HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.e. 800 MHz Trunk Radio System . i
CITY OF ROSEM�LTNT
EXECIITIVE SUi+II�lARY FOR ACTI�N
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: APRIL 6, 1993
AGENDA ITIIKt AGENDA SECTION:
800 MHz TRUNK RADIO SYSTEM DEPAR'Il�1'T HEADS REPORT
PREPARED BY s AGEN��T
II1LIII, KNUTSEN, C,�IIEF OF POLICE �i '�� �'
ATTACHMENTS: AP D BY
INFORMATIONAL PACK�'T
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In April of 1991, the Metropolitan Council organized a 31 member task force to
study the feasibility oi a shared r�:dio systeri throug�:out the 'It�.n Ci#ies area.
Called the 300 i��Iz Tn��l; F�adio System, the Federal Cor.mnuzi_cation Conunission (FCC)
is e�.pected to alloc�te °0 to l3� ra�io channels (300 T���z) to governments in the
metro area tr.�s s-�r,gn�r.
The projected cost to establish a "back bone" 800 MHz trunk system is $73,000,000.
The need for such a system has been discussed at numerous meetings with city man-
agers, palice chiefs, fire chiefs, sheriffs, etc. in the metro area. Please refer
to the attached i.nformational packet for specifics.
I feel the police and fire departments of Rosemount have �10 need to enter into a
800 MHz tn.uik radio system as our current radio frequencies are adequate and should
be for years to come. A recent poll of all police chiefs in Dakota County share
the same thaughts and all are in opposition to the purposed system. ;
Discussion of the 800 MHz system is continuing thoughout the metro area and when
further developments surface, I'll share them with the eouncil.
RECON�+lENDED ACTION:
NONE
COIINCIL ACTION;
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A Re ion-wide Radio System for
g
Government Agencies
in the Twin Cities Metro Area
Metrapolitan Council ,
March 1993
For almost two years, the Metropolitan Council and its Regional Trunked Radio Task Force have
been examining the feasibility of an 800-megahertz (MHz) trunked radio system to be shared by
loca� regional and state governments operating in the Twin Cities area. The region-wide system
would serve local police,fu�e, and emergency medical services, as well as public works. Here u a
brief look at what the Council and t�tsk force found and what they propose should be done.
The problem ,
• Lack of capacity. Whi(e public safety agencies provide good service today, radio
capacity to serve governments in the metropalitan area for the future is running out.
Many government radio systems are outmoded and at full capacity.
• Incompatibility.` Radio technology is changing quickly, opening the way to proliferation
of incompatible systems that could raise costs and lawer effectiveness region-wide.
• Must act soon. In summer 1993 the Fedsral Communications Commission (FCC) is
expected to allocate between 90 to 130 radio channels (800 MFiz) to governments in the
metro area. Channels would be given out on a fust-come, first-served basis. Larger cities
and agencies could claim most of the channels outright. Then the chance for a region-
wide system will be gone.
• Change may be foreed anyway. The FCC, seeking more efficient use'of the
frequencies, probably will reallocate existing very high frequency (VHF� and ultra high
frequency (UHF) channels in the next 10 years. This means lacal government users would
. have to buy new equipment for the new frequencies. That cost for local governments '
would be similar ta moving to a system shared region-wide. In other words, gay to move
to a larger system now with many more features and shared costs, ar pay later to replace
equipment for a smaller, less versatile system.
'hvo choices
• A shared system. Should the Twin Cities area establish an 800•megahertz region-wide
"trunked" radio system? Such a system could be shared by all govemments operating in
the metro area. {A "trunked" system is a pool of radio channels available ta users when
required, with channels returning to the pool when not in use. Priority goes to emergency
calls.)
• Going it alone. Or,should govemments go their own way in planning, purchasing and
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implementing their own two-way radio systems?
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How the idea started � �
• A local reques� In late 1994, local gavernments asked the
whether a region_wide radio communications network should be
Metropolitan Council
communities could use. 'T�e �uncil responded by creating a 31�m�rhat all
April 1991 made up of local, metro and state elected officials a task force in
professionats to study the feasibility of a shared s tem. nd communications
three questions. Is it technically possi'ble? Iiow much wou e task force sought answers to
feasible? ld it cost? Is it politically
Preliminary findings
• �ndling access. Acce,ss to radio channels needed for
aetvices is a serious and growing problem. �ntial local ove
• NQ �oordination. It's not 8 rnment
possible for local or state agencies to force reallocation of
local government channels usin
• Best option. Technolo g �F and UI�F that are not being fully used cunentt .
