Counties Digital Migration

[SCPD]

Do the counties of Nez Perce, Idaho, Lewis or Letah plan on moving to the states digital system?

 

[thewenk]

Do the counties of Nez Perce, Idaho, Lewis or Letah plan on moving to the states digital system?

Probably not anytime soon. The District 2 counties, including the ones you mentioned, have moved all their first responders to vhf frequencies because of the fact that vhf provides better radio transmission in the hills and mountains than either UHF or 700 MHz digital. It would appear these counties are staying on vhf.

That being said, the plan is probably to have the capability to patch the vhf systems with the statewide digital system, as may be needed, to provide the necessary interoperability so everybody can talk to each other.

The state has plans for 700 MHz repeaters at Culdesac Grade, Cottonwood Butte, Moscow Mtn., and Lewiston Grade(operational). The statewide digital system will provide all major transportation corridors/major population areas statewide with a seamless wide-area communication system. This provides the capability to easily communicate statewide, as has already been demonstrated between Coeur d'Alene and Pocatello.

Dave