Commercial LMR/DMR - Capital region

[DaveNF2G]

Several radio shops have changed hands/merged/renamed/folded in the 23 years since I moved to the Albany area. I have been investigating system changes as I become aware of issues with scanning and/or trunktracking. In my current residence detecting or solving problems is very difficult due to dismal reception. Reception at work in downtown Albany is just about as bad. When I want to do any serious forensic scanning, I have to drive somewhere. So, some of what I am finding and the various missing pieces in my data might be plain as day to area scannists with better conditions.

Here are some shop-related things I've gathered so far:

Crystal Clear Communications, a d/b/a for Goin Mobile and a sister company to Albany Communications (per their website), appears to be defunct.
Repeater Network, LLC and Goosetown Communications have the same address and contact info on their FCC licenses. Repeater Network is LTR-Passport and Goosetown is DMR (some CapacityPlus and some TIII). At least some of Goosetown's network is part of OneVoice (ConnectPlus).

FM Communications was sold to Wendy Helm a few years back. Some licenses were switched and some just went away. At some point, ARB Upstate Communications (a/k/a ARB Upstate Towers) was formed, then bought out by the company that owns Hightower Upstate Communications. I learned some of this sequence from a court case arising out of a lawsuit over a lease agreement. Hightower holds two FCC licenses in NY, both for trunked sites on Crawford Hill in Rotterdam.

Wells Communications is still operating a number of LTR, LTR-Passport, and CapacityPlus sites.

Capital Digitronics is phasing out EDACS in favor of DMR, and is changing its name to [I have it at home and the FCC server just crashed on me again].

Adirondack 2-Way is operating a multi-site IDAS system.

Pittsfield Communications was handling the Albany County P25 system last I heard, but I don't know if they are doing the Phase II stuff.

 

[GTR8000]

Repeater Network, LLC and Goosetown Communications have the same address and contact info on their FCC licenses. Repeater Network is LTR-Passport and Goosetown is DMR (some CapacityPlus and some TIII). At least some of Goosetown's network is part of OneVoice (ConnectPlus).

Close, but not quite right. Repeater Network is wholly owned by Goosetown, and was formed back in the late 90s for the now defunct Passport system. Most of Goosetown's FCC licenses fall under Repeater Network, however the Passport system is long gone, having been entirely replaced by the Con+ system. Goosetown is the largest stakeholder in the OneVoice Con+ network.

By the way, Central Vermont Communications (CVC) also has some OneVoice sites in in eastern NY, including Brunswick, Amsterdam, Willard, and Lake George.

 

[DaveNF2G]

The info about the relationship between Goosetown and RN and the Passport system came from Goosetown's website. I have noticed that shop websites are not always kept up to date after they initial "Hey! We have a website, too."

 

[DaveNF2G]

Then new name for Capital Digitronics is Algonquin Communications.

 

[Thunderknight]

Then new name for Capital Digitronics is Algonquin Communications.

How did you determine that?

 

[DaveNF2G]

FCC info.

 

[k2hz]

FCC info.

OK, so I looked at a recent FCC applications for Capital Digitronics that shows Capital as the Licensee.

The "Contact" info is:
HARRIS CORPORATION
ROBERT F ISBY JR
434 WEST SAND LAKE ROAD
WYNANTSKILL, NY 12198-8137

On other applications it is:
Algonquin Communications
Robert Isby , Jr
434 West Sand Lake Road
Wyantskill, NY 12198-8137

So he is the "consultant" preparing the application. You see him appear as "Contact" on many FCC applications as either Harris or Algonquin. This is no different than many licensing consulting firms that appear as "Contact" on FCC applications.

It in no way a implies that he, Harris or Algonquin has any control or ownership of the Licensee.

I see he also appears as the Contact on an Assignment of License from Capital Digitronics to Warren County Sheriff's Office. He is the agent for both parties but it in no way implies he has ownership or control of either party in the transaction.

 

[62Truck]

I see that we've picked right back up where we left off 4 years ago.

 

[N2YQT]

CVC bought Adirondack Two-Way. They still use the name (locally at least)

 

[DaveNF2G]

So he is the "consultant" preparing the application. You see him appear as "Contact" on many FCC applications as either Harris or Algonquin. This is no different than many licensing consulting firms that appear as "Contact" on FCC applications.

It in no way a implies that he, Harris or Algonquin has any control or ownership of the Licensee.

I see he also appears as the Contact on an Assignment of License from Capital Digitronics to Warren County Sheriff's Office. He is the agent for both parties but it in no way implies he has ownership or control of either party in the transaction.

Thanks for the clarification. I did a little more digging and it appears that Algonquin Communications holds no FCC licenses and has no online presence.