I need to ask, what are the advantages of switching to a NextGen system? I'm sure isn't not a cheap transition. Is the audio quality better? More frequencies available? More options to upgrade in the future?
I've successful made the switch but was just wondering why the extra trouble for a major change.
Thanks
Why change? The legacy RCS infrastructure is more than 20 years old. The system processes 42 to 44 million conversations a year. Radio base station components fail at a high rate, and getting parts sometimes requires creative procurement practices to obtain the needed parts that are no longer produced.
In computer terms, the brains making the trunking system operate used the equivalent of 486 processors, and everything communicated using 1200 baud dial-up modem technology. In 2010, the brains were upgraded to Pentium class processors. Here again, getting parts is problematic.
Then there is the trunking technology itself. In 1998, there were three "Public Safety compliant" trunking protocols, each proprietary and unique so no two would work with each other. A 1998 vintage EFJohnson network used a different protocol compared to a (then MA/Com) EDACS trunking system which operated differently than a Motorola trunking system. In those days, a Riverside SO deputy could not communicate with his neighbors in the counties surrounding Riverside on all four sides. Systems were limited to 65,000 user IDs (and every console channel select button used an individual ID). User radios were married to one protocol, inhibiting competitive procurement of user radios.
So the purpose of migrating is two-fold: (1) sustaining the network now in-place by replacing 20 year old equipment with something that can be supported with currently available parts; and (2) taking advantage of newer,
open standards based technologies such as Ethernet linking technologies operating at megabit speeds; time-division schemes to increase system 'channel' capacity; and using a common operating protocol, permitting competitive procurement of user equipment which saves taxpayer dollars and allows users from one jurisdiction to roam into the adjacent jurisdiction and operate on their network, regardless of who built it.
And yes, better audio quality, increased talk path capacity using the same number of radio channels, the ability to remotely get the location of a first responder who has been injured and can't speak to tell the dispatcher exactly where the radio is (using GPS), and more.
