Bergen County Schools To Be Getting New Radio System

[Analogrules]

Just saw this on the news. Supposedly all staff will be getting mini motorola radio devices that attach to their badge necklaces. They also will have a way to communicate with school security as well as law enforcement. I was not sure after reading the article if the device itself will also operate as a two way radio, or if that is separate. Either way, I'm sure this means new radio frequencies or talk groups coming to Bergen County soon

Security at teachers' fingertips in Bergen County - News - NorthJersey.com

 

[ResQguy]

The devices are wifi. There will be a radio in the school office of somewhere else secure that can gateway them into a local P25 system. http://www.trianglesc.com/sites/def...entsmot_enhanceschool_safety_brief_043013.pdf

 

[Analogrules]

It also looks like it will be an encrypted talkgroup, according to the pdf manual. Would be impossible to monitor.

 

[Barney6]

FWIW, I've been hearing an automated female voice doing radio checks on the Bergen County TRS. TG 604. I know it says Demarest schools but it made reference to other schools in BC. It was in the clear also. Chuck.

 

[Analogrules]

Yeah, I bet that it is them testing out these new school radios. According to the news, each small motorola device that teachers will be issued, will also operate as a 2-way radio with enough power to communicate with county PD. Perhaps the pdf manual falsely advertised these radios to be encrypted and really meant that they will just be digital. I don't think there is a need for encryption. Keep monitoring and keep us updated. Unfortunately, I cannot pick up Bergen County this far south, but definitely curious how these new radios will be implemented into the County radio systems and in what mode, since other counties may begin experimenting with these radios in the future.

 

[Alarmguy]

Yes It also says that the units are Phase II, BC TRS is only Phase 1. There was an APX portable in the video at the end next to the unit.

 

[jaymatt1978]

It's basically a modified emergency pendant like you see folks wearing on TV where when the press a button it contacts a 9-11 dispatcher. Same concept except instead of usinga phone line, it contacts them via the school talkgroup. Now I don't know if Demarest has their own security and they use that talkgroup.

 

[902]

I'm not sure I'd buy any infrastructure to put on the T-Band system. As it stands today, this would be a double expense (buy control station/alarm gateway for T-Band now, replace it with 700 in a few years).

If it goes through a campus Wi-Fi system, there's really no need to put it on a trunked talkgroup. In effect, the gateway can route the alarm directly to a PSAP (doesn't even have to be BCPD, for the municipalities who retain their own dispatch) by means of the Internet connection.

Think about it this way - ever see those Honeywell thermostats that are Wi-Fi enabled? I have them in my house. I can go in from a laptop or smartphone and change the temperature, turn off the air conditioner, or even get an alert when the thing isn't working. It's a patent link, and land mobile radio never even factored into the picture. It's all encrypted at that level anyway, and there's no advantage to putting another link of vulnerability in the chain.

In my opinion, they're just paying for the M logoware.

 

[K2DNR_JC]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYaOjPDaFqc

 

[mrkelso]

There goes my Taxes again.

 

[AC2OY]

Wow that's a amazing tool there. I looked at that article... That teacher was handing out iPads must be nice. In my hometown's school system they can't even get modern textbooks gee wiz...LOL

 

[Sybex7254]

Nice technology but seems like a complete waste of money. What happened to the intercom systems in schools? When I was in school each class room had the ability to call the school office if they needed something. That did the exact same thing no? And you're gonna tell me that every teacher doesn't have a cell phone they could use to call 911? More than half the students in the class do.

I get the concept but can you see the teachers actually talking to the police in an emergency using this? I guess that's the reason for it being part of the TRS but it's going to need A LOT of training. It's bad enough when you see TV shows and movies where the actor is using a hand held radio and holding it up to their ear like a phone. Can you imagine teachers using this? "hello, hello...can't you hear me "?

Just my 2 cents....

 

[Analogrules]

As a school teacher myself, I feel that it is a good idea for each teacher to have access to a small two way radio/mic on them at all times with a panic button. I do agree that since these mini radios will be eventually linked with the ENCRYPTED Bergen County PD system, makes them much more expensive than they need to be. I feel that a small analog radio with a mic/panic button to communicate with school security and main office is all they need. Sometimes teachers are in the cafeteria and don't have quick access to the phone to notify the main office. In Union Twp. , the schools are on the EDACS system linked/monitored by the PD. Since they are analog, it brought the cost of tbese radios much lower.

 

[radiomanNJ1]

So you are saying taxes are more important than the children? Are you a monster?

Only kidding, anything to do with kids is something the soccer mom and dads will pay for because it's their kids.

There goes my Taxes again.

 

[Analogrules]

Nah......With the interest of keeping this thread on topic regarding what radio system they will be using, I just think they will be encrypted since it will be linked to the County, obviously making these radios more expensive than they need to be.