Nevada Interop Info
Welcome All Emergency Responders in NevadaTell Us About Your System
All emergency responders are invited to tell us a little bit about their radio system. A ONE PAGE and NOT DETAILED set of 12 questions will help us build a better picture of how you operate. Access the questions by clicking on the link below. Then send an email to ahaskins@ctacommunications.com with your answers. No need to duplicate the questions–just number your responses. And thanks!
Communities of Interest
If you look one column to the right, you’ll see a list of Recent Posts and a set of Discussion Topics, which lets you select articles by subject. This site can also select articles by “Community of Interest” –– for example, communications/dispatchers, State agencies, or technology buffs. Don’t see your peer group listed? Let us know who you are. We can set up a category, and even invite those on your list to participate. This site is government-supported; we won’t share any information you send us with outside parties under any conditions.
Which is Better: VHF or 800 MHz Radio?
People who have 800 MHz ( or 700/800 MHz) radio systems tend to believe these are inherently “better” systems. Those with VHF high band (150 MHz) systems tend to think the same about theirs. But is one really “better” than the other?
The simple answer is no: the best technology is always the one that’s most appropriate for the specific situation. Sometimes that’s 800 MHz, sometimes VHF, sometimes something else. Appropriate technology––what a concept!
True, a lot of the latest snazzy developments by radio manufacturers are for 700/800 systems. But you can buy a lot of good technology in both frequency ranges, including systems that are trunked, digital, narrowband, P25-compliant, and otherwise belled and whistled.
The historical rule of thumb has been that, the higher the frequency, the smaller the area in which a transmitter can talk to a mobile radio. That has made 800 MHz an appropriate choice for densely populated areas where transmitters can be close together, and VHF appropriate for large open areas. But this is vastly oversimplified––many variables affect coverage, and there are ways to tweak most systems to make them work where you need them. In mountainous territory, for example, VHF may not “reach” any further than a higher frequency.
In most states, the bigger problem is finding enough radio channels in any frequency band, period. From that standpoint, it makes sense to use all the public safety frequency bands available. If they are appropriate.
In Nevada we have enough channels, 800 MHz systems in big systems like Clark and Washoe Counties and the State shared system, and VHF in most of the other counties around the state. These are all still valid choices. And as for the notion of a single, huge system serving all users. . . there’s not enough money, or enough radio channels or enough political will to install such a system, however “ideal” it may seem.
So let’s get over trying to figure out which frequency band is “better” and rejoice in the relatively abundant appropriate technology we have.
SOP-DG Meeting June 26th
The SOP Development Group met on June 26, 2008 via teleconference with consultants CTA Communications, Inc. Highlights:
- All tasks are on schedule.
- The Concept & Format outline for the first major work product has been sent to the SOP-DG for review and comment.
- Planning is well under weigh for the 4 Stakeholder meetings, July 22-25. RSVPs and Information Request Responses are due to CTA by June 30.
- CTA designed a virtual postcard to invite emergency responders to visit the site when it is launched. Members are asked to gather as many names as possible to receive the card.
