[Scan-DC] Baltimore Co planning digital

[Duane Mariotti]

I do not know how digital is going out east, but most fire agencies -
even on full digital systems - have stayed analog.To many concerns with
digital. Most recently LA Fire has agreed to change frequency bands, and
remain analog, based on the issues with LAPD on digital. The IAFC
(International Assoc of Fire Chiefs) may also be addressing this concern
in future - so too many unknowns.

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: ka3jjz at netscape.com
  To: scan-dc at mailman.qth.net
  Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Baltimore Co planning digital
  Date: Sat, 19 May 2007 04:07:06 -0700


  To add to the discussion - this very topic was discussed here;

  http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68669

  Of course, the article overstates the case on digital -
  particularly the 'surrounding jurisdictions' part.
  AA county's system is primarily analog, and will probably stay that
  way until a couple of new towers are
  built (which, as I understand it, are coming). The county does have
  a couple of digital tgs for police, but not fire. And while not
  really a 'surrounding jurisdiction', Cecil uses an unmonitorable
  ProVoice system. And
  a cleaner signal???

  I can see a bit of oversell here....73s Mike

  links editor,Capitol Hill Monitors
  Utility Monitoring Central
  editor, Strong Signals software page
  Wiki Administrator, Radioreference.Com

  --- alan at henney.com wrote:

  From: "Alan Henney"
  To: "Scan DC"
  Cc:
  Subject: [Scan-DC] Baltimore Co planning digital
  Date: Sat, 19 May 2007 01:05:07 -0400

  > From Owings Mills Times via Ron Chalk...

  Police, fire department eye new radio system


  05/17/07
  MARY T. ROBBINS
  Email this story to a friend

  Baltimore County will change to a digital communications system for
  all first responders within three years, if a budget appropriation to
  do so is approved later this month.

  County Executive Jim Smith's proposed budget released April 16
  contains $45 million to completely overhaul Baltimore County's
  emergency communications system.

  "This replacement will be digital and move our first responders into
  the 21st century with state of the art communications technology so
  they can respond to an emergency as quickly and efficiently as
  possible," Smith said in his budget remarks.

  The County Council is scheduled to vote on the final budget at a
  meeting in council chambers May 24 at 10 a.m.

  If the budget appropriation is approved, the county will move from
  its
  current analog communications system to a digital system over the
  next
  three years, replacing about 8,000 radio units, according to Lt.
  Richard Muth, director of the county's Office of Emergency
  Preparedness.

  "None of the parts of the old system are even made any more," Muth
  said. "It's harder and harder to get those things fixed."

  The present system, Muth said, still works "extremely well," but
  within five or six years "we will no longer be able to obtain that
  effectiveness."

  With a digital system, radios have a much clearer signal, he said.

  "We hope to gain access to areas where we now sometimes have trouble,
  such as with ships and with some topography," he said. "Just in the
  same way as if you had an old TV and you go to digital TV, the
  picture
  is much clearer, the radio waves with digital are much clearer."

  Baltimore County is the only jurisdiction in the region not using a
  digital communications system, Muth said.

  "The bottom line is we really need to do it because the technology is
  almost demanding that we do it," he said. "Everybody in the Baltimore
  region is now digital, except for us."

  First responders are able to talk to first responders in other
  jurisdictions under the current system.

  A digital radio system will provide a clearer signal to do so.

  "It comes down to the safety of the users," Muth said. "We want them
  to be able to talk to each other in the best way possible."

  Some of the first responders are already operating with digital
  radios, Muth said.

  E-mail Mary T. Robbins at Mary T. Robbins at patuxent.com

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Duane Mariotti, BSEE
Riverside, CA
mmariotti at mail.com