bry will be available to build a region-wide system, which wou d be
the most efficient way to use the 80p
• Techno l o g i c a l breakthrou h. �Z channels t o b e p r o v i ded to the metro area.
mobile and g '`�n�'nation-wide standard adopted in Janua r
toda , p°rtable radios to respond to digital signals, not analog (or voice S•ry �u��
y Eventually, this wi11 allo�,��l go�,emmeIIts to purchase radios fro � i�°als u��
manufacturer the ch
• Coordinated a y °O�' I�ding to heatthy corttpetition and lower prices, any :
pproach. T11ere ahould be a coordinated, region-wide approach to lan
and use the channels to be made available.
• Cost sharing. I„acal governmen�s can control costs throu h P
afl� sharing a region-wide "backbone« (a control coraputer, softwa
and telecornrnunication links), g bulk purchasing of radios
re, transtnission towers
• Governance, I,��I govemmeat garticipation is essential to a o
plan, design and possib�y oversee the s tem. ,� verning body that would
controi their own dispatching operation�s. �aj govemm�n� K'Ould continue to
What are tbe needs out there?
• Survey. In 1991, the task force surveyed the region's ov
s�tems. More than 200 units of government respond�� d��ribin
g ernments using two-way radio
and plans, g their problems, need�
• Problems. Two-thirds of the res
congestion, 4b percent had problems wi h 8�m�nh�de roblems with channel
their systems were inadequate. rference, and 48 percent said
• Imprnvements planned. Ei h
s tems, g g tY'four percent planned to replace or upgrade their radio
3's Of these overnments, 36 percent planned upgrades in the next t�,o
• 20,000 radios, q�ut 20,OQp waikie-tatkie and vehicle radios
metro area governments. Within 10 yeats this numi�r�ut are currently in use by
• Upgrades expensive. The task force estimated local governments�'�
milIion to replace old equipment in the next five to ten years. �� �l S��d at least SSl
include increasing system capacity or performance, f�re does not
Task force fiinal report--f��i�gs
• Cost of the b�ckbone. 'I1�e task force finat report issued in
December 1992 said the
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backbane to a region-wide system would cost an estimated S73 million to design and build
Operations could begin by 1996 and could have a life span of 15 to 20 years. If individual
local govemments were to upgrade their systems to the level of the new technology,
combined costs would easily exceed S100 million.
• More radios. A new system could be designed to support up to 25,0O0 portable and
mobile radios metro-wide.
• Use existing iacilities. A region-wide system could incorporate some existing public and
private towers, sites and telecommunications links.
• Urgency. The new 800 MHz channels represent the only chance for all metro area
governments--large and small--to form a region-wide system. The pool of channels to be
available is limited. The city of Minneapolis, for example, is ready to go forward to
request channels, but is waiting until the region-wide planning process is completed.
• The bottom line. Overall costs would be less if all metro area govemments were to
share one common backboae technology, instead of many govemments individually
purchasing and maintaining their own smaller 800 MHz backbone systems. In addition,
independent systems probably would not be able to cammunicate with one another. The
bottom line is that governments either move to a shared system--with greater capabilities
and lower overall costs--or pay more to replace equipment for smaller, less versatile
independent systems.
Benefits of s ttvnked system
• Broad range. All or selected units, such as public safety, could have a range covering
the entire seven-county metro area.
s Tailor to circumstances. There is almost limitless capacity for like users to be instantty
grouped for radio communication on coardinated events or variaus projects. For example,
four police units (two state and two city) could be assigned their own "talk group" for as
long as they need it. Or, private transmissions could occur between pre-approved radios,
like between a police chief and sheriff, which no one else on the system can hear.
• Greater user safety. Every call would be tracked and identified by a radio serial
number. If a law enforcement officer or fire fighter is suddenly unable to talk, the fact
that the radio was keyed means the transmission can be traced. `
• Security and privacy. Increased security and privacy is achieved from the following:
• Di�cult to intercept Communication never occurs on only one channel
(audible to scanners). Because transmission continuously hops from one available
channel to another, scanning is made di�cult.
• "White noise." Signals that go through the air are not "analog" (the kind
scanners can listen to) but are digitaL If scanners momentarily land on a channel,
ail they would hear is "white noise," not voice. `
• Maximum security. For maximum security, even the digital signal can be
encrypted to very high standards.
