CoMIRS question

[KC1UA]

The initial P25 Phase 2 simulcast networks were supposed to be up and running on Cape Cod and Southeast MA this year. I haven't seen anything here or on Scan_NE that indicates that any of it has been built and turned on as of yet.

It was supposed to be built out on the cape in 2023. In 2021 before I retired, I (and just about everyone else in my shoes on Cape Cod) secured a grant for close to $150,000 of radio equipment for the switchover. Great to get new radio equipment, but now here it is 3+ years after my retirement, Motorola has sent out end of support messages for a lot of the granted equipment, and the new system hasn't even broken ground, to my knowledge. I have heard "2026" but I'll believe it when I see it...or hear it.

Typical of this bass ackward state.

I agree with Mike.

 

[garys]

I'm not convinced it's just this state. When my son moved to the Mobile, AL area in 2012 they were supposed to be moving from the EDACS system to a Harris P25 system. All of the equipment was sitting in a storage facility and much of it was already EOL. They were scrounging EDACS equipment from systems around the country that were replacing theirs.

When he moved out in 2017, they finally had the system up and running.

It was supposed to be built out on the cape in 2023. In 2021 before I retired, I (and just about everyone else in my shoes on Cape Cod) secured a grant for close to $150,000 of radio equipment for the switchover. Great to get new radio equipment, but now here it is 3+ years after my retirement, Motorola has sent out end of support messages for a lot of the granted equipment, and the new system hasn't even broken ground, to my knowledge. I have heard "2026" but I'll believe it when I see it...or hear it.

Typical of this bass ackward state.

I agree with Mike.

 

[KC1UA]

It's not only this state...but it's definitely this state.

 

[garys]

I understand that the Great Pyramids of Egypt were over cost and behind schedule.

 

[KC1UA]

Yes, and runor has it that they too used simulcast.

 

[Nascar18]

The timeframe for how long the analog CoMIRS system will remain is not yet known, but it is important that any
agencies with these old analog-only radios start to plan radio refreshes with new P25 digital radios. The timeframe
for this transition from analog to digital radios will be driven by the final rollout of the new CoMIRS+P25 system.
Please plan to replace or make do without these analog radios starting in 2027.
From MA Outreach to CoMIRS users, 04/14/2025.

 

[ecps92]

The Boston area digital COMIRS sites pretty much cover inside the 128 belt at best. Your chances of receiving any of them are pretty much nill from NH. It's zeroed in pretty tight to the areas they serve. Massport site only has a range of 4 miles according to the site data. 17 for the 700 overlay. You're better off just listening to the old analog system. However, in about 394 years from now when the P25P2 system is complete you'll be SOL though if that's what you want to listen to.

But don't expect much MSP on the 700 Overlay at this time

 

[nikronzo]

Yes, and runor has it that they too used simulcast.

Were the pyramids phase 1 or TDMA?

 

[garys]

ACSB.

Were the pyramids phase 1 or TDMA?

 

[Bigtednq]

Can anyone tell me if I can get Boston Area Mass State Police and Quincy PD on a Bearcat SDS100 ? Before I lay down $700 as a beginner for non-analog scanner user. Thanks in advance

 

[ecps92]

Can anyone tell me if I can get Boston Area Mass State Police and Quincy PD on a Bearcat SDS100 ? Before I lay down $700 as a beginner for non-analog scanner user. Thanks in advance

Yes it will work for Quincy PD 1 and 2 (3 is ENC) and the MSP Analog system
You won't get much on the 700 (p25) overlay for MSP activity at this time

 

[cmpsa]

In my scanners, I have "800-analog" and "800-WEST P25" via "quick keys" in my Uniden scanners. When I travel in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin & Berkshire counties, I scan both systems. In Franklin & Berkshire Cnty they are P25 only, and there is no analog control channel (on the analog side), so I just toggle off the "800-analog".

Rt 91 south to north is both analog & P25, and same east to west in those counties.

 

[Thunderbolt]

The Massachusetts State Police is formally requesting that the FCC grant them a time extension to complete the COMIRS TRS.

73's

Ron

 

[KC1UA]

I have no words.

Well, I have plenty of words actually...few of which would be appropriate in this family friendly environment.

 

[GraniteScanner]

Delay... and extension??? Not surprised.

 

[garys]

Not at all. Government programs rarely get done on time or within budget.

Delay... and extension??? Not surprised.

 

[KC1UA]

...has experienced delays due to extended site acquisition processes and severe winter weather conditions, both of which are outside the Licensee’s control...

<sarcasm>

Sheesh, I must be missing something....I've shoveled very little "severe winter weather" over the past several winters that I recall...hmmm.

Now, before you say "yeah, you're on Cape Cod and it never snows there", we both know that's a crock, but lately winters have been duds...must be that global warming thing. Last I knew Cape Cod was still unfortunately part of the PRM (Peoples' Republic of Massachusetts) and the CoMIRS system was supposed to be built out in these parts "next".... which was when I still worked full time for a cape department, 2023.

Sidebar: I've now jinxed myself regarding snow, and the entire cape area for that matter, so apologies in advance, but I'll get to test out my new Anker portable power stations in a "severe winter weather" situation anyway.

While listening to a thirty-one year old analog radio system...

</sarcasm>

 

[cg]

Now the next step will be cost increases due to delays beyond the control of the bidder. They were already scrambling to get radios flashed with new options before they went end-of-life.
The state has done a decent job scrubbing the project updates from the public's view so it is anyone's guess what the new timetable is.

 

[KC1UA]

Now the next step will be cost increases due to delays beyond the control of the bidder. They were already scrambling to get radios flashed with new options before they went end-of-life.
The state has done a decent job scrubbing the project updates from the public's view so it is anyone's guess what the new timetable is.

THIS.

This is what pisses me off about the situation more than anything, and I've mentioned it before. Before I retired I obtained the RUP Grant the Commonwealth provided. My department received $150,000 or so worth of radios, handhelds and mobiles, that would function on the forthcoming P25 system. It was great to get a new fleet of radios, and that was and is greatly appreciated. That occurred in 2021, now here we are five years later, as stated above the APX4000 radios we got are now EOL, and none of them have been keyed up once on a P25 radio system.

Take that $150k and multiply it across the region for similar sized departments. That alone is a substantial chunk of change, and really doesn't begin to touch the overall disbursement of funds from that grant.

The people that do the grunt work and technical work on keeping the old system running are saints, and don't get nearly enough credit for keeping it going.

The priorities of this state are "skewed". I'll leave it at that.

 

[nikronzo]

I have no words.

Well, I have plenty of words actually...few of which would be appropriate in this family friendly environment.

How about incompetence, corruption, bureaucracy, mismanagement, prioritization misdeeds, and stupidity.