Posted as a news item....
A State PD APCO 25 digital system soon to be up
Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) Program
To STARS Project
Frequently Asked Questions About STARS
What does STARS stand for?
STARS stands for the Statewide Agencies Radio System.
What kind of radio system is STARS?
STARS includes a VHF Project 25 digital trunked Integrated Voice and Data (IV&D) radio network.
What is meant by and Integrated Voice and Data network?
The STARS trunked radio network provides a common infrastructure to support voice and data traffic using the same sites, radio channels, and equipment. The common infrastructure refers to the IV&D radio sites, microwave subsystem and the Zone Master equipment used to provide statewide mobile data. Users with mobile computer terminals (MCT) share the same mobile radio for voice and MCT (data) communications. Voice radio calls will have priority over data.
Is STARS an upgrade to existing radio systems or totally new?
STARS is an upgrade to the Virginia State Police Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and Microwave (MW) radio networks. All of the currently operating radio sites will be re-used in STARS as well as a number of new sites. The majority of the network infrastructure equipment will be new. As STARS is a new technology compared to what is currently in use, all of the mobile and portable based equipment will be new. The system is designed to allow all state agencies to use the same system, thus allowing improved interoperability across state agencies and the reduction of separate radio systems for the Commonwealth agencies.
Can the public using a scanner monitor the STARS digital calls?
Yes, radio scanners are now available that can monitor an APCO P.25 trunked radio systems’ digital voice calls regardless of frequency band. Voice privacy is possible if the digital voice calls are encrypted.
Will encrypted radios operate on STARS?
Yes, Law Enforcement radios will be equipped with encryption. Encryption key codes resident in the vehicle’s radio equipment will be managed through Over-the-Air Re-Keying (OTAR), supported by the IV&D infrastructure that allows the keys to be managed remotely.
How does STARS facilitate interoperability between different agencies on STARS and with agency units operating on their current radio systems?
Interoperability between agencies is supported in multiple ways.
First, direct agency interoperability is supported by use of a common talk group on STARS accessible to the agencies. Common talk groups are assigned to multiple agencies for the purpose of interoperability. . Agencies may also have talk groups only accessible by units assigned to the agency. These are considered private talk groups.
Second, Agencies may be permitted access to another’s talk group for interoperability purposes. With access to another agency’s talk group, a user may switch talk groups to establish interoperability communications.
Third, a VSP dispatcher can, upon request establish a talk group patch to tie talk groups together. With this method each agency’s user remains on the agency’s own private talk group and conversations originating from any of the patched talk groups will be heard by the others. The dispatcher also has the capability to dynamically regroup talk groups and assign individuals from different agencies specific to an event or emergency to a new talk group.
Fourth, to accommodate agencies maintaining their legacy radio systems, Agency Interface stations will be installed throughout the STARS network to allow dispatchers to establish a communications link between an agency’s legacy radio system and STARS users. The VSP dispatcher, upon request, will patch an agency’s talk group to the Legacy Interface station to allow users on STARS to talk with users operating on the legacy system.
How may agency units migrate from a legacy radio system to STARS?
Agency migration plans will be made specific to an agency’s needs and migration timing. In general terms, migration may be accomplished in several ways depending on the number of units being migrated. If a relatively small number of radios are involved, all may be migrated at the same time. If a large number of radios are involved, there may be a period when the agency’s legacy radios and STARS radios will be installed in a vehicle until all of the agency’s vehicles are equipped with STARS radios. Once all vehicles have STARS, the old radios may be removed.
Are there any conventional radio channels provided for interoperability in STARS?
Yes. First, locality interface radio channels are provided for localities operating on conventional radio channels. In addition, agency interface radio channels are provided for agencies continuing to use existing legacy conventional radio systems. The locality and agency interface radio channels will be connected to VSP dispatch’s consoles. The VSP dispatchers can connect a locality or agency interface channel to a STARS talk group when needed to provide a communications link between STARS users and users operating outside of STARS.
Is STARS a funded project?
Yes, in 2004 the General Assembly through House Bill 106 approved $159.3 million in bonds to fund the STARS project for the next two years. Virginia HB 106 authorizes the Virginia Public Building Authority (VBPA) to issue bonds in the amount of $159,300,000 to finance the undertaking, development, acquisition and construction of the first phase of the State Agencies Radio System (STARS). Senate Bill 608 grants the Secretary of Public Safety the authority to implement the Statewide Agencies Radio System.
How many transmitter sites are planned for STARS?
The current design incorporates forty-five IV&D radio sites. A 121-site digital microwave network interconnects the trunked radio sites. The system is divided into two control zones (Richmond and Salem) that share information for wide-area calls and network monitoring at a Network Operations Center (NOC), located in Richmond.
Will STARS replace SIRS as the primary connection between the state and localities?
No, the State Interdepartmental Radio System (SIRS) is a Low Band VHF frequency used for direct inter-agency communications without the need for an infrastructure. STARS compliments SIRS. SIRS will remain the law enforcement interoperability standard for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Are there opportunities for localities with VHF high band systems to come onto the STARS network as a primary user?
Yes if their radio frequencies are compatible with STARS’ channel plan.
When will STARS come to my area of the state?
Richmond (Division One)
December 2005
Tidewater (Division Five)
May 2008
Culpeper (Division Two)
July 2008
Northern Virginia (Division Seven)
October 2008
Salem (Division Six)
April 2009
Appomattox (Division Three)
May 2009
Wytheville (Division Four)
September 2009
Who can I contact if I have more questions about STARS?
You may contact STARS@vsp.state.va.us for more information.
