Here in Rowan, as it probably is in other counties as well, there are a lot of ASTRO XTS 2500 and 5000 mobile radios in use by several agencies. Some of our radios are well over 10 or more years old and we know that the ASTRO series has reached it's end of life by Motorola's standards. Motorola has also stopped most support for these units as well. Our awesome radio shop continues to do maintain and repair these units, along with the XTS models in use, on a daily basis but there is no OTA programming for the ASTRO's; they have to be brought in for programming.
The consoles in the comm center, the standby comm center in Kannapolis and the XTS radios are all Phase II compliant and are ready for the Phase II upgrade when the time comes. The XTS (ASTRO) modes aren't Phase II compliant and will need to be replaced, hence the meeting for asking for funding to purchase XTS models to replace all the ASTRO's that individuals like myself still carry. If the funding is approved, and I don't see why it wouldn't given the situation and timing, all agencies will be asked to request how many radios that they have that are inoperable, working but need repair, or are working properly. Using this information, the new radios will be distributed on an as-needed basis until they eventually they are all replaced. IF users carry personally owned radios (yes, that is allowed with permission in Rowan), they must also fill out the inventory form as well. Everyone should comply with this request so that they don't wake up one morning to find that their radio has been "bricked" when the upgrade is finalized.
According to the latest VIPER newsletter, the administrators are no longer letting any XTS model radio be activated on the system; the user must have a Phase II compliant unit to be added. But our county is going to hold out as long as they can before they fully switch to complete Phase II. Just because the comm center is Phase II compliant doesn't mean that they are actually ready and able to switch over. There is still some behind the scenes stuff that will need to be done including setting dates for when certain portions of this project are to be complete. Part of that "stuff" is going to be funded by the what will be voted on in this meeting.
m.salisburypost.com
