I am sure that bi state is a stand alone site
Texarkana, Tx pushing to change Bi-State to P25
- Thread starter Eng3ineer
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Eng3ineer
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Latest update.
The city board agreed that system needs updating and they feel digital is the way to go... However they are not liking the 9 million dollar price tag as it will more than likely bring a tax increase with it. So it went into who what or other agencies that could use the system to help split the cost of new system.
Also mentioned during meeting was offer to use the already in place Awin system. It never was said who made offer.
So for now it still up in air on what will happen have to wait until next meeting.
The city board agreed that system needs updating and they feel digital is the way to go... However they are not liking the 9 million dollar price tag as it will more than likely bring a tax increase with it. So it went into who what or other agencies that could use the system to help split the cost of new system.
Also mentioned during meeting was offer to use the already in place Awin system. It never was said who made offer.
So for now it still up in air on what will happen have to wait until next meeting.
I see a implementation by 2016 if they go for awin but now what about d.p.s. will there be a patch and with the Texarkana site, it looks to be ready for the traffic and if they do will the old frequencies be rolled in to the awin system, alot to figure out and thats alot of money.
Eng3ineer
Member
All good question and quite of bit stuff to get worked out for sure.
I'm not 100% on how DPS system is set up, but want say this was listed as one issues with current old system is no way to patch or it's not working right along with other agencies.
I do know for us Arkansas side we have Awin channels already programmed into our mobiles, portable and base radios, so just couple turns of the knob and change the switch and we can talk to MCSO, MCVFD, ASP, MAC channels etc.
If bi state was to save money, then incorporate the system with the current tower and then add a d.p.s. patch with a radio from d.p.s., not alot of work but it can be done with the right software and patching, if they can patch a vhf radio on moswin with st louis county, then this will be easy!
iamhere300
Member
Patches done just tying a radio in are bad ideas long term. An ISSI patch however does wonderfully.
The thing that is going to push these systems like AWIN, MOSWIN, and others to phase 2 will most likely be the manufactures limiting their future upgrades to requiring phase 2.
It is called sales. Crappy sales, but sales none the less.
Using Motorola SmartX Bridges is a beautiful thing with ASTRO-25 systems working with older stuff. As for TXWARN etc.. All they have to do if Bi State goes AWIN is to use the ISSI same as for the GulfWIN set up with LWIN and MSWIN, and the future tie in with AFRRN. That's the beauty of the way P25 TRS's work.
Yes that is what i was trying to say, ty milf
Eng3ineer
Member
Latest update is the system is on hold for now...
After last night meeting the vote to move with forward with new system was shot down by 4 to 1 vote.
Main issues was
1. The system not going out to bid.
2. Not enough time for member cities to have any input on the system and the needed funds/monies that it would cost them.
3. Property Tax increase to funded the replacment.
On not using Awin system.
1. Awin is an Arkansas system and Texas has there own, and they didnt want cause issue with state of Texas.
2,. Awin main brain is in Little Rock.
3. Awin in 8 years old and is already at it's half life
4. Cost to updgrade the system if they were to use Awin if and when the time came.
5. Not sure if Awin would allow out laying cities in Bowie County access to system. There are close to a dozen with the new system having 3-5 new tower sites.
So for now BI-State will remain on the old smartnet system.
After last night meeting the vote to move with forward with new system was shot down by 4 to 1 vote.
Main issues was
1. The system not going out to bid.
2. Not enough time for member cities to have any input on the system and the needed funds/monies that it would cost them.
3. Property Tax increase to funded the replacment.
On not using Awin system.
1. Awin is an Arkansas system and Texas has there own, and they didnt want cause issue with state of Texas.
2,. Awin main brain is in Little Rock.
3. Awin in 8 years old and is already at it's half life
4. Cost to updgrade the system if they were to use Awin if and when the time came.
5. Not sure if Awin would allow out laying cities in Bowie County access to system. There are close to a dozen with the new system having 3-5 new tower sites.
So for now BI-State will remain on the old smartnet system.
OK, so for now, the City will sit still, while Miller County moves ahead on its own to AWIN. The thing about TX having issues is pure BS, since they already have ISSI linking TXWARN, MSWIN, LWIN, and talks of adding ISSI for AFRRN, and maybe even SLERS. Politics at its worst as usual. Anyway, TY for the updates. 
Eng3ineer
Member
OK, so for now, the City will sit still, while Miller County moves ahead on its own to AWIN. The thing about TX having issues is pure BS, since they already have ISSI linking TXWARN, MSWIN, LWIN, and talks of adding ISSI for AFRRN, and maybe even SLERS. Politics at its worst as usual. Anyway, TY for the updates.
Yep the city both sides AR and TX along with Bowie co. are at stand/sit still for now.
Miller County pulled out of Bi-State back years ago and has been doing their own dispatch since. But yes Miller Co. is moving forward with Awin. The SO has had system going good when Miller Co was one of test beds for Awin. The Miller VFD has followed and now has everything moved to Awin as well. Next time I see one of chiefs i'll ask but I want say the VHF is no longer used. I still have the VHF frequencies program into a few radio's and I haven't heard any talk activity other than dispatch when they toned for a call and it's done at same time with awin fire dis ch..
I figure the TX issues was BS it sounded that way while they were talking, but you summed it up with one word... Politics
I guess the one good thing about it gives me chance to now update my scanners for future and not be rushed to buy few at time and see what other models have when they are released.
OK, so the VHF is now only Tone Out correct? Ops are all AWIN?
I can't help but to shake my head, there more worried about politics and not of good communication with others, sounds like someone's uncle did not get the contract
Eng3ineer
Member
Yes from what i'm hearing on scanner it's dispatch only. But let me make a few call to be 100% sure.
Yes on Ops. Miller Co. VFD now has Dis Ch and two Fire Ground Ch. on Awin.
ad5kl
Member
Texarkana is in a strange position, between 2 states. That means double red tape.
Yes, its interesting, not sure if Kansas City has that issue or not.
No they run separate from paper to radios
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