DOC 800 MHz Radio Upgrades

[wiradio]

The Department of Corrections 800 MHz Radio Upgrades Request 2007-2009

Construction Cost: 1,800,000

Project Scope
This project would install new 800 MHz digital radio systems at Dodge Correctional Institution (DCI), Waupun Correctional Institution (WCI), Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center (REECC) and Lincoln Hills School (LHS). The new systems would include IP25 digital four channel trunked single-site system with network management, a single voice over internet protocol (VoIP) digital dispatch console, a digital control interface and three tone control interfaces, a control station and digital radios for the system.

Project Justification
The DOC operates the largest 800 MHz public safety radio system within the state. DHFS currently operates on systems that interoperate with the DOC systems. Some of this equipment no longer is supported by the manufacturers and parts are difficult to find. The 800 MHz radio systems at DCI, WCI, REECC and LHS are aged and have exceeded their useful life. These systems require major upgrades, including implementation of touchscreen consoles, which would greatly expand the talkgroup functionality of the trunked radio system at those institutions.

 

[bc780l]

Is this an RFP that's posted on VendorNet, or just a plan that's not yet formalized? Is there no DOC plan to incorporate these DOC systems into the new statewide trunking system that's also being planned? See information about the long-term goals of the Wisconsin Public Safety Communications System (WPSCS) at http://siec.wi.gov If not, it seems like a waste of taxpayer money, since the new statewide system could provide enhanced communications for all DOC sites, not just these named. Granted, it'll be a while, but don't waste my money!

 

[wiradio]

The information above came from this site. page 173

http://www.wi-doc.com/PDF_Files/2007-09 Capital Budget Request.pdf

 

[RevGary]

bc7801 - speaking of wasting money, the 800 system at the Green Bay Correctional facility (Actually in Allouez south of GB) has a TRS that doesn't seem to be used. Never have heard anything on that system in the four years that I have had it in the monitor here... just the control channel. Talk about a waste of resources. I have info that they are using Nextel inside the facility because the 800 doesn't work inside many areas of the buildings ??? Only got that from one source a couple years ago, however, so the info may not be up to date.

 

[kc9fnm]

bc7801 - speaking of wasting money, the 800 system at the Green Bay Correctional facility (Actually in Allouez south of GB) has a TRS that doesn't seem to be used. Never have heard anything on that system in the four years that I have had it in the monitor here... just the control channel. Talk about a waste of resources. I have info that they are using Nextel inside the facility because the 800 doesn't work inside many areas of the buildings ??? Only got that from one source a couple years ago, however, so the info may not be up to date.

But NEXTELs are practically in the same band! Something dosen't add up...a lowpower phone works where a 3W HT dosen't?? Unless there is a NEXTEL site insdie the facility the 800 TRS would have much more penetration. Is the control channel switching? It should change every 24 hours, usually three of the freqs are set to be a control ch. Many of the origianl prison systems had three freqs and then later added a fourth. To avoid a reprog of the entire fleet they didn't make the fourth a control ch. I know there are have been many complaints of brand X HTs not performing very well....battery issues especially.

 

[RevGary]

But NEXTELs are practically in the same band! Something dosen't add up...a lowpower phone works where a 3W HT dosen't?? Unless there is a NEXTEL site insdie the facility the 800 TRS would have much more penetration. Is the control channel switching? It should change every 24 hours, usually three of the freqs are set to be a control ch. Many of the origianl prison systems had three freqs and then later added a fourth. To avoid a reprog of the entire fleet they didn't make the fourth a control ch. I know there are have been many complaints of brand X HTs not performing very well....battery issues especially.

As mentioned, that info is relatively old concerning the possibility of a Nextel system (or not - can not confirm that). The control channel always seems to be on 858.4875 only and there is no analog or digital audio on 856.4875, 859.4875 or 860.4875. Yesterday, I deliberately scanned that system for over 4 hours during the mid part of the day. Nothing, except for the control chanel. They had a facility-wide lockdown yesterday and you would think that there would have been SOME traffic. Zip, Nada, Nothing...

 

[bc780l]

Have you tried using DOC's conventional simplex frequencies? These are used, but not all institutions:

45.5200
46.5200
46.5400
46.5600
46.5800
151.1900
153.8900
159.2475
159.2700
453.9750
857.4875

And yes, some institutions, still carry portables on VHF-Lo band ...

 

[Grog]

And yes, some institutions, still carry portables on VHF-Lo band ...

I can carry a radio but no gun?

Hand me that lo band

 

[bc780l]

Looks like the trunking upgrade didn't make it into the Governor's budget, if one believes http://www.doa.state.wi.us/docs_view2.asp?docid=6263 which will likely be briefly discussed in his 2007-2009 Capital Budget Address tonight, viewable if you're so inclined at the link on http://wisconsin.gov