Posted by Mike on August 29, 2001 at 13:22:31:
In Reply to: King County 800 System--Wiz? posted by Chris on August 28, 2001 at 23:43:36:
: Wiz, maybe you could answer some coverage questions for me. In the Burien/Normandy/Des Moines area 800 MHz radio coverage is VERY poor. Specifically near the water. It was my understanding that the Kitsap site would improve coverage in those areas. Also there seem to be many dead spots away from the water, in the Burien and Normandy Park areas.
: Some areas of Burien won't lock onto any sub-system. Talking with public safety pesonnel, specifically firefighters and police officers, they have the same difficulty on there radios. They have said that in some areas they actually get a "Out of Range" reading on their MTS2000's. Additionally, personnel can't even transmit while inside a house.
: I was just curious if these issues have been discussed? I have also heard rumor that King County is suing Motorola because the system has not met expectations.
: Maybe you could shed some light on these issues.
:
: Thanks for your time.
: Chris
In early 80's I and a friend conducted radio prop studies of the Metro Seattle Area and SOUTH of Seattle area. We found that even on the sound that a better signal to the east in almost every case. Cougar/Tiger/Squak whatever worked better along the sound than did ANY site from the WEST of King County. In fact on Skid Row - lower downtown Seattle 1 or 2 watts got to Couagar Mtn more often than Gold or Green Mtn. Tiger was poor from DT Seattle. But Cougar was the all around best - BUT NOT THE VERY BEST RADIO SITE. In fact - a cell type system - even on UHF works better. SPD/SFD had BETTER coverage on UHF from the existing sites than they have. BUT they have MORE channel to trunk with and there were not enough UHF channels (UNLESS one or two UHF TV channels were used). AND HDTV came along and the 800 Mhz at the same time to push us to where we are. BUT in LA - Almost ALL Police and Fire are on UHF. The LASO serves over HALF of the 90 Cities and LAPD has almost 20 divisions. BUT LA uses TV channels 14, 16 and 20 as well as standard UHF bands from 450-470 and 470-512 Mhz.
REGARDLESS of BANDS - In King County - Along the Sound - Sites to the EAST work better than do the WEST. BELIEVE IT OR NOT.