LAPD buying Vertex?

[prcguy]

Someone told me today that LAPD has purchased some small Vertex APCO25 hand helds for specialized use and is about to buy a bunch more and maybe to replace all Motorola's. Anybody know about this?
prcguy

 

[karldotcom]

I thought Motorola bought Vertex?

 

[chet-]

I see LAPD everyday and they are fielding the XTS-5000s now. Its becoming a mix of 5000's and Astro Sabers at the momment till they get all the 5000s in the field.

 

[Radio_Lady]

No, not Vertex.

LAPD bought 700 XTS-5000 portables in 2007 using about $3-million in grant funding, and are doing a lease/purchase deal with Motorola for the remaining 9,300 radios for $39-million, with no payments in 2008/09 and 2009/10, but $5,660,000 for each of the following seven years. It's a sole-source contract, as Motorola is the only vendor that can provide the proprietary stuff that will work with LAPD's existing communications hardware/software and be compatible with LA-RICS, both of which were requirements for the new radios.

 

[WayneH]

... Motorola is the only vendor that can provide the proprietary stuff that will work with LAPD's existing communications hardware/software ...

I believe the proprietary stuff is "OTACS" (Over The Air Channel Steering).

I can see the data transmissions for it with a GRE. It typically triggers the 9600 sys info mode when in Tune though only shows the NAC.

 

[prcguy]

The reason I was asking is a friend of mine spent some time his LAPD friend who was issued a P25 Vertex because of his work requiring a smaller radio than the XTS and he says LAPD is placing an order for lots of the Vertex radios because they are performing very well and cost a fraction of XTS price. So, LAPD does have some P25 Vertex. I'm just curious if LAPD will eventually migrate away from Motorola.
prcguy

 

[monitor142]

Ahhh....nope. See Radio Lady's reply. LAPD might buy a few Vertex radios...or have some loaners to use but they will not be compatible with the future RICS system. Basically a throw away radio.

 

[KG6GTH]

VXP829's

LAPD Does Have some Vertex P-829's. A coworker of mine also purchased his own total was about $2,000 with two batteries and charger. The VXp-829's are for some UC units , remainder of Patrol will eventuall get the XTS-5000 to replace the Astro Saber III.

 

[zerg901]

Wayne_H - can you explain what OTACS is, or how it is used? Peter Sz

 

[WayneH]

Wayne_H - can you explain what OTACS is, or how it is used? Peter Sz

As the radio moves throughout the repeater network the channels physically available to the channel knob (i.e., 1 through 16) are changed to reflect the area. These channels must already be available in the radio.

 

[zerg901]

Wayne - IIRC the FBI got radios maybe 5 years ago that had similar capabilities. I think they had GPS linked to the mobile radios and this allowed the ( possibly 'Harris') radios to always access the best repeater site. Does that ring a bell at all? Is that analogous to the LA City system? Peter Sz

 

[WayneH]

Wayne - IIRC the FBI got radios maybe 5 years ago that had similar capabilities. I think they had GPS linked to the mobile radios and this allowed the ( possibly 'Harris') radios to always access the best repeater site. Does that ring a bell at all? Is that analogous to the LA City system? Peter Sz

As far as I know Motorola's is something different though definitely similar in nature. From what I have seen the repeaters send out a transponder which directs the radios what to do. Whichever channels are loaded in to 1-16 is a default set; they'll always be the same in that area.