Pitkin County assessing radio system overhaul | Aspen Daily News Online
Pitkin County assessing radio system overhaul
by Collin Szewczyk, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Pitkin County is mulling an overhaul to its radio system from the current VHF analog multicast network, to an 800 megahertz system used by neighboring counties and the state.
But while the upgrade would be expensive, the state has offered to help with some of that burden, cutting the county’s costs by around $200,000 per tower site, if a partnership is agreed to.
The current land mobile radio (LMR) system has provided communication between public safety agencies in the Roaring Fork Valley, as well as to city of Aspen and county departments, for decades, but has run into some issues with interference, lack of reception, and distortion.
Assistant County Manager Phylis Mattice explained the issues to the Pitkin County commissioners during a work session last week.
She noted that the cost for a new system is likely to be between $3 and $5 million, some of which has already been budgeted for in the county’s translator fund.
The LMR isn’t compatible with the 800 MHz system used by Colorado State Patrol, Eagle and Garfield counties, and the Colorado Department of Transportation — all of which the county would likely need to communicate with in the case of an emergency.
There are currently three 800 MHz transmission sites in the valley, and the county owns two of them: one on Aspen Mountain, the other on the Crown near Basalt. The third tower, which is owned by the state, is downvalley atop Sunlight Mountain.
The county initially contracted with the Pericle Communications Company for an evaluation of the LMR system and recommended solutions.
According to a memo from Mattice, analyst Kara Silbernagel, and radio technician Jeff Goelz, “[Pericle’s] report identified an inadequate network with poorly configured infrastructure with single points of failure that has been under-maintained.”
The company reported back that around $985,000 in fixes to the current system were needed, including the replacement of a tower site on upper Red Mountain ($685,000).
Pericle then suggested switching to an 800 MHz network for $3.6 million, which includes $415,000 per site for equipment (with six sites needed), microwave connectivity, and additional tower and site improvements, according to the memo.
A local communication board, comprised of emergency medical services, law enforcement, and fire mitigation agencies, sought a second opinion on the matter.
The county then met with Motorola, which proposed a dual digital VHF and 800MHz network, but the state’s Public Safety Communications Network didn’t support that option.
The state then offered its support for an 800 MHz system, as well as funding to help cut the cost for each site down to around $215,000 for equipment.
“The state came to us and offered, really, to partner with us on a 800 MHz system,” Mattice said. “What the state’s willing to partner with us on, where we quoted anywhere from $500,000 to $750,000 a site to develop, is [now] more like $225,000.”
The sites would be turned over to the state, which would cover future maintenance and replacement costs, but the county would still control the towers, and would be responsible for upkeep.
“The state would partner with us on installing it, programming it, maintaining it, as well as replacing it, which really makes the cost of VHF and 800 MHz comparable,” Mattice added, noting that there’d be far less cost in the long-term by partnering with the state.
County Manager Jon Peacock said that the current system is in need of “renewal and modernization,” and has been maintained “ad hoc” for years. He stressed that a local partnership is also needed to help to address the high cost of the overhaul.
“Financing is going to be a significant issue,” he said. “As we look at [this large] investment, we have communicated that there needs to be a partnership. … There’s a significant gap that needs to be covered locally in order to do this.”
Mattice said that the consoles at dispatch centers throughout the area would need to be replaced if the county migrates to the 800 MHz system, which is still being vetted by staff.
She noted that the state is also looking at installing an 800 MHz site in Gunnison County that would effectively cover radio communications in the Crystal River Valley.
But Mattice added that federal agencies use the VHF system, and there would be issues communicating with them during an emergency if the switch to 800 MHz is made.
Commissioner Rachel Richards said she’s heard that some counties have had issues with the 800 MHz system, and wanted more information on future radio technology and the life of the investment before jumping on board.
“[Talking with other commissioners,] they have complained that there’s problems with the terrain,” she said. “It doesn’t work as well in mountain terrain. I’ve heard that from Hinsdale County, and some others.”
Richards said that radio compatibility issues are widespread, and that in any disaster there are problems with different agencies not being able to communicate with each other.
“It doesn’t seem like anyone has one answer. That’s the story you have across the state,” Mattice said. “I don’t think there’s a black-and-white answer, but we’re just searching for the best answer for our community. … If there’s a bad situation that occurs, you really want to be able to talk to each other.”
