What we do, and what we've done, can have a lot to do with what we're discussing. My background is commercial communications, from a technical standpoint, for the last 32 years. My reputation in the communications industry shows that others recognize that I know something of this subject. That has a LOT to do with much of what you've brought up in this discussion, since you've implied (virtually accused) me of not knowing much about this subject.
Yes, I'm familiar with the new P25 compliance program, 'designed' to make sure that P25 radios from different manufacturers are 'compatible' with each other. It has nothing to do with 'certifying' that a radio is good for public safety. If that was the case, then NO analog radio would be considered as 'good' for public safety, including all of the thousands (millions?) of conventional analog radios that being used in public safety systems. Obviously, a system that has the features that P25 offers is much better than analog systems, for some users, but that doesn't mean that everyone must have P25 or they aren't using a 'mission critical' radio system.
By the way, Motorola (the company) is promoting MotoTRBO for rural public safety use. They've just recently released a Use Case Study on a countywide system in GA. These Use Case Studies are for marketing purposes.
Here's the answers to the questions:
1-Does MotoTRBO offer priority talkgroup access to public safety standards?
Not at this time. Neither does a conventional analog repeater system.
2-Does MotoTRBO offer emergency call with live mike, and user preemption when all available RF and backhaul resources are in use?
Yes, in some system configurations.
3-What level of redundancy does the MotoTRBO controller/infrastructure have?
MotoTRBO is a 'distributed logic' system. In most cases, a single controller doesn't exist. So there is no need for redundancy. If one repeater in a trunked system fails, the system just continues working without that repeater. In an IP Site Connect system, if a repeater fails, then the rest of the sites continue to work 'as normal'. Really no different, in this case, than a conventional analog repeater system, except that the mobiles/portables in an IP Site Connect system continue to 'roam' onto the sites that are still on the air, with no operator intervention. MotoTRBO does support redundant 'hot standby' repeaters in some system configurations.
4-Are any subscriber radios capable of operating in fireground areas on simplex analog, which the USFA recommends? Are these subscriber radios capable of surviving fireground conditions without failure (specifically exposure to high temperature, immersion, etc.)
Yes. XPR-series portables are submersible up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. They meet the same Mil-Spec standards as other Motorola Professional-Series radios meet (radios that have been used for years in 'mission critical' applications, including fire service). Also, these same radios are Intrinsically Safe (Factory Mutual) if ordered with a FM-approved battery pack (a $50 list price option).
5-Are features such as Motorola's fireground accountability available on MotoTRBO?
No, not at this time, but that's a really good idea. The information from Motorola that I have, is that this 'feature' is only available on the XTS5000-series radio. Does that mean that the XTS-1500 and XTS-2500 aren't designed for mission critical operation?
6-What encryption algorithms are supported?
At this time, a proprietary 40 bit digital encryption. Granted, this isn't as high as some public safety users might want, or need, and for those users, they need to use P25. But, for many users, 40 bit digital encryption is at least as secure, and in some case much more secure, than what they're currently using on their analog systems (if they're using any encryption/scrambling at all).
7-What are the maximum number of talkgroups per site?
I gather we're talking about trunking here. Actually, you can have 'talkgroups' on conventional MotoTRBO systems, too. I think it's 250 per repeater on Capacity Plus trunking, but on conventional, it's up in the thousands (I can't remember exactly).
8-Is MotoTRBO capable of simulcast operation, if so, how is this implemented?
Yes, a company in Europe has developed a simulcast system for use with MotoTRBO/DMR. I don't know exacty how it's implemented. It was used at the G8 Summit in Italy earlier this year for security communications (they used Tetra and MotoTRBO/DMR).
9-How does the vocoder/DSP respond to use in high noise conditions? How does it handle simultaneous transmissions (doubling)?
MotoTRBO performs MUCH better with high background noise as compared to most P25 or analog radios. The only radio that I've seen that works as good, or better, is Motorola's new APX-7000. As to 'doubling', I'm not sure. I haven't tried that. But I will. I've heard of problems with P25 when this happens. It would definitely be interesting to compare MotoTRBO in this regard.
10-How secure is access to the system? (please, I can't wait to hear this. I've heard so many wonderful things about people able to pirate on MotoTRBO conventional repeaters with nothing more than a copy of CPS and 20 dollar made in China cables from Ebay)
The repeaters themselve do not have any 'access control' system. Of course, this is no different than a conventional analog repeater. An 'access control system' is available from a third-party MotoTRBO developer. I guess those who have been 'pirated' need to purchase an access control system (sales hat on - I can sell it to them.....sales hat off <G>).
11- (related to 10), does MotoTRBO offer advanced system key support, or is any system key or authentication used for validation and to prevent unauthorized programming or reprogramming of radios? (please don't tell me codeplug passwords. Any 12 year old with a hex editor can circumvent that)
No keys necessary at this time. Just like conventional analog systems. But with access control, no one can put a new radio on the system without it showing up (every radio has to have a unique ID on the system). And I do really doubt that any 12 year old with a hex editor can circumvent the codeplug password protection in the latest firmware/software (but then, there's a first time for everything <G>).
"That should keep you busy for hours."
Not too bad.
You'll notice that I said, several times, "not at this time", in my answers. The reason is that MotoTRBO is still 'emerging'. New features/functions are being added every 6 months or so (feature updates twice a year). So while a particular feature may not be available today, it may be in the future. Motorola has a 'roadmap' that lists out the features that will be added to MotoTRBO. This 'roadmap' can extend for several years into the future. They don't tell anyone what some of these features will be until close to when they're released.
"I'll sum it up with a simple explanation and leave the tech rhetoric for Batlabs or MTUG. "
But that's what a lot of this is all about - the technical aspects, differences, etc. of the different systems.
"Would YOU want your PD, FD and EMS relying on something not designed to properly address their needs? I didn't think you did."
You're right - I wouldn't. That's why rural agencies are looking for something that they can afford, to replace their 'crummy' analog systems as soon as possible, before someone gets hurt.
John Rayfield, Jr. - CETma
