The Moore county board of commissioners is looking to raise more than $4 million to invest in new emergency communications systems to comply with a Federal Communications Commission narrowbanding mandate.

The FCC has mandated all non-federal public safety licensees cut broadband emergency radio systems in half by January 1, 1013 to comply with radio frequency narrowbanding. Moore County's 25 kHz radio systems need to be reduced to narrowband 12.5 kHz to stay in accordance and avoid facing fines, loss of license or both.

Scott Brooks, emergency communication manager, told The Pilot that Moore county is applying for grants through American Firefighters (AFG), Governor's Crime Commission and other funding sources in addition to proposed fire district tax increases. The staggering price tag covers costs of E-911 consoles, paging equipment and mobile repeaters across county police and fire departments, emergency medical services, rescue squads and other county agencies.

Counties making the transition to narrowbanding systems can consider the Motorola MTR3000 that comes with analog and digital conversions, so departments won't have to invest any more in hardware or software, as well as a 100w power amplifier and AC/DC power supply that can minimize cable installation and costs. 

The federal two-way narrowbanding mandate deadline is less than a year away, which means the time is dwindling to procure new two-way radio equipment and stay compliant with licensing laws. The Federal Communications Commission recently released a public notice reminding two-way radio users and manufacturers of the impending changeover date and providing an outline of past statements regarding the switch.

"The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology have issued prior guidance by Public Notice regarding narrowbanding migration, compliance and waiver requests," the FCC put forth in the latest notice.

Many government agencies, civic services, private businesses and other two-way radio license holders have begun or finished the migration to 12.5 kHz, narrowband-ready equipment such as MotoTRBO handheld equipment. In addition to ensuring that all communication devices comply with the mandate, upgrading to devices like MotoTRBO digital two-way radios provides the potential for better connections and channel options.

Despite the frequency of notices coming from the FCC, more than half of the call signs in use are yet to be switched to narrowband spacing.

Zenji Nakazawa, the Deputy Chief of the U.S. Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, doesn't want communities, government agencies, businesses and other organizations to struggle to meet the two-way radio narrowbanding deadline.

He compares the timeliness of upgrading communication equipment to merging in traffic, comparing the smartest way to change lanes to the best means of tackling two-way radio upgrades on the official FCC blog.

"If you were driving and … the road ahead narrowed from three to two lanes, would you: (a) ignore it, press the pedal to the metal and hope for the best, (b) wait until the very last moment and then cut in front of the next car inches before the guard barrier, or (c) start merging into traffic ahead of the road's narrowing?"

Just as a road with a dropped lane narrows, so too will the frequency spacing for two-way radio license holders following the FCC narrowbanding mandate. And just like waiting for the last minute to merge with traffic, putting off ordering new two-way radios can create problems. Many other institutions may be waiting until the last minute as well, making the purchase of your Motorola two-way radios difficult as contractors attempt to meet increased demand. The FCC is also being strict with waivers, and a last-minute attempt to file may not be granted.

As communities across the country make strides to comply with the federal two-way radio narrowbanding mandate, many are streamlining their system and potentially saving time and money in the future by upgrading to a one-brand communication system.

The Federal Communications Commission is requiring public and private sector two-way radio license holders to update their equipment to narrowband spacing by January 1, 2013. Narrowband frequency spacing (12.5 kHz) will provide more room for emergency response users than the outdated wideband (25 kHz) spacing in use in the past.

In order to meet the FCC narrowbanding mandate, many municipalities are investing in a single brand such as Motorola two-way radios. Not only will this help ensure full interoperability, it can also provide process improvements through the ease of using similar devices and the ability to work with a single contractor when two-way radio accessories and replacement parts are needed.

According to the Fort Scott Tribune, the city is purchasing new Motorola two-way radios for its upgrade.

"This will get us all on one particular brand of radio," police chief Ron Puterbaugh noted, as reported by the news source.

Senator Steve Rothman of New Jersey recently submitted a federal bill that would extend the current two-way radio narrowbanding mandate deadline.

The bill, titled H.R. 3430, proposes to push the deadline back two years after the current date set at January 1, 2013. While the Federal Communications Commision hasn't issued an official statement on the pending legislation, the agency already moved the deadline once before and has asserted that the new date won't be changed.

Emergency response agencies will have more space on the spectrum once the FCC narrowbanding mandate is fully realized. By switching to narrowband two-way radios such as the Motorola CP200, public institutions, businesses and civic agencies will be in compliance with the FCC regulations.

The longer the mandate is postponed, the more time emergency response agencies must deal with crowded frequencies. Although the bill doesn't specify the need for the extension, Rothman previously sponsored legislation that would have provided millions in funding to communities that have yet to upgrade their two-way radio equipment.

Whether or not the bill is passed, organizations have a limited amount of time to procure narrowband-capable equipment.

