* STARRS - St Louis Area Regional Response System
(Proper/Better formatting to come soon)
From <http://74.125.95.104/search?q=cache:2_1D2JPOBVUJ:www.ewgateway.org/pdffiles/library/presentations/radiopresentation-feb08.ppt+%22st+charles+county%22+%22radio+system%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us>
Powerpoint: <http://www.ewgateway.org/pdffiles/library/presentations/radiopresentation-feb08.ppt>
Communications Study
February 2008
Purpose of the Study
Assess the radio systems in use and develop design recommendations
Develop cost estimates for a system implementation plan
Provide a roadmap to Interoperability
System Assessments
Study began November 2007
Interviews held with 34 constituent groups
Site inspections currently underway
Continued meetings with STARRS committees and staff
Interview Topics
Document the formal and informal institutional arrangements among public safety agencies
Detailed wide range of technical and operational issues
Define interoperability, range, coverage, performance and reliability
Summary of Current Systems
Conventional Systems (VHF and UHF)
Aged systems and equipment
Congestion and interference - Too many users, too many systems, not enough channels
FCC 2013 “Narrowbanding” Mandate
Wideband VHF
Franklin County
Jefferson County
St. Charles County – all but 2 municipalities
St. Louis County
Madison County – all but Sheriff's Office
Monroe County
800 MHz Systems
City of St. Louis
Metropolitan Police Department 2 site analog 800 MHz system
Upgrading to 3 site digital system including Fire Department
Lambert Airport 1 site 800 MHz analog system upgrading to a digital 2 site system
800 MHz Systems
Metro
Existing VHF/UHF and 11 site 800 MHz system upgrading to 21 site 800 MHz system
Moving VHF and UHF users to 800 MHz system
Madison County Sheriff’s Office on 800 MHz StarCom 21 Network
St. Clair County – 800 MHz system connected to StarCom 21 Network
Franklin County
Jefferson County
Lambert Airport
Madison County
Metro
Monroe County
St. Clair County
St. Charles County
City of St. Louis
St. Louis County
Mixture of systems throughout the region & within same county
In conventional systems, equipment is outdated, circa 1960’s
911 dispatch communications changing
Volume of users in conventional systems inhibits interoperability
Migration to 800MHz is underway
Regional users recognize the need to collaborate
Key Findings
In our region, we have a complex patchwork of conventional systems (VHF and UHF) and 800MHz
Interoperability issues
Coverage problems & requirements
System configuration (base equipment, mobiles, and portables)
System performance and operational procedures
Current system reliability
Existing service requirements
Available engineering documentation pertaining to site plans, antenna layouts, and transmitter locations
Planned radio system upgrades
1960’s technology
Regarding the FCC narrowbanding mandate: All regional VHF systems operate in wideband mode
No active local or regional narrowband plans
Upgrades will alter existing system coverage
Limited availability of parts
Adds layers of complexity to interoperability
Caused by both internal and external agencies
Perpetuates dispatch and field retransmissions
Overrides emergency and routine radio traffic
Results in delayed communications
Regarding 911: Efficiency and effectiveness is impacted by radio congestion and interference
Over 50% of 911 calls are from cell phones
Significantly increases incoming 911 calls for a single incident
Reduction in landline subscribers/911 calls
Decreasing 911 revenues
VoIP Internet 911 calls increasing
St. Louis Land Mobile Communications Study
February 2008
Purpose of the Study
Assess the radio systems in use and develop design recommendations
Develop cost estimates for a system implementation plan
Provide a roadmap to Interoperability
System Assessments
Study began November 2007
Interviews held with 34 constituent groups
Site inspections currently underway
Continued meetings with STARRS committees and staff
Interview Topics
Document the formal and informal institutional arrangements among public safety agencies
Detailed wide range of technical and operational issues
Define interoperability, range, coverage, performance and reliability
Summary of Current Systems
Conventional Systems (VHF and UHF)
Aged systems and equipment
Congestion and interference - Too many users, too many systems, not enough channels
FCC 2013 “Narrowbanding” Mandate
Wideband VHF
Franklin County
Jefferson County
St. Charles County – all but 2 municipalities
St. Louis County
Madison County – all but Sheriff's Office
Monroe County
800 MHz Systems
City of St. Louis
Metropolitan Police Department 2 site analog 800 MHz system
Upgrading to 3 site digital system including Fire Department
Lambert Airport 1 site 800 MHz analog system upgrading to a digital 2 site system
800 MHz Systems
Metro
Existing VHF/UHF and 11 site 800 MHz system upgrading to 21 site 800 MHz system
Moving VHF and UHF users to 800 MHz system
Madison County Sheriff’s Office on 800 MHz StarCom 21 Network
St. Clair County – 800 MHz system connected to StarCom 21 Network
Key Findings
Mixture of systems throughout the region & within same county
In conventional systems, equipment is outdated, circa 1960’s
911 dispatch communications changing
Volume of users in conventional systems inhibits interoperability
Migration to 800MHz is underway
Regional users recognize the need to collaborate
|
