I sent a letter to the Bradford and Wyoming county 911 directors with copies to their bosses the county Commissioners I pointed out to Wyoming county how the State Police radio system failed and the county was followiing inn their footsteps---They didn't reply. Bradford county did and this is their repy.
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Mr. Reynolds,
Bradford County is not switching to an 800 MHz radio system. We’re well aware of the problems that the PA State Police have seen with years of trying to make their 800 MHz radio work. We are aware as well that they are now in the process of reverting back to a VHF system in many areas.
We agree VHF works great, however other areas adding P-25 systems increases the issue with control channels operating 24/7 on VHF frequencies adding additional concerns to a very crowded unplanned spectrum.
We have licensed these channels that came available for future use, that is why we applied for slow growth. First Net for example is built on the 700/800 MHz for nationwide use. The Federal system is committed to this frequency band. Also NEXTEL was built on this same frequency spectrum as are many cellular phone systems.
FirstNet Band14 is defined to include the 758-768 MHz and the788-798 MHz frequencies. Band class 14 does not include the guard band frequencies of 768-769 MHz and 798-799 MHz The license, however, granted by the Commission to FirstNet by law includes the guard band frequencies.
So because that is what is available etc. and with the growth of FirstNet we see future use although it may indeed not be P-25. If we do not license any channels now, we would be severely restricted in the future as we have obtained practically every VHF channel we could in Bradford County.
Perhaps in the future VHF will be reworked, it is indeed concerning to see how little bandwidth has been provided for Public Safety when so many other types of service enjoy less hardships.
Thank you for reaching out to us with your concerns.
Robert Repasky