Applying for frequency pair for repeater for VFD.

[KG4LHQ]

Hello,

Our fire department would like to apply for a frequency pair and hopefully be in the process to get our own repeater on the air.

How difficult is it, is there a way for us to do it to save cost and if not, how much would it cost to be issued 2 frequencies for our own repeater?

Thank you.

[Tom in D.C.]

You can do it all yourself, but you're probably going to have to spend a lot of time and make some mistakes in the process. So maybe it comes down to how much your time is worth. Conversely, your local radio shop can probably do the job for you at a reasonable cost if you're giving them your equipment business. Getting professional help sort of guarantees that the system will work satisfactorily when it's completed.

[KG4LHQ]

The shop I got a price for quoted me 500.00 for licensing but hes took care of me in the past he said they make 40 on the paperwork and the fee from FCC for coordinatin is 460?

Hes took care of me before just didnt know how much of a pain it was for me to do be able to do it...

[Tom in D.C.]

I think that's a pretty good deal. The coordination process is a necessary evil and it's expensive no matter where you go; the $40 for the dealer doing paperwork is dirt cheap. Since you're a public service agency there is no fee for your license from the FCC. Again, given the time it would take you to personally accomplish the process I think the shop's offer is a fair one.

[SteveC0625]

The coordination is not optional for what you are looking to do, and that cost is there whether you do the application yourself or hire your local radio dealer to do it. If you have never applied for a public safety license from the FCC before, you're going to be a lot better off having the shop do it.

[KG4LHQ]

OK so either way Im looking at 450-500 right?

Tom says there is no fee from FCC and Steve says there is so Im confused lol

[Bill_G]

The FCC does nothing to find you an appropriate freq. You must hire someone to do some basic research and make an application in your name for a freq. The FCC will verify their work, maybe put some ERP limitations on it based on HAAT, and issue the license.

[escomm]

To be clear: Governmental entities are exempt from FCC filing fees.

[SteveC0625]

OK so either way Im looking at 450-500 right?

Tom says there is no fee from FCC and Steve says there is so Im confused lol

I never said that. If you are a governmental entity, there is no FCC fee.

However, coordination has to be done by an authorized specialist prior to submitting your application to the FCC. Everybody pays coordination fees. You are looking for a repeater pair and a repeater authorization which requires extra work. If your radio shop is quoting you $500 for the whole thing, it's a bargain. Take it. I've heard prices up to several thousand dollars for what you are seeking.

Since it is clear to me that you're pretty much completely unfamiliar with the process, I can only recommend that you have your local radio shop take care of getting the coordination and the application.

Look, not trying to put you down here, but I've been doing this since the early 1970's and I still don't do original applications for new licenses for anyone including myself. I limit myself to modifications and renewals only. One of the public safety coordinators for New York State is a close personal friend who has been a trusted source of help, information, and guidance for nearly 40 years now. If I need an original license application for one of my clients, I send them to him because he does it right the first time.

[KG4LHQ]

I appreciate your thoughts Steve, I am for the most part familiar with repeaters and setting them up, etc but the whole licensing thing is new to me.

Thats all I wanted was for it to be done right first time is all. I do not mind paying

[KitN1MCC]

find your local Public Safety Person and talk to them. maybe there is also an Regional plan as well

[KG4LHQ]

Our local public safety person is our emergency manager.

Haven't even much started in this whole narrowband issue. I find it half way entertaining.

[Bill_G]

!

[FMROB]

KG4LHQ,

Give the folks over at RadioSoft AAA frequency coordination a call. They are reasonable to deal with and get the job done. As a true, recognized public safety agency, or branch of local government (including vol ambulance corps) you are in fact exempt from FCC fees, however you would obviously still have to pay the coordiantor. Some coordinators charge for available frequency searches, while others will provide this service for free as part of the total coordination package. You should try to make a list of your requirements, locations, antenna heights, power etc. I would even try to proivde the proper geo coordinates for them. You are going to want to make certain that you request emission designations of 11K2F3E for analog voice 12.5 narrow band operation. If you are going to run P25 digital 11K2F1E will suffice. Pay close attention to the station class that you will require. FB2 in most situations will be OK for a repeater pair of frequencies for public safety operation. Don't be afraid to ask to know the frequencies before they submit the application. Monitor them and perform a search on the FCC website to see who else may be licensed on the channel. You obviously want to get a channel that is relatively clear for at least 40 miles away from your transmitter (obviously as far away as possibly).

Do you or your agency have a existing FRN number, if not than navigate to the FCC ULS website and create an FRN number. You will need your agencies federal Tax ID # to creat the account. The coordinator will need the FRN# to process the application. If you want them to obtain an FRN they will most likely charge you, so save the money.

As a note, applications do not have to be coordinated to be submitted to the FCC, however it certainly helps and makes perfect sense.

Good Luck and enjoy

[escomm]

KG4LHQ,

Give the folks over at RadioSoft AAA frequency coordination a call. They are reasonable to deal with and get the job done. As a true, recognized public safety agency, or branch of local government (including vol ambulance corps) you are in fact exempt from FCC fees, however you would obviously still have to pay the coordiantor. Some coordinators charge for available frequency searches, while others will provide this service for free as part of the total coordination package. You should try to make a list of your requirements, locations, antenna heights, power etc. I would even try to proivde the proper geo coordinates for them. You are going to want to make certain that you request emission designations of 11K2F3E for analog voice 12.5 narrow band operation. If you are going to run P25 digital 11K2F1E will suffice. Pay close attention to the station class that you will require. FB2 in most situations will be OK for a repeater pair of frequencies for public safety operation. Don't be afraid to ask to know the frequencies before they submit the application. Monitor them and perform a search on the FCC website to see who else may be licensed on the channel. You obviously want to get a channel that is relatively clear for at least 40 miles away from your transmitter (obviously as far away as possibly).

Do you or your agency have a existing FRN number, if not than navigate to the FCC ULS website and create an FRN number. You will need your agencies federal Tax ID # to creat the account. The coordinator will need the FRN# to process the application. If you want them to obtain an FRN they will most likely charge you, so save the money.

As a note, applications do not have to be coordinated to be submitted to the FCC, however it certainly helps and makes perfect sense.

Good Luck and enjoy

RadioSoft is not a public safety coordinator. Not sure why you're recommending them? And who told you an application doesn't have to be coordinated?

[FMROB]

Correct, RadioSoft is not - however they completely handle public safety applications, and may simply forward to another coordinator for final coordination. A choice of a coordinator should be based on their technical expertise and understanding of your project. This is the most important factor in a successful project, espicially when searching for available frequencies.

As far as coordination, there are certain circumstances (To complex to go into) that apps don't have to be coordinated. If you have technical disagreemtns with your chosen or opposing coordiantor, and the application appears to meet the set forth regulations of the fcc, you can request the coordinator file the application as uncoordinated. I don't reccomend this at all, however there are times that this must be done, grrr. To say that all applications must be coordinated is just no completely accurate, but is the norm. Sorry that my earlier post was short and left off a few chioce words, lol.

[KitN1MCC]

what i meant was the local public safety corridinator they should be able to help and most of the time they are non profit. do not go thru commercial corridnator they will charge more

[escomm]

There are only 4 public safety coordinators. APCO, AASHTO, IMSA and FCCA. And I stand corrected-- Seems AASHTO is affiliated with RadioSoft in the same way AAA is associated with RadioSoft.

[FMROB]

Yes, That is what I meant. I dont think that they are in the same building, but they work contract together. I use them heavily and am very satisfied.