[TrunkCom] Nextel's FREE EWAC (EDAC) System Costs Sebastian County $18,000.00

[iDEN-i100]

Here is the part the interesting part......

"$8,500 for moving and returning the EDACS equipment, as well as for maintenance."

Return the equipment? Return it from where? Timmy's basement?

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Court Asked To Fund Radio Ordinance
Mon Jul 22 17:05:00 GMT-0400


The Sebastian County Quorum Court will be asked to vote for an ordinance funding $18,000
to implement a radio system based on enhanced digital audio communications system
technology when it meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Sebastian County Courthouse in Fort
Smith.

However, County Judge David Hudson also said in a memo to justices of the peace, Hudson�s
office and a Radio Advisory Committee he appointed will �closely evaluate� a proposal for
an alternative system submitted by PEI Communications before the money is spent.

The $18,000 will be sufficient to �keep the project moving,� Hudson said in his memo.
It would pay for the purchase of a $9,500 Link system and allow another $8,500 for moving
and retuning the EDACS equipment, as well as for maintenance.

The memo notes the cost will be offset by $8,000 of radio airtime revenue from users now
on the EDACS system and a $2,700 reduction in airtime expenses by the county.
The figures are based on a Sept. 1 start date.
The Radio Advisory Committee recommended the county pursue implementation of the EDACS
technology after Nextel Corp., which had at first offered to sell its equipment to the
county for an emergency radio system, opted instead to donate it.
The move lowered the county�s original estimated cost for installation and first-year
operation from $77,200 to $27,300.
PEI owner Phil Mayberry submitted a proposal to Hudson�s office July 17.
The system incorporates an 800 MHz conventional trunking system.
In his report, Mayberry cited several advantages to the conventional system, including a
lower capital outlay with three years of warranty and maintenance on the new system. The
EDACS equipment the county is inheriting is 12 years old and carries no warranties.
Mayberry also said equipment costs are lower for the conventional system than those needed
for the proprietary EDACS.
Also, the availability of equipment vendors and service providers is greater with a
conventional system.
Radios for the conventional system would also cost less. Based upon bids the Sebastian
County Detention Center received in January 1998, EDACS radios with encryption and other
accessories ranged from $1,610 for a mobile radio to $1,920 for a base control.
Comparable radios for the system Mayberry proposes range between $797 and $1,249. Mayberry
also says existing EDACS radios can be configured to operate on the conventional system,
though they will not have the full range of features.