Lancaster County - Upgrading to P25 Phase-II?

[FP761]

Recently, I learned about a planned upgrade of the Lancaster County P25 System to Phase-II. When I asked for a quote on New Radios for Fire use, I was told that quotes for New Radio Equipment must now include Phase-II, OTAP, and if we want Encryption (not required for Fire) we also need OTAR. Additionally, I was told that our existing equipment will NOT work on the new System, although I found that the original equipment Specs indicate otherwise.

Does anyone have more definitive information on this change, the accompanying timeline, and if existing equipment will be permitted?

 

[cavmedic]

From what I understand there is thoughts of a future upgrade. To what and when, that doesn’t appear to be out in the wild yet.

There is quite a few departments that are and have already switched over to EFJ VP portables and mobiles and trades in their taits.

As for what’s permitted or going to be permitted on the system, that’s going to be a County policy.

Regardless of a current radio being capable or not doesn’t mean it’s going to be permitted. Things like licensing, firmware, future upgrades, ability to push programming updates etc all come into play.


If a change needs to be made to a subscriber to match a system change, that would be difficult to round up every possible radio and have everyone on the same page if you have a mix match. In a business setting, may be reasonable, but on a Public Safety system where it could be literally life or death, I wouldn’t expect that to be common practice.

 

[FP761]

From what I understand there is thoughts of a future upgrade. To what and when, that doesn’t appear to be out in the wild yet.

There is quite a few departments that are and have already switched over to EFJ VP portables and mobiles and trades in their taits.

As for what’s permitted or going to be permitted on the system, that’s going to be a County policy.

Regardless of a current radio being capable or not doesn’t mean it’s going to be permitted. Things like licensing, firmware, future upgrades, ability to push programming updates etc all come into play.


If a change needs to be made to a subscriber to match a system change, that would be difficult to round up every possible radio and have everyone on the same page if you have a mix match. In a business setting, may be reasonable, but on a Public Safety system where it could be literally life or death, I wouldn’t expect that to be common practice.

Thanks for the info. Apparently, the timeline has started due to requiring any "New" radios being purchased to have the required Options. I have not heard of any timeline for older equipment no longer being permitted on the System. Hoping to hear more info from those "In the Know" .

*Note: For anyone considering a Dual Band Harris Portable that operates on BOTH Lancaster/York Counties, the current price is ~$6K. Most Agencies would not be interested in this capability due to its associated price tag. However, Agencies that work in BOTH Counties frequently may be interested.

 

[Scanner996p2]

462.775

RM

114.8 PL

LanCo Dispatch

Fire/EMS Dispatch (Repeats LCWC TRS TG 4701)

FMN

Fire Dispatch

IMO, you really don't need a digital scanner for Lancaster County since the le is fully encrypted. Also, since the dispatch for fire and ems is repeated analog you really don't need a scanner unless you want to listen to the other channels available. Just my opinion

 

[FP761]

462.775

RM

114.8 PL

LanCo Dispatch

Fire/EMS Dispatch (Repeats LCWC TRS TG 4701)

FMN

Fire Dispatch

IMO, you really don't need a digital scanner for Lancaster County since the le is fully encrypted. Also, since the dispatch for fire and ems is repeated analog you really don't need a scanner unless you want to listen to the other channels available. Just my opinion

Thank you. My post was actually regarding subscriber radios for those of us using them in the Fire Service for Lancaster County.

 

[hill]

IMO, you really don't need a digital scanner for Lancaster County since the le is fully encrypted.

Some us enjoy listening to fire department ops. LE is not the only thing to use a scanner for.

Going forward I think in areas not encrypted LE has too many low priority calls which ties up the scanning process. Much higher percentage on receiving major fire calls and rescues on fire radio.

 

[Scanner996p2]

Some us enjoy listening to fire department ops. LE is not the only thing to use a scanner for.

Going forward I think in areas not encrypted LE has too many low priority calls which ties up the scanning process. Much higher percentage on receiving major fire calls and rescues on fire radio.

I agree I'm based in York county and was just listening to fire ops today on a structure fire. But it's nice to be able to hear le at least for now in the clear

 

[specopsk9]

has your county offered any information as far as timeline? had any working groups involving the end users? When Berks did this there was probably 2 years worth of end user input and design to roll out. Every single system user needed all new equipment, and they involved the county in assisting agencies on the financial end.

 

[FP761]

has your county offered any information as far as timeline? had any working groups involving the end users? When Berks did this there was probably 2 years worth of end user input and design to roll out. Every single system user needed all new equipment, and they involved the county in assisting agencies on the financial end.

I was unaware until I requested a quote for a new portable radio for our department. Only then did I learn that LCWC had asked the Radio Providers to include the additional options for Phase-2, which adds Phase-2 Capability, along with OTAP and OTAR.

I am not aware of a timeline or if there will be Financial Support from the County. That is why I started this thread, hoping that others in Lancaster County might have additional information.

 

[FP761]

Update: This week, Lancaster County Fire Chiefs were notified of the upcoming transition to P25 Phase-2, with a planned "Go Live" date of JAN 1, 2027. This date was selected to provide users "Two Budget Cycles" to acquire New Equipment as needed.

"The Countdown has begun"