� F.xpanded access. With a trunked system's pool of available channels, many more
potential users can use the system. For example, a govemmental unit could rent radios
for a limited period to seasonal workers to form a "talk group" to do their business. Or
other government personnel, such as a city manager, could have a car radio with access to
the office in a private "administration" talk group.
+ Metro 9•1-1. The backbone could be designed to carry Metro 9-1-1 calls, or provide
backup if part of 9-1-1 were to suffer a breakdown. It could also carry other voice, data
and video information.
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Report to legislatnn :
• It's feasible. In December 1992, as required by state law, the Metropolitan Council
submitted a report to the legislature on the feasibility of a region-wide 800-megahertz
trunked radio system. On advice from its Regional Trunked Radio Task Force, the report
concludes that a region-wide trunked radio system for local government cammunications in
the Metro Area is technically, economically and politically feasible.
Proposed legislation
• First—what's NQT in the le�gislation. In February 2993 the Council sent a bill to the
state legislature. Before describing it, there are certain things it DOFS NOT contain.
The bill does not establish a region-wide system now, nor specify its cost, its design, nor its
operating entity. The legislation does not authorize the board to build any system. The
board would have to ask for authority from the legislature to implement or fund a system.
� A Metropol�tan Telecommunications Board. The bill calls for an 11-member body,
made up of eight local officiaLs (four elected by cities, four by counties), elected from
districts in the metro area The board alsa would have one member representing regional
users, one representing county sheriffs, and one representing the state department of
transportation. The chair would be elected by the members.
•Advisory gronp. The board must appoint a technieal advisory group made up of
representatives of local government and radio users.
• Board Las three tasks.
• Reserve channels. The board would apply to the FCC to reserve for a possible
regional system the 800 NiHz channets when they become avaitable, probably this
summer.
•Prepare a plan for the coordinated and ef�cient use of the 800 MHz channels.
� Determine t�e followiaga
• Whether a single region-wide system should be built;
• Fstirnate all costs associated with building a region-wide system, including
revenue sources for capitat and operating costs;
• If the recommendation is against a single system, then determine what
altematives should be considered, along with their costs; and,
• Recommend any new statutory powers needed to impiement a single
system or alternatives to i�
• Buying time. The bill also prohibits any metro area govemment from applying to the
FCC for 800 MHz channeLc until June 30, 1994, or until the board decides what type of
system the region should have, whichever comes firs� If no system is recommended, the
board sunsets. The board must report ta the legislature by Feb. 1, 1994.
What do you think?
• Questians or comments? If you have questions or comments about the legislation, call
Council staff member Ken Morris, at 291-6630. If you have other questions about the
proposal, call Council staff inember John McGough, at 291�388.
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ROSEMOUNT POLICE DEPARTMENT
M E M O R A N D II M
TO: Stephen Ji1k, City Administrator
FROM: Elliel Knutsen, Chief of Police �`��'wl � �-�,'
RE: Proposed 800 MHZ Trunked Radio System
DATE: February 4, 1993
Per your xequest for my comments regarding t e proposed 800 MHZ system,
I wish to share the following.
1. As you are aware, Rosemount's dispatching needs are being
transferred to the Eagan Police Dispatching Center. An
opinion from Leonard Koehnen (PE Consulting Engineer shared by
the City of Eagan and the City of Rosemount) states that the
current radio system used by Eagan (Rosemount) is fully
adequate. "Air Time" is not a problem for Rosemount.
2 . The only advantage to the 800 MHZ system over our present
system would be if a police/fire vehicle was on the north side
of the Twin Cities. In that case the xadio 'communication with
the 800 MHZ system would be better. However, this scenario
aould also be resolved by the use of a cellular phone or by
MNCEF (state-wide emergency frequency) .
3 . If the proposed 800 MHZ system was implemented and the City of
Rosemount was mandated to be included, this would cause an
expense of appraximately $360, 000 for a radio system no better
(in m4st cases) than the one we have right now.
In summary, my recommendation is that the City of Rosemount should not
support the proposed 800 MHZ Trunked Radio System.
EFK/jmd
METRp PROJECT COST SUMMARY SHEET -- RADtO
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Radio Prime Rptrsi . Outside Plant Etectronics ; Annuai '!
.: . -
;: Subsystem S�tes: Sites Site Twrs/Bldg ; ; .; : Recurring Totar
.. :: : :<: . . ::: < .:<: > . ':
; . '< : . .. . . : ,:: '< >-COStS . ::; .
