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The Phoenix Fire Department's 800 MHz System:
The Team Answers Your Questions!
[800MHz Home] [800MHz News] [Procedures] [Training] [Glossary] [FAQ] [About Us] [Contact Us]
(1) Will the radios squelch or give feedback when standing next to each other?
Sometimes the radios seem to produce an “echo” if tow or more radios are placed very close to each other while one of the PTT buttons is depressed. We need to perform extensive tests on this when the system is up and operational. The "echo" is probably the result of the delay created by the digital trunking portion of the system (in other words, it takes a fraction of a second for the radio's signal to reach the system's repeaters and return to other radios that are close by, resulting in a "loop" of transmitted sound that can sound like a feedback echo). Members will have the benefit of extensive testing and problem solving before they have to rely on the "new" radios and members will have the benefit of extensive experience through training before they have to rely on the "new" radios.(2) Why are we going to 800mhz instead of 2.5gig?
Do you know something we don't know? It certainly wouldn't be the first time. 2.5 GHz is currently being used by broadband wireless services and we haven't heard of any public safety radio vendors who are building, or thinking of building such as system. The F.C.C. has allocated radio frequencies in the 800MHz for public safety. The FCC will release radio frequencies located in the 700 MHz band sometime in the next few years. Our "new" radio system was designed to operate in both the 700 MHz and the 800 MHz bands. This should allow space for everyone in public safety to get on board, if they wish, and it will allow for interoperability for many agencies.(3) When will we have a radio in hand?
The contacts were completed and went to Council in April of 2003, and we hope to have radios available for testing by the 2nd to 3rd quarter of 2003. Trainers will have radios in time for our 4th quarter training in 2003.(4) Does a high MHz number mean a more powerful the radio?
Not really. A number is just a number, but radio signals do act differently based on the their location within spectrum (radio frequencies). The higher the number, usually means better range characteristics because the radio signals bounce off of hard objects and therefore penetrate buildings better.(5) Why is it taking 5 years?
It is a fairly complicated system to design and build. It is the largest system of its kind ever designed and built by Motorola. There is a lot of construction, testing, evaluation, and training to complete. It is estimated that one-year is required to install new mobile radios and portable radio chargers in Phoenix Fire apparatus and the apparatus of all of our regional partners. In addition, Phoenix Fire has asked to transition at the end of the project, so we must wait for vehicle installations to occur for PD, Water, Streets, Parks & Rec, etc., before our installations can occur. The bottom line is that these time delays allow us more time to learn about the "new" radios and gain extensive experience training with them, before we must rely on them in an emergency situation!(6) In helicopter ops. the delay in the radio could be a problem. What is the delay time? The load could be on the ground during the delay.
A conventional (non-trunked) channel that operates in direct mode (radio-to-radio) is an integral part of the system and planning has been performed to ensure helicopter operations and special operations will take place on this channel. This channel will not experience a delay, like other channels in the system, and will operate identically (radio-to-radio capability) to our current radios.(7) Are the new radios intrinsically safe?
The simple answer is YES. However, we are finding out things are never really simple (when talking about radio systems). Motorola offers a variety of battery options, one of which meets the guidelines for an intrinsically safe battery. Other batteries (Motorola and 3rd party vendors) have not been placed through specific 'standards' testing to receive the intrinsic rating at this time, but it seems reasonable to expect these tests and ratings to be completed in the near future.(8) With the range of the new radios, will we have to listen to all the calls from around the valley?
No, you should not expect standard operational activity or behavior to change. Your call will continue to be assigned, by Alarm, to a specific channel. Just like you do now, you can switch to other channels and listen to the activity. The main difference (between the old system and the new system) is that you will be able to listen to all radio communications, not just communications within two miles of your location, and you will not have to wait for Alarm to repeat communications that you were never able to hear. You will hear everything, all of the time, and at the same time that on scene crews hear it - over a wide area (nearly the whole valley).(9) What type of radio did New York have, and are our radios similar?
New York had a conventional analog VHF radio system, very similar to our current radio system. The New York system featured repeaters (our current system does not use repeaters) to improve communications in dense high-rise buildings such as the World Trade Center (WTC). Information reveals that the jet airplane flew into the WTC's repeater and disabled communications within most of the building. Our "new" system is from top to bottom entirely different than FDNY's radio system.(10) Have they been tested in the parking garage below Patriots Park, and what were the results?
