CHP is definitely not moving off low band. They are in the middle of a new contract with Kenwood to install 3000 new EF Johnson setups that include new 5600H low band radios.Thought I saw a Charger with no low band antenna. Getting off low band?
Why's that?I think however eventually you will see the end of the OES and other VHF mutual Aid networks
Wildland fire and land management agencies are unlikely to make any changes for a very long time. VHF High is the best band for areas with topography. VHF Low worked very well too, but antenna length and skip reduces its effectiveness. Rural counties with significant topography have been using VHF High for a long time and don't foresee changing to 700/800 systems as it requires far more repeater sites, some studies in relatively mild topography show that four times as many repeaters have to be installed. VHF High is used for wildland fire in nearly every state, it is at the core of wildland fire mutual aid.We are off the thread of CHP using low band.
VHF mutual aid and tactical channels are unlikely to be replaced by systems like CRIS. Why? Most emergency communications at major fires and emergencies are short range simplex. A statewide interoperability system has no role in those types of incidents.
Again, NO the CHP is not moving from low band.