Texarkana, Tx pushing to change Bi-State to P25

[Eng3ineer]

City of Texarkana, Tx is pushing to change Bi-State over to P25 after series of issues with old Smart net system that has caused lots of problems for both sides of Texarkana. It currently in the public hearing side of approval and has not been liked at all as they are not taken bids and current vendor cost of 9 million the Texas side system will be same system used by Denton County in Texas.

From what were hearing the AWINS system should tie right in.

Link to the City's Resolution and other links...

Resolution No. 2014-131 authorizing the City Manager to enter into a municipal lease-purchase agreement with Motorola Solutions for the purchase and installation of a public safety communications system, to include a computer aided dispatch system an

 

[riccom]

Hmm awin is not good for a few reason mainly Texas dps

 

[Eng3ineer]

Hmm awin is not good for a few reason mainly Texas dps

True

I used the word TIE in just saying that awin system will work with new system once new system is in place in Bi State. Arkansas side already has the awin system since it first went online just was never used other than for back up which here lately has been quite often. We already have all the mobile and portable in place just have to be reprogrammed to bring the awin system up to everyday used channels.

 

[riccom]

There is other factors like the video and small police departments that are outside of Texarkana hooks and Maud and gin city on both sides that do mutual aid,

 

[hiegtx]

I don't think Texas DPS would have a problem with AWIN. They're already using talkgroups on the digital TxWARN P25 system in the Tyler-Longview area, as well as the Houston area. Also around Austin on GATRRS.

 

[riccom]

But if memory serves correctly awin is so limited in Texas and I am sure ark side will not have all that programmed in
And I may be wrong about this but it also may be a jurisdiction at play

 

[hiegtx]

But if memory serves correctly awin is so limited in Texas and I am sure ark side will not have all that programmed in
And I may be wrong about this but it also may be a jurisdiction at play

True
But if Texarkana (both sides, so to speak) changes over completely to AWIN, I presume that some arrangement would be made for access as needed. Changing their existing system would improve AWIN coverage on the Texas side of the border.

 

[INDY72]

There have been talks for a while about converting the BSJCTRS over to an AWIN site, though nothing concrete ever came of them. They are upgrading to ASTRO-25 P25 Phase 1, and will have an MOU from my understanding to have patches, and ISSI linking to the AWIN, and to the TX P25's once they grow enough. Miller County finally has begun adding AWIN TG's so that is a good sign in itself.

 

[riccom]

Is awin planning on going to phase 2

 

[03msc]

Is awin planning on going to phase 2

From what I've heard they will be eventually. I'm sure milf has a more inside line on that as far as when, etc.

 

[riccom]

Well it

 

[INDY72]

Well as the FCC mandate for Phase 2 on any system using 700 MHz by 2017 has been killed, the waivers that GOHSEP for LWIN, and ASP for AWIN had in to delay the implementation until 2020 is now null and void, as is the entire issue currently. So, now its whenever they get around to it. So, to put it bluntly, who knows.

 

[riccom]

Well that it is good so it's now a software not hardware ordeal so saves money, lsp and asp likes saving money

 

[03msc]

Well as the FCC mandate for Phase 2 on any system using 700 MHz by 2017 has been killed, the waivers that GOHSEP for LWIN, and ASP for AWIN had in to delay the implementation until 2020 is now null and void, as is the entire issue currently. So, now its whenever they get around to it. So, to put it bluntly, who knows.

Ah! OK, well in that case I rescind my previous post!

 

[INDY72]

LOL, enough pressure was put on FCC by States, Counties, Municipalities to make them rescind the Phase 2 mandate, thus ending the rush to git r done. The 6.25 KHz spacing is still going to be happening with everything, (No deadline mandated yet) thus making sure everyone on VHF High, UHF, 700, 800, 900 are fully digital in the near future. Another reason everyone is jumping to NXDN and DMR.

 

[riccom]

So now there is a unofficial mandate to digital

 

[INDY72]

The plans to go narrowband have been out for a long time. Phase 1 was the one that was for VHF High and UHF to be implemented by January 2013. That was done. The next phase was for any system using 700 MHz, or mixing 700 MHz with any other combination to be 6.25 KHz spacing, and for the optimum usage of that with digital is TDMA format. For P25 systems, that is Phase 2. That was supposed to have been in implementation by 2017, with waivers allowing for delay until 2020. Then all 800 MHz switching to 6.25 by 2020 with waivers for later dates. (Now dead fish)....

The next phase is second narrowbanding of VHF High, and UHF to 6.25 KHz spacing, which can ONLY work by use of digital formats. Tentative deadlines have been mentioned of 2017, and 2020, but there is nothing official from FCC on this as of yet, thus making an 2017 changeover highly unlikely at this date. Thus far, only the Railroads and other NXDN ready users in VHF High are compliant bandwidth wise, if and when the mandate hits. Users of DMR, can be compliant pretty quickly with the current technology. Same for UHF. If TDMA gets mandated for VHF/UHF, NXDN users are SOL, and the hands down winner is DMR, as it is purely TDMA. P25 will need to advance on the conventional front to keep up. (Hence the huge need for an Phase 2 standard from APCO on conventional systems.) Now back to the topic of the BSJC TRS....

 

[03msc]

LOL, enough pressure was put on FCC by States, Counties, Municipalities to make them rescind the Phase 2 mandate, thus ending the rush to git r done. The 6.25 KHz spacing is still going to be happening with everything, (No deadline mandated yet) thus making sure everyone on VHF High, UHF, 700, 800, 900 are fully digital in the near future. Another reason everyone is jumping to NXDN and DMR.

So now there is a unofficial mandate to digital

Oh joy. :roll:

Guess we saw that coming. Shouldn't be surprised...but doesn't mean we have to be thrilled!

 

[Eng3ineer]

Spoke with good friend at bowie county fire looking like they may have move fire dispatch to New Boston. Still up in air at this time.

Know for sure the mobiles and portable will be reprogramming... Looks like very nice system if the FD is able to get MDT's. Lot of info can be sent to us while responding vs being in paper form in binders in the back of batt. chief car.

Looks like quite few new talk group id's to come.

Final approval Vote will be Dec 8...

On edit, guess it time to start looking at newer scanners.

 

[INDY72]

Yes, with proper upgrades adding mobile data etc, ASTRO-25 systems rock and roll. As long as your not in an simulcast site/system, any P25 capable scanner is good. On an simulcast P25, the BCD436HP/BCD536HP's or WS1080/WS1090 will be best bets. Or wait a year or so for the next generation WS's.