800-MHz Trunked Radio System

New Radio Rentals Now Available

If you need 800-MHz radios for a short time only or do not want to enter a long-term lease, radios can be rented by the day or month (see the Radio Rental Work Order).

About the Radio System

Texas A&M operates a trunked radio system that is available to all university departments. A trunked system has many channels that are transparently shared by all the users of the radio system. With this type of system, the user only hears communications that are within their work group. Although others may be using the system, you do not hear any of their traffic, and other talk groups cannot monitor your conversations.

The coverage of the radio system includes most of Brazos County, including the Riverside Campus. Coverage tests have shown that there is excellent coverage in almost all campus buildings.

With this system, you have an option of purchasing your radio or leasing from Telecommunications. In either case, there is a monthly airtime charge of $4.97 per month per radio for using the system.

The system has an optional telephone interconnect that is half duplex (push to talk-release to listen) system. This service is not intended to replace a cellular radio, but is primarily intended for the user who mainly needs to communicate with other radios in their talk group and who occasionally needs to place a telephone call. There is an additional monthly charge for access to the telephone interconnect, but there is no per-minute charge. Only local calls are allowed on this system.

Three basic types of radios are available for use on the trunked radio system:

• Handheld or portable radios: Each portable radio is typically delivered with a rapid charger and one battery. Additional batteries, radio accesories, such as carrying cases, are available for purchase.
   
• Mobile radios: For permanent installation in vehicles, these radios include installation and antenna.
   
• Base station: Radios are permanently installed in buildings. They include a desk microphone, power supply and antenna. In most cases the antenna can be installed in the ceiling of the building, eliminating the need for building penetrations.

When placing a work order for radios use the standard Telecommunications Work Order. Be sure to specify the quantity and type of radios desired. If you opt to purchase your own radios, Telecommunications can assist you with ordering. This is a propriety system, so it is important that you purchase radios that are compatible with the system.

800-MHz Radio System 2008/2009 Projects

About 15 years ago, the Telecommunications Department procured an 800-MHz two-way radio system to replace the many disparate systems that were on campus at the time. Today about 1,500 of these radios are in operation across campus. The largest users include the Physical Plant, University Police, and Transportation Services. The following describes three recent 800-MHz radio system projects:

1. The first project upgraded the central controllers from analog to hybrid analog/digital. This upgrade was completed in early 2008. The main benefit was replacing a radio controller that was no longer supported by the manufacturer. A hybrid analog/digital controller upgrade was chosen rather than going fully digital, so that a complete replacement of all radios was not forced at this time. The life expectancy of this hybrid solution is about seven years, at which time we will be required to be fully digital. During this period, any replacement or new radios will have digital capabilities. While the new digital system will have many new management capabilities, the only change that end users will see is the ability to purchase secure encrypted radios, if the application warrants it.

2. The second project concerns a frequency change required by the FCC, as the FCC is selling some of our current frequencies to Sprint/Nextel. In this project, only a very limited number of radios will need to be replaced, while some (but not all) will have to be reprogrammed. One of the FCC conditions of this frequency reallocation is that Sprint/Nextel has to incur 100% of the cost required to vacate the channels. This two-step process requires a consultant's study and, once the full scope is documented, the actual frequency conversion. Radio users involvement is limited to providing information during the study phase, then making their radios available during the conversion phase. Departments with radios affected by this conversion will be contacted during the process. We foresee no impact on day-do-day system or radio operations. There will be no cost to the departments or end users for reprogramming or replacing radios or accessories affected by rebanding. The study was completed in 2008, and the conversion phase is currently underway. The project is anticipated to be completed by June 2009.

3. The third project involves a grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS has made one billion dollars available for competitive proposals that establish countywide or multi-countywide interoperable radio systems. Brazos County and Washington County teamed together to submit a proposal that would network the radio systems of Texas A&M University with the cities of College Station, Brenham, and Bryan, and Brazos and Washington Counties. This consortium was awarded a $2.8 million grant for this project. Through interlocal agreements, a managing organization was established, called the Brazos Valley Wide Area Communications System (BVWACS). The Brazos Valley Council of Governments serves as the fiscal entity to manage the grant funds.

BVWACS has partnered with the Harris County consortium, which includes 14 counties, to establish a regional interoperable radio system. During events such as hurricane evacuations, operators in Galveston can talk via radio with the users in the Brazos Valley and many other counties. This wide area radio system shares the Harris County consortium's central controller in Tomball, TX, which has saved $2.5 million in redundant costs. 

We will update this web page and send notices as status changes occur. If you would like more information, would like to comment, or have concerns on any of these three projects, contact Mark Herro at 5-5546. We are excited about these changes and look forward to providing continued service on this critical resource at Texas A&M University.