It is Monday; I missed my Friday deadline because I was attending the Dayton Amateur Radio Convention. The weather was lousy this year but our group still had a lot of fun as we have for the past 30+ years. One of the things I enjoy about Dayton is a chance to see, and buy, some of the latest handhelds and mobile units coming out of China. While these are type accepted for Part 90 they certainly are not front line, ruggedized radios but for others who need a very capable radio at a great price they work very well, and as they get better they will challenge the current Public Safety Radio vendors I am sure.
The first type 90 radios coming out of China were lacking in a number of features that Public Safety needs however the latest batch is getting better. I bought two AnyTone AT-3318UV handhelds. They are 5 watt, VHF/UHF analog FM radios with 200 channels and this radio permits you to bank the channels in 10 groups of 20 channels each. Further, it is dual band VHF and UHF with dual receive and it supports 1 plus 1 and DTMF alerting functions. The show price was $90 each including antenna, belt clip, charger and battery. Software for programming will be available from RT systems next week and they support both wide and narrow band modes including the 2.5 KHz split channels.
Another vendor, Connect Systems has VHF and UHF handheld that support DMR, and a number of other digital standards and they also offer a mobile. Their next handheld and mobiles will also probably have P25 support. They are a bit more ruggedized but again, certainly not Public Safety grade but a good value for those who want a second radio or someone who needs to communicate but does not need a full up Public Safety Grade Radio. It is interesting to watch what is coming from China because they are on a quick learning curve and are really interested in building radios that Public Safety and other business users want and need as well as including capabilities for the ham bands as well. I expect we will see a lot more of these radios hitting our shores soon.
The news this week is light on FirstNet activity, however it will be interesting to see who is either reappointed or newly appointed to the FirstNet board of directors. There are some two year terms which expire in August and the NTIA will be making new appointments and has asked for input on the selection (but I assume they already know who they are going to appoint). We have already seen delays in FirstNet’s capability to move forward because of the more than 5 month gap in their ability to hire sub-contractors, and now with new board members coming on board it will be interesting to see if those who work for FirstNet can regain the momentum they lost during the first part of this year, I for one hope so. Have a great week Andy
PSCR’s 2014 Public Safety Broadband Stakeholder Conference – project25.org via Google AlertsMay 17 03:00NPSTC’s FCC Regulatory Update Spring 2014 …
FirstNet seeks new board members – Fierce Mobile Government via Google Alerts May 15 00:58 The law that created FirstNet dictates a few quotas for the board. Three members must have worked as public safety professionals, and three must …
Public safety frequencies – 9fss.net via Google Alerts May 18 12:56 The FCC’s Table of Frequency Allocations consists of the International …
Nation’s Leading Public Safety Orgs Offer Unanimous Support for FCC Rule to … – One News Page – onenewspage.us via Google Alerts May 17 14:58 … public safety and public health organizations submitted comments this week in support of a proposed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) …
FCC Vote to End Net Neutrality Means Nothing | TheBlot – theblot.com via Google Alerts May 17 08:56 Broadband companies call the FCC vote on net neutrality a major step …
South Korea deciding on 700 MHz for public safety after Sewol ferry disaster – Land Mobile – landmobile.co.uk via Google Alerts May 16 03:58 Broadband … South Korea deciding on 700 MHz for public safety after Sewol ferry disaster …
The FCC Should Let All Competitors Bid on the Spectrum Necessary to Give Americans 21st … – Huffington Post via Google Alerts May 15 20:57 The FCC Should Let All Competitors Bid on the Spectrum Necessary to Give Americans 21st Century High-Speed Mobile Broadband.
Implementing Public Safety Broadband Provisions | FCC.gov – fcc.gov via Google Alerts May 15 18:58 Federal Communications Commission · The FCC · Leadership …
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler Vows to Protect Open Internet – Government Technology News May 15 14:55 The Federal Communications Commission voted on May 15 to proceed with a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on network neutrality. The new proposed rules consider multiple pathways to broadband regulation and increase the Commission’s oversight of open Internet principles. The FCC now seeks comment on two specific ways to protect the open Internet, which are outlined in the proposal. The first relies on the belief of some that the FCC has power to broadly regulate…
FCC Advances New Rules for Internet – WSJ: Technology May 15 13:45 The FCC advanced new Internet rules that would ban broadband providers from blocking or slowing down websites, but allow them to strike deals with content companies for preferential treatment.
