New Somerset County FCC License

[rr60]

These are part of the NPSPAC (National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee) interoperability 800 MHz band.

This is a 6 frequency FB2 single site license in Somerville on the monopole by the County parking deck.

Looks like yet another busy year for the radio folks.

 

[GTR8000]

None of those frequencies have anything to do with NPSPAC or interoperability. 🤦‍♂️

The 861 MHz channels fall under BILT (Business, Industrial, Land Transportation), hence why the county needed a waiver and special coordination to license them for public safety.

NPSPAC spectrum is 851-854 MHz, and the 800 MHz interop channels are strictly defined as 8CALL/8TAC (replaced the old ICALL/ITAC).

 

[rr60]

Copy that, interesting, thanks.

 

[bunangst]

For reference from the FCC website.

 

[richee2000]

So, what is the guess on what this is for?

 

[GTR8000]

No need for guessing, it's all spelled out in the application.

 

[wtp]

90.617 - GOVERNMENT ENTITY RADIOS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

 

[robbinsj2]

"The County is in the process of upgrading their current 800 MHz P25 Phase-II trunked radio network to improve coverage for public safety operations. The addition of these six 800 MHz ground channels to the County system will be used to provide necessary coverage and capacity for county-wide public safety operations. Without adequate capacity within the service area, police and first responders are put at risk of communication failures due to system overuse," per the original application's waiver request.

Emphasis is mine. This does not say any or all these six channels will become part of the trunked system, just that they will be used to provide necessary coverage and capacity. I believe similar statements have previously been used for UHF-T and 800 MHz channels conventional and trunked.

So ... I've found no good clue to their precise planned use beyond public safety (which you probably already guessed).

 

[richee2000]

"The County is in the process of upgrading their current 800 MHz P25 Phase-II trunked radio network to improve coverage for public safety operations. The addition of these six 800 MHz ground channels to the County system will be used to provide necessary coverage and capacity for county-wide public safety operations. Without adequate capacity within the service area, police and first responders are put at risk of communication failures due to system overuse," per the original application's waiver request.

Emphasis is mine. This does not say any or all these six channels will become part of the trunked system, just that they will be used to provide necessary coverage and capacity. I believe similar statements have previously been used for UHF-T and 800 MHz channels conventional and trunked.

So ... I've found no good clue to their precise planned use beyond public safety (which you probably already guessed).

Thank you.

 

[FT752]

Although they're licensed as repeater pairs, perhaps these will go toward the new 7/800MHz PS TACs in some shape or form. The current UHF ones are staying, before anyone goes jumping ship. If not from this license, potentially the outstanding frequencies from the YE that gave for the jail's current operations.

What makes me lean to this BILT license being applicable is the use of "ground" and "overuse" verbiage; the whole concept behind the current PS TAC 1-6 to get off the system for localized operations.

 

[rr60]

Speculation here. Crawl, walk, run. It can be a tactic to obtain a broader license.

Once a license is obtained, an application to modify can be easily submitted to a coordinator to modify and remain in original license contours for multiple sites.

It perhaps could be the first step in adding these to all the County sites. Perhaps.

The six pack of freqs may be the tell.