Mattice said a memo of understanding with the state is being reviewed by County Attorney John Ely, and will be ready in July.
collin@aspendailynews.com
Pitkin County assessing radio system overhaul
by Collin Szewczyk, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Pitkin County is mulling an overhaul to its radio system from the current VHF analog multicast network, to an 800 megahertz system used by neighboring counties and the state.
But while the upgrade would be expensive, the state has offered to help with some of that burden, cutting the county’s costs by around $200,000 per tower site, if a partnership is agreed to.
The current land mobile radio (LMR) system has provided communication between public safety agencies in the Roaring Fork Valley, as well as to city of Aspen and county departments, for decades, but has run into some issues with interference, lack of reception, and distortion.
Assistant County Manager Phylis Mattice explained the issues to the Pitkin County commissioners during a work session last week.
She noted that the cost for a new system is likely to be between $3 and $5 million, some of which has already been budgeted for in the county’s translator fund.
The LMR isn’t compatible with the 800 MHz system used by Colorado State Patrol, Eagle and Garfield counties, and the Colorado Department of Transportation — all of which the county would likely need to communicate with in the case of an emergency.
There are currently three 800 MHz transmission sites in the valley, and the county owns two of them: one on Aspen Mountain, the other on the Crown near Basalt. The third tower, which is owned by the state, is downvalley atop Sunlight Mountain.
The county initially contracted with the Pericle Communications Company for an evaluation of the LMR system and recommended solutions.
According to a memo from Mattice, analyst Kara Silbernagel, and radio technician Jeff Goelz, “[Pericle’s] report identified an inadequate network with poorly configured infrastructure with single points of failure that has been under-maintained.”
The company reported back that around $985,000 in fixes to the current system were needed, including the replacement of a tower site on upper Red Mountain ($685,000).
Pericle then suggested switching to an 800 MHz network for $3.6 million, which includes $415,000 per site for equipment (with six sites needed), microwave connectivity, and additional tower and site improvements, according to the memo.
A local communication board, comprised of emergency medical services, law enforcement, and fire mitigation agencies, sought a second opinion on the matter.
The county then met with Motorola, which proposed a dual digital VHF and 800MHz network, but the state’s Public Safety Communications Network didn’t support that option.
The state then offered its support for an 800 MHz system, as well as funding to help cut the cost for each site down to around $215,000 for equipment.
“The state came to us and offered, really, to partner with us on a 800 MHz system,” Mattice said. “What the state’s willing to partner with us on, where we quoted anywhere from $500,000 to $750,000 a site to develop, is [now] more like $225,000.”
The sites would be turned over to the state, which would cover future maintenance and replacement costs, but the county would still control the towers, and would be responsible for upkeep.
“The state would partner with us on installing it, programming it, maintaining it, as well as replacing it, which really makes the cost of VHF and 800 MHz comparable,” Mattice added, noting that there’d be far less cost in the long-term by partnering with the state.
County Manager Jon Peacock said that the current system is in need of “renewal and modernization,” and has been maintained “ad hoc” for years. He stressed that a local partnership is also needed to help to address the high cost of the overhaul.
“Financing is going to be a significant issue,” he said. “As we look at [this large] investment, we have communicated that there needs to be a partnership. … There’s a significant gap that needs to be covered locally in order to do this.”
Mattice said that the consoles at dispatch centers throughout the area would need to be replaced if the county migrates to the 800 MHz system, which is still being vetted by staff.
She noted that the state is also looking at installing an 800 MHz site in Gunnison County that would effectively cover radio communications in the Crystal River Valley.
But Mattice added that federal agencies use the VHF system, and there would be issues communicating with them during an emergency if the switch to 800 MHz is made.
Commissioner Rachel Richards said she’s heard that some counties have had issues with the 800 MHz system, and wanted more information on future radio technology and the life of the investment before jumping on board.
“[Talking with other commissioners,] they have complained that there’s problems with the terrain,” she said. “It doesn’t work as well in mountain terrain. I’ve heard that from Hinsdale County, and some others.”
Richards said that radio compatibility issues are widespread, and that in any disaster there are problems with different agencies not being able to communicate with each other.
“It doesn’t seem like anyone has one answer. That’s the story you have across the state,” Mattice said. “I don’t think there’s a black-and-white answer, but we’re just searching for the best answer for our community. … If there’s a bad situation that occurs, you really want to be able to talk to each other.”
Mattice said a memo of understanding with the state is being reviewed by County Attorney John Ely, and will be ready in July.
collin@aspendailynews.com
