Radio Data System

[paramedszaf]

Hey everyone, I have having a hard time coming up with answers for the fire chief so I am turning to you guys.

The boss was asking questions about a mobile data system. I explained the use of cellular air cards and received the standard eye roll when it came to the monthly cost per unit and so on.

I know there are systems out there that use radio modems for transmission of data and information. Primarily I know police departments use this for 27's, 28's, JNET ect. but can a system be developed around a network and provide internet connectivity via a radio modem mounted in a vehicle.

Hardware wise what would we be looking at to start? Obviously a vehicle computer (Toughbook), radio modem and appropriate radio for receiving and transmitting data. What would be required at the site? Is this doable or just a pipe dream?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[N0YFE]

One suggestion would be to contact the city and county that your fire department works in to see what they already have for a MDT system. It may be a lot more reasonable to add into their system and to build your own. One benefit would be fire calls can be sent directly you MDT's and there would not be the issue of having two separate systems.

Though if that's not the case your on the right track for you needs. You'll need laptop computer, compatable software, modem, radio frequency, license, all the equipment and connections at the tower, etc. As for speed, the speed is not very fast and mostly for text and pre-filled forms.

There are many options and some of the others may have better suggestions than mine. Good luck!

 

[datainmotion]

One suggestion would be to contact the city and county that your fire department works in to see what they already have for a MDT system. It may be a lot more reasonable to add into their system and to build your own. One benefit would be fire calls can be sent directly you MDT's and there would not be the issue of having two separate systems.

Excellent advice!

To the OP - since the bottom line in any discussion about mobile data is cost, a good budgetary number per vehicle is $5000 - $6000 (laptop,mount, install labor). This assumes the use of quality laptops (Panasonic, General Dynamics, etc.) and quality mounts (Havis, Gamber, Precison, etc.).

Now onto the eye-roll situation :roll::lol: -

• Public cellular really is the most cost-effective means of connection for mobile data and therefore is by far the most popular method with Public Safety. The agency bears none of the infrastructure cost that would be incurred with Private radio networks used for mobile data.
• Also, the costs for even the modem in a private network are typically prohibitive. On most private networks, the modem manufacturer has you as a captive audience and "List plus" pricing is common. With a cellular carrier, most times you can get an aircard free with a two-year contract.
• Additionally, you have to consider the TCO (total cost of ownership) with a private wireless network vs. a cellular network. Maintenance cost considerations when doing annual budgets are only necessary on a private wireless network (i.e. - service contract)
• As N0YFE said, speeds on private wireless networks (think fast dial-up) are anemic (forget about internet connectivity) compared to cellular
• Having said all of this, while cellular does have monthly costs attached to it, in the long-term it is still more cost effective than private networks, especially for smaller agencies.

I could go on forever, but I think you get the idea.

 

[datainmotion]

Here's a chart (though a bit dated), about midway down the page, that may help Public Safety Mobile Data Systems:

 

[paramedszaf]

As always the radio reference family comes thru in the clutch.

We currently have NO data set up in our county so this would be a large undertaking.

Thank you for all the help and information!

If anyone else has anything additional to offer feel free.

 

[N4DES]

We did a business case years ago that compared a private MDT system vs. using leased public carrier systems and using leased won hands down. It would of taken us almost 10 years to of broken even using the targeted numbers at the time, but we have clearly exceeded that # based on what we originally though.

One of the positive things with going public carrier is there is usually a State contract in place and upgrading technology takes nothing more than upgrading a modem. And are no tower infrastructure maintenance costs to worry about.

 

[datainmotion]

We did a business case years ago that compared a private MDT system vs. using leased public carrier systems and using leased won hands down. It would of taken us almost 10 years to of broken even using the targeted numbers at the time, but we have clearly exceeded that # based on what we originally though.

One of the positive things with going public carrier is there is usually a State contract in place and upgrading technology takes nothing more than upgrading a modem. And are no tower infrastructure maintenance costs to worry about.

I don't suppose you have info that can be shared on that do you?