Anoka AN 3 1 17 $620,520 $4,710,000 None $5,330,520
Washin ton WA 5 1 13 8$9,550 5,869,780 $48,0�0 6 759 330
Dakota DA 4 1 17 668,600 5,776,200 15,600 6,444,800
Carver/Scott C S 5 1 13 1,120 300 5,776,8�0 None 6,897,100
Henne in Nor�h NN 3 1 22 682 770 5,655,600 None 6,338,370
tienne in Soutfi HS 3 1 24 573,120 5,901,fi00 None 6,474,720
Ramse RA 3 1 14 389,760 3,918,640 Mone 4,308,400
St. Paul SP 3 1 13 343,710 3,827,880 108,000 4,171,590
Minnea olis MP 3 1 16 283,470 4,587,24p 240 000 4,870,710
Total 32 9 �5,571�800 546,023,740 �411,600 �51,595,540
35 Consoles $7,700,000 est
35 Remote System Managers 599,000
34 + MSTR
Master Si#e 7 773,000
Trainin 450,000
Pro ram Mana er 750,000
Consuitant 1,216,�00
Voting Receiver Contingency � 3,528,000
18 $196 000 .
U.S. West T-1 113,700
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Subtotai: ,: ;: ; . .. ' ` ' �73,725,240� >
� ' Not including recurring costs.
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CITY OF
BurtNsvsc�E M�
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DATE: January 27, 1993
T0: Dakota County City Managers/Administrators
FROM: Greg Konat
SUB�ECT: Letter regarding Proposed 800 MHz Trunked Radio System
Enclosed for your information is a letter regarding the above subject.
I wanted to inform you of Burnsville's position on this issue.
GK/mc
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Clty Of
BURNSVILLE
�`�� 100 Civic Center Parkway . Burnsville,Minnesota 55337-3817 (612j 895-4400
January 13, 1993
Connie Morrison
387 State Office Building
St. Paul , MN 55155
Re: Proposed 800 MHz Trunked Radio System
Dear Connie:
The purpose of this letter is to express concern and opposition to the proposed
�254 million doliar impiementation pian of a regionai 8Gt� Miiz trunked radio
system for governmental use in Minnesota. The Metropolitan Council sponsored 800
MNz trunked two-way radio implementation plan is opposed by the City of
Burnsville because it is: .
• Unnecessary
• Extremely expensive, so as not to be cost effective
• 7echnically inferior to existing, radio equipment performance
• Likely to be teci�nologica1ly obsolete before the 800 MHz trunked
radio system features are required by Burnsville and other Dakota
Caunty Governme�►tal entities
During the past few years, Burnsville, 1ike most Dakota County municipalities and
the Dakota County Government, has implemented a state-of-the-art VHF (Very High
Frequency, 155 MHz) coordinated radio communications system for use by the
Po}ice, Fire, Parks and Public Works Departments. These current radio systems
are ful7y integrated so that walkie-talkie to walkie-talkie cortununications
between any and ail City Departments are possible, anywhere in the City.
Further, by using County and State sponsored mutual aid radio channels, complete
intercommunications by radio between all law enforcement, fire and ambulance
service providers exists throughout Dakota County and also with the surrounding
Minnesota and Wisconsin counties plus the Wisconsin and Minnesota State Nighway
Patrols. These existing radio systems equipped with mobile relay (repeater) base
stations and multiple satellite receiver voting systems provide all Qf thp
communications capabilities needed for well into the 21st Century.
The cost for the existing totally satisfactory non-trunked radio system lias been
carefully calculated and compared to a comparable 800 MH2 trunked radio system.
The 800 MHz trunked system is at least six times more exaensive and the VHF radio
systems exist and are "paid for".
Technical performance of an 800 MHz radio system is inferior to a modern VHF
radio system becauses
• The maximum radio frequency (Rf) power of a 800 MHz walkie-talkie is
l imi ted to 3 watts or l ess, whi l e fi watts of RF power i s easi 1y
attainable in a VHF walkie-talkie.
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• Not only is the available RF power levels at 800 MHz anly half as
� much as at VHF but the signal loss of penetrating into buildings, at
800 MHz is three times greater than at VHF.
• All current VHF system technology is fully compatible; thus,
competitive procurement reduees VHF radio costs substantially. At
least three incompatible 800 NiHz radio technologies are now being
implemented in the metro area: (Mot4rola at the Mall of America,
General Electric at Bloomington and EF Johnson at fden Prairie.)
This incompatibility results in 800 MNz equipment that is costing
full "list price" with no competition whatsoever and adjacent
municipalities and entities are unable to intercor�nunicate on
adjacent 800 MMz radio systems.
