Ambulance Victoria - Digital Radio Upgrade Program (DRUP2).

[VK3YMML]

Source: Boort8720 - Aussie Scanners

Ambulance Victoria's (AV) new Digital Radio Upgrade Program (DRUP2) has commenced. After a successful 'soft launch' of some AV units trialing the new digital radios in the Geelong area, the official launch of the project will begin on the 20th of January 2025.

New, digital encrypted UIDs on the RMR as well as digital voice audio piped onto the SMR are the clear indicators that have been inevitable for some time. AV will soon become digitally encrypted across the state of Victoria.

Rollout dates are as follows:

• Barwon SW: Jan 2025
• Grampians: March 2025
• Loddon Mallee: May 2025
• Hume: July 2025
• Gippsland: October 2025

Unfortunately, the upgrade is necessary, due to several issues with interference on the SMR Network which may be related to issues around Warrnambool over the last 12/18 months

 

[VK3RX]

Bummer - but we knew the upgrade would happen in time.

 

[VicradioZone]

Unfortunately, the upgrade is necessary, due to several issues with interference on the SMR Network which may be related to issues around Warrnambool over the last 12/18 months

The plan has always been to upgrade even prior to those recent matters. It's just that those recent matters provide folks in certain positions across politics, departments and the like to justify the costs and exercise being undertaken. It also works against critics of such costs and exercises.

It's not like the most recent pirate issues have been a one off in all this time. There have been plenty, its just that now AV Rural are now finally getting their act together putting in to play something they should've done several years back.

Also the MPT1327 SMR Network has been struggling in parts for years with spares and the like becoming a struggle to source at times and becoming hard to justify further new capital expenditure given the plans that have been considered for the MMR / RMR for nearly a decade now and the long term plans of DoJ and EMV for the States comms needs.

SMR would've been gone long ago if not for the likes of AV Rural delaying it's shutoff whilst they funded and planned for their migration.
Lucky Telstra have been VERY patient.

 

[VK3YMML]

Any word if "Forest fire management Victoria" will be moving across as well.

Will the SMR Network be decommissioned and switched off or will it take on a different use?

 

[VK3MSG]

UHF 412.475Mhz Geelong is still active at the moment.

Also of note, Marine Rescue Victoria (all inclusive organisations) have all moved to the RMR network. I believe 7 talkgroups encrypted which makes sense as Vicpol Water Police RCC are the coordinating agency.