Supervisors Rethink New Radio System

[Thunderbolt]

LEESBURG, Va. -- The Loudoun Board of Supervisors will reconsider Thursday whether to purchase a $36.8 million public safety radio system recommended by county staff members, after residents and industry professionals raised concerns about the cost and necessity of the project.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/12/AR2008121204596.html

 

[DickH]

LEESBURG, Va. -- The Loudoun Board of Supervisors will reconsider Thursday whether to purchase a $36.8 million public safety radio system recommended by county staff members, after residents and industry professionals raised concerns about the cost and necessity of the project.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/12/AR2008121204596.html

Since it seems as if they already have a county-wide digital trunking system, the term "Highway Robbery" comes to mind.

 

[fish_squeezer44]

What Type of System??

I wonder what type of system that is 6 years old and is junk? I have heard that SmartZone has two years before the end of manufacture support. That is a lot of systems that will need to scraped.

 

[ACU1000]

The current simulcast TRS system here in loudoun sucks and its a shame the first responders have to use it with all its dead spots, holes and choppyness.

Hell, I wish they would upgrade now - with their simulcast system using directional antennas you cant hear it on a good digital scanner unless you are in the exact middle of the county.

While I dont blame the supervisors for looking at the cost, the need to stick with Moto and stay compatiable with the surrouding counties who are also upgrading in a few years. I too, dont comprehend buying a system that will last six years but takes 11 years to finance it - but thats how M works!!!

Maybe if everyone goes back to low-band things would be cheaper (and clearer) and the big boys would have to close down the development shops for these fancy software based systems?

 

[JoeyC]

Maybe if everyone goes back to low-band things would be cheaper (and clearer) and the big boys would have to close down the development shops for these fancy software based systems?

and the Loudoun cops can wonder if the voice on the radio is actually in Loudoun county - or perhaps somewhere in California, Colorado or Wyoming and if they will even be heard over the distant radios as was the case on a certain Maryland police force I used to listen to on lo band in the 70s.

 

[comsec1]

keep it simple

motorola does this everyone, why does a 4 year old system need anything. the low band solution is the best for statewide use.

 

[brey1234]

whats the rush???

The "upgrade" they're talking about is the "rebanding" plan calling for narrow xmissions. The due date?
2015. Whats the rush??/

 

[qball]

The "upgrade" they're talking about is the "rebanding" plan calling for narrow xmissions. The due date?
2015. Whats the rush??/

Technically, the narrow-banding does not apply to 800MHz.

 

[DickH]

The "upgrade" they're talking about is the "rebanding" plan calling for narrow xmissions. The due date?
2015. Whats the rush??/

RE-banding and narrow banding are completely separate issues and narrow banding is not applicable to 800MHz frequencies.