MDWF&P Unviels its 1.8 million dollar sat radio system

[INDY72]

Today in Jackson, MS, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks unvieled its brand new 1.8 Million Dollar satellite radio system. As part of the unvieling an Conservation Officer used the mobile unit in his truck to talk to Kentucky Emergency Management Agency from downtown Jackson, MS. This system costs far less than even the original VHF Lo Band radio system originally did to implement. Story aired on WLBT TV-3's 5PM Report, and will air again at 6PM, and 10 PM, and should be on the website tommorrow.

 

[darrendotcom]

How long did they have the VHF Lowband system? 20 or 30 Years? The system would have cost a lot less back then.

 

[INDY72]

Well that is what they told WLBT LOL.By today's pricing standards to implement a new statewide terrestrial radio system would cost around 10 million minimum.

 

[darrendotcom]

I wonder who they will be talking to with the new system if they close all the parks.

 

[INDY72]

Well they still have statewide athority over all the game and fish activities, boater enforcement, as well as other law enforcement, and emergency management activities.

 

[N_Jay]

Well that is what they told WLBT LOL.By today's pricing standards to implement a new statewide terrestrial radio system would cost around 10 million minimum.

300 units X 10 min a day X 365 X about $1 a min = about a Million $ a year.

Wonder what the anual budget is?

 

[INDY72]

I would have to ask my second cousin who is MS Senate Chairman of Wildlife Committee, and sits on the Ways and Means Committee.

 

[N_Jay]

I would have to ask my second cousin who is MS Senate Chairman of Wildlife Committee, and sits on the Ways and Means Committee.

Answer would be interesting

 

[INDY72]

Probably would be, considering they have budget issues this year and are seriously considering closing many State Parks,... I would imagine they got a DHS grant to help pay for the new radio gear.

 

[N_Jay]

Probably would be, considering they have budget issues this year and are seriously considering closing many State Parks,... I would imagine they got a DHS grant to help pay for the new radio gear.

Then they should buy a system that does what they need and minimizes ongoing costs!
It can be done reasonably, with the right guidance.

 

[INDY72]

MDWF&P followed MEMA's lead in going to SAT Radios,... As far as I have heard, all the other State Agencies are not planning on a Sat system at this time. All the research is still involved with getting a Trunked digital capable APCO-P-25 compliant system. The last time I talked with State Troopers with MHP, they were trying to push for a VHF, or UHF system, though the 800 idea is still alive in the thinking. Any plans for a EDACS system are being boohooed right now even though MA/COM is cheaper. Seems like there are smarter heads that are saying "You get what you pay for". All the Officers that I have spoken too also say that they are NOT impressed at all by the Provoice system that MDOC has installed.

 

[Mojo]

Are there pics and specs for the equipment?

 

[INDY72]

As far as that goes,.. youd need to contact MDWF&P, and talk to them,.. or even MEMA as they also use the sat net. Once you find out the vendor for them,.. you could probably find thier website for more info. I do know from seeing the radios that they look a lot like a trunking radio.

 

[Mojo]

milf:

Tx.

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

Alrighty then, it probably is NOT P-25 but is it listenable?

 

[INDY72]

Umm there is NO scanner made right now that can listen to satellite radio systems.... and the cost of making one would be scary. This isn't like LM-Trunked systems, or good old conventional.. this is a different technology altogether. It is similar to XM sat radio. but is far more sophisticated as it allows for full 2 way comms. To monitor you would not only need a way to have a passive link to the uplink/downlink transponders,.. but have the software for decoding voice codecs, and then have a way to track the TG's. In fact, youll see a EDACS PV scanner long before you ever see a sat scanner. But on the good side.. you can hear the Hi band links to it.. and they still use Lo band for car to car and tactical in most locations in MS.

 

[Mojo]

The vendor seems to be an outfit called "Satellite Ventures." Specs for some Mitsubishi gear for this sevice indicate frequencies in the Gigaheertz range.

Satellites go down too; how is this system backed up do you reckon?

 

[INDY72]

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks

Frequency Callsign Type Description Mode
44.64000 WPIS288 RM Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks FM
44.72000 WPEF341 M Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks FM
44.76000 WPEF341 M Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks FM
44.80000 WPEF341 M Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks FM
44.84000 WPIS288 RM Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks FM
44.88000 WPIS288 RM Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks FM
44.92000 WPIS288 RM Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks FM
44.92000 WPIS288 RM Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks FM
44.96000 KNHM933 BM Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks State Parks FM
45.00000 KNHM933 BM Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks Game Warden FM
45.00000 KNHM933 BM Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks Game Warden FM
45.04000 WPIS288 RM Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks Game Warden FM
45.22000 KKL735 BM Statewide Low Band Law Enforcement FM
151.25000 WPEF341 M Hi-Band Link to SatComm and Forestry Serv. FM
151.32500 WPEF341 M MS DWF&P(Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks) Game Wardens FM
159.23250 WPMT263 RMF F&W game wardens FM

As well as several other VHF Hi Band Freqs associated with temp repeaters.

 

[INDY72]

I monitor them regularly during both the summer and during hunting season, and communicate vias CB with a few of them in regards to patrolling my land during hunting season...As well as have raced one on a creek near me on 4 wheeler just to kill time. They are professional, kind, and very intelligent, and if your land is marked as posted, and you need them to check out tresspassers, etc,... they are quick to assist... Not to mention they can get into areas with 4 wheelers and those big dodge 4X4's that others can't when assisting local law enforcement, and MHP etc in looking for criminals. Though i would love to see em get some new boats lol. For a look at the trucks,.. see the other post on this topic in the MS forum... I also deal with USFS Rangers that patrol the Homochitto National Forest as my land at two places borders the HNF.

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

Umm there is NO scanner made right now that can listen to satellite radio systems.... and the cost of making one would be scary. This isn't like LM-Trunked systems, or good old conventional.. this is a different technology altogether. It is similar to XM sat radio. but is far more sophisticated as it allows for full 2 way comms. To monitor you would not only need a way to have a passive link to the uplink/downlink transponders,.. but have the software for decoding voice codecs, and then have a way to track the TG's. In fact, youll see a EDACS PV scanner long before you ever see a sat scanner. But on the good side.. you can hear the Hi band links to it.. and they still use Lo band for car to car and tactical in most locations in MS.

I did NOT realize that there are such things as Satellite Talk Groups.