A State PD APCO 25 digital system soon to be up
Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) Program
To STARS Project
Frequently Asked Questions About STARS
What does STARS stand for?
STARS stands for the Statewide Agencies Radio System.
What kind of radio system is STARS?
STARS includes a VHF Project 25 digital trunked Integrated Voice and Data (IV&D) radio network.
What is meant by and Integrated Voice and Data network?
The STARS trunked radio network provides a common infrastructure to support voice and data traffic using the same sites, radio channels, and equipment. The common infrastructure refers to the IV&D radio sites, microwave subsystem and the Zone Master equipment used to provide statewide mobile data. Users with mobile computer terminals (MCT) share the same mobile radio for voice and MCT (data) communications. Voice radio calls will have priority over data.
Is STARS an upgrade to existing radio systems or totally new?
STARS is an upgrade to the Virginia State Police Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and Microwave (MW) radio networks. All of the currently operating radio sites will be re-used in STARS as well as a number of new sites. The majority of the network infrastructure equipment will be new. As STARS is a new technology compared to what is currently in use, all of the mobile and portable based equipment will be new. The system is designed to allow all state agencies to use the same system, thus allowing improved interoperability across state agencies and the reduction of separate radio systems for the Commonwealth agencies.
Can the public using a scanner monitor the STARS digital calls?
Yes, radio scanners are now available that can monitor an APCO P.25 trunked radio systems’ digital voice calls regardless of frequency band. Voice privacy is possible if the digital voice calls are encrypted.
Will encrypted radios operate on STARS?
Yes, Law Enforcement radios will be equipped with encryption. Encryption key codes resident in the vehicle’s radio equipment will be managed through Over-the-Air Re-Keying (OTAR), supported by the IV&D infrastructure that allows the keys to be managed remotely.
How does STARS facilitate interoperability between different agencies on STARS and with agency units operating on their current radio systems?
Interoperability between agencies is supported in multiple ways.
First, direct agency interoperability is supported by use of a common talk group on STARS accessible to the agencies. Common talk groups are assigned to multiple agencies for the purpose of interoperability. . Agencies may also have talk groups only accessible by units assigned to the agency. These are considered private talk groups.
Second, Agencies may be permitted access to another’s talk group for interoperability purposes. With access to another agency’s talk group, a user may switch talk groups to establish interoperability communications.
Third, a VSP dispatcher can, upon request establish a talk group patch to tie talk groups together. With this method each agency’s user remains on the agency’s own private talk group and conversations originating from any of the patched talk groups will be heard by the others. The dispatcher also has the capability to dynamically regroup talk groups and assign individuals from different agencies specific to an event or emergency to a new talk group.
Fourth, to accommodate agencies maintaining their legacy radio systems, Agency Interface stations will be installed throughout the STARS network to allow dispatchers to establish a communications link between an agency’s legacy radio system and STARS users. The VSP dispatcher, upon request, will patch an agency’s talk group to the Legacy Interface station to allow users on STARS to talk with users operating on the legacy system.
How may agency units migrate from a legacy radio system to STARS?
Agency migration plans will be made specific to an agency’s needs and migration timing. In general terms, migration may be accomplished in several ways depending on the number of units being migrated. If a relatively small number of radios are involved, all may be migrated at the same time. If a large number of radios are involved, there may be a period when the agency’s legacy radios and STARS radios will be installed in a vehicle until all of the agency’s vehicles are equipped with STARS radios. Once all vehicles have STARS, the old radios may be removed.
Are there any conventional radio channels provided for interoperability in STARS?
Yes. First, locality interface radio channels are provided for localities operating on conventional radio channels. In addition, agency interface radio channels are provided for agencies continuing to use existing legacy conventional radio systems. The locality and agency interface radio channels will be connected to VSP dispatch’s consoles. The VSP dispatchers can connect a locality or agency interface channel to a STARS talk group when needed to provide a communications link between STARS users and users operating outside of STARS.
Is STARS a funded project?
Yes, in 2004 the General Assembly through House Bill 106 approved $159.3 million in bonds to fund the STARS project for the next two years. Virginia HB 106 authorizes the Virginia Public Building Authority (VBPA) to issue bonds in the amount of $159,300,000 to finance the undertaking, development, acquisition and construction of the first phase of the State Agencies Radio System (STARS). Senate Bill 608 grants the Secretary of Public Safety the authority to implement the Statewide Agencies Radio System.
How many transmitter sites are planned for STARS?
The current design incorporates forty-five IV&D radio sites. A 121-site digital microwave network interconnects the trunked radio sites. The system is divided into two control zones (Richmond and Salem) that share information for wide-area calls and network monitoring at a Network Operations Center (NOC), located in Richmond.
Will STARS replace SIRS as the primary connection between the state and localities?
No, the State Interdepartmental Radio System (SIRS) is a Low Band VHF frequency used for direct inter-agency communications without the need for an infrastructure. STARS compliments SIRS. SIRS will remain the law enforcement interoperability standard for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Are there opportunities for localities with VHF high band systems to come onto the STARS network as a primary user?
Yes if their radio frequencies are compatible with STARS’ channel plan.
When will STARS come to my area of the state?
Richmond (Division One)
December 2005
Tidewater (Division Five)
May 2008
Culpeper (Division Two)
July 2008
Northern Virginia (Division Seven)
October 2008
Salem (Division Six)
April 2009
Appomattox (Division Three)
May 2009
Wytheville (Division Four)
September 2009
Who can I contact if I have more questions about STARS?
You may contact STARS@vsp.state.va.us for more information.
