Batboard

Hello, the EM agency I work for is getting ready to purchase a large Mobile Command Post (fancy motorhome) with 4 dispatch positions and an EOC. Our entire county is on on VHF-hi band, with 2 low band frequencies (36-42 split). Surrounding counties have VHF, UHF (450-470 range), lowband (42-50 split), and 800 trunking (Ericsson EDACS and Motorola Type IIi analog). We will also have an interoperability module that will tie all these together.

So, I have several questions...But please keep the following in mind:
We are just talking public safety radios here, not amateur, CB or anything else, we have got that covered. We are going to stay with Motorola products. We will be utilizing MDC1200 (all features), QCII, DTMF, and would like alphanumeric displays. We are considering CDM1550's especially in the VHF range because we could certainly use all 128 channels. Also we will probably go with 1 MCS2000 because the S.O. uses DVP-XL encryption. We are on a budget, so please don't answer what you would want your "Dream Mobile Comm post" to have in it, we are looking for practical, real world answers.

Here are our questions:

-Should we get radios for other splits like:

29-36

-Which UHF split should we get?

403-470 or...
450-512

-How many different radios do we need to cover those 800 trunked systems I listed?

-What model(s) would you recommend based on our frequency needs and specs I outlined above??

Thoughts, comments, answers?

Thanks in advance!
David

For UHF and VHF, the CDM1550s will work great. You can remote mount all of them into a cabinet with fan cooling, power filters and distribution, etc. This is convenient in a command truck, since you place all equipment in one area making service a snap.
You can also use the QuickMount kits to run dual heads to have radios in the front of the truck, as the rear.

For lowband, I'd use a CDM1550 or a Maratrac. The CDM is nice since it has the alphanumeric display. With the CDM, I'd use an external RF amplifier and run the power at the license limit. Since you have dual-split lowband, you can also look into the Kenwood TK630 series and have both bands in one (or dual) control heads. If you require MDC, a Midian or Cimmaron board can be installed. I use the CDM1550 lowband and it works great!

Optionally, have a 25' air-raised tower installed to carry all of your antennas up to the sky when you are running an operation.

As for the 800 system, someone else would have to advise you on that, since I do very little with that band in my area.

If you have an on-board generator, install a RV or EMS type battery charger/supply unit of at least 75A to the batteries and run it from the generator's 120VAC output. This will keep the truck's batteries happy. With a transfer switch and shore-plug, this will also charge the truck when plugged in.

For the 403-470 vs 450-512...

I think you would be better off with the 450-512. If you aleady have ham radio gear, the 403-470 will just be repetitive and not be capable if any agency happens to appear in the 500 band.

Thanks for the posts and tips. If anyone else can help me out with the 800 mhz stuff it sure would be a big help!

David