FCC Updates

New FCC Licensing Requirements - Are You Ready?

The FCC has mandated radio users be converted to ‘narrow band’ by January 1st of 2013. What is narrow banding? Simple explanation: If you imagine the radio spectrum as property, the amount of ‘property’ we have in a specific frequency band is limited. It is like thinking of property with specific boundaries. No matter how you look at it, the space between your radio boundaries, is a specific amount. So, the amount of property you have for your channel is being cut in half, to allow more users to have radios. You’re loosing ½ of your frequency property. (Your actual channel frequency is staying the same, it is just reducing the band limits of the channel.) The new radios sold in the last 4-5 years, are 100% capable of being reprogrammed to this reduced spectrum value. When your system is reprogrammed you won’t even know the difference.

When 2013 rolls in, every radio user is expected to have converted their radio systems to the new narrowband requirements. (Before the deadline) This actually poses two issues. 1) Are your radios able to be narrow banded? How many radios do I have to replace? 2) Your FCC licenses have to be modified to show the new narrowband designators, before the deadline.

Radio users need to ‘budget’ expenditures for replacement radios, over the next two years, and the time line is closing in on us. FCC license modifications need to be done NOW, to eliminate the possible log jam of applications to the coordinators and FCC at the 11th hour. You must act now to get things in order for the requirements.

Bartronics can update your licenses, and get you narrow band compliant. Please call us and we will get your needs taken care of early, before the rush at the deadline.

Every radio user must comply with the requirements, and now is the time to start working on getting your part in order. We can update your radios, and license requirements. Please call us! I have attached a summary of radios that will need to be replaced for your use. If you’re in doubt, call us.

Bruce Resteau
BARTRONICS, LLC

Will Your Radio Work in 2013?

NEW NARROWBAND RADIO INFO

Which radios must I replace by January 1, 2013?

The following are existing radios that meet new Narrowband Rule. These radios can be reprogrammed to narrowband and are okay:

Portables: Motorola: P1225, Ht1000, MT2000, JT1000, HT750, HT1250, EX500, EX600, XTS Series, CP200, PR400, PR860, PR1500, MT1500. ICOM: F11, F33GS, F3GS, F50, F50V, F3021, F3161, F30G, F70. Kenwood: TK-272G, TK-290, TK-2140, TK-2160, TK-2170, TK-2200L, TK-2302. Vertex: VX-160, VX-180, VX-351, VX-354, VX-424, VX-427, VX-824. Relm: RPV599A+

Mobiles: Motorola: M1225, Astro, CM200, CM300, PM400, All CDM Series, All XTL series, PM1500. ICOM: F320, F121, F521, F1721, F5061. Kenwood: TK-790K, TK-863G, TK-6110, TK-7150, TK-7160, TK-7180, TK-8180.

Pagers: Motorola: Minitor V.

Radios that must be replaced:

Portables: Motorola: HT600, MT1000, GP300, GP360, P100, P110, Saber, P200, SP50, HT50. ICOM: F3S. Relm: WHS150, MPV32.

Mobiles: Motorola: Maxtrac, Maratrac, GM300, M216, M208, Spectra, SM50, Syntor. Kenwood: TK-280, TK-360, TK-370. Relm: RMV60, SLV40. B/K: EMH mobile.

Pagers: Motorola: Minitor I, Minitor II, Minitor III, Minitor IV.

***If your radio is not listed, please contact us and we can confirm it will or will not work on the new narrow band requirements.***

Key Points About FCC Narrow banding Requirements

• Most current public safety radio systems use 25 kHz-wide channels.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated that all non-Federal public safety licensees using 25 kHz radio systems migrate to narrowband 12.5 kHz channels by January 1, 2013.
• Agencies that do not meet the deadline face the loss of communication capabilities. (Your license will be terminated, if not updated.)
• Agencies need to start planning now to migrate to narrowband systems by assessing their current radio equipment and applying for new or modified licenses. (We can help you with your required narrowband license filing requirements!)
• Budget your radio expenses over the next two years; don't get caught at the last minute!