Basic Questions & Answers
Q - Are we forced to move to 800 MHz?
A - No. Narrowbanding does not require moving to another frequency band.
Q - Will we have to buy new radios?
A - Depends. Most radios purchased in the last 6-8 years are already narrowband capable. They only need to be re-tuned.
Q – Will we need to change frequencies?
A – No. You merely reduce the bandwidth of the channel(s) you are now using.
Q – Will that reduce our coverage?
A – Little if any. You may have to survey your system and area of operation. Only a thorough analysis of your coverage requirements can tell for sure.
Q – Will we have to convert to digital?
A– No. However, many agencies are using this opportunity to upgrade to digital technology. Most digital radios are dual mode capable and can operate in wide band analog as well as narrowband analog and digital. Digital is also more immune from adjacent channel interference along with features unavailable in analog.
Q – We do not have the money to move to narrowband. Isn’t this an unfunded mandate?
A– Note really. The dates are extended enough to ensure most agencies have fully amortized the value of their current equipment by the time the mandates kick in.
Q - We have a data system. Won't this reduce our throughput?
A - Data systems must meet the 4800 bps/6.25 kHz equivalency. If your current 25 kHz system sustains 19.2 Kbs at 25 kHz, you may continue to use it and expand coverage area.
Q - Do we need to narrowband our paging channels?
A - Yes, except for the designated paging-only channels 152.0075 and 157.450.
