Arizona Interagency Radio System (AIRS)
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Arizona Interagency Radio System (AIRS)
AIRS is a suite of full-time, cross-banded (i.e. VHF, UHF, and 800MHz*) mutual-aid channels designated specifically for multi-agency use across the State of Arizona. Agencies wishing to operate on AIRS must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) which holds the licenses for AIRS frequencies. AIRS is designed to provide interoperable communications capability to first responders of police, fire, and EMS agencies, as well as other personnel of municipal, county, state, tribal, federal agencies and approved non-governmental organizations (NGOs) performing public safety or public service activities.
These radio frequencies are to be used in the event of a multi-agency, multi-discipline, and/or multi-jurisdictional operation requiring the use of the common state radio channel(s), specifically for the use of coordinating activities during identified incidents. AIRS frequencies are not to be used by a single agency for routine public safety operations. AIRS frequencies may, however, be used by a single agency to reconstitute communications in the event of a system failure or other significant communications loss.
All participating agencies to the AIRS, program AIRS frequencies into their radios in order (AIRSAZ followed by AIRS1, AIRS2, AIRS3, AIRS4, and AIRS5). The programming zone may differ depending on the agency or the type of radio. Note that the AIRS applies specifically, and only, to AIRS-suite channels and does NOT include VTAC, UTAC, or 8TAC channels.
History
The Arizona Interagency Radio System (AIRS) is an outgrowth of Arizona’s Inter-Agency Radio System (IARS) which was started in the mid-1970s. IARS was developed to allow communications between law enforcement agencies using VHF radio systems and UHF systems (primarily the Department of Public Safety and the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office). Over the next 20 years, this system grew to 15 communications sites covering Interstates I-8 and I-40, Maricopa County and southeast Arizona. While initially envisioned as a law enforcement asset, the Arizona public safety community later identified IARS as a valuable all-hazards resource.
Due to an increased interest in and need for interoperability and the availability of federal grant funds, the Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) undertook a project to modernize the IARS network. Radio coverage was increased by installing radios at more communications sites and the 800 MHz band was added at each site to create a AIRS suite of radios. The VHF system was also converted from simplex operation to a repeater, allowing for communications between users on all three frequency bands (i.e. VHF, UHF, and 800 MHz). In 2006, this new tri-band system was named the Arizona Interagency Radio System (AIRS).
Operations
The state is broken up into AIRS Regions. See Page 13, AIRS Regional Channel Assignments. Although these regions are drawn on the county boundaries, the radio coverage provided by a single communications site may extend beyond a single region/county. There are also gaps in coverage. Within a region, most communications sites are electronically “voted” to select the site that has the best received audio quality. The “voted” signal is sent to the communications center and a control signal is sent to the selected communications site to enable the cross-band/repeater operation. This operation is automatic, does not require any interaction with the communication center, and provides repeater and cross-band operation to field users.
Because the AIRS regional channels use a single frequency (per band) to cover the entire state, system originators developed a means of controlling intra-system inference by dividing up primary channel usage among the ten regional areas. Breaking the state into ten regional areas ensures that the amount of intra-system interference can be minimized while still providing good field coverage with a minimum of channel changes. Five CTCSS (PL) tones control the ten regions. By reusing the CTCSS tone around the state, Arizona reduces the number of channels needed in the subscriber radios.
The AIRSAZ channel is no longer available throughout the state. Because interference is minimized in the regional channels AIRS1 through AIRS5, their use is encouraged, and the use of the statewide channel AIRSAZ is discouraged and is no longer sanctioned.
Access
Eligible users must contact the DPS Wireless Systems Bureau (WSB) Administrative Secretary to request access to AIRS. Governmental agencies and NGOs utilizing mobile and portable radios that are operated by personnel actively engaged in incident-related activities are eligible users.
All signatory agencies to the AIRS MOU should preferably program AIRS frequencies into their radios in order (AIRS1, AIRS2, AIRS3, AIRS4, and AIRS5). The programming zone may differ depending on the agency or the type of radio.
National Interoperability Channels
While the AIRS MOU applies specifically, and only, to AIRS-suite channels and does NOT include VCALL/VTAC, UCALL/UTAC, or 8TAC channels, agencies are encouraged to program all of the interoperable channels operating in their frequency band into their radios. At a minimum, the calling channel and the first tactical channel should be programmed.
When possible, programming the AIRS Channels along with the National Channels in a separate segment is recommended.
Regional Assignments
Arizona Statewide Interoperable Channel Plan
The Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) has approved this radio channel plan to standardize and increase interoperable communications throughout the state in the VHF, UHF, 700 and 800 MHz bands. It is suggested the each agency incorporate these channels into their channel plan the next time their radios are programmed, but no later than the narrowbanding deadline of January 1, 2013.
