Dauphin County Emergency Management Agency continues to work through the planning phases of the Digital Trunked Communications System.

The project plan will describe the detailed information on topics such as:

• System design
• Channel usage
• Timeline projections
• Equipment allocations
• Maintenance
• Expenses

This project is intended to replace our outdated and aging Public Safety Radio network with a state of the art Digital Trunked Radio Communications System.

Trunked Mobile Radio User Install Letter 04-21-2008

Click here for the Motorola Flash Radio demo.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about the Radio Project:

Q: What is this new radio system?

A: The new 2-way radio system is a Motorola Astro 25 UHF Digital Trunked radio system. The project includes new dispatch consoles, core system equipment, tower site equipment, dispatch alpha-numeric paging system, and end user radios costing the County approximately $23 million.

Q: If the radio system is $23 million, why do I see the project cost at $35 million?

A: While the core 2-way radio system is the Motorola Astro 25 system, there are additional costs to allow the Motorola system to work. Such as building out additional tower sites and upgrading some existing tower sites. To provide communications to these tower sites, a microwave backbone system needs to be built out. Also, the County has retained a radio consultant to assist in the project management of such a large scale endeavor.

Q: When is the project going to be completed?

A: Current timeline is for project completion to occur by the end of 2009.

Q: What does trunking mean?

A: There are two types of radio systems: conventional and trunked. In a conventional system the radio message between the station and units in the field occur on one frequency. At any given time, some of the frequencies or channels may be so busy that messages are delayed or "stepped on," while other channels are lightly used or not used at all. When several departments share a single frequency, they may cause interference with each other. This is the case with the low band fire frequency 33.80 MHz. Trunking is a method that utilizes all frequencies in the radio system to its maximum potential. In a trunked system, all stations and units share all the frequencies. When a message between a station and a unit is commenced, the trunked system automatically selects an unused frequency and switches all radios in the system to that frequency. No one frequency is assigned to any department and the frequency could change every time a transmission is made. In a trunked system, one frequency serves as the control or "hand shake" channel. The control channel can be recognized by the loud buzzing noise. This buzzing is the data stream that all radios tune to, which is done automatically. The entire system is managed by a computer known as a Site Controller. When a microphone on a radio is pressed, a signal goes to the Site Controller which selects an unused frequency. The Site Controller then sends out data on the control channel and switches all radios to the appropriate frequency.

Q: Why is the County asking for the use of some local government and emergency service frequencies for this system?

A: While the County currently holds several UHF frequency licenses, there aren't enough for the new system to provide enough capacity based upon projected usage. So the County is asking for usage of some UHF frequencies from local municipalities and emergency service users within the County.

Q: If I have a question about the project, who and how may I contact?

A: Please direct any and all questions to the Dauphin County Emergency Management Agency via e-mail at: radioproject@dauphinc.org

Q: What are the end users to do with their old equipment after the new system is operational?

A: It will be up to the user or department what they choose to do with their existing radios. They may choose to sell them to recover some funds from them, they may choose to keep them for local communications, or they may choose to keep them to communicate with other counties to which they may respond. There is no trade in program with the County as part of this project. The user's existing radios are theirs to do with as they wish.

Q: In specific the Communications system upgrade (how will it affect the township, operations and financially)...

A: The new system will allow all County departments and users to easily talk to each other to improve communications. The system also provides municipal and private talk groups for the users, which for several departments is something that they did not have. For the rest, this will replace their current municipal and private frequencies and provide County-wide coverage for them.

Q: Will end user departments be able to purchase additional radios beyond what the County is providing to use on the new system?

A: Yes, any department or municipality can at anytime (at their expense) purchase radios for use on the new system. Such equipment must meet the County minimum radio specifications or the County will not guarantee that it would work or work properly on the system.

Q: Will public individuals be able to purchase and use radios on the new system?

A: No, only department or municipal owned radios will be permitted on the system.

