ASU + GHSU = GRU Police

[gman4661]

When Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University are merged (actually a takeover) into Georgia Regents University, the excellent ASU (Palmetto 800) system will be replaced with Southern Link. Supposedly, there is not enough funding to add more Pal 800 radios. The ASU radios have 32 talk groups and can fully communicate with EMA, sheriff, marshal, BOE police, etc. They also use the I-call freq to communicate with UGA Police and Gwinnett Co. deputies when working the University of Georgia football games. Zero operability with Southern Link...

The "merger" is to begin in January.

 

[mmckenna]

Interesting situation.
I just purchased a Kenwood TK-5710 at work for a test radio. 700 & 800MHz with P25. Radio, battery, charger and antenna came to around $2000. So, figure that for each officer, plus a mobile for each car, and it gets expensive really quick.

While these wide area systems are really nice, it can get cost prohibitive really quick for smaller departments. I work for a university and our PD is always cash strapped. I'm not against p25 or digital, but when it gets sold as an interoperability platform, yet those who need it can't afford it, then it's an issue. Likely the next budget cycle or two will rectify this for them. I'm sure some time on Southern Linc will help drive the point home pretty quick, too.

 

[MTS2000des]

So the board of regents is cool with paying per second for airtime and per TG fees, and monthly per radio cost for overpriced industrial iDEN radios (R765's are what are on state contract now) but they can't find money or a SAFECOMM grant to buy some basic P25 radios like XTS1500's or EFJ 51SL's?

Typical SOG, hard at work to make sure their contractors of choice get paid and we foot the bill.

FWIW Southern LINC's system is primarily designed for 3 watt mobile radios, it is NOT a very "portable friendly" system in urban areas. Sites are spaced at 5 miles or more. In building coverage usually sucks. Remember, this is primarily for Ga Power internal use, which means only STREET LEVEL coverage. I hope the decision makers did some drive testing and on campus coverage checks to verify what the signal levels were.

In other words, keep your personal cellphones, FRS, two cups and a string handy.