Many of those with whom we work are taking a huge step in moving toward interoperability.  This means making some changes and moving in a new direction.  The objective is to make all communications systems as compatible as possible for the long term benefit of all concerned.  That's the good news.  The not so good news is that these changes involve some degree of risk.  Nobody ever said change was easy.  However, change is necessary if advancement toward doing things a better way is to be achieved.

In particular, there are those users that have become dependent on communications system networks owned and operated by others. A case in point is a County trunked 800 MHz analog radio system which provides the infrastructure for fire department users in Jefferson County Alabama.  The County built and paid for the equipment and the maintenance of the repeaters.  The Alabama Forestry Commission built a statewide UHF network to provide service for rural Alabama fire departments.  Both of these systems were built with admirable objectives in mind.  However, neither of these systems meets the criteria of the Alabama Statewide Interoperability Plan or the funding requirements of the Department of Homeland Security or FEMA.  Change is obviously required.

It is reasonable that existing users considering a move toward private ownership would have some concerns regarding the cost of maintenance associated with the fixed station repeaters required for the new system, or for that matter, the cost of the very expensive P25 mobile and portable equipment.  We understand that concern and for that reason, we thought a few comments might be appropriate.

As you review the pricing on our P25 offerings, you will note that the manufacturers we represent offer extended warranties at very reasonable cost.  A good warranty, backed up with a few spare units can address mobile, portable, and even base station equipment.  This still leave us with the issue of repeaters.

We have been maintaining repeater stations up to several hundred miles away from Birmingham for a number of years.  We address the requirement by stocking replacement stations ready for instant exchange.  The fact is that a repeater station rarely fails unless the damage is weather related.  A low cost insurance policy pays for these unforeseen events and generally service is restored within 24 or less.  We will be glad to address this requirement in greater detail on request.  Just give us a call at 800.489.2611.  In the meantime, you may want to review the Time Share Service Program information on this web site by clicking here.