Radio Communications of Charleston, Inc.

Radio Communications of Charleston, Inc.
Your Professional Wireless Solutions Provider

Saturday, March 13, 2010

P25, Who needs it? Myths and common sense things you wanted to know.

Well by now everyone is involved somewhat in getting their radio systems "narrow-banded" and quite possibly could be migrating towards the P25 phas I protocol.   I'm going to assume that you are already familiar with the P25 Phase I Protocol and consideration of that technology is underway.
Well, what's next, you might ask?   What may I realistically expect my radio system to do that it doesn't already do?   Basically, I would imagine you may be looking for cost/benefit points.

In this posting I'm going to get beyond the origin of the protocol and will try to bring some of those cost/benefit things to make sense to every day radio users.

P25 is a major change and isn't compatible with any other protocol directly, even though the radio sporting the protocol may be capable of multiple protocols on the same or different channels.   Radio technicians will really perk up their ears when first testing P25 as it requires a completely different mind set and testing ability.   There are lots of changes.   So on to cost/benefit deals.

1) P25 is a digital protocol that responds to a different distance window therefore changing operational range somewhat.   While the same analog radio is fading to noise, the P25 radio is still corresponding at 100% but will avalanche to non-existence similar to what is shown to the right on the graphical representation.   Basically the user will experience a little better range and clarity while within range.

2) The user will get other nice operational benefits by seeing what radio is talking or what radio is having the emergency.   The radio ID can be either a number or an alias such as "chief" or "officer" or whatever name you can squeeze into the window during programming.   Some users are very skeptical or conservative about implementing this feature.  If implemented P25 programming in Full Alias mode, constant reprogramming may be needed or at least every time someone ebbs and flows into the system.   That can be a real maintenance nightmare.   But, overall, if implemented properly, radio ID represents a great benefit to the users.

3)  Historical documentation of calls received and made are available on some P25 radios via scrolling the display.   This cost/benefit function could have it's purpose.   One could only imagine.

4)   No your battery doesn't last longer because of P25.   You may think so but if it does, that may be a function of the radio.   As a matter of fact, it may last less.   So be prepared for this possible benefit or possible extra baggage coming along with the new P25 radio.

5)   Clarity of audio in high noise environments is a definite plus.   Most if not all P25 radios process their audio via DSP (digital signal processing) and the radio computer makes the audio decision on a bit by bit basis.   This spits out generally better, or more intelligible audio.   Sometimes your radio may sound like it is receiving "star war" signals, but those signals will be more intelligible.  

Well, I could go on with cost/benefits but they fade quickly.  Are you involved in narrow-banding now?   Frequency efficiencies are gained by narrow-banding and that modification to bandwidth protocol is mandated by the Feds with a definite date of conversion.   So, I ask.   When will P25 Phase I be mandated?   This author believes it will be mandated before long, maybe with a long window of implementation, but mandated never-the-less.

What about P25 Phase II?   Aha, another kick in the pants for your radios.   Your radios possibly won't be able to even do Phase II.   How about that for obsolescence and radio upgrade planning.   Just think, the radio you hold in your hand may not be able to do P25 Phase I much less Phase II.........!

Oh well, we gotta sell radios somehow.   This kinda reminds you of the computer industry.   Ironic coincidence.....yep your radio is a computer now.

Till next time......happy computing.

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