Clinton County P25 Cutover

[HM1529]

It was not kept under wraps, it was discussed for multiple years at the county level, this will eventually be a regional trunked radio system, Clinton was just the first to cutover. Lycoming had a plan to switch over within 3 years, however with the departure of some of the County DPS higher up, we now no longer know what that time frame will be.

Edit: Also there is a radio vendor in Northumberland who has tried their damndest to get everyone on the same page when they order radios, so that way there were no surprises.

Regional as in NCTF counties (attached image)? There's been discussion in another thread about Bradford and Wyoming working together on a radio project. Union/Montour/Northumberland all have newer equipment.

Potter has 800MHz frequencies licensed with documentation attached to the license indicating they were part of a regional project with Bradford and Wyoming. https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/licenseAdminSum.jsp?licKey=3939333
Seems like it would make more sense to leverage all the existing VHF spectrum northern tier counties have licensed.

 

[cavmedic]

Doesn’t help that this system seemed to be kept under wraps and a lot of people didn’t have the information they needed at the time of their purchase to order the proper feature sets in their radios.

This is what is typically heard from the subscribers who didn't send representation to meetings about said systems requirements, SOP's after cutover and accessory purchases.

 

[SlipNutz15]

It was not kept under wraps, it was discussed for multiple years at the county level, this will eventually be a regional trunked radio system, Clinton was just the first to cutover. Lycoming had a plan to switch over within 3 years, however with the departure of some of the County DPS higher up, we now no longer know what that time frame will be.

Edit: Also there is a radio vendor in Northumberland who has tried their damndest to get everyone on the same page when they order radios, so that way there were no surprises.

The issues is the people who do mutual aid to Clinton County weren't notified and a lot of people have radios that are not compatible. The radio shop in question has had some very questionable programming in the past that I personally have had to fix. As far as Lyco goes, I've heard eight different stories about their future and no one can solidify anything. This goes back to the radio shop who oversees a Northumberland Co EMS agency who does not have direct access to ECEN's system on half their radios and the one MICU who runs into their area the most is left in the dark. The being kept in the dark is not working out well for a lot of agencies.

 

[SlipNutz15]

This is what is typically heard from the subscribers who didn't send representation to meetings about said systems requirements, SOP's after cutover and accessory purchases.

Just like the in-county agencies still needing to utilize the conventional channel as a patch. They weren't kept in the dark?

 

[cavmedic]

Just like the in-county agencies still needing to utilize the conventional channel as a patch. They weren't kept in the dark?

Come on man, You cant seriously elude that subscribers were intentionally prevented from accessing ,obtaining or receiving the information required to use and operate a 911 radio system.

This type of issue 99.9% stems from departments NOT sending representation to key meetings that are held relating to said items. Not going to Fire Chiefs meetings, not going to FOP or Chief's of Police meetings, not keeping official email addresses up to date with your county PSAPS , NOT ordering your equipment by published deadlines etc.

 

[Dispatcher308]

The issues is the people who do mutual aid to Clinton County weren't notified and a lot of people have radios that are not compatible. The radio shop in question has had some very questionable programming in the past that I personally have had to fix. As far as Lyco goes, I've heard eight different stories about their future and no one can solidify anything. This goes back to the radio shop who oversees a Northumberland Co EMS agency who does not have direct access to ECEN's system on half their radios and the one MICU who runs into their area the most is left in the dark. The being kept in the dark is not working out well for a lot of agencies.

No one has direct access to the ECEN system but 1 radio shop out of Harrisburg, it piggybacks on the state system and ECEN for a bit ran out of licenses and couldn't allow anymore ¹radios onto the system. NOT A RADIO SHOP PROBLEM!

I worked for that radio shop, yes we had a few problems, we all do as we are all human, you can't say you are perfect, NO ONE is.

I programmed mobiles and portables for Clinton before I left, every station had their radios bought by the County, some personal radios were the responsibility of the company, but every company was consulted as to how many radios they needed. Again there was a lot of notifications to mutual aid, but some companies are so cheap and instead of saving their money, they bought Motorola XPR radios and now they have no money to actually buy what they need.

 

[cavmedic]

No one has direct access to the ECEN system but 1 radio shop out of Harrisburg, it piggybacks on the state system and ECEN for a bit ran out of licenses and couldn't allow anymore ¹radios onto the system. NOT A RADIO SHOP PROBLEM!

I worked for that radio shop, yes we had a few problems, we all do as we are all human, you can't say you are perfect, NO ONE is.

I programmed mobiles and portables for Clinton before I left, every station had their radios bought by the County, some personal radios were the responsibility of the company, but every company was consulted as to how many radios they needed. Again there was a lot of notifications to mutual aid, but some companies are so cheap and instead of saving their money, they bought Motorola XPR radios and now they have no money to actually buy what they need.

No access to a radio that is on the state system, even if its a single talk PEMA talk group, is typical from there. It is annoying AF to lock down an entire customer owned radio......

 

[KC3AWP]

While I can't speak on behalf of Clinton users, as an end user and someone who manages two agencies, it's way overwhelming to go from a single-channel system that has been in operation since the 90's to a new, cutting-edge trunking system. I like to think I'm pretty knowledgeable, and I've attended every meeting needed, but I still couldn't call Moto and order a radio without assistance. Lyco and Clinton have been on a plain-jane, no-frills simulcast system FOREVER, with little to no change. Mistakes will be made.

I think of it as going from a Windows 98 PC to Windows 11. Growing pains moving forward, with some companies bearing more of the pain due to a lack of participation. It has to be sorted, and it will. (I'm just glad they're taking the leap first )

 

[KC3AWP]

Regional as in NCTF counties (attached image)? There's been discussion in another thread about Bradford and Wyoming working together on a radio project. Union/Montour/Northumberland all have newer equipment.

Potter has 800MHz frequencies licensed with documentation attached to the license indicating they were part of a regional project with Bradford and Wyoming. https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/licenseAdminSum.jsp?licKey=3939333
Seems like it would make more sense to leverage all the existing VHF spectrum northern tier counties have licensed.


View attachment 194660

They wont be following the NCTF map as shown. I know Lycoming and Sullivan will share cores with Clinton. Colombia and Montour are on ECEN and I dont see them jumping ship. I wouldn't be surprised if Tioga and Union jump on board for bulk purchasing, but have separate VHF systems. @Dispatcher308 could ask Chief 20 who is jumping on board, since he was the one who set things up.

Lycoming currently has multiple vacancies in its Public Safety department, including Director of PS, Director of 911, and Director of EMA. I imagine whatever was happening has come to a screeching halt with no one at the wheel.

 

[One13Truck]

Vacancies can make it tough. Seems like any time there’s top level position changes the newbies need to come in and change everything rather than just carry on as planned. Makes it look like they’re actually doing work. I guess.

 

[SlipNutz15]

They wont be following the NCTF map as shown. I know Lycoming and Sullivan will share cores with Clinton. Colombia and Montour are on ECEN and I dont see them jumping ship. I wouldn't be surprised if Tioga and Union jump on board for bulk purchasing, but have separate VHF systems. @Dispatcher308 could ask Chief 20 who is jumping on board, since he was the one who set things up.

Lycoming currently has multiple vacancies in its Public Safety department, including Director of PS, Director of 911, and Director of EMA. I imagine whatever was happening has come to a screeching halt with no one at the wheel.

Union and Snyder are one 911 center so if something is happening it's happening multi-county.