Seattle-Digital?!

[sepura]

The past couple days it seems that the Seattle Fire dispatchers have digital radios that are patched to the analog system. I can't confirm for police as I don't listen to them but, is Seattle moving to a digital radio system? or Do they have plans to in the near future?

Thanks everyone! This website wouldn't be possible without the help of everyone else here!

 

[im800mhz]

Not exactly. There was an upgrade recently to an IP based core with Motorola SmartX links to the analog sites. It does allow the gentle migration to digital, but there are no firm plans to go digital shortly.

 

[sepura]

But would that have anything to do with the dispatchers sounding digital over the air?

 

[mikegilbert]

But would that have anything to do with the dispatchers sounding digital over the air?

Yes. It seems like they've got a pretty crappy voice codec for voice transmission in that system, which results in the Astro-like voices.