Yes it has to do with consoles. When the consoles are running on the CNYICC system, the are attached to the Onondaga Master site, which means all audio passes through the master site. The actual voting and simulcast control is done though a "Prime Site Controller" which is local to the county.
Simulcast has nothing to do with "adding a repeater to the input." Simulcast is the simultaneous co-channel transmission of the same signal in an overlapping geographic area. Ideally the simulcast signal is timed so when coverage areas overlap the singal arrive at the receiver at the same time. When two signals arrive at the receiver at the same time their power is additive. When they arrive out of sync, the signal is reduced or cancelled. FM analog simulcast is very susceptive to variances in TX launch time, audio tone and location. The first two are easy to manage, the third can be nearly impossible in some areas and designs.
So,my question is, are the end users of this system having problems, are they satisfied? That's what's important as it can be a life or death situation. Is the system performing and meeting Public Safety's needs?