Richmond, Virginia, is one of the latest cities to upgrade its two-way radio system to comply with the federal narrowbanding mandate, and also received a more reliable level of voice transmission with its new system.

Motorola two-way radios such as the PM1200 can equip a community's emergency response, public works and other civic departments with a high level of voice quality, easy-to-use controls and standard accessories including a compact microphone.

As the narrowbanding deadline approaches, community leaders whose departments are still using outdated, non-compliant equipment may want to consider models such as the PM1200 for the competitive price point and well-rated performance.

By January 1, 2013, all civic and business license two-way radio users must be operating at the 12.5 kHz narrowband spacing, rather than the wider 25 kHz spacing commonly used in the past. The Federal Communications Commission is enacting the reform, and may not grant license renewals to non-compliant organizations.

The new mobile two-way radios recently purchased by Richmond officials bring the city up-to-date with the narrowbanding requirements, as well as providing essential community services with a stronger communication network and giving workers the ability to more easily operate their equipment.

Although many existing two-way radios must be replaced to comply with the Federal Communications Commission narrowbanding mandate by January 1, 2013, a number of current models are capable of operating at the proper spacing and can be used and upgraded for a number of years with a replacement two-way radio battery and other accessories.

The Herald-Citizen reports that the Algood, Tennessee, police department is investing in new digital two-way radios as part of its push to comply with the narrowbanding mandate, and that the sheriff's office plans to send its older devices to the city's public works department.

"We're going to have to do this," asserted city administrator Jim Eldridge, according to the news source. "If we don't purchase them, we won't have any radio communication come January."

By giving other departments dated equipment while upgrading their system, emergency response agencies such as the Algood police can reap the rewards of their new digital technology while helping the city with its overall communication system.

Digital two-way radios, such as MOTOTRBO Motorola two-way radios, offer advanced communication capabilities including text messaging and device-to-phone calling.
 

Voters in Pierce County, Washington, will soon vote on a measure that would fund an updated emergency response radio system to better connect area police, fire and EMT personnel to each other and county dispatch.

Communities across the country are finding the funds to invest in new equipment before the January 1, 2013, Federal Communications Commission narrowbanding mandate deadline. With mobile two-way radios such as the vehicle-mount Motorola PM1500, civic organizations can meet the requirements – meant to open up more radio space to critical response uses – while saving a good deal of money over comparable, higher price point models.

The PM1500 is capable of switching between narrowband-compliant spacing (12.5 kHz) and outdated 25 kHz wideband technology. This feature can help communities like Pierce County comply with the mandate while phasing out old equipment.

The ballot measure will let county residents decide on the funding for both the equipment purchase for the narrowbanding mandate and a comprehensive overhaul of the area's emergency response communication system to close gaps in signals. Officials also want to bring the departments associated with the agency under one roof for streamlined operations, including a centralized emergency dispatch center.

Municipal organizations, private businesses and community agencies are busy finding the means to upgrade their two-way radio communications systems to meet new federal requirements, and a number of states, counties and cities are offering these organizations help for investing in new equipment.

The Motorola HT750 is one of the company’s many narrowband-ready models that can both bring a business or agency into compliance with the mandate and provide new features that may improve processes and voice transmission quality. With an accessory connector for easy hookup, models such as the HT750 can be outfitted with lightweight headsets for hands-free use and private conversations – ideal for noise-sensitive environments and occupations requiring communication while the hands are in use.

In Hamburg, Pennsylvania, a small city north of Reading, community officials recently gathered to discuss the options for funding the switch to narrowband technology. All holders of municipal and business two-way radio licenses must migrate from old, wideband devices by January 1, 2013 to comply with Federal Communications Commission regulations, or face a loss of their license.

According to the Reading Eagle, Berks County will be funding 20 percent of the cost of the civic upgrades for Hamburg with the remainder available as an interest-free loan.

The narrowbanding mandate set by the Federal Communications Commission is fast approaching, and businesses and organizations that use two-way radio equipment may need to act soon to come into compliance with the requirements.

As of January 1, 2013, all equipment operating at 25 kHz, commonly referred to as “wideband,” must be updated to narrowband-capable products such as the Motorola CP200. Although digital radios are also compliant with the mandate and offer some of the best new features in the industry, analog radios such as the CP200 will also avoid problems with the FCC.

For those businesses that don’t meet the requirements of the narrowbanding mandate, the FCC may not grant an operating license after the deadline passes. All radio equipment used for a business’ communication network must be updated in order to be approved.

Many managers may use the changeover as an opportunity to invest in new, full-featured technology such as the Motorola DTR650 portable radio. In addition to being compliant with the mandate, this technology can mean stronger, more dependable connections, advanced features such as text messaging and more comprehensive data storage and display functions.