Knox County public safety radio system

[SCPD]

could be political issues, if Blount is encrypted the system manager may be paranoid to put the keys into other departments radios, but i do see the inter-operability benefits of these statewide systems being a benefit, but its a matter of control with some people, being a public safety dispatcher for years i really hate political crap, i just want a system that works and will not fail officers/ firefighters or EMT's and Medics, if they need help i want the call to go out the first time every time as clear as possible, i personally dont care about all the bells and whistles or who wants to be the dog with the big nuts

+1 on that. The first responder should be able to PTT the radio and talk. Just like cellphones days, they do everything but work as a decent cellphone!. The radio manufactures these days are adding so many bells and whistles to their sometimes it makes operating the thing a job in it's self. We have let's say the "older" cops who still have a hard time changing zones on their XTS2500's. When it comes to public safety communications, it should follow the K.I.S.S rule.

 

[INDY72]

Rural/Metro's new ambulances that were purchased have VHF/UHF APX7500's mounted in them instead of the old TK-790's that they have been using. Now, being UHF and VHF they aren't capable of TACN operation, but I wonder if RM/AMR is looking at going digital with their current frequencies?

They can do TACN on the VHF sites if they were programmed to do so. They are going digital in the not to distant future, at least for some operations. But will have analog for the VHF HEAR, UHF MEDs. But to fully go TACN, they would need to switch to VHF/UHF/700-800 models, or go APX 8000s for ALL BAND capability.

 

[zachgallop]

I have asked a Undercover Narcotics Officer at Knox County Sheriff's Office. He said last he heard 2ADAM Dispatch,2BAKER Dispatch 2, 1ALPHA East Dispatch, and 1CHARLIE west dispatch will be in the clear.2C RECORDS, 2DAVID EMEGENCY, and 2E Supervisor will be secure. He said it is likely for it to be changed encrypting less or not anything. Even more. UTPD, KFD, and School Security he knows nothing about.

 

[zachgallop]

It appears the new system changeover is getting closer and closer. The License for the trunking system is now pending for P25 Phase I & Phase II. Wires are being ran across the 911 center for the new equipment this week.

 

[WatnNY]

Thanks for the updates, Zach!

Mike

 

[zachgallop]

Knox County has began testing on the new Consoles as of yesterday.

 

[acs680]

Apparently Knox 911 took a lightning strike this AM. Consoles are out and they are dispatching off of portables.

 

[N2AL]

Apparently Knox 911 took a lightning strike this AM. Consoles are out and they are dispatching off of portables.

That's got to be a disaster. I can imagine that they are not having the easiest time trying to get their systems back online. I know firsthand how devastating a lightning hit can be, from both precessional and personal experience.

 

[PACNWDude]

+1 on the lightening issue. Have seen this a few times, even with lightening suppressors and grounding, it never goes well, and voids warranty for hardware.
Have left the Knoxville area for a few years now, but still like to keep in the loop on their E911 issues.

 

[INDY72]

Most of the consoles are brand new just installed for the P25 conversion. So no void of warranties here. Motorola technically still owns them. No payments until system acceptance.

Sent from my LG-K330 using Tapatalk

 

[N2AL]

Most of the consoles are brand new just installed for the P25 conversion. So no void of warranties here. Motorola technically still owns them. No payments until system acceptance.

Sent from my LG-K330 using Tapatalk

You are correct, good sir! If the warranty is like what I have saw in the past, the standard one year Motorola warranty, then the individual agencies have to spring for the repairs. Now it may be a little gray if those agencies are paying Motorola yearly maintenance fees, so who knows what way that may shift things.

But regardless their new Motorola system, even if it is not yet fully online, is still under warranty with Motorola.

Personally I like the system, until there is a need for heavy radio traffic, such as special events and/or disasters. Then it has a habit of giving busy bonks, so I hear.

 

[INDY72]

Won't be as many banks on phase II p25 once its flipped.

Sent from my LG-K330 using Tapatalk

 

[zachgallop]

The 800 analog trunking system is on its last leg. It's a mess I thought it was but some dispatchers and officers I have talked too noticed the same. The choppy and staticy audio has gotten way worse. Maybe the towers have gotten out of sync. The 859.9375 simulcast p25 control channel is up and has been up for a few weeks. Does anybody know what voice frequencies was moved over?