Funny or Die Celebrates FCC’s Not-at-All Dangerous Net Neutrality Plans | Veooz 360 – veooz.com via Google Alerts May 17 15:58 Bankrolled by broadband donors, lawmakers lobby FCC on net neutrality …
FCC seeks comment on mobile broadband (RCR Mobile Minute) – Tech Investor News – techinvestornews.com via Google Alerts May 17 01:59 Mobile Minute: The Mobile Minute is sponsored by SpiderCloud Wireless. For now, mobile network operators are not subject to the same net neutrality …
CTIA-The Wireless Association?? Statement on the FCC’s May Open Meeting on the Spectrum … – IT Business Net via Google Alerts May 16 20:57 This historic effort has the potential to unleash vital spectrum to meet ever-increasing consumer demand for mobile broadband services, spur …
Apco Emd Manual – Free PDF downloads – Ebookily.org – ebookily.org via Google Alerts May 16 15:59 Abbreviations: APCO- Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, International CJIS- (Mass.) Criminal Justice Information System …
Improving Public Safety Communication in the 800 MHz Band | FCC.gov – fcc.gov via Google Alerts May 16 15:00 Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 ‘ May 15, 2014. DA 14-659. Small Entity Compliance Guide. Improving Public Safety …
Jersey Net | Broadband Working Group – JerseyNet, New Jersey’s Public Safety Network – State of … – nj.gov via Google Alerts May 16 13:59 The mission of the Broadband Working Group (BWG) of the New Jersey Public Safety Communications Advisory Council is to aid in the realization of …
Video: What the FCC’s Proposed Rules Mean for You – WSJ: Digits May 16 07:50 The FCC advanced rules to govern the operating of the Internet that would ban broadband providers from blocking or slowing down websites. The WSJ’s Ryan Knutson explains the potential impact on viewers and consumers.
FCC Seeks To Regain Powers While Backing ‘Fast Lane’ – Investor’s Business Daily May 16 07:00 The Federal Communications Commission moved Thursday toward reclassifying broadband Internet services as a public utility, aiming to recoup regulatory authority after two federal court rulings that the agency had overreached in enforcing “net neutrality.” Chairman Tom Wheeler’s sudden decision overshadowed the FCC’s proposal to let broadband Internet service providers (ISPs) charge content companies for faster Web delivery to
Internet providers urge FCC not to reclassify broadband as a utility – San Angelo Standard Times via Google Alerts May 15 06:56 Internet providers have sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging the agency not to reclassify broadband as a utility, following …
Net Neutrality Advocates ‘occupy’ the FCC – CIO May 15 06:45 A small group of protestors camp out beside the FCC building and call for the agency to reregulate broadband
Text-to-911 Now Available in Indiana – Government Technology via Google Alerts May 15 04:55 … the FCC wants all other wireless carriers to provide the service by the end of this year as part of a coordinated statewide approach to public safety.
Public safety communications specialist written exam – download ebook free pdf, doc formats – today-pdf.net via Google Alerts May 15 00:57 Understanding Wireless communications in public safety www.fcc.gov/pshs/docs-best/imel-wireless03.pdf. RFP Consulting Services for public safety …
Public Safety Bureau, Weekly Market-Based Actions, 5/14/14 | FCC.gov – fcc.gov via Google Alerts May 14 21:43 Federal Communications Commission. News Media Information 202 …
House GOP Leadership Calls For FCC To Abandon Proposed Net Neutrality Regulation – TechCrunch May 14 15:23 Ahead of tomorrow’s vote on the consideration of new net neutrality rules, House GOP leaders today published a letter to the FCC’s Chairman Tom Wheeler, pushing back against regulating the Internet, especially in the context of reclassifying broadband access as a utility on Title II authority.
Verizon Branding AWS as XLTE – DailyWireless May 14 15:21 Verizon Wireless will soon start marketing its AWS spectrum as an “XLTE” network, according to the blog Droid-Life, beginning on May 19. Verizon has been deploying AWS spectrum (1.7/2.1 GHz) to augment capacity on its LTE network since last fall, according to Fierce Wireless. Currently Verizon’s LTE service uses 700 MHz spectrum. But the longer […]
LIVE: Tom Wheeler’s ‘Net Neutrality’ Proposal at the FCC – WSJ: Technology May 15 10:45 After months of wrangling, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler presents his proposal for new broadband rules today. We’re following along with live analysis here.
Internet service may soon cost more regardless of FCC’s net neutrality plans – Boy Genius Report May 14 16:45 Net neutrality is obviously a very hot issue right now. Legions of web users have taken to Reddit, Twitter, Facebook and elsewhere to voice their concerns about the FCC’s revised proposal, which seems to be designed specifically to allow Internet service providers to charge more to big companies looking for faster connections to end users. FCC chairman Tom Wheeler reportedly plans to further revise the commission’s most recent proposal but regardless of his plans, one industry watcher believes broadband service is about to get even more expensive for Internet users in the United States. Households in the U.S. already pay…
A WSJ Primer on Net Neutrality – WSJ: Technology May 12 19:50 Confused about “net neutrality” and “paid prioritization” in Internet traffic? The WSJ offers a primer on the FCC’s proposed rules to regulate how broadband companies deliver content over the Web.