Milwaukee County Radio Systems

[Mweiher]

Although it's been awhile as a frequent 'guest' reader, it's time I actually got an account here and gave my 2 cents worth. Many of you know that I've been administering the Milwaukee County radio systems since 2004. Prior to that, I have a 25+ year history in IT - with full Microsoft certifications and background. When I "took over" in 2004, this was a pretty new world to me and I've been forced to learn the ropes. Thanks to several incredible engineers and a fantastic FSO assigned to our system, I feel confident things are going pretty well.

However, there's always room for improvement and we are about to have the first meeting of the 800 mhz User Advisory Group - who will assist Milwaukee County with making infrastructure decisions with emphasis on the user community of first responders.

There's been talk about Greenfield's separate system (which we rely on for backup purposes from time to time, so I'm hesitant to say I agree they should merge with us). There's been a TON of talk about the City's M-A/COM OpenSky system - which is rolling out as I write this.

Although I played no role in the city's decision to move forward with OpenSky, we are where we are. There's opportunities here, assuming the rollout goes smoothly and the system works to spec when implemented fully, that are pretty incredible.

There's a point or two made about GMIA not being on the 800 system. Funny, I'm on my way there shortly to talk with GMIA Fire - but that's for my next comments.

Long term - GMIA presently intends to convert to the 800 mhz system. However, to complete this is not only a ton of money for the required subscriber units, we also have to significantly increase our system capacity. Talk is already occuring on requirements, funding sources, etc.

So let's look at the larger picture here:

It's important to note that we at Milwaukee County IMSD are dedicated to providing a radio system for our users that works - meaning it's reliable and dependable for every user, every time they push that button. We've had some glitches in the past year - during snow storms in February and rain in June, for example - but hope some of the changes we made to system configuration will assist our users.

I'm always open to suggestions -- even from the 'non-users' of our system. So feel free to provide constructive feedback or ideas.

 

[CrabbyMilton]

Thanks for bringing us up to date on that. Do you have any idea when Milwaukee County's system will be rebanded? I am pragmatic that this has to be done for any number of reasons but, part of me is hoping that it will take some time since my 250d's cannot be reflashed so while I can monitor the system after rebanding but no more tracking. Oh well, nothings fowever and a pair of new scanners always brings joy to this old crab.

 

[CrabbyMilton]

Whoops I forgot something. I guess scratch my head over this because MAYFAIR and SOUTHRIDGE are on the system and 2 thirds of MITCHELL Airport are not. I think it's important that the 2 malls have good communications with their respective police depts. in the interest of fostering safety for those that visit those fine malls. However, to me you'd think that a county agency would have had first crack on IT'S own system.

 

[mkescan]

So the county may be adding more frequencies to the system?

I say take Mayfair & Southridge off the system,and just let them have a few radios to talk direct to Wauwatosa or Greendale Police.
The malls talk more then some police on the system.

I always wonder why Greenfield Fire & Police don't move to the county system,but keep the Greenfield system up for county back up.
It has to be costing Greenfield a lot of money to keep that system up.

Oh yeah,sounds like County transit is a big problem too with all their specials needs.

 

[CrabbyMilton]

Exactly on target with MCTS. I seem to remember that they once got by just fine with 5 channels on the old UHF system. Having a few more than 5 is fine with me since there is a high volume of calls mostly people misbehaving on the bus. There are some MCTS talkgroups that I have never heard. Why so many for them? That could counter some arguements that the system is over loaded when you have over a dozen talkgroups that never if rarely make a sound. I'm divided about dropping the malls talkgroups but you have to admit, MAYFAIR does have a good security force. They don't put up with any crap from anyone which is refreshing nowadays.

 

[Mweiher]

Milwaukee County Rebanding

We had to bifurcate the FRAs between the data system that MCTS uses and the voice system that everyone uses because early on we could see trouble with the necessary total replacement of the transit system. In the end, each Spectra radio on the bus has to be replaced with two radios (one for data, one for voice) to make the transit system comparable to what they currently have. We just signed the PO for the vendor to begin work on the transit buses - something just short of $5m.

That that FRA is signed, sealed, delivered and we're rapidly moving forward on the data side. Of course, we're doing the transit voice system subscribers simultaneously, but we won't know the full impact until we reband the infrastructure equipment.

We're in the final stages of the planning phase for the voice side. Technically, it's pretty straightforward, as I'm sure you understand. Logistically, it's a nightmare. You're going to see a couple of interesting phases happen during implementation.

We anticipate (wishful thinking) having an FRA by mid-October. You'll see us start the subscriber replacements rapidly thereafter. Our current plan is to complete the subscribers within 12 months. So, it'll be a year or more before you need to start re-evaluating your scanning needs.

One thing you'll notice much sooner - is the reconfiguration of the fire radios. The chiefs, over the past several months, designed a new template that takes into account the new statewide simplex channels recently assigned to the fire service. Separate from rebanding - as they cannot wait a full year because of obvious mutual aid issues - these radios will be re-templated fairly soon and quite rapidly. I suspect that before Q1 of 2009 is over, you'll be hearing them on the new simplex MABAS channels.

 

[Mweiher]

Mall Security Teams and GMIA

First let it be known that both Mayfair and Southridge mall were given access to the system via sponsorship from the local PD. Wauwatosa PD has a substation at Mayfair and it made sense to have them join the system to assist law enforcement. Likewise with Southridge a few years later. We closely monitor system usage.

With regard to GMIA, I'm sure you know that there are no 800 mhz frequencies available to public safety in Region 54. We do have other options to evaluate, but frequencies are always the issue.

Then there's the cost. We're evaluating the funding needs to start the gradual move of the remaining GMIA folks to 800. (Of course, MCSO is already on 800, so we're talking operations and administration.) I'd like to see a link between our 800 system and the TSA somewhere down the road - but first things first.

Oh, and with some minor changes to some equipment there, GMIA FD will be migrating fully to 800 (sooner rather than later).