I wonder...

[badlans]

Dumb question, but why would Washington County MD's TRS run on UHF frequencies, 450 mHz, rather than 700/800 mHz? I suppose they might get better coverage, but that kinda messes up that whole interop thing. Does anyone have any insight into why they went this direction with their system? Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[troymail]

Probably the same reasons York County PA went to 500Mhz years ago - and are now allocating $27 million for an upgrade to 700....

I'd bet they're hoping on FiRST becoming available and possibly jumping onto it....

 

[W3DMV]

Hagerstown City (Washington Co), used 800Mhz for several years and
coverage was less than stellar. Coverage county wide appears to be much
improved on their UHF system.
I'm sure the system cost also played a part in the selection.
As for inter-op, North- Franklin Co, Pa operates a UHF trunking system.
West-Allegheny Co, Md has lots of UHF
South- West Virginia operates their big state-wide UHF trunked system.
East- Frederick Co, Md operates on a 800 Mhz system, but Washington Co has
several high profile 800 Mhz repeaters on I-Tac channels, so everything is covered.
This area probably has better inter-op capabilities than most areas...

 

[Gilligan]

I wish that they would simulcast their fire dispatch over a UHF frequency -- I have tried a variety of radios and antennas (including a brand new BCD436HP) and you nearly need a mobile whip cut for 33 MHz to hear their fire tone-outs with any reliability. I am curious to know how well the Minitor pagers are able to hear the signal.