UTAC Usage

[JoeS243]

I am working on a radio interoperability plan for a fire department. We currently use UHF for fire ground communications and our trucks are equipped with cross-band repeaters to communicate on the county’s low band system. We are licensed for 2 uhf simplex frequencies but during major incidents, up to 5 county low band frequencies can be used. Now my question, is it legal for us to utilize UTAC 1 to 3 in simplex mode at a major incident? The frequencies would be used for “inter-op” between agencies on different bands. I thought I read somewhere that an agreement needs to be signed between your agency and the state, but I can’t find it again. I am not talking about using the UASI frequencies, just UTAC 1-3. Any comments would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[mondaro]

Joe...

We where given guidelines here in at my job on the use if the UTAC, ITAC and VTAC channels you may want to ask your county oem.

Tony

 

[ecps92]

You need to contact your states SWIC [StateWide Interoperability Coordinator] who has likely already established the guidelines for your states Interop Plans along with the use of the UTAC/VTAC and 700/800 TAC's.

I would start at NJ OEM, to track down the POC

I am working on a radio interoperability plan for a fire department. We currently use UHF for fire ground communications and our trucks are equipped with cross-band repeaters to communicate on the county’s low band system. We are licensed for 2 uhf simplex frequencies but during major incidents, up to 5 county low band frequencies can be used. Now my question, is it legal for us to utilize UTAC 1 to 3 in simplex mode at a major incident? The frequencies would be used for “inter-op” between agencies on different bands. I thought I read somewhere that an agreement needs to be signed between your agency and the state, but I can’t find it again. I am not talking about using the UASI frequencies, just UTAC 1-3. Any comments would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[jim202]

I am working on a radio interoperability plan for a fire department. We currently use UHF for fire ground communications and our trucks are equipped with cross-band repeaters to communicate on the county’s low band system. We are licensed for 2 uhf simplex frequencies but during major incidents, up to 5 county low band frequencies can be used. Now my question, is it legal for us to utilize UTAC 1 to 3 in simplex mode at a major incident? The frequencies would be used for “inter-op” between agencies on different bands. I thought I read somewhere that an agreement needs to be signed between your agency and the state, but I can’t find it again. I am not talking about using the UASI frequencies, just UTAC 1-3. Any comments would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks.

It is by some grace or good weather that the FCC some years back made the decision to set aside these
"National Interoperability Radio channels". They were set up to be used by the public safety agencies
for use at incidents requiring mutual aid. They are not to be used in every day communications. What
they do provide is additional channels at no cost to the agencies as a way to inter communicate at
incidents that may require this. You can not use a base station or repeater without properly licensing
them. You can use portables and mobiles as long as there is a valid license for the agency's normal
communications.

If you want to dig into the regs, it is under part 90, section 20c for VHF and UHF. The 800 channels
can be found under part 90, sections 617 (a) and 619 (c).

Jim

 

[Tac-1]

Hears some links that might help you

http://www.npstc.org/documents/NIFOG_1_3.pdf

http://homelandsecurity.nv.gov/Newsletters/2009/2009-09_Newsletter_SIC.pdf

Raymond J. Hayling, II
Chief, Public Safety Communications
Office of the Attorney General
Department of Law and Public Safety
Justice Complex, 25 Market Street, PO Box 081, Trenton, NJ 08625
phone: (609) 984-6995
email: raymond.hayling@lps.state.nj.us

 

[JoeS243]

Thanks for the info guys! I found the following in one of the docs...

"These channels are today
known collectively as “VTAC” and “UTAC” channels and
are “licensed by rule”, meaning that as long as the user is
authorized to operate in one of several public safety bands,
they are able to utilize these channels for portable and
mobile use without an FCC-issued authorization."

So I think we should be okay. I also found a MOU for for NJ that needs to be submitted.

 

[apu]

Also see Public Safety Communications

 

[comsec1]

old info

Tac-1, I think that info is out dated, Ray has been gone for for about 4 years nows. If you google NJ INTEROPERABILITY you will find a site with correct contact info, I don't know the exact address.

 

[Tac-1]

Statewide Frequency Manager and APCO Frequency Coordinator
Lt Anthony Melia , Essex County Sheriffs Office

(973)324-9750
E:anthony.melia@lps.state.nj.us

STATE OF NEW JERSEY
200 Riverview Plaza
Trenton, NJ 08625
ATTN Lt. Anthony Melia

if he not the right person he will be able to direct you to the right place

 

[Alarms50]

Also see this document http://www.apcointl.org/new/commcenter911/documents/APCO-NPSTC-ANS1-104-1web.pdf. ANSI has now recognized these frequencies, along with their designated names and CTCSS/NAC tones as a National Standard. This means that anywhere you go in the U.S. everyone should be on the same page regarding these freq's, etc.