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A Better Understanding of the Narrowbanding
Mandate through a Public Safety Radio Study
“Lincoln County selected GeoComm to complete an in-depth analysis of our existing radio
systems. We requested they provide us with options and recommendations on how we could
comply with the upcoming Narrowbanding mandate. After thoroughly reviewing our system and
visiting with our responders, GeoComm’s staff provided us with a detailed report evaluating our
current system as well as options and recommendations on how we can migrate our system to a
Narrowband mode of operation.”
-Sheriff Wade Magers, Lincoln County, Washington
-Sheriff Wade Magers, Lincoln County, Washington
Public Safety Consulting
The upcoming Narrowbanding mandate brings a new set of regulations that
may affect your public safety radio system. To comply with the deadline,
many agencies are asking what their best approach is to meet all of the
requirements.
To begin the process of complying with this mandate, Lincoln County, Washington first looked at the different aspects of their current public safety radio system. It was their hope that by examining the entire system they would have a clearer path to improving their current interoperability issues and a plan to comply with the FCC Narrowband Mandate. Additionally, the county wanted to identify the steps beyond narrowbanding they could take to modernize and upgrade their radio systems. Included within their project scope was an incremental roadmap that would aid in improving their radio system from where it was into the future of digital and regionally interoperable Public Safety radio systems. Lincoln County requested help from GeoComm to determine all of the steps needed to achieve these goals.
GeoComm’s study of the current system included reviewing the equipment used in the county, a review of the different radio channels being used, and a review of the coverage that was currently achieved by the equipment.
The equipment review identified the strengths and weaknesses that existed in approximately 600 pieces of radio equipment. From this equipment review, an assessment was created that outlined the communication infrastructure the county had in place and aided in determining if the equipment was compatible with the requirements for a Narrowband mode of operation. The current radio channels Lincoln County used was also reviewed to determine the strengths and weaknesses in the existing system. The technical information that was gathered in reference to the radio channels was compared to the county’s operating procedures which aided in providing recommendations for system improvements. In addition, the performance levels that the current radio system achieved was compared to the performance levels required to ensure adequate public safety response. This was reviewed to help alleviate the current spotty coverage the county was experiencing.
“Lincoln County selected GeoComm to complete an in-depth analysis of our existing radio systems. We requested they provide us with options and recommendations on how we could comply with the upcoming Narrowbanding mandate. After thoroughly reviewing our system and visiting with our responders, GeoComm’s staff provided us with a detailed report evaluating our current system as well as options and recommendations on how we can migrate our system to a Narrowband mode of operation.” Sheriff Wade Magers, Lincoln County, Washington.
Lincoln County’s public safety radio study examined their current and future mobile and portable coverage expectations. As a result of the study, the GeoComm project team provided recommended steps the county could take to improve regional interoperability and convert their radio system to comply with the Narrowband Mandate. Lincoln County no longer has to wonder how this new set of FCC regulations will affect them; they have a complete set of options including system upgrades and improvements outlining what they need to complete in order to meet the mandate.
To begin the process of complying with this mandate, Lincoln County, Washington first looked at the different aspects of their current public safety radio system. It was their hope that by examining the entire system they would have a clearer path to improving their current interoperability issues and a plan to comply with the FCC Narrowband Mandate. Additionally, the county wanted to identify the steps beyond narrowbanding they could take to modernize and upgrade their radio systems. Included within their project scope was an incremental roadmap that would aid in improving their radio system from where it was into the future of digital and regionally interoperable Public Safety radio systems. Lincoln County requested help from GeoComm to determine all of the steps needed to achieve these goals.
GeoComm’s study of the current system included reviewing the equipment used in the county, a review of the different radio channels being used, and a review of the coverage that was currently achieved by the equipment.
The equipment review identified the strengths and weaknesses that existed in approximately 600 pieces of radio equipment. From this equipment review, an assessment was created that outlined the communication infrastructure the county had in place and aided in determining if the equipment was compatible with the requirements for a Narrowband mode of operation. The current radio channels Lincoln County used was also reviewed to determine the strengths and weaknesses in the existing system. The technical information that was gathered in reference to the radio channels was compared to the county’s operating procedures which aided in providing recommendations for system improvements. In addition, the performance levels that the current radio system achieved was compared to the performance levels required to ensure adequate public safety response. This was reviewed to help alleviate the current spotty coverage the county was experiencing.
“Lincoln County selected GeoComm to complete an in-depth analysis of our existing radio systems. We requested they provide us with options and recommendations on how we could comply with the upcoming Narrowbanding mandate. After thoroughly reviewing our system and visiting with our responders, GeoComm’s staff provided us with a detailed report evaluating our current system as well as options and recommendations on how we can migrate our system to a Narrowband mode of operation.” Sheriff Wade Magers, Lincoln County, Washington.
Lincoln County’s public safety radio study examined their current and future mobile and portable coverage expectations. As a result of the study, the GeoComm project team provided recommended steps the county could take to improve regional interoperability and convert their radio system to comply with the Narrowband Mandate. Lincoln County no longer has to wonder how this new set of FCC regulations will affect them; they have a complete set of options including system upgrades and improvements outlining what they need to complete in order to meet the mandate.
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