WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The radio communications system used by the D.C. police and fire departments shut down Monday night, but officials said that public safety was not jeopardized.
washingtonpost.com
washingtonpost.com
Hard to believe that the entire city's communications is totally dependent on one site. I don't suppose they ever have lightning in DC either?
Not so fast.
If it is anything like some other P25 systems from that era that I'm familiar with, they have a centralized controller. I've seen a number of them "kick the bucket" and leave entire systems in "site trunking". And if you need 11 sites (or more) in a system due to geography or desire for portable coverage, you'll find yourself having to dispatch from local firehouse/precincts - it can be a REAL problem if you don't have a plan.
Yeah, the VHF & UHF TRS's in the Metro Atlanta area are almost problem free - they are LTR!
And the engine on my push mower never fails to start.:roll::roll:
Of course maybe you have never heard of a VHF or UHF TRS.:twisted:
For which we keep the old mower, which still runs, out in the shed in case the newer one doesn't want to start and is repaired.
If it makes you feel good.
You will find that;
1) The old mower, not unused for several years is too rusty to actually work
2) The blades were dull when you put it away, and with time and being moved around are probably worse now.
3) After several years of a power mower you are more likely to buy a new one before actually trying to cut the entire lawn with the push mower.
But, if it makes you feel good. keep it.
(Above analogy applies to radio systems also)
How often did you ever hear of a VHF or UHF system failing compared to a TRS?
And mostly feature free also. :wink::wink:
The FD 800mhz system has five locations. FCC Callsign KNJA391 Details
The MPD 460mhz system has six locations FCC Callsign WPYM761 Details
Three of the locations have both.
The FD system was patched into the Montgomery Co system, but there were some issues with signal strength according to the radio techs I was listening to and they working on using the Arlington Co system, or Alexandria if necessary, to make it work better.