, applies to the 700MHZ area as well. There is a statement that reads "this has nothing to do with 700 MHZ."
on there which is what threw me off.

Manny

[DaveNF2G]

Unless "Trunktracker V" will include the ability to track P25IP systems (like OpenSky), you probably won't be able to monitor the system anyway, so the step size will be irrelevant.

[crayon]

Originally Posted by scanernutt

Thanks Crayon; I had already gone to that page!

doh. My mistake. Which goes to prove that I should not be answering posts at 2:00 in the morning. I really do not know why I posted that link ..

This is the thread that you want:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums...ad.php?t=83120

[kikito]

Originally Posted by DaveNF2G

Unless "Trunktracker V" will include the ability to track P25IP systems (like OpenSky), you probably won't be able to monitor the system anyway, so the step size will be irrelevant.

Nah, the "P25IP" it's just their fancy trademark name for the general P25 specs which are all IP-based end-to-end by the standards already established. In fact, I believe the Colorado DTRS is one of the systems already using M/A-Coms P25IP radios on their system and we know that's perfectly monitorable:

http://www.macom-wireless.com/macom_prodnews.asp?ID=974

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=329

The OpenSky or ProVoice modulations are the only thing to watch out for, since that would be the only thing that would make it "un-monitorable" (with scanners) at this time....

To answer the OP's question about stepping on the 700MHz, I believe it should be 6.25kHz and as far as I know it's already supported by the latest scanners and currently people are monitoring some systems using 700MHz (Colorado being one). Ours has been tested sucessfully and in the near future will add sites using 700MHz in addition to the already VHF and 800MHz ones being used. And as you may already know, 700MHz does not have anything to do with the 800MHz rebanding.

[N1SQB]

Thank You KIKITO and Everyone else!
I feel much more confident in purchasing my 996 Digital. I was hoping to avoid a large investment only to have to re-invest in something else when the 700 MHZ takes place. I also learned something new which makes it even better.

Thanks Guys!

Manny

P.S.

Crayon, stay OFF the computer after MIDNIGHT pal......;-)

[mikeATtleccdotnet]

Hello from Colorado, The 996t is a great scanner on the 700MHz band. I use it all the time. All the sites repeater sites that I've been to are Motorola Base Radios and all are IP Based all the way back to the Zone Controllers, So we would be running P25ip. All communications, other then encrypted ones, are very monitorable. One suggestion, get the GPS-18 for you scanner as soon as you can. When the scanner is programmed correctly, it makes life on the road so much simpler. On the MA/Com radios, they are authorized for portable operation only, not for base station use. Along with the other three Motorola, EF Johnson and Kenwood. I've talked with some of the local law enforcement and fire fighter personal that have carried both the Motorola and EFJ radios. Both worked, but the ones that have the EFJ would like to use them as a hammer most of the time.

-Mike

[kikito]

Originally Posted by mikeATtleccdotnet

. Both worked, but the ones that have the EFJ would like to use them as a hammer most of the time.

-Mike

Yep, that's the way some people feel about the EFJ radios up here in Alaska on the ALMR system. I remember when they first started using them on the system. You could clearly tell even with a scanner that they didn't sound quite as good as the Motorolas. Now a few years later and several firmware updates, I think they're actually working a lot better.

[crayon]

Originally Posted by scanernutt

Crayon, stay OFF the computer after MIDNIGHT pal......;-)

rgr that.

[N1SQB]

Great!
Im about to lay down the cash for the 996 and maybe a second bct-15 to mount. I was already convinced on the radio for current 800 MHZ stuff. I just wanted to plan ahead. $500 is not easy to come buy these days. Sounds like I will be all set then for 700 MHZ.
Thanks again all of you. Have a great New Year!

Manny