Transcript Slide 1
The Narrowband Transition A Primer Narrowband Transition What is it? Why are we doing it? A nation-wide move to new VHF/FM frequencies Our VHF frequencies are federal government property The federal government is changing to “narrowband” Mandated by federal statute Why “narrowband”? Narrowbanding cuts the size of each channel in half Thereby doubles the number of channels available Relieves huge pressure to support more radio users Narrowband Transition What has to be done? Add our new channels to all user radios Exchange all old repeaters with new ones Base stations, mobiles, portables, aircraft Narrowband-compliant radios only Already purchased with AF funds We can legally start replacement after 1 April 07 CAP’s plan is to have transition complete by 1 Oct 07 Take our old channels out of all radios Turn off and turn in all wideband equipment Narrowband Transition What’s in it for CAP? More channels From 2 repeaters and 2 simplex channels today To 2 repeaters and 6 simplex channels An expanded repeater system Total of 545 fixed repeaters costing over $7 million 88 more repeaters than before – a 19% increase! Narrowband Transition What’s in it for CAP? (continued) New radios 4,243 mobiles 1,910 portables 927 base stations 10,439 Intra Squad Radios 132 transportable repeaters (air and ground use) P25 digital capability for outside interoperability Encryption capability for future HLS missions Total: Over $20 million in end-user equipment! Purchased over the past eight years Narrowband Transition What can I do? Patience This is a huge undertaking The comm staff at all levels are stretched very thin Tolerance CAP has a plan but we have to plan for the unexpected too Be tolerant of other federal radio users They have to transition too Some Federal users will be moving to our current frequencies Did we mention Patience? We have not yet received all our new frequencies Channel conflicts with Mexico and Canada The Air Force is working to resolve the problems Narrowband Transition Summary This is one of CAP’s largest undertakings ever $28 million shows AF confidence in our future End result: The most capable comm system in CAP history Questions? See your Director of Communications Additional Details for Commanders and Communications Officers Common Questions Who decided how many repeaters we got? Wings submitted proposals via online system Regions reviewed and approved/