[FedCom] TSA radios FedCom Digest, Vol 61, Issue 2

[ed]

Dan, I agree these TSA radio specs are interesting, which is why my original
post suggested to make note of the specs.

I am not aware of any <12oz VHF *digital* HT w/encryption on the commercial
market.  The only analog HT I'm aware of that could could meet these specs is
the analog Yaesu-Vertex VX-820, which weighs 10.9oz w/batt and clip.

To meet TSA's poorly-defined COMSEC requirement, the VX-820 can be equipped with
a FVP-25 inversion scrambler or a FVP-35 rolling-code encryption module, which
would probably keep the radio just under 12oz.  How much COMSEC either provides
is a matter of debate for monitoring hobbyists, ECPA notwithstanding.

Does anyone on the Fedcom list know of any other VHF HT model that can meet
these specs?  If TSA is already using Motorola XTS HT's, the only justification
for replacing them with another $10M of our federal tax dollars is so those poor
TSA agents can carry lighter radios.  I say make 'em carry manpacks!  Maybe as
informed and concerned taxpayers we should write our congressional and senate
representatives--and to the white house--to object to this TSA radio pork.

If this TSA radio pork contract doesn't get shot down, it could be a nice $10M
contract for some Yaesu-Vertex dealer to snag.  

-bernieS



Quoting "Dan A. Yemiola" <ai8o at lexcominc.net>:

> 
> >
> >    1. TSA to buy 20,	000 HT's for agents to "whisper" at each other
> 
> 
> <<<<<MAJOR SNIP>>>>>>
> 
> >>> According to the statement of work, the radios will possess the
> following capabilities:
> 
> <<<SNIP>>>>
> 
> The most important new spec here is:
> >
> > ? Weigh no more than 12 ounces, including the battery;
> <<<<<SNIP>>>>>
> >
> > Hmmm - the TSA already has encryption capabilities on their current
> > XTS 5000 P-25 radios, so this would be nothing new for them.
> 
> Thea major change in the SIZE and Weight of the new radios!
> 
> The <<Major change>> here is the WEIGHT limit (12 oz) for the new radios
> versus the over two and a half pounds for a fully loaded XTS 5000 or XTS
> 3000.
> 
> 12 oz is about the weight of a small HT and even though the RFP calls for
> a belt mounted transceiver and a mike/earphone combo, you could carry a
> radio of this weight clipped to the epaulets on the shirt of a TSA
> uniform.
> 
> You could NOT do that with a XTS series radio.
> 
> Also, since the radios will mostly be used by personnel who are within
> shouting distance of each other, the radios DO NOT need to be more than
> say 100 to 500 mW (milli-Watts) of output power, which will alow the RF
> output sections of the radios to be smaller and lighter.
> 
> Imagine something like a FRS HT that meets MIL-Spec 810-D.
> 
> Several Amateur HT meet and exceed the RFP Weight limit right now off the
> shelf.
> Take a look at the  Kenwood TH-F6A or an Icom IC-91A all that you would
> need to do is up-band the RF section to 160MHz, and replace the D-STAR
> module with a Project 25 Chip.
> Both easy projects to do when you are talking about a 20,000 unit
> production run.
> 
> This project is eminently do-able and for well under US$1000 a unit.
> 
> Dan Yemiola
> AI8O