Wisconsin is trying to push a statewide trunked radio system to promote "interoperability" among police.
Funny thing is , individual counties don't like the idea of losing control of their radio system if turned over to the state. If the Sheriff wants to fill in a "rf hole" , he can budget for an additional receiver or such to be installed to fill an area. If the state owns the system, add 10 years of red tape and budget shortfalls and employee cutbacks to get the job done.
I am a communications tech for a Wisconsin based Motorola dealer, and the feedback from the meetings among the state people trying to push it, and the counties trying to be forced on to it has basically resulted in most counties giving the state the "finger". Some counties who are rural and have small budgets welcome it, larges ones don't like it.
In response, the State of Wisconsin has teamed up with Raytheon to come up with a statewide VHF P25 radio system, that can be connected to existing radio systems. Now we add the state being involved and getting their fingers in places it shouldn't be.
Out here, pretty much everything is VHF, even the Wisconsin State Patrol. Most county Sheriff Dept's , Fire Dept and EMS organizations already run VHF. Why not just use the V TAC frequencies ?
Your right. Why build a multi million statewide system that CANNOT meet the needs of individual county and local agencies ? Sure, you can build a big system out, but we all know it will not provide the same rf coverage agencies have now. Then add in the political bull****. Now we have a disaster responding to disasters.
Perhaps a better solution would be to try to push a common radio frequency band ? Like VHF or UHF ? VHF seems popular in alot of states. If the Maryland State Police went to VHF, they would have V TAC access to EMS and Hospitals right away, then throw in the few counties who have VHF already.
One common rf band, V TAC channels and/or other repeated and simplex mutual aid channels. Problem solved. All agencies have the power to purchase whatever brand radio they want, they can build out their repeaters/microwave/voting systems/infrastructure however they want to, and ...everyone is happy. Not to mention the cost of VHF equipment vs Low Band.....yikes.
The idea of a statewide radio system sounds good, looks "ok" on paper but I am pretty sure once you think ahead to how it will work in the real world....then you'd see how much of a failure it will be.
I grew up in Allegany County. Seeing this article on RR caught my eye. Always had high respect for the MSP, I really hope they don't get caught up in the same mistakes others have already made.
Trunking systems do have their place. They are good for a large city or county with a population base to justify it. I just dont think in my professional opinion Maryland needs it. The state would benefit greatly buy just moving all state agencies to VHF.
Dispatch console based patches......work......
Most dispatch consoles use VOX detection to activate a busy icon for the dispatcher. The console also uses this same vox as a so-called "COR" for using patches to key the other transmitters. Now your cutting off the first few words of a transmission.
The delays involve :
1. Receiver PL unmute at system A receiver site
2. Voter activation (if applicable)
3. Console VOX detect
4. Console PTT to system B base station or repeater by tone remote commands "function tone keying"
5. System B goes into transmit (hopefully soon enough if microwave or E/M controlled)
If you measure out the delay, it's much more then users are used to. Now your clipping words, and having dropout during conversation during quiet times.
There are ways to reduce some delays in a public safety system, but most of the time it's not practical to do so. One way is to E/M key the base/repeater from the voter or console. However, not all systems support it properly to work right.
Hopefully someone at the State of Maryland will research what other state agencies are experiencing with theirs, and choose wisely and allow local and county users freedom to maintain their own use on the system.
I could drone on and on about mistakes I have seen city/county and state agencies make. But I will go now lol.
73's
Matt Orr N3IVK
Motorola Systems Technician
Madison,WI