Anyone—everyone—in public safety can benefit from TV white space for their voice and data radio communications needs. There just aren’t enough traditional radio frequencies anymore for new licenses. Without a doubt we do need the 700 MHz D Block radio frequencies that APCO is lobbying for, but that won’t resolve all of our needs. So [...]
Can’t Find Radio Frequencies? Try TV Channel White Space
Ralph H. Gould
on January 11, 2012
in FCC, Government Affairs, Radio Frequency, Tech, Tools
10 Years Later, N.Y. Responders Communicate Better
Independent News Source
on August 10, 2011
in News, Radio Frequency, Radio Systems, Regional & National
Sept. 11 was a convergence of the worst possible problems in communication technology — a jammed commercial network made cell phone use impossible. Police and firefighter radio networks were not compatible. But the main problem, the FDNY says, was the damage done to infrastructure called repeaters, which made radio signals work at the twin towers. That left many commanders and firefighters unable to talk to each other. Firefighters in the stairwells couldn’t hear the evacuation order and as a result, 343 died.
FCC Announces Spectrum-Sharing Agreements with Canada & Mexico
Independent News Source
on August 02, 2011
in FCC, Government Affairs, News, Radio Frequency, Regional & National, Tech
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FCC has reached arrangements with Industry Canada and Mexico’s Secretariat of Communications and Transportation for sharing commercial wireless broadband spectrum in the 700 MHz band along the U.S.-Canadian and U.S.-Mexican border areas.
Insidious Interference
Radiohead
on July 28, 2011
in Radio Frequency, Radio Systems, Tech
Dear Radiohead: Recently, my agency had interference on our radio system. For a few days, it was so bad we couldn’t hear our patrol units, but we could hear units from a department 200 miles away. Then the problem just disappeared. What gives?
On Your Watch
Public Safety Communications
on June 29, 2011
in Radio Frequency, Tech
It was 1995. I authored a state public safety communications newsletter with background information on narrowbanding from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). At the time, it was called refarming.
Check Your License
Public Safety Communications
on June 29, 2011
in FCC, Government Affairs, Radio Frequency, Tech
As of Jan. 1, 2013, all FCC Part 90 licensees operating in VHF spectrum 150–174 MHz and UHF spectrum based on location 421–512 MHz must reduce their emission to 12.5 kHz or less or use technology that provides an equivalency to 12.5 kHz in a 25 kHz emission. The FCC’s ultimate goal is for 6.25 kHz or equivalent emission in the future. As of today, the FCC has not set a date for when this must take place.
‘Unfunded Mandate’
Public Safety Communications
on June 29, 2011
in Funding, Operations, Radio Frequency, Tech
Politicians tell us the recession ended last year. If you ask a person standing in an unemployment line in New York, Philadelphia, Denver or Los Angeles if they agree with that assessment, they’d probably say no. If you take a close look at many state and local budgets, prosperity is hard to find. More and more, the states are withholding funds that used to be passed on to municipalities to help with their projects.
APCO: Alerts & Newsletters
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Dispatching: A Profession or a Job?
October 27, 2010
- Naples City Council Bristle at Cost of New Radios; Suggest Officers Share June 29, 2011
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FCC Says PSAPs Must Be Able to Receive 9-1-1 Texts
November 23, 2010
- Residents: Go Slow on Address Change August 31, 2010
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Dyersville, Iowa, to Dump Dispatchers
March 17, 2011
- Kansas Dispatchers Help Save Lives under Stress February 22, 2012
- Utah Man Ties Up 9-1-1 Line, Wants Ride Home from Walmart February 22, 2012
- Atlantic County (N.J.) Working on Reverse 9-1-1 System February 22, 2012
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General Dynamics Introduces New Portable Communications System Analyzer for Land Mobile Radio Systems
February 21, 2012
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Zetron’s MAX Dispatch Now Supports More Radio Types
February 21, 2012
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Lmartinez: Awesome job Cindra & Chris! I absolutely agree...
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Cindy Dunaway: It's so hard to look back on calls we have taken w...
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: With the way our government leaders and Congress h...
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Tanya Gotcher: Regardless of what the dispatcher said to the call...
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Sash: Congratulations for a job well done!...
