Jackson County New Radio System RFP

[1268]

Link to the RFP for the new system, too big to attach here. Interesting read:

Jackson County P25 Radio System RFP

 

[Casey]

The Part II section torches the current MotoTRBO system in use...it is described as not modern and lacks coverage and offers poor audio quality.

 

[MTS2000des]

The part everyone in scanner land loves:


2.3.2 Call Privacy
Jackson County’s current radio system is intrinsically open to transmission monitoring with radio equipment operable on those frequencies (i.e., trunk-tracking scanning receivers, etc.). Accordingly, the replacement P25 System shall include voice-layer encryption (described later). This provision must offer sufficient flexibility such that the desirable features of monitoring can be retained while permitting privacy to conversations that are potentially confidential.While current P25 standards do not now provide for encryption of trunked system control channels, such technology is likely to be adopted as these standards continue to evolve. The new network should be software-configurable to support the P25 control channel encryption standard being developed by TIA. The Vendor shall describe the scope and operation of such provisions inherent or planned within their solution that prevents the types of undesired radio monitoring discussed above.2.3.3Voice Encryption2.3.3.1Digital voice 256-bit AES encryption, using Advanced Multi-Band Excited +2 (AMBE+2 or newer) vocoder technology coupled, shall be included in the System. 2.3.3.2Three modes of encrypted digital voice operation expected are: 2.3.3.2(a)Unit-to-unit, where conversations transacted in an encrypted talk group are secure. These cannot be monitored at a dispatch or control point; 2.3.3.2(b)Dispatcher-to-unit, where conversations between Jackson County’s dispatch center(s) and field units;2.3.3.2(c)P25 Smartphone Application call transactions (via commercial cellular and FirstNet) to typical field/dispatcher operations within the System.

 

[apx7000xe]

The part everyone in scanner land loves:


2.3.2 Call Privacy
Jackson County’s current radio system is intrinsically open to transmission monitoring with radio equipment operable on those frequencies (i.e., trunk-tracking scanning receivers, etc.). Accordingly, the replacement P25 System shall include voice-layer encryption (described later). This provision must offer sufficient flexibility such that the desirable features of monitoring can be retained while permitting privacy to conversations that are potentially confidential.While current P25 standards do not now provide for encryption of trunked system control channels, such technology is likely to be adopted as these standards continue to evolve. The new network should be software-configurable to support the P25 control channel encryption standard being developed by TIA. The Vendor shall describe the scope and operation of such provisions inherent or planned within their solution that prevents the types of undesired radio monitoring discussed above.2.3.3Voice Encryption2.3.3.1Digital voice 256-bit AES encryption, using Advanced Multi-Band Excited +2 (AMBE+2 or newer) vocoder technology coupled, shall be included in the System. 2.3.3.2Three modes of encrypted digital voice operation expected are: 2.3.3.2(a)Unit-to-unit, where conversations transacted in an encrypted talk group are secure. These cannot be monitored at a dispatch or control point; 2.3.3.2(b)Dispatcher-to-unit, where conversations between Jackson County’s dispatch center(s) and field units;2.3.3.2(c)P25 Smartphone Application call transactions (via commercial cellular and FirstNet) to typical field/dispatcher operations within the System.

16.12.2.4 High-Tier Mobile Radio
16.12.2.4(f) 256-bit AES voice encryption

AES at that... both the high and mid tier of radios in these specs ask for AES but low tier doesn't so on the plus side at least scanner land gets to listen to public works if they decide to encrypt everything else

This provision must offer sufficient flexibility such that the desirable features of monitoring can be retained while permitting privacy to conversations that are potentially confidential.

This at least gives some hope.

 

[1268]

It's done..... P25 phase 2

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners voted Monday, Dec. 21, to approve a communications system and services agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc., upgrading the county’s public safety radio system. Those upgrades come with a hefty price tag totaling $21 million with $12.3 million in maintenance and support for years 4-15. The vote Monday also includes an authorization to move forward with issuing up to $21 million in bonds via the Jefferson Public Building Authority. The Project 25 Public Safety Grade Trunked Radio System is expected to serve the county for at least 15 years and provide more reliable coverage than the current system. County manager Kevin Poe said it will take two years to get the new system built-out and operational.