Atlanta P25 TRS

[Metrofire31]

I've had no luck using the RR database CC for the new Atlanta P25 system. It says it's 867.1375 but just looking at the remaining frequencies in the database, it would appear that this system has been rebanded and there is likely a control channel in the 851 or 852 range. Anyone been able to lock on to this system using a different control channel?

 

[MTS2000des]

haven't heard anything out of it, my guess is they ran out of money...most zone 2 and 3 officers are still toting MTS2000's.

With Atlanta closing fire stations and not able to even afford toner for printers at PD precincts, it may be a while before they can afford $4000 dollar portables.

 

[Metrofire31]

Good point!! Budgets are all about priority and forethought! You have to spend most of the time as if money is scarce!

 

[Firebuff880]

Wrong --- Atlanta and Dekalb are both moving forward expect them both to convert in April. Not sure on the control channels though and the Channel 69 issue will probably delay somethings in the metro area.

Remember Atlanta project has more to do with vacating the City Hall East building than anything else.

 

[b7spectra]

And, Atlanta is having a problem passing the budget to fork over $250k to pay a moving company to do it!

BTW - Next time I head to ATL, I'll start the scan on their system.

MF31 - when we going to have lunch?

 

[MTS2000des]

Wrong --- Atlanta and Dekalb are both moving forward expect them both to convert in April. Not sure on the control channels though and the Channel 69 issue will probably delay somethings in the metro area.

Remember Atlanta project has more to do with vacating the City Hall East building than anything else.

where do you get your information from, rebanding will not commence until AFTER June 12th, per the transition administrator and FCC, so how is DK and ATL going to "convert" in April? As long as there is a channel 69 on the air, rebanding won't commence in town. June 12th is the analog sunset date, so it only makes logical sense that any rebanding/reconfiguration of any 800 system occur AFTER that date.

No one has heard a peep on Atlanta's "new" system and I've seen zone 5 officer still carrying MTS2000's. Do tell the source of your information...

 

[Metrofire31]

Would you please tell the rest of us what you're talking about regarding channel 69 - and what is the source of your information as well?

 

[MTS2000des]

TV channel 69 occupies 800-806MHz. Rebanding won't commence until channel 69 goes off the air so as to avoid any interference potential to PS systems as the input frequencies to the PS systems will then be adjacent to analog TV 69. We also have to wait until both Southern LINC and Sprint-Nextel clear their channels before rebanding can commence, we are a special case in this region as we have two ESMR's on 860-864 with SL and Nextel which isn't the case in most other parts of the country. So our wave is a little behind.

The 800 Transition Administrators' quarterly report with status updates is available here:
http://www.800ta.org/content/pdf/other/12_31_08_Quarterly_Report.pdf

also, as a side note, one of the major points of the DTV transition is to open up 760MHz to public safety, which cannot happen in this area UNTIL all analog stations vacate the spectrum which won't occur until June 12th 2009.

 

[Metrofire31]

Excellent explanation!!! Thank you very much for sharing that. I found the quarterly report you provided the URL for very interesting. One thing that still isn't clear to me, however, is why Forsyth, Rockdale and some of the local agencies seem to have rebanded their frequencies but Atlanta and DeKalb cannot. Is it because of their location in proximity to 69's transmitter?

 

[MTS2000des]

yes, that is exactly it, Rockdale and Forsyth are outside of the contour of 69's grade-A service area, so that is why they have re-banded and we have not in town. After 6/12 they won't be an issue, as they will have moved down to RF channel 43 for DTV and will be off RF 69 forever. A good site to keep up with DTV coverage maps, channel changes, etc is:

The Digital TV Transition: DTV Reception Maps

Other cities like Miami have the same issue (they have a channel 69 as well) with their system, except they don't have a second ESMR to clear first (Souther Linc doesn't go past the panhandle of Florida). Re-banding is such a complex process, and is taking way longer than it should for several reasons.

 

[Metrofire31]

Thanks alot - I appreciate your information.

 

[Firebuff880]

Sorry,

Don't get here that often. Here is a good link to a story on Rebanding. But the Digital conversation for Dekalb and Atlanta while linked is not dependent on rebanding. Check the FCC License Filings for more detail.

MissionCritical Communications, Radio Resource International, and Public Safety Report - wireless voice and data communications for mobile, remote and public safety operations
ULS Application - PubSafty/SpecEmer/PubSaftyNtlPlan,806-817/851-862MHz,Conv - 0003758413 - DEKALB COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT


-------------------------

 

[MTS2000des]

the letter from Mr. Scott says DeKalb county won't be using the frequencies until September- nothing about April mentioned in the STA letter, nor is there any information about Atlanta. Still looks like it's a ways off from being reality.

not a peep has been heard on Atlanta's new system as of yet.

 

[Firebuff880]

Look at the Letter Date again It was written in the middle of 2008. Deklab and Atlanta are well behind the original schedules ...

But last I knew they were still both going to happen in April...

-------------------------

 

[b7spectra]

Guess the respective agencies haven't been able to get all the monies needed to let Motherola shove it down their throats!