[NvHam] Nevada Highway Patrol Radio System

Wed, 14 May 2003 18:30:25 -0700

To All Amateur Radio Operators:

Please read and contact The Legislators listed below ASAP.

Thank You
Dick KJ7UK

SEC Nv.
OinC DCART
619 Fay Ct. Gardnerville Nv. 89410
E-mail [email protected]
Voice 775-265-5987 Cell 775-721-7987

-----Original Message-----
From: Mirgon, Richard
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2003 11:35 PM

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

I need your help!

In the next couple of days the Nevada Legislature may be voting to allocate 
15 million dollars from the State Highway Fund to fund the move of Nevada 
Highway Patrol to the NDOT 800Mhz radio system and to shut down the NHP VHF 
system (which cost 14 million dollars and is newer than the NDOT system). 
There have been some issues with licensing of the NHP system. They have in 
fact been operating on unlicensed frequencies. Rich Sheldrew has convinced 
the Governors Office and much of the Legislature that the only option is to 
switch them to the NDOT system. He has stated that there are no frequencies 
in VHF. This is a lie. The Nevada APCO frequency coordinator has researched 
the issue and has found 54 frequencies in the Las Vegas area alone. This 
information was submitted to APCO national for confirmation. They did 
concur and sent a report to NHP. However, Rich Sheldrew has told them this 
is not correct and much of the Legislature and Governors Staff believe him.

How does this affect you? If NHP does change, your Sheriffs Offices will 
not be able to talk with NHP. Currently NHP can talk to 16 of the 17 
counties and the exception, Washoe, is funding an interconnect with their 
new system according to Rick Bareuther with the city of Sparks. This move 
would do much harm to inter operability state wide. As for the fire 
service. In my discussion with senior state staff the plan would be to move 
NDF to 800 Mhz also with the intent to get local jurisdiction to convert 
after that. When I explain the problem of talking with federal partners 
their answer is two radios. That is not an answer. This places our 
communities in danger during wildland season because it complicates our 
ability to talk and operate under ICS.

In addition, my other concern is the establishment of federal radio 
standards. As many of you have noticed in the grants there is very strong 
language to fund only APCO 25 equipment. I have been told that this will be 
a mandate. The NDOT system is not compatible and can not be upgraded to 
APCO 25. As you can see this creates a major problem.

I need your help in showing the Nevada Legislature and the Governors Office 
that there is strong support for VHF in the State of Nevada. I have 
attached the email address of the key legislatures and Governors Staff. 
Please send them an email showing your support for the NHP system and ask 
them to save the highway funds for the highways we so desperately need in 
the state. Simply highlight the email list below, cut/copy and past in the 
"To" line to send your email of support.

And yes, one more request. Pass this email on to anyone you know that would 
support this position and ask them to send and email in support of 
continuing the NHP system.

Thank You
_________________________________________
Richard A Mirgon
Director
Communications / Emergency Management / Animal Control
Douglas County, Minden, NV 89423
775-782-9990

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