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In-Band DVRS and Preferred Sites

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Cortexian

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We're looking at deploying some DVRS systems with SmartConnect on APX 8500 MSU's that have LTE and SAT connectivity available. From an operational perspective, is there any way to setup the DVRS as a preferred site or similar so that PSUs automatically connect to the DVRS without needing to switch to a specific DVRS channel?

Just trying to reduce the manual overhead on people in the field, ideally they just toggle DVRS on/off on the MSU and don't need to change anything on their PSU.

I have no DVRS experience so I'm not sure if they even present as a 'site'. If there's other functionality that would enable this kind of auto roaming to DVRS when it's turned on, that would be great.
 
DMS11B

DMS11B

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Just have the units keep their radios on the DVRS or setup the emergency button to switch to the DVRS, don't quote me but I believe you can setup a trigger like when an officer opens their door it activates the DVRS.

For ease of use I'd just tell the officers to keep their HT on the DVRS at all times, unless providing mutual aid on a different frequency for which you could setup a priority scan back to the DVRS for monitoring.

I am presuming the 8500 is accessing SMARTCONNECT via WiFI?

I too am not very experienced on the DVRS however I believe they are steerable via NAC, again I could be completely wrong, or confusing it with the Pyramid.
 
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Cortexian

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This entire project is about implementing SmartConnect in order to provide broadband failover for our existing APX 8000 PSUs and APX 8500 MSUs. We don't have anything in stone yet so I can be flexible.

I was planning on getting Ethernet faceplates for the APX 8500's and hardwiring into the LTE modems if this is possible instead of Wi-Fi. I'm not sure if the Ethernet faceplates only work for supported LTE modems or not.

Still sorting out the SAT option. Hoping that the existing LTE modems can map an Ethernet port as a secondary WAN and hardwire / route through that. We've looked at the Pyramids combined with a satellite option as well. I'm putting together this DVRS option as a 'Motorola-focused' option.

I didn't think that it was best practice to instruct field / operational staff to leave the DVRS enabled. Couldn't that cause some interference with several vehicles nearby?
 
dickie757

dickie757

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This is the first time I have said this, but many others have said it a million times:

This is a very complicated topic that needs professional/manufacture's input. For instance, high power APX8500s have a micro USB cable to connect to external modems. The Ethernet is over usb, not cat 5.

Futurecom adaptation will negotiate with nearby repeaters as to supervisor status. Not sure about Pyramid.

And finally, it is about what the person/committee in charge of the system wants/must do, not what we think should happen.

Personally, I think you should upgrade to N series with built in LTE SmartConnect. Then all you have to do is tell the users to take off the antennas if they are in spotty coverage:LOL:
 
C

Cortexian

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I am already in contact with our primary radio shop and Motorola. The Ethernet faceplate allows you to use Ethernet over CAT5 for this purpose, OR you can use the accessory port harnesses with either Ethernet over USB or Ethernet over CAT5 depending on which harness is ordered based the part numbers I've been presented with.

I should note - I am unfortunately working on the weekend and was looking to make some progress on this prior to Monday when our vendor and Motorola will once again be available.

I just don't have any hands on experience programming DVRS units, which is why I wasn't sure if they had any site related information to steer PSUs toward.

We're a multinational entity that operates on over a dozen Provincial/State systems, making this all the more complex.

N70 and APX NEXT are also an options we are presenting. Honestly it's the option I'm personally leaning toward as it's much easier to implement.
 
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Cortexian

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Yeah I see the following in what Motorola sent:
Add: Ethernet Faceplate (for Sierra M90 Router, Data tethering GA09011 is required)
GA01787
Add: Data Modem TetheringGA09011

GA01787 is this:
apx-8500-ethernet-faceplate1.png
 
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