Kelly Barr, Director of Calhoun e911 updated the Calhoun County Commission at Tuesday’s meeting that the e911 Service of Calhoun would be going digital effective February 1st, 2024. During her conversation with the Commission she mentioned that there were “Key Points” that made this decision necessary for Emergency Services.
When the change comes into effect, Calhoun residents who have an analog scanner will no longer be able to hear the radio traffic from fire, police and EMS or Emergency warnings that are often broadcast through Calhoun Control e911. The ability to hear radio traffic may seem trivial to those outside of Emergency Services, but not to all and certainly not to those who like to stay apprised of what’s happening in their area of the community. For emergency personnel, their ability to hear that a need is close, could mean the difference between life and death if they can get onto a rural scene quicker than emergency services who may be miles away.
According to the P25 Upgrade Key Points below, the reason for the upgrade is as follows:
- This is not WVSIRN, this is a VHF digital system utilizing our same VHF frequencies
- Analog radios will soon be extinct. Some manufacturers have ceased analog only Homeland security now requires all new radios purchase to P 25 compliant.
- All equipment purchased must meet DHSCAP testing standards and be on their approval list No federal funding can be received by counties or agencies for analog or anything other than P 25
- Switching to P 25 will eliminate all static heard by weak analog signals
- Moving to P 25 will gain up to 15% more range for subscriber units in the field
- Digital scanners will still receive the signal, no encryption is used at this time
- P 25 VHF radios do not require trunking options like WVSIRNNR much more economical
- All three sites and 911 have been upgraded and are ready to switch to P 25, when ready
- P 25 gives users a much more intelligible signal at the receiver
- Fire departments or public safety agencies applying for federal aid must be P 25 compliant.
- Allows many more options over analog, such as GPS, fleet tracking, emergency, features, etc..
- Current Motorola APX mobiles are capable of P 25 and can be used
- Every unit will broadcast it’s assigned unit ID to other units
- Analog radios will no longer work on the system. Once we have reached the cut over to the new system.
- Neighboring agencies that have already switched to P 25 or are in the process include Wirt County P 25 simulcast for future use, Gilmer, County VFD repeater installed, Clay County all units, Spencer VFD, clover, the FD, Reedy, VFD, Braxton, County fire and EMS, Wood, County, Parkersburg FD, Cairo VFD
- This upgrade replaces a system that is 12 years old, and equipment that has been discontinued by the manufacturer
- The upgrade will move our capabilities forward by leaps, and Upgrade will make us eligible for federal funding
- Initial test have been very impressive, and allow portable coverage for analog, did notcover
- No system has 100% coverage. We will still have dead areas, but far fewer than before.
- Weather in natural conditions will still affect P 25, but not as bad as analog
- Mobile coverage is always better than portable coverage, due to power output
- 50 watch mobiles will cover sufficiently. No need for expensive 100 W units anymore. 5 watt portables will perform better on P 25
- All State agencies are now, P 25
- All federal agencies are now P 25
