[Scan-DC] Trunked Radio audio quality

[Charley Armstrong]

Hello:

Judging by the opinions expressed thus far, I
guess that I am the only one who loves the 800mhz
trunking systems that are now coming online in the
DC Baltimore area.  In the past, reception of low
and hi band VHF has been problematic for me.  But
since the new systems in the Upper Eastern Shore,
Baltimore City, and Montgomery County are coming
online, I am hearing much more than before. For
example, I can hear both sides of conversations
between troopers and the MSP Easton and MSP
Centreville barracks because their 800 system
patches the MSP low band system, which is great.
One of the major selling points of the new digital
technology is improved audio quality and clarity.
I have been monitoring Baltimore City's P25
800mhz, and it sounds fine *if* I properly adjust
the audio settings on the radio.  This leads me to
believe that the audio quality problems that users
are experiencing are not a result of inadequate
technology, but of improper adjustment of
equipment, both on the users side and the system
side.  I think that the real problem lies not in
the perceived deficiencies/limitations of 800mhz
digital technology, but in the initial system
design phase and the inevitable compromises that
are made during the design process.  To obtain
optimal performance, a properly designed system
requires x numbers of towers in specific locations
according to terrain, building density, etc.  When
the number crunchers complain about costs, and
citizens groups howl NIMBY, sites are reduced
and/or relocated, which degrades system
performance.  The argument about which band is
better is moot in urban / suburban areas like
DC/Baltimore - 800 is clearly better, especially
when the system includes vehicular repeaters. =20

Charley




Again I agree with everyone. I believe
communications is KEY in any job.
Meaning FF to Dispatch and what not. Without that
bond someone could die.
Take for instance the Worcester, Mass Cold Storage
for several years back.
Worcester uses GE. Yes good system but has its
flaws. When that radio goes
into a brick building or Steel there goes your
signal. You can't beat your
good ole LOW BAND RADIOS. Another one is Mass
State Police, when the started
there testing they did it in the fall/winter and
when the spring and summer
came around. BOOM there were leaves on the trees.
And there goes a
MULTI-Million dollar system. Mass S.P. is still
expanding because of that
problem. Now I am just noticing that R.I. is
getting into the Trunking. Lets
see how that goes.

JOHN