National Communications System (NCS)

ESF #2 Training Conference

LAND MOBILE RADIO SYSTEMS

AND
HOW TO RESTORE THEM
Major Curtis Bowers
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office
cbowers@ppso.net
504-392-1652
June 21, 2007
 Class Topics

 Types of Radio Systems

 Simplex
 Trunking
 APCO Project 25
 Frequencies
 Getting a system back online
 Radio gateway devices
 Different Types of Radio Systems

 Conventional Systems
 Simplex Operation (Radio-to-Radio)
 Repeater

 Trunking Systems
 Single Site
 Multicast
 Simulcast
 Conventional
 Digital
 Conventional Systems

 Simplex Operation
 Transmissions are made over the same
frequency
Transmissions are from radio to
radio – no system infrastructure
needed
 Conventional Systems

 Carrier Squelch - open to interference

 Private Line Code – keeps radio signals on same

frequency from keying into radio or opening the
carrier squelch

 Interference audio is still present

 Conventional Systems

 What are the advantages of this type of system?

 Cost – almost any radio will work, as long as
frequency is correct
 Small number of users
 Small coverage area
 No infrastructure is needed
 Conventional Repeater Systems

 Repeaters boost transmission power for greater

range
 Antennas are placed on towers for increase in
coverage area

400’

5 watts 100 watts 25 watts

 Conventional Repeater Systems

 Repeater systems improve portable and mobile

talk-out and talk-in coverage
 A duplex system uses two frequencies. The radio
transmits audio into the repeater and repeater
sends out the audio at a higher wattage on a
different frequency
 Antenna on a tower with a repeater gives a greater
range
 Antenna on a tower with a pre-amp receive system
increases talk-in coverage
 Trunking Systems

 Trunking systems consist of several repeaters

controlled by computerized system
 System manages users, talkgroups, and repeaters

Repeaters

Control Channel

Central Controller
 Trunking Systems

 Trunking systems can be a single site or consist of

multiple sites over large regions
 Each repeater has its own frequency and one of
these repeaters is a control channel
 Control channel manages information to and from
the user’s radios
 With this information, channels (repeaters) are
assigned to users for radio traffic
 Control channel is always communicating with
affiliated radios
 Affiliated radios send talkgroup (TG) info to system
 Trunking Systems

Voice Channel Request

PTT
Request

3
Control Channel

2 Central Controller
 Trunking Systems

 There can be numerous talkgroups and users on

this type of system
 Capacity is determined by number of channels
(repeaters) the system has
 There can be numerous sites (towers) used on
this type of system
 Size of system is limited to the number of
frequencies the owner can obtain, the
manufacture of the system, the version of system
in service, and how much the owner can afford
 Trunking Systems

 Different types of multi-site systems:

• Multicast:
The multiple broadcast of identical audio
information on different frequencies from multiple,
geographically separated sites
• Simulcast:

The simultaneous broadcast of identical audio

information on the same frequency from multiple,
geographically separated sites
 Trunking Systems
Multicast System Example

Site 1 Site 2
1 2 3 4 5
CC VC CC VC VC

Site 3
6 7 8
CC VC VC
 Trunking Systems

Site 1 Site 2

1 2 3 4 5 6
CC VC VC CC VC VC

Site 3

Multicast cells 7 8
could be
combinations of CC VC
sites in what is
also called a
Simulcast
configuration
 Trunking Systems

Simulcast System Example

Site 1 Site 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
CC VC VC VC VC VCVC VC CC VC VC VC VC VCVC VC

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
CC VC VC VC VC VC VC VC

Site 3
 Trunking Systems

Simulcast “Seamless” Coverage

Site 1 Site 2

1 22 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 22 3 4 5 6 7 8
CC VC VC VC VC VC VC VC CC VC VC VC VC VC VC VC

1 22 3 4 5 6 7 8
CC VC VC VC VC VC VC VC

Site 3
 Trunking Systems

 Trunking systems with multiple sites have a weak

link in their operation; links must go back to the
master site
 Links can be T-1 circuits or microwave links
 Multicast sites that lose their links go into site
trunking and no longer communicate with other
sites
 In a simulcast system, only the prime site will
continue to operate; all other remote simulcast
sites are off line until links are reestablished
 A simulcast cell can also go into site trunking
 Trunking Systems

 Analog operation

 Mix mode consisting of digital and analog

resources

 APCO 25 systems digital only

 Digital is not a secure communication system,

encryption is for secure communication
 Analog vs. Digital

Benefits of Digital Technologies Improved Audio Quality

Good Digital

Audio
Quality Analog

Poor

Strong Signal Strength Weak

 Frequency Issues

 License for frequencies to be restored or used

 Special Temporary Authorization (STA’s) obtained

 Equipment must match frequency range of system

 Service equipment, software, and hardware needed to

tune equipment to frequencies to be restored

 Types of equipment needing tuning for frequencies:

Combiners, duplexers, repeaters, tower top amp's, and
radios
 Restoring a Communication System

 Survey what is left that still works or that can be

put back in service

 What type of system will be initially put in service

 At tower sites you will need antennas, antenna

mounts, antenna cable, cable connectors, tower
climbing crew, and site master testing equipment
 Restoring a Communication System

 Determine how this equipment can be transported

to the site

 If this is a remote site how will it be connected

(linked) back to other sites: microwave, phone
circuits, or broadband satellite

 Locate or identify a vendor or service shop that

can perform many of these task for you
 Restoring a Communication System

 Installing a new communication system

 What does the supported agency need

 What type of technology will be used

 What is best for the agency being supported, not

what the vendors want to sell
 Radio Gateways

 How will this device help

 Will it even work with the system or systems being

connected

 Get permission before connecting systems

together

 Set the rules for how this gateway channel or

talkgroup will be used
 Radio Gateways

 When a problem arises with this connection, a

contact person must be available 24 hrs a day

 Not always the best way to connect groups of

users together
 Questions

Any questions welcome

 Contact Information

Major Curtis Bowers

Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office
8344 Hwy 23
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
504-392-1652 office
504-812-9305 cell
cbowers@ppso.net
www.ppso.net