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From SCAN-L today. Thanks to Peter S - whoever he is.



Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2006 09:34:51 -0400
From: Peter S <zerg90@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Seattle Subway will get 800 mhz TRS
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CENTRAL PUGET SOUND REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY.
Dismissed as moot the waiver to operate on Canada primary channels. Granted
the waiver of the minimum spacing requirements. Action by: Chief,
Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure Division, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau.
Adopted: 06/02/2006 by ORDER. (DA No. 06-1201). WTB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1201A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1201A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1201A1.txt>

This is a 4 page document which gives you an insight into the
licensing of 800 Mhz systems near the Canadian / US border. Peter sz

Interesting. If you go in and look up this application within the FCC ULS system, there is a 252(!) page document that provides explanation as to why they are requesting two waivers (1 - they are using frequencies reserved for Canada, and 2 - 9 of the 10 frequencies are in use at the Dodge Rodge and Sobieski King County 800mhz trunked sites)

More interesting, however, is the explanation in this document as to how the system will work. This will be an "IR" standalone site connected to the King County 800mhz Trunked Radio system. It even describes talkgroup use - the trains will have thier own talkgroup, which will be used anytime the trains are outside of the tunnel (they will then be connected to the City of Seattle simulcast system) and within the Beacon Hill Tunnel (Connected to the IR site). Within the downtown tunnel - they will switch to a "special" talkgroup, which will be an interoperability TG that links the trains to the new Metro 700Mhz radio system so buses and trains can talk to each other. The radios will change talkgroups automatically when the trains enter and exit the downtown tunnel.

What fun - that will be a few more TG ID numbers and a new control channel frequency we'll have to figure out when the system goes live! (that will be a long time from now, though..)