Morgan County signal testing on OARS

[nunyax]

Hearing Morgan County FD units conducting radio signal checks this afternoon on OARS TG 38001. Comparing the coverage to their regular system. Also heard them communicate with Oconee dispatch.

 

[nunyax]

From the Morgan County Citizen Facebook post on June 18:

"Morgan County is getting a long-overdue new public safety radio system for an initial price tag of $5.7 million. The total cost over a 15-year period is estimated to be about $14.7 million. The Morgan County Board of Commissioners (BOC) approved the deal on the heels of the tragic drowning of an 18-year-old autistic man in Hard Labor Creek State Park last week, in which the county’s public safety radio system frequently failed first responders during the extensive search for the missing man.."

From the Morgan County Fire Rescue Facebook page on June 18:

"Morgan County Public Safety Announces Upcoming Motorola P25 Radio System

Morgan County Public Safety is moving forward with a new Motorola P25 radio system to strengthen emergency communications across our community.

This upgraded system will help improve reliable, mission-critical radio coverage for the public safety professionals who respond when Morgan County needs them most, including fire, EMS, law enforcement, 911, and partner agencies.

The P25 system is designed to support clear, coordinated communication between responders during day-to-day operations, major incidents, severe weather events, and mutual aid responses.

The Morgan County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the $5.7 million dollar radio project funded by SPLOST at this past Tuesday's BOC meeting. This investment reflects Morgan County’s continued commitment to responder safety, operational readiness, and dependable emergency service for our residents, businesses, and visitors.

Morgan County Public Safety: connected, prepared, and ready to respond."

 

[MTS2000des]

Good move joining an existing core. Lower cost, better unification with surrounding agencies, and lower CAPEX/OPEX. They will enjoy real public safety grade communications over a business grade DMR system and moving off VHF means much better in building performance, lower noise floor, and an overall superior experience.

 

[RRR]

Morgan county is pretty rural. Pretty overkill, when an additional site would have sufficed, but oh well.
And it will be encrypted, bet the citizens / commissioners that are emotionally touting it right after an incident aren't fully aware of that...

 

[MTS2000des]

How current is their MotoTRBO system? My money says GEN 1 hardware long off support. Why waste money on something not designed for public safety, not compatible with any one else, when they can move to assured and yes, SECURE communications with interoperability baked in being on a REGIONAL radio system? Seems like a no brainer to me.

 

[RRR]

VHF like they have now, (remember, very rural county) 5 towers would saturate them. Going to 700/800? Better double it.
"Inside building coverage" Ever been to Madison before? The courthouse is about the biggest occupied building there, besides WalMart

 

[MTS2000des]

What is the noise floor on VHF there? If it's anything like everywhere else, it sucks. Body worn radios are at a huge disadvantage on VHF, and 700/800 spectrum is much quieter from garbage pail devices (except BDAs, which can be controlled) and you sure as hell don't have to worry about Bowelturds popping up, just unauthorized whackers trying to program their ***** parts Ebay radios...but LLA and LLE can put the brakes on that!

 

[RRR]

Hasn't been an issue there so far, I guess you could "what if" everything to death if you desire.
Just another little county wanting to be big, and a Motorola man wanting to push a whole lot of new stuff.
We understand 👍🏻

 

[MTS2000des]

Honestly, do you want public safety relying on radios 10-15 years old, worn our, infrastructure long off support, relying on commercial backhaul? I know, the days of being able to tune in are going to come to an end for a few and some aren't happy about it.

 

[kb4he]

My understanding is morgan county is on hold for the 800P25 system. They did not sign the contract with Motorola. Upon further investigation by the BOC and County Manager, the 5.7 million upfront and ongoing operational/maintenance cost presented to the BOC did not hold up to scrutiny. The 5.7 million was for 2 sites with LTE backup. I'm told they have hired a consultant to assist with developing a new system path forward.

 

[1268]

My understanding is morgan county is on hold for the 800P25 system. They did not sign the contract with Motorola. Upon further investigation by the BOC and County Manager, the 5.7 million upfront and ongoing operational/maintenance cost presented to the BOC did not hold up to scrutiny. The 5.7 million was for 2 sites with LTE backup. I'm told they have hired a consultant to assist with developing a new system path forward.

They need to look at a 400mhz Kenwood Nexedge system similar to Banks County. The terrain in Morgan county is going to make 800/700 tough, plus they will get more bang for their buck. Just my opinion.

 

[kb4he]

They need to look at a 400mhz Kenwood Nexedge system similar to Banks County. The terrain in Morgan county is going to make 800/700 tough, plus they will get more bang for their buck. Just my opinion.

Their Fire Chief who seems to be leading the charge is dead set on 800P25. I'm told they didn't hire TUSA. IMHO a good start.

 

[RRR]

I don't think he is as relevant, nor as educated as he thinks he is on this issue.
Maybe he should stick to Fire dept. stuff