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Some Public Safety Agencies -- are under the belief that the new FCC rules require all Public Safety radio systems to use P25 digital. That seems NOT to be what the new FCC rules require. Can anyone comfirm the new FCC rules that require P25 operation ???

The FCC does not make "modulation type" requirements! In fact- most at the FCC feel that p-25 in antiquated and that other digital formats should be explored.

The state of Washington has made a law that all state agencies (not city or county) must purchase p-25 capable radios. It does not stipulate that they must use them as p-25.

BTW- a little mouse told me that certain cell carriers lost 10dB when they made the switch to digital.


So no! They can stay analog if they wish.

_________________
"A well regulated breakfast, being necessary to the healthy start of the day, the right of the people to keep and eat food shall not be infringed."

I also confirm that P-25 is not an FCC requirement.
Some sales people a few years ago stated flat out that P25 was required, and that is probably where the rumors started. Can't confirm if they knew they were lying, or if they were also just BADLY misinformed.
There are some states that did require P25 capable radios be purchased with any state funding.
I believe that is what happened in WA, but I can't verify that.
Also federal funding ( in the form of grants ) got to the point where you pretty much could not get any monies if you didn't specify P25 radios, it was NOT a requirement, but there was pretty much no chance of getting grant approvals without P25.
So, my belief is that several things have led people to believe the rumor.

I wonder if the confusion is based upon grant money. If the grant was from the federal government then they may stipulate specific hardware requirements in the grant. If the grantee accepts the funds then they have to abide by the terms of the grant.

So - with the fact that P25 degrades coverage and that the WSP - has the entire State of Washington to cover -- why would the WSP send out a press release to the effect that the FCC had required the WSP to change all communications - statwide over to P25 operation ???

Remember now, the WSP is the same agency that knew for 20-years that the FCC was requiring the switch from wide-band to narrow-band, but waited until 3-months prior to the mandatory cut-over to start their build-out, and so-far have been granted 2-waivers/extensions.

The FCC does not require the use of P25, but if your agency wants a Homeland Security Grant, you must buy what is required within the grant, which is P25-capable equipment.

I'm sure that someone got 'confused', and pointed fingers at the feds as a way to justify their point w/o any push-back.

N7JLF

A LOT of agencies are obfuscating.
Trying to deflect blame for not doing what they should.
Perhaps someone at WSP hopes to deflect blame for not getting on the ball sooner.
I recognize only too well the problems that WSP WILL have trying to provide HT coverage that everyone expects anymore with a system ( locations of bases and repeaters ) designed for mobile coverage.
But, someone really should have been on the ball for at least a decade.
And that includes the legislature that needed to fund such system wide improvements.
I have worked with many of their electronics techs for years, and they knew and advised their "superiors" of these issues.
Like most places, it fell on deaf ears...