Because Burnsville ana similar gove�nmeniai enii�ies have a fu'iiy compatible
radio system that will satisfy all their corr�nunications needs well into the 2lst
century, by the time that the features of a terrestrial based 800 MNz trunked
radio network are required, satelTite communications technology will provide much _
less expensive implementation costs and far greater operating efficiency using
1600 MHz trunked digital technology or some as yet undeveloped technology. These
"satellite driven" regional communications systems are being developed and have
been demonstrated as technically feasible as long aga as 1986.
The argument that if a regional 800 MHz radio system is not implemented by
legislative action and funded now, the larger governmental entities arill seize
all of the radio channels, is ridiculous. Currently an 8Q0 HMz radio channel
allocation plan has been completed by the Associated Public Safety Communications
Officers, Inc. (APCO) . The APCO Plan allocates all 800 MHz government radio
- � frequenci es on a regional basi s and the pl an has been €i 1 ed wi th the Federal
- - A�Communications Commission (FCC) so that it is impossible for any agency-to obtain
more tfi an tfieir fair share of radio channels.
Based on all of the factual in€ormation, outlined above, it is the City �of
Burnsville's studied position, that implementation`of a regional 800 NMz trunked
radio system plan is unnecessary, overly expensive and technically inferior to
current VHF technology. The City contends that implementation of 800 MHz radio
systems be implemented and funded onlv by any local governmental entity that
deems them necessary. Cities such as Burnsville that have had the vision to
upgrade and fund their communications systems to a state-of-the-art 1eveT should
not be punished, penalized and taxed for their foresight and responsiveness to
their citizens' needs. We thank you in advance for your consideration of our
comments,
Sincerely,
CITY OF BURNSVILLE
Greg Konat
City Manager
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MEMO
TO: Steve Jilk, City Administrator
FROM: Scott Aker, Fire Chief
DATE: February 10, 1993
RE: MHZ Trunked Radio System
Below are my comments for and a�ainst the proposed 800 MHZ radio system. These
comments are based on my limited exposure to the plan. The following would be rny
comments based on what I know to date.
1. As I understand it the 73 million dollar system that is being proposed at the
present time is only a "backbone system." In order to be able to operate on
the system, a city would need to buy hand-held radios, mobile radios, and base
operating eqaipment. This would all be in addition. t� the 73 million dollar
price tag. I also understand that these mobile radios ar�d hand=held radios have
a price tag in excess of$3,500 per unit. The fire department currently has 37
radios in operation. Converting to an 800 system would be extremely
expensive.
- 2. I also understand that various companies make radios that would operate on
- - this 800 MHZ. In order to be compatible throughout the metropolitan area we
would have to go with one manufacturer. At the present time, Eden Prairie is
using Johnson Radios, and Bloomington is using General Electric and they are
not compatible with each other. We would have to choose from one af the
major manufacturers for a11 the cities to use. This would provide a monopoly
for that particular company and we would no longer see any kind of
competitive bidding on these radios.
3. At the present time we do not seem to be extremely overloaded on the VHF
frequencies. As some of the larger cities like Bloomington and Eden Prairie
switch over to this 800 system, that wiil make the VHF system even more
accessible to cities like Rosemount.
4. Whereas the 800 MHZ system is definitely of high-tech quality, I have heard
reports that reception is not always that greatly enhanced. I have also heard
that reception within buildings also tends to be somewhat less than we would
be experiencing now with our VHF system.
5. One advantage of the 800 system is the ability to talk from the north side of
the cities to someone on the south side of the cities. At the present time, the
Rosemount Fire Department has very little need to do that as compared to
someone like possibly the State Patrol, Also looking into the future I can see
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very little need for those capabilities. If there should be a rare occasion for
something like that to develop, I believe through the use of cellular telephones,
regular telephones or assistant by the ARESlRACES group, those services
could be provided.
6. As far as I have heard to date, there is no paging capabilities with the 800
MHZ system. Therefore departments which operate on a volunteer basis, such
as the City of Rosemount, would still need to retain their VHF system and
operate on both frequencies even though they switched to the 80Q MHZ
system.
7. I have also heard talk that there is a 1600 MHZ system in the works whieh
operates via satellite. If that is true and such a system is being planned at this
time, by the time an 800 system was installed it would appear that it could be
close to obsolete already.
In conclusion, my recommendation at this time based on the smattering of
information that I have had available to me is that the City of Rosemount probably
should not support the proposed 800 1VIHZ trunk i•adio system.
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