No sure of your meaning. But if you're referring to the system upgrade, it's with understanding that Motorola will not continue with warranties and equipment updates with the existing radios and infrastructure. In addition, a revamp of the 800 frequencies are to be implemented, based on deadline from the FCC. This is due to the Sprint-Nextel proposal for public safety to vacate from its existing location on the spectrum.
John Pless provided a wonderful article pertaining to the system and the direction that the local and state government is going with the system. As of now, Catoosa County, Ga. is the only jurisdiction and new addition, to a plan of a multi-county system, with Walker County and Dade County, Ga. to be added in the mere future. This system is suppose to connect to Knox County, giving the system, full coverage on the interstate.
As for the mixed mode digital radio transmission, it is unclear of its true purpose. But the textbook answer is that digital is suppose to be clean and crisp. And in many cases, this is so. But in my line of work, SCBA PASS devices may speak a different tune, during operation scenes of structure fire incidents. As the radio responds well to voice, voice transmissions may be compromised with the high pitched sounds of PASS devices. Since radios have become a tool equivalent to an pick head axe, this important tool may become useless to voice transmissions with high pitched noises, during an operations scene of a fire incident. Fire alarm systems and sirens are other factors to considered. Now my role here isn't to disregard the need for the upgrade of this universal radio system. In fact, I love the idea of building out and standardizing a radio system that everyone can use. As long as it works and doesn't put peoples lives in jeopardy. That's where my concerns are. But I hope this answers any of your concerns. The purpose is simply, keeping up with the demands of a growing government.
