Brevard 800 MHz User Group

Public Safety Radio System

In Memoriam

It is with deep regret and sadness we acknowledge the recent passing of our EM Director, Robert S. Lay.  He originated this webpage for the Brevard 800 MHz Network and Users in the hopes we could use this forum to better communicate within the Brevard County radio community.  He will be sorely missed.

COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOW HAS A 24 HOUR SERVICE SUPPORT

CALL CENTER  

The CII Service Support Call Center will provide their customers with a live person to talk with

(24 hours a day, 7 days a week) and a single point of contact for all of their CII service

and support needs.  Best of all, this enhanced service is made available to contract holders

at no additional cost!

Effective 1700 hours, 05/23/11, please call toll free 1-855-244-4457 for all of your CII

emergency service needs  (please note that previous method of contacting them

through the pagers will no longer be available after 06/01/11). 

If you have any questions about this new service, please contact Todd Reed through the

Rockledge Office for CII at 636-9885.

CII Support Center Intro Letter 518   Here's a link to the notice from CII if you need to post this information. 

Some Radio models from Harris Corporation

for the Brevard 800 MHz agencies' consideration

 

With the present economy, we know most agencies are working with some budget reductions

in their purchasing options.  But, technological changes and 'wear and tear' on operating equipment teaches us that all agencies need to be more proactive and prepare early for future radio acquisitions. 

At our previous User Meetings, Network Manager, Lesley Lewis said she would try to help agencies with planning for the future regarding radio features and equipment needed to keep up with projected network improvements.  The following list and information downloads are a

few of the currently available models.  We recommend that you click on the appropriate blue name link below the list to download the attached equipment information and for photos of the radios.  Prices are available upon request from Bruce Tewell, Regional Sales Manager for Communications International, Inc. 321-636-9885 or 321-626-8424 (Bruce's cell). 

Portables -   P5400 or P7300     &     Mobile -  M7300

P5400              P7300             M7300

A WORD FROM OUR BREVARD NETWORK ADMIN GROUP:

Some of our Users have asked about the issue of 'radio skip'  and how it impacts our network radios.

In order to help our Users understand what they might be hearing with this interference and what is causing it, our Network Manager, is offering the technical explanation below:

Sudden changes in the atmosphere's vertical moisture content and temperature profiles can on random occasions make radio signals propagate hundreds of kilometers up to about 2,000 kilometers (1,300 mi) (and for ducting mode even farther)beyond the normal radio-horizon. The inversion layer is mostly observed over high pressure regions, but there are several tropospheric weather conditions which create these randomly occurring propagation modes. Inversion layer's altitude for non-ducting is typically found between 100 meters (300 ft) to about 1 kilometer (3,000 ft) and for ducting about 500 meters to 3 kilometers (1,600 to 10,000 ft), and the duration of the events are typically from several hours up to several days. Higher frequencies experience the most dramatic increase of signal strengths, while on low-VHF and HF the effect is negligible.  Some of the lesser inversion types related to warm ground and cooler air moisture content occur regularly at certain times of the year and time of day. A typical example could be the late summer, early morning tropospheric enhancements that bring in signals from distances up to few hundred kilometers for a couple of hours, until undone by the sun's warming effect or in mid winter evening and overnight tropospheric enhancements bring in signals from a few hundred up to a few thousand kilometers until the sun’s warming effect again takes place.

This 'condition' is really a seasonal aberration and most Users will notice once the sun rises and the atmosphere warms, the events of "radio skip" seems to lessen.  However, "skip" doesn't just 'go away'.  The action of the sun, topography and the atmosphere combined lessens the direct impact on the network.  Unfortunately, due to some unusual weather conditions, at this time of year, "skip" is impacting all our Users more than in the recent past.  Some of this is due to the increased numbers of 800 MHz Users throughout the nation which makes the possibilities more likely at this time of year once specific atmospheric conditions occur.  Of course, we regret the aggravation and inconvenience to our Users but this is an occurrence affecting every radio network not just ours, and apparently it affects some agencies more than others from brief conversations with our colleagues in Indian River County. 

If you have any questions about your radio service or actions related to our network operations, we ask you to please contact your agency POC and Communications International, Inc.  Also, if you encounter anomalies with the network, we request that you report them to CII, first then create a Radio Complaint Report (shown below) so we can document these activities.

"PM" Reminder for All BREVARD User Agencies!

 

Don't forget to schedule all your radio equipment for its annual

periodic maintenance!  This feature is part of the general user

contract for most agencies and its necessary to keep your equipment at its peak operating condition.  Don't forget this is particularly important to be done prior to the annual Hurricane Season (June - Nov).  Also, the manufacturer's warranty period on some of the Rebanding replacements has expired recently so its doubly important that your radio equipment be reviewed at least once a year by the CII techs at the radio shop.  Be proactive!  Don't wait till you need it to

find out there is something wrong with your radio equipment! 

RADIO NARROW BANDING -

WHAT IT IS & WHAT IT MAY MEAN TO YOUR AGENCY

At the August 21, 2009 meeting of the Brevard Users, Bruce Tewell from Communications International, Inc. (CII) mentioned the subject of "narrow banding" other radio spectrum.  Basically, some agencies may have radio equipment in other spectrum besides 800 MHz and they may wish some additional information regarding the subject.  Attached please find a Power point program from Kimball & Associates, a leading consultant in radio technology, discussing the process, the FCC rules and how it may effect your agency's budget over the next 2 fiscal cycles.  

KIMBALL & ASSOCIATES POWERPOINT

SPECIAL NOTE: 800 MHz Admin is aware of several agencies such as the Brevard Public School System or even some local utilities units that may have radio equipment in these spectrum ranges.  If you have not considered the impact of narrow banding to your agency and you think you may have equipment that qualifies, you should contact Todd Reed, Brevard Shop Manager or Bruce Tewell, Brevard Sales at Communications International, Inc. for assistance.  Their office number is 636-9885. 