VHF Interoperability Channels/Frequencies
The VHF AIRS frequencies are licensed to the State of Arizona and an FCC license is required to operate on those frequencies. The AIRS MOU allows the signatory agencies to operate under the State’s mobile license (KA89942). The VHF simplex tactical (TAC) channels are FCC designated national interoperability channels requiring no separate FCC license.
| CH# | NAME | BAND-WIDTH | RX FREQ MHz | RX CTCSS Hz | TX FREQ MHz | TX CTCSS Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
VAIRS1 |
12.5 kHz |
155.4750 |
CSQ |
155.1900 |
141.3 |
2 |
VAIRS2 |
12.5 kHz |
155.4750 |
CSQ |
155.1900 |
131.8 |
3 |
VAIRS3 |
12.5 kHz |
155.4750 |
CSQ |
155.1900 |
110.9 |
4 |
VAIRS4 |
12.5 kHz |
155.4750 |
CSQ |
155.1900 |
123.0 |
5 |
VAIRS5 |
12.5 kHz |
155.4750 |
CSQ |
155.1900 |
167.9 |
6 |
SAR NFM |
12.5 kHz |
155.1600 |
CSQ |
155.1600 |
127.3 |
7 |
VFIRE21 |
12.5 kHz |
154.2800 |
CSQ |
154.2800 |
CSQ |
8 |
VMED28 |
12.5 kHz |
155.3400 |
CSQ |
155.3400 |
CSQ |
9 |
VLAW31 |
12.5 kHz |
155.4750 |
CSQ |
155.4750 |
CSQ |
10 |
VCALL10 |
12.5 kHz |
155.7525 |
CSQ |
155.7525 |
156.7 |
11 |
VTAC11 |
12.5 kHz |
151.1375 |
CSQ |
151.1375 |
156.7 |
12 |
VTAC12 |
12.5 kHz |
154.4525 |
CSQ |
154.4525 |
156.7 |
13 |
VTAC13 |
12.5 kHz |
158.7375 |
CSQ |
158.7375 |
156.7 |
14 |
VTAC14 |
12.5 kHz |
159.4725 |
CSQ |
159.4725 |
156.7 |
15 |
VTAC36* |
12.5 kHz |
151.1375 |
CSQ |
159.4725 |
136.5 |
16 |
VTAC37* |
12.5 kHz |
154.4525 |
CSQ |
158.7375 |
136.5 |
- NOTE: The use of tactical repeater pairs VTAC36/37 will supersede the use of VTAC11-14 since their Rx/Tx frequencies will be in use. In other words; - VTAC36 uses the Rx of VTAC11 and the Tx of VTAC14 with a 8.335 MHz separation. - VTAC37 uses the Rx of VTAC12 and the Tx of VTAC13 with a 4.285 MHz separation.
- Note: VTAC33 and VTAC34 were replaced by VTAC36 and VTAC37 on January 11, 2012.
UHF Interoperability Channels/Frequencies
The UHF AIRS frequencies are licensed to the State of Arizona and an FCC license is required to operate on those frequencies. The AIRS MOU allows the signatory agencies to operate under the State’s mobile license (KA89942). The UHF simplex TAC channels are FCC designated national interoperability channels requiring no separate FCC license
| CH# | NAME | BAND-WIDTH | RX FREQ MHz | RX CTCSS Hz | TX FREQ MHz | TX CTCSS Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
UAIRS1 |
12.5 kHz |
460.3750 |
CSQ |
465.3750 |
141.3 |
2 |
UAIRS2 |
12.5 kHz |
460.3750 |
CSQ |
465.3750 |
131.8 |
3 |
UAIRS3 |
12.5 kHz |
460.3750 |
CSQ |
465.3750 |
110.9 |
4 |
UAIRS4 |
12.5 kHz |
460.3750 |
CSQ |
465.3750 |
123.0 |
5 |
UAIRS5 |
12.5 kHz |
460.3750 |
CSQ |
465.3750 |
167.9 |
6 |
UAIRS_D |
12.5 kHz |
460.3750 |
CSQ |
460.3750 |
100.0 |
7 |
UCALL40 |
12.5 kHz |
453.2125 |
CSQ |
458.2125 |
156.7 |
8 |
UCALL40D |
12.5 kHz |
453.2125 |
CSQ |
453.2125 |
156.7 |
9 |
UTAC41 |
12.5 kHz |
453.4625 |
CSQ |
458.4625 |
156.7 |
10 |
UTAC41D |
12.5 kHz |
453.4625 |
CSQ |
453.4625 |
156.7 |
11 |
UTAC42 |
12.5 kHz |
453.7125 |
CSQ |
458.7125 |
156.7 |
12 |
UTAC42D |
12.5 kHz |
453.7125 |
CSQ |
453.7125 |
156.7 |
13 |
UTAC43 |
12.5 kHz |
453.8625 |
CSQ |
458.8625 |
156.7 |
14 |
UTAC43D |
12.5 kHz |
453.8625 |
CSQ |
453.8625 |
156.7 |
15 |
MED-5D |
12.5 kHz |
463.1000 |
CSQ |
463.1000 |
136.5 |
16 |
| AZ-SIEC NAME | BAND-WIDTH | TX-FREQ MHz | TX CTCSS Hz | RX FREQ MHz | RX CTCSS Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8AIRSAZ |
20 kHz |
821.0125 |
156.7 |
866.0125 |
CSQ |
8AIRS1 |
20 kHz |
821.0125 |
141.3 |
866.0125 |
CSQ |
8AIRS2 |
20 kHz |
821.0125 |
131.8 |
866.0125 |
CSQ |
8AIRS3 |
20 kHz |
821.0125 |
110.9 |
866.0125 |
CSQ |
8AIRS4 |
20 kHz |
821.0125 |
123.0 |
866.0125 |
CSQ |
8AIRS5 |
20 kHz |
821.0125 |
167.9 |
866.0125 |
CSQ |
8AIRS_D |
20 kHz |
866.0125 |
156.7 |
866.0125 |
CSQ |
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