First of all, apologies if this is in the wrong section. Not really sure where to place a topic like this.
Second, I do not know much about the technical inner workings of a trunked system but I do understand the basics of how it all works.
The system I'll be referring to is the Maritime Public Safety Radio Network
Story:
After years of being plagued with interference issues from an unknown source(s) and poor communications in general, our FD is in the process of moving from our analog VHF simplex system to the provincial TRS to increase reliability, range, and reception among other things. We have done extensive coverage testing in our district over the past 5 months with excellent results. From time to time we may respond as mutual aid for another department where system coverage may not be as reliable as our own district. I understand that if trunking fails, the system will revert to site trunking. However, if radio(s) lose contact with the system altogether will they revert to simplex operation until the connection can be established again? From what I'm gathering this may be system/radio specific or perhaps I'm dreaming this up and it is not actually a real fail-safe option.
Our neighboring province Nova Scotia has simplex frequencies licensed systemwide for every user for this exact reason, due to coverage issues. A few months back I asked this question to our EMO contact who oversees the system in our province when we first acquired about switching and his reply was "that is not necessary".
Not only is this upgrade a huge financial undertaking for a volunteer department, but we also want to be absolutely sure we have all the bases covered and we will not have any gaps in communications. Also, is it not an NFPA requirement to have access to a simplex frequency should the need arise? Perhaps I can throw that at him as well.
PS... We will be keeping the licensing for our analog VHF frequency as it is shared with a neighboring department and used for paging for both departments. However, the new radios we are purchasing (Kenwood VP5430) for the TRS are not multiband.
Any input/feedback is very much appreciated.
Second, I do not know much about the technical inner workings of a trunked system but I do understand the basics of how it all works.
The system I'll be referring to is the Maritime Public Safety Radio Network
Story:
After years of being plagued with interference issues from an unknown source(s) and poor communications in general, our FD is in the process of moving from our analog VHF simplex system to the provincial TRS to increase reliability, range, and reception among other things. We have done extensive coverage testing in our district over the past 5 months with excellent results. From time to time we may respond as mutual aid for another department where system coverage may not be as reliable as our own district. I understand that if trunking fails, the system will revert to site trunking. However, if radio(s) lose contact with the system altogether will they revert to simplex operation until the connection can be established again? From what I'm gathering this may be system/radio specific or perhaps I'm dreaming this up and it is not actually a real fail-safe option.
Our neighboring province Nova Scotia has simplex frequencies licensed systemwide for every user for this exact reason, due to coverage issues. A few months back I asked this question to our EMO contact who oversees the system in our province when we first acquired about switching and his reply was "that is not necessary".
Not only is this upgrade a huge financial undertaking for a volunteer department, but we also want to be absolutely sure we have all the bases covered and we will not have any gaps in communications. Also, is it not an NFPA requirement to have access to a simplex frequency should the need arise? Perhaps I can throw that at him as well.
PS... We will be keeping the licensing for our analog VHF frequency as it is shared with a neighboring department and used for paging for both departments. However, the new radios we are purchasing (Kenwood VP5430) for the TRS are not multiband.
Any input/feedback is very much appreciated.