Dead Spots
I see people on many of the forums talking about the notorious 'dead spots' that the WV IRP system has. Thinking that any radio system will work 100% everywhere is a fool's dream. Everyone is praising the analog radio systems right now saying how wonderful they are compared to the digital system, but I assure you there are pleanty of dead spots with the analog systems too. However, I have noticed a good difference between the analog and digital systems. With digital, your radio will let you know if you aren't communicating with the tower. That is an undeniable confirmation that your transmission has went out. However, I haven't seen an analog conventional radio give me the same comfort. Many times on both portable and mobile I have tried to get out on conventional analog and have not received a reply from dispatch. That leaves me wondering if my radio is working right, if i'm not hitting the tower, or if dispatch is just deciding not to answer (or too busy to answer right then). The cellular phone network has been in development for decades, and you still don't have perfect reception everywhere, and there's many places (especially in West Virginia) where there is no coverage at all. I agree that further development will help make the system better by adding tower sites, but that comes at a cost. The architects of the system have to balance the cost to efficiency ratio. Best hopes on most system designs (around the county) that I have seen for statewide coverage are 95-100% mobile coverage and 85-90% portable coverage. I think it is too early to 'bash' the system while it is still in development. The 'Powers At Be' are still laying the groundwork to establish basic functionality throughout the state. Give them a chance to do their jobs, and you might be surprised. And trust me, they are keeping an eye on quality / coverage issues with every part of the system.