[Scan-DC] MULTI-BAND RADIO STATUS

[johnson at cpcug.org]

The September 2009 Scientific American has an interesting article on p. 16
describing the progress towards development of a multi-band radio to allow
first responders to communicate across a number of different radio
frequencies.

I have seen comments on this topic in various posts but this article is, I
feel, a good summary of the multi-band radio status.  And it is good to
have different views on this topic.

Because of copyright concerns, I refer you to the full article but a
summary is this:

1. DHS will begin a pilot program this month to test multi-band radios.

2. The long touted public safety broadband network supposedly made
possible by the shifting of TV to digital has stagnated.  The 700 MHz
band, the D Block, was sold for $20 billion but the FCC  refused to sell a
license because it still had not received enough money.  But the head of
the FCC formed Public Safety Spectrum Trust, designed to oversee the
development with private industry, Harlin McEwen, feels private companies
bidding for the space wanted priority access to the D block space over
first responders, even in times of emergency, i.e. as I understand, some
commercial radio would have a greater priority over emergency use.  McEwen
further stated “They can schedule another D block auction with the rule
that the winner has to work with the PSST,” McEwen says. “Or they can
auction the block without restriction, which they [the FCC] are unlikely
to do.”

3. David Boyd, director of Command, Control and Interoperability at DHS
feels delays in the implementation will not seriously undermine public
safety.  Voice communication will continue to be the most important
lifeline among responders because in environments where you have to use
your eyes and hands for other things, you have to be able to talk.

4. Thales, in Clarksburg makes a radio fitting the requirements for $5K a
pop and it fits in size and weight to current radios.  It passed a lab
test and was tested at the Kentucky Derby (any reports from there?) this
Spring.

Ralph Johnson