SPECIAL UPDATE FROM THE FCC:

The FCC announced on December 6, 2010 that a new web page dedicated to assisting those public safety agencies with either VHF or UHF equipment and needing assistance with their narrow banding project.  We invite you to check out their web page at the address www.fcc.gov/narrowbanding. (This is not an actual link to the web page so you will need to type

this in your search engine). 

Remember, this is not a project being financially supported like the Nextel Rebanding Project and one of the initial deadline dates was January 1, 2011. 

CSD Database Records & the User

Agencies' Responsibilities

User Agencies are required to keep their active radio inventory records current according

to User Agreements with BCEM.  Agencies are reminded that only radios listed in the Brevard CSD database are considered authorized radios.  If your agency has database records that need to be updated or changes that you plan to make to your working radio inventory with the CII radio shop, please do so immediately by completing and emailing to the Brevard 800 MHz Staff all your changes on the CSD Change Forms (see below for the current blank format). 

(Also, if your agency or unit is a division of County Government or affiliated with the Sheriff's Office, don't forget to complete the BCC 176 Forms for Asset Management, if needed ). 

Updated CSD Change Form

Now Available!

The CSD Change Form for database entries is required for all changes to the CSD database entries. You MUST submit these changes on the forms to be certain they are properly processed.  We have included a brief overview of the updated template form as well as a WORD. DOC version for you to download & reuse. 

Click on the info here: Directions for the 2012 CSD Change Form

Here is the WORD.DOC Form: CSD CHANGE FORM FOR 2012

Special note:  The 800 Admin staff requests that your agency submit all database changes via email attachment so we can make the necessary changes and then email you back a revised file copy of your original CSD Change Form when the revisions are completed. If you need help completing the CSD

Change Form, please contact us. 

BREVARD 800 MHZ PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO NETWORK

COMPLAINT/COMMENT FORM

To report any problems OR issues with either your radios, vendor service or any general 800 MHz network issues, please use this

link to the On-Line Radio Complaint Form.  RADIO COMPLAINT FORM

FYI:  If your agency is seeing a continuing problem with coverage or

transmission/reception issues related to certain locale or your field users

have noticed a network problem, this is the form to use to document these issues. Please remember the purpose of the form is to help 800 MHz Admin track any operating issues that our User Agencies encounter & and give us feedback on our local vendor's response your questions.

Administrator and Vendor Radio Complaint Request (RCR) application to record resolutions.    Click Here Login Required

Transition Administration Rebanding News Link press_releases

Past 800 MHz User Meeting Notes

Notes from the Brevard 800 MHz User Meeting notes are being made available here to keep our Users aware of network and User information discussed at these meetings.  If additional information or handouts are provided at the various meetings, we will attempt to offer them for your retrieval and review as they become available for publication.  Simply click on the appropriate link below and download the PDF, Power point or WORD documents as provided. 

• 800 USER JUN 30 MEETING       from the June 30, 2009 meeting

AUGUST 21, 2009 - A Special User Meeting

The August 21 User Meeting was unique because it included a visit by a Harris representative

who supplied the refreshments (thank you, Harris!).  There were also several several handouts and a Harris radio brochure made available to the Users.  PDF/Word copies are shown below

for downloading along with the meeting notes.

• 800 MHz User Meeting Notes Aug. 21 2009   

Don't forget these additional handouts mentioned at the meeting: 

• CII SYS RETUNE Statement of work  
• Local narrow band status review  
• DOJ narrow banding PDF     
• HARRIS CORP UNITY Radio brochure

FYI:  There is also the Power Point program discussing the issue of FCC 'narrow banding' from Kimble & Associates that Bruce Tewell, the CII Area Sales Manager mentioned.  It is provided

for your inspection and review at a separate location shown above in a section entitled "Radio Narrow Banding - What it is and What it May Mean to Your Agency" on this web page.

FYI:  If you believe we forgot a PDF file or some information mentioned at these meetings and you would like it provided, drop us a line and let us know.  

"Innovation & Improvements for the Future of Brevard 800 MHz Network Users"

800 MHz User Group Background & Purpose

The Brevard 800 MHz User Group Public Safety Radio System (aka the Network) is comprised of all the users of the system.  This web page will post information that is useful and sometimes critical for user action and information. 

Brevard County is currently going through the FCC Rebanding project and various scheduling notes and changes will be posted here for your convenience.  Additionally, we will provide information on the status of the network and future improvements as they are known and funding becomes available.

User Agency Services

If you are having maintenance and or service issues with the network, we have designed a "Radio User/Agency Complaint/ comment" form for your use (see the appropriate link above). 

Our intent is to create a more proactive stance to network operations.  When you report an issue to our vendor (CII), we also want to be sure the Brevard 800 MHz Admin Staff is aware

of your problems and together, we are taking a coordinated approach toward resolving these issues.

Questions about the System (Network) can be addressed to

your designated agency Point of Contact.  For more information, contact either Lisa Morgan 637-3811 or email Lisa OR Eric

Conklin 637-3810 or email Eric at Brevard County Emergency Management 637-6670.

SPECIAL NOTE TO OUR READERS:

FYI:  800 MHZ Radio Network Admin is continuously trying to update and improve this web page for the use and benefit of the Users.  So, if you have any suggestions or comments, please drop us an email and let us know. 

Also, if your agency plans to hold or participate in a special event locally, this web page would be a great way to promote your agency's activities among the Brevard 800 MHz User group! Please forward your submissions for consideration to us via email attachments.  We reserve the right to edit either photos or written work as needed due to space considerations.

Last updated January 19, 2012