[FedCom] Interoperability Hamppers Agencies

[Milspec390 at aol.com]

Right -
  
 Reports from friends in county disaster agencies & NG units report FL 
hurricane efforts were rescued by NexTel & cell type transportable trailers brought 
in for occasion. NG stayed w/lo-band, as did Red Cross. As NexTel systems came 
available, things improved. Nothing like HF/V/UHF backbone. Brand new systems 
- 800 - crashed immediately.

  Several years ago, northeast state solicited bids for Hi-Way Dept. radios. 
Existing system was VHF Lo. Friend and his partner bid under one million to 
refurbish one thousand tube type mobile radios. A few required new PA tube, most 
simply needed alignment, surprisingly good shape. System lightly used, 
critical importance were statewide truck-truck comms during blizzards, easily 
accomplished on existing sytem.

   Enter the Big Boys. 800 trunked way to go. Two Channels presently? We'll 
give you ten plus seven towers & multiple repeaters. Gambling junkets for state 
VIP's for 'technical seminars' did the trick, along with old fashioned 'goose 
grease'.

   Friend lost out to Big Boy 800 Team. Hi-Way officials grateful they 
retained a backbone of the old system at friend's recommendation, much to dismay of 
BIgBoy800 Team. You know rest of the story.

                                                                        -Z.-

PVZ
Manatrunking Key, FL
BT