POP 25 - Over the air programming

[pfd radio]

If anyone has experience with POP25 my fire department is looking into APX portables. I would like to know what we would need to make codeplug changes over the air. Conventional radios no trunking. If you could also let me know what options should be ordered on the radio (other than "POP25"). Thanks

[Bill_G]

According to what I've read, trunking is required. You need to be running a full Astro P25 digital trunking system. It cannot be implemented in conventional mode.

[pfd radio]

I read that the APX line could be done in conventional with an IV&D network. They also refer to it as OTAP

If anyone uses or knows about - APX Radio Management: Radio programming made simple -(its a brochure)

[Bill_G]

I would consult your sales rep to see what is and is not required. IV&D implies a trunking system, and the specs I read said P25 Astro system 6.5 or higher required.

[tvsjr]

IV&D does not imply trunking.

http://www.motorolasolutions.com/web/Bu ... ochure.pdf

Conventional POP25 was added in APX R08, as called out in the release notes:

- APX Conventional POP25

Enables the radio to receive Programming Over Project25 (POP25)
communication while operating on the current ASTRO Conventional System.
POP25 is also refer to as OTAP (Over the Air Programming).

[Bill_G]

IV&D does not imply trunking.

http://www.motorolasolutions.com/web/Bu ... ochure.pdf

Conventional POP25 was added in APX R08, as called out in the release notes:

- APX Conventional POP25

Enables the radio to receive Programming Over Project25 (POP25)
communication while operating on the current ASTRO Conventional System.
POP25 is also refer to as OTAP (Over the Air Programming).

Ah. Got it. Thanks. I see my mistake I confused conventional with analog. Yes. You can have a non-trunked P25 digital system.

This is a super handy capability to have. Having to chase every radio in a tri-county system took months to accomplish. Then, after turning up a Tait P25 trunking system with OTA reprogramming, it happened over night. A few radios turned to stone, but they were easy to recover. The rest had the new firmware, or the new codeplug, and ran without problems. It was so easy in fact, it was hard to keep the system managers from pushing out changes for minor tweaks. It was maddening.

[pfd radio]

I'm trying to find out what infrastructure I need to accomplish this. Can it be portable to go from station to station? Or will I have to set it up at one location and bring all the radios within range to make changes.

Bill - I'm guessing the radios were Tait? I don't know enough yet regarding P25 if there is an over the air programming standard.

I'm looking for anyone that has setup POP25/OTAP or is using it.

[pfd radio]

I would consult your sales rep to see what is and is not required. IV&D implies a trunking system, and the specs I read said P25 Astro system 6.5 or higher required.

Does anyone know anybody using APX Radio Management? I tried my sales rep and she said "That is like something for the FBI." I almost fell over. There may not be a lot of call for this, but it sure beats gathering up 100 radios and doing them one by one.

[Bill_G]

I don't. I'll ask the city and county guys if they are planning on incorporating it a they upgrade. It seems like a smart investment when you consider all the effort it takes to reprogram hundreds or thousands of subscribers.

[pfd radio]

Thank Bill

My area is forever changing frequencies, Pl's that it would actually make sense. FYI - Over the last year I have had to change our codeplugs at least four times. (100 radios in 3 stations) it takes more time to retrieve the radio and hook it up.

I thought once we narrowbanded we were done. Boy was I wrong.

Sorry for the ranting.

[escomm]

From what I understand it's not all it's cracked up to be? 20-30 minutes per radio to program over the air? 100 radios is a week and a quarter FTE?

[pfd radio]

This is a super handy capability to have. Having to chase every radio in a tri-county system took months to accomplish. Then, after turning up a Tait P25 trunking system with OTA reprogramming, it happened over night. A few radios turned to stone, but they were easy to recover. The rest had the new firmware, or the new codeplug, and ran without problems. It was so easy in fact, it was hard to keep the system managers from pushing out changes for minor tweaks. It was maddening.

Bill do you know where this Tait system is in use?

[Bill_G]

This is a super handy capability to have. Having to chase every radio in a tri-county system took months to accomplish. Then, after turning up a Tait P25 trunking system with OTA reprogramming, it happened over night. A few radios turned to stone, but they were easy to recover. The rest had the new firmware, or the new codeplug, and ran without problems. It was so easy in fact, it was hard to keep the system managers from pushing out changes for minor tweaks. It was maddening.

Bill do you know where this Tait system is in use?

Trimet

[pfd radio]

Thanks for the info - Bill