MOUNT HOLLY, NC - Police and rescue workers are no longer stuck with a radio system better suited to Plymouth Rock.
City leaders agreed to share an 800-megahertz radio communications network with Charlotte, Gastonia and Belmont. The Mount Holly City Council unanimously approved a contract between the cities Monday night after agreeing in principle to the arrangement at a work session last month.
"It's going to be state of the art," said Councilman Jerry Bishop. "The one we've got now probably came over on the ark - or the Mayflower, rather."
All quips aside, the city's old radio system had serious flaws. Police Chief David Belk said communicating with officers in northern Mount Holly was often difficult, and the new system eliminates most radio dead zones.
"The 800 (MHz.) trunking system gives us 90-something-percent coverage," Belk said. "With the old one, on the north end, I bet it's 50-50."
Mount Holly will pay $16,581 per year to maintain the 800-MHz. radio infrastructure, according to city data. Belmont will pay $20,370 and Gastonia's share will be $89,792.
The contract creates a Radio Communications Council to oversee development of communications technology for the partner cities. Mount Holly could leave the partnership after giving two years' notice.
Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have the eight primary Simulcast radio towers. Gastonia joined the system and is recruiting other Gaston County municipalities to share the infrastructure and maintenance costs.
http://www.gastongazette.com/news/city_22665___article.html/holly_mount.html
City leaders agreed to share an 800-megahertz radio communications network with Charlotte, Gastonia and Belmont. The Mount Holly City Council unanimously approved a contract between the cities Monday night after agreeing in principle to the arrangement at a work session last month.
"It's going to be state of the art," said Councilman Jerry Bishop. "The one we've got now probably came over on the ark - or the Mayflower, rather."
All quips aside, the city's old radio system had serious flaws. Police Chief David Belk said communicating with officers in northern Mount Holly was often difficult, and the new system eliminates most radio dead zones.
"The 800 (MHz.) trunking system gives us 90-something-percent coverage," Belk said. "With the old one, on the north end, I bet it's 50-50."
Mount Holly will pay $16,581 per year to maintain the 800-MHz. radio infrastructure, according to city data. Belmont will pay $20,370 and Gastonia's share will be $89,792.
The contract creates a Radio Communications Council to oversee development of communications technology for the partner cities. Mount Holly could leave the partnership after giving two years' notice.
Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have the eight primary Simulcast radio towers. Gastonia joined the system and is recruiting other Gaston County municipalities to share the infrastructure and maintenance costs.
http://www.gastongazette.com/news/city_22665___article.html/holly_mount.html