landmobile.com has a lot to report today. First, the Public Safety Communications Council (PSCC) announced that it has adopted new coordination standards for narrowbanding TDMA, such as MotoTRBO. Previously, if you wanted to convert your existing license (150-170 MHz) to TDMA digital narrowband, you could only do so at a reduced transmit power of 10 watts (ERP). PSCC has agreed to relax this limitation and instead impose a reduction in power of 3 db. Effectively cutting a stations transmit power in half. For new licensees, that power is 3 db down from the maximum allowable power as prescribed by 90.205.
Next item to report today, the LMCC says that any station not in compliance with the January 1st, 2013 narrowbanding deadline will be ignored, and their channels subject to reassignment. A 30 day grace period will be observed before this policy is enacted. Conversations surrounding channel reassignment center around the FCC's exclusive trunking rules found under part 90.187. This rule section effectively gives a licensee exclusive use of a channel, or group of channels within their operating area. All the more reason for radio license holders not to ignore the FCC's narrowbanding mandate. Convert your authorization now, or risk losing your ability to use your assigned frequencies later. Rest assured commercial radio companies want your spectrum and you will lose it if your not in compliance.
If you have questions about this article you can contact:
David Smith
landmobile.com