Limited tests have been performed in places such as Patriot's Park, downtown high-rises, and Terminal 4 at Sky Harbor. So far, the tests are pleasing. Additional extensive testing needs to be performed and members will be asked to perform system evaluation tests, during their monthly pre-plan tactical walk through, toward the end of 2004.(11) How long will the radio hold for you when it’s your time to speak?
The system is complicated, thus the reason for the long-term training plan. The system will come back to you (if it placed you in a queue) only when there are no frequencies available for you. This can be easily confused with other situations (e.g., you are East Sector operating on channel 5, Roof Sector is talking to Command, and you are waiting to clear Command - the system will not place you in a queue because your channel is busy, but the system is not busy - just like you do today, you need to wait until Roof Sector is finished talking and then press your PTT button to talk). A system busy is only likely to occur during periods of exceptional high system volume when multiple channels are being used simultaneously. We know that this requires further explanation and therefore the reason for the long-term training plan.(12) Will the new SCBA intercom system be compatible with the 800MHz system?
NO. The intercom system is a stand-alone system and isn’t designed to work with any radio system.(13) Will there be a GPS in our radios to enhance accountability?
No. This technology isn’t proven to be reliable or completely effective yet when used in a portable radio inside a structure (where we tend to operate).(14) Will everyone who has an 800MHz radio have access to PPD and PFD radio frequencies, or will they have some blocked decks/channels?
Some of channels will be encrypted for privacy reasons (e.g., Med channels). Scanning these systems is difficult, and companies are rushing to produce scanners capable of operating on system such as ours .(15) Can all of the mutual aid departments afford the radios or will Phoenix be subsidizing their system?
Everyone (Phoenix, Mesa, and the regional partners) is paying their own way. Costs for infrastructure, system operation and maintenance are based on the quantity/percentage of dispatches within the system.(16) If we can talk to streets or water department to request assistance, will they be able to contact us on our fire channels, or do we have to stay on their deck and channel in order to converse with them?
No decisions have been made regarding interoperability with municipal departments. However, we expect members tohave opportunities and capabilities that do not exist today. Emergency Services will decide the appropriate level of interaction that will take place.(17) Is there a back up if a bank of computers goes down?
The system has been designed with multiple levels of redundancy in the event of a computer failure. Members will learn about and train in these modes at various stages throughout their training experience.(18) Is there a way that you can say your message and the system will record it then put you in line? Then when it’s your turn will the system repeat your message? (Similar to a Home Depot p.a. system)
Don’t know. Please see question (11). Sounds like a great idea, but we don't think it's a capability.(19) Is there a way to split channel 1 so that you’re not listening to the whole world?
Can you rephrase the question, the world was talking and we missed your point. Channel 1 (dispatch) is the location where dispatch calls and do our non-emergency talk (e.g., E11 AOR). Another related issue is Alarm staffing - Alarm does not have the staff to split Channel 1 and still have sufficient 9-1-1 operators, tactical radio operators, and supervisors.(20) How about a way to set your radio to beep when you are dispatched and are AOV (like the MCT)?
Don’t know. Sounds like an idea we would like incorporate someday, someway, into future communications.(21) Can you positively lock or click on a channel so it can be locked in so it can’t be accidentally change on you in a fire?
We are looking into this as a programming possibility. We have already tested this concept with the ON/OFF knob (i.e., the radio cannot be turned off until the user confirms the choice by pressing a small button on the side of the radio). Like we said, its just a test and needs to studied further before its actually programmed into the radios.(22) Can the PD and Fire batteries be made to look different so PD doesn’t come in the station and take our batteries?
Is this a current problem? We'll look into labeling the batteries.(23) Can the channel and deck be displayed on a screen and can it be larger and backlit?
The 'new' radios have a backlight (LCD and the channel knob) and an LCD display that will display the deck and channel(24) How will the delay effect our firefighting operations for interior crews?
We only have anecdotal data from other fire departments regarding the effect on fire operations. We'll be doing extensive testing and evaluation (field and Command Training Center) and we'll also receive extensive experience through the training - hopefully, this will give us the necessary information before we rely on the 'new' radios in emergency situations.
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