M/A-COM OpenSky in PA

[dmg1969]

ctrabs74, regarding the Lancaster PSP troop...I'm not sure if the switchover is permenant or if they are just in the testing phase.

I think you're right about York County. Here is something I snipped from the M/A-COM website...

"M/A-COM, a business unit of Tyco Electronics and a worldwide leader of critical radio communication systems, today announced that the York County, Pennsylvania Board of Commissioners has authorized the York County Department of Emergency Services (YCDES) to begin contract negotiations with M/A-COM for a new P25 simulcast public safety radio communications system. The system’s estimated value will range from $31-33.5 million. The system will include a 22-site UHF digital trunked public safety radio network, a 16-site digital paging network, mutual aid base stations, a radio dispatch console system, M/A-COM P25IP (Project 25 ‘to the power of IP’) radio equipment and an alarm and control system."

I'm still waiting for a response from the person at TYCO. So far...nothing.

Dave

 

[PJH]

Don't plan on seeing any "general public" recieve only radios.

These radios still "talk" to the radio system and need valid ID's for them to track properly. All the system needs is a wingnut to get their hands on the programming software and hardware and start to screw with things. Just in the name of system security, its not going to happen.

A scanner soloution is the most viable, but it is also going to involve how much MA/COM is going to charge scanner makers for its chipset and how much the scanner manufactures are willing to pay.

Right now for each digital scanner, a fee is being paid to DVSI.

With the current two large OpenSky systems (PA and soon NY), I will bet that you will see an OS scanner out there, and it won't be cheap. However, MA/COM holds all the rights to the system as its very properity to them.

 

[N_Jay]

.

With the current two large OpenSky systems (PA and soon NY), I will bet that you will see an OS scanner out there, and it won't be cheap. However, MA/COM holds all the rights to the system as its very propriety to them.

How do you know intellectual property M/A-COM holds, and how much DVSI holds and how much is parts and pieces of open standards?

 

[ctrabs74]

On the other hand...

I may have jumped the gun just a little bit...

Heard Embreeville clearly on VHF tonight around 22:00. Sounds like it's only the Lancaster station that's gone to the dark side. At least I hope that's the case.

I guess I'll chalk it up to bad timing on my part...

It also helps to unlock the channel before making stupid assumptions...

 

[brey1234]

Quinn said a specific date to implement the system statewide has yet to be set. After testing, she said, officers and other officials will need to undergo training before the new system can be put into full use.

"We're going to test it and test it again to make sure it's working the way they want before we implement it statewide," Quinn said.
http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/22886

 

[PJH]

Its not DVSI that I am talking about, but the OpenSky format...not the digital.

 

[N_Jay]

Its not DVSI that I am talking about, but the OpenSky format...not the digital.

What part of the OpenSky format do they own? (and how do you know?)

(which is just a rewording of my last question)

 

[brey1234]

More On The Pa System From Ma/com

http://www.macom-wireless.com/news/pressdetail.asp?id=110

 

[sfmoyer]

ConcerningYork Co. new system go to www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB8&sid=4518. It's a 500MHZ P25 standard IP system. sfmoyer

 

[dmg1969]

I sent another e-mail to the guy at Tyco who I have communicated with in the past. In that e-mail, I asked him several questions including whether or not M/A-COM is courting scanner manufacturers to produce an OpenSky scanner and, if not, the availability of receive only radios for purchase by citizens. I received a reply this morning asking for me to call him. I did so and left a message. I will post whatever information he gives me as soon as he returns my call.

Dave G.

 

[dmg1969]

Well, I got a call back from the guy at M/A-COM (Tyco) and we spoke for about 10 minutes. He was quite chatty although I did not understand most of what he said. He was very technical through most of the conversation. The bottom line is that he does not know of any plans for scanner manufacturers to produce an OpenSky scanner. He said that the reps from the scanner companies left shaking their heads when they met five years ago when they were asked to explain how the radio system works. He said never say never, but he knows of no plans at this time, at least on his level.

Dave

 

[N_Jay]

Well, I got a call back from the guy at M/A-COM (Tyco) and we spoke for about 10 minutes. He was quite chatty although I did not understand most of what he said. He was very technical through most of the conversation. The bottom line is that he does not know of any plans for scanner manufacturers to produce an OpenSky scanner. He said that the reps from the scanner companies left shaking their heads when they met five years ago when they were asked to explain how the radio system works. He said never say never, but he knows of no plans at this time, at least on his level.

Dave

And his name (or at least position)?

 

[dmg1969]

N_Jay: He is in NorthEast Regional Sales...Tyco / M/A-COM.

Dave

 

[R2]

The rescue truck I work on was out for a couple of weeks for maintainence two months ago. When we switched back into the truck, an OpenSky radio had been installed.
The only groups we can access are SW EMS, SW Hospital, and PEMA. No instructions on using the radio and who was on what group came with the radio other than 'Stay off PEMA, and Don't press this button!' Only other vehicles in the fleet to get them have been the Chiefs vehicles. None of the ambulances so far.

 

[HM1529]

Which department/agency do you work for that you've obtained OpenSky radios?

The only local fire department I was previously aware of that was participating in the state's OpenSky system was the West Hazleton Fire Department in Luzerne(?) County. I'm not counting departments in Cumberland and Lancaster Counties since those counties have their own OpenSky systems they're rolling out.

 

[PJH]

Sounds more like a mutual aid setup more than an intergration into the system.

Which department/agency do you work for that you've obtained OpenSky radios?

The only local fire department I was previously aware of that was participating in the state's OpenSky system was the West Hazleton Fire Department in Luzerne(?) County. I'm not counting departments in Cumberland and Lancaster Counties since those counties have their own OpenSky systems they're rolling out.

 

[R2]

Sounds more like a mutual aid setup more than an intergration into the system.

I believe that to be the case. Althought I've heard discussions of switching to a trunked system, the City of Pittsburgh has no money to do so. Allegheny County is also talking about a switch, but haven't heard if a decision has been made to piggy back on the State, or develop it's own system, like Westmorland County did. I've been off work for a month and haven't kept up with what's been going on.

I work for a large, Third Service municipal EMS agency in the largest city in the south west corner of PA...

 

[ctrabs74]

I believe that to be the case. Althought I've heard discussions of switching to a trunked system, the City of Pittsburgh has no money to do so. Allegheny County is also talking about a switch, but haven't heard if a decision has been made to piggy back on the State, or develop it's own system, like Westmorland County did.

Allegheny County had several 800 freqs set aside for an Open Sky system.

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=3540

Whether or not they're active, I obviously can't say (I'm in the wrong part of the state to answer that question).

 

[R2]

Allegheny County had several 800 freqs set aside for an Open Sky system.

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=3540

Whether or not they're active, I obviously can't say (I'm in the wrong part of the state to answer that question).

I know that the County has tested the Open Sky system over the past few years. And over 25 million has been set aside for the new system. But I have heard discussion about other systems. Haven't talked to anyone in authority for several months. But last I heard, the decision was still up in the air.

 

[ar5crash]

even it the scanner companies find a way to crack the the 4 time slots on a single freq. there may be no registered radios in the area of the scanner. therfore that cell will not come up. most system owners do not wan't the public to hear anyway. therfore macom has no intrest in releasing its format. personaly i think you have a better chance haching into the ip backbone. there you will have access to every single transmission on the network. yes every transmission is accessible on the backbone.