Q: I need new pagers and radios now; what should I do?

A: In January 2007, the County issued a list of radios, configurations and pricing for radios that are certified to work on the new system. These radios can also work on an existing UHF system. If you need a Low Band radio, you will need to purchase a Low Band radio as the new trunked UHF radios will not work on Low Band. As for pagers, the County recommends you only purchase 2-tone and voice pagers (such as a Motorola Minitor 5) to cover your needs today as they will not work after system completion.

Q: Who is going to pay for the install of the new radios?

A: The County is paying for mobile and control station installs for the radios being provided by the County.

Q: Will I still be able to use my repeater system in my fire truck?

A: Not as part of the new radio or new radio system.

Q: Our department currently has a private channel we use for coordinating units during an incident and for other non-incident communications, can we keep this channel or will there be some replacement for it?

A: It is a user or department decision on keeping any existing private frequencies or radios. Also as part of the County Trunked Radio System, each department will have a talk group for private use that is not recorded or monitored at the dispatch center.

Q: How much do the new radios cost?

A: Costs per radio vary depending upon configuration requirements based upon the use or user of the radio. A detailed pricing and configuration spreadsheet was e-mailed out to all departments. If you did not receive this spreadsheet, please contact the County radio project office at 717-558-6800 or e-mail at radioproject@dauphinc.org.

Q: Will my current scanner be able to listen to the new radio system?

A: Only scanners that are capable of scanning a Project 25 Digital Trunked Radio system will work. Most existing scanners will not be able to monitor the trunked system.

Q: How can I connect the new trunked radio in to another radio system?

A: For system interference and security reasons, connecting any trunked 2-way radio to another radio system will not be permitted.

Q: How can I connect the new trunked radio in to our internet web page for a live feed?

A: For security reasons, connecting any trunked 2-way radio to an internet feed will not be permitted.

Q: Why do I get an echo when transmitting on one radio with another radio on the same talk group near by?

A: This is no different then the old system, where you would get a loud squeal or feedback, in a digital trunked system, there is a slight delay in the audio (milli-seconds, due to system processing of the message) and you will hear your own message delayed very slightly. Just as in the old system, you will need to turn down or off the second radio or move away from it to avoid this.

Q: What radio system coverage can I expect from the new system?

A: The County has designed the new system for 95% reliability, 95% of the time for in building, on hip portable coverage as per the Motorola provided coverage maps. In contrast the existing system was never built as a single system but with add ons to add ons as needs arose and was never designed to provide in building portable coverage.

Q: Why is the County switching to Alpha-numeric Pagers?

A: The County is deploying a 16 site simulcast UHF Alpha-numeric paging system for many reasons. First and foremost is for increased pager coverage. The existing low band and Med 9 paging has notable coverage limitations. Also it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain low band base stations as parts are difficult to find and new bases are not being manufactured. The alpha-numeric paging system will allow more pages with more information to be sent to the users in less time then the existing system.

Q: How will I be able to communicate or Interop to other counties?

A: The exact design of the interoperability system is still being designed. The County is working with the State radio project office and the South Central Counter Terrorism Task Force Communications Sub-Committee to integrate our new radio system with adjoining counties and the State. As these design plans are finalized we will provide further details.

Q: Will 33.80 be kept in service?

A: No. Once all users are operational on the new system all low band fire channels will be removed from service.

Q: Can I use my existing siren and tie it into the new radio?

A: No. Motorola does not support and will not certify any radio install that is coupled with any legacy equipment and may void any warranties.

Q: Can I use my existing vehicle repeater with the new radio?

A: No. Motorola does not support and will not certify any radio install that is coupled with any legacy equipment and may void any warranties.

Q: Will my existing Firecom headset system work with the new radio?

A: The County or Motorola have not specifically contacted Firecom about support or interfaces for their products to the new Motorola radios. It will be the responsibility of the user or department to work with their vendor or Firecom for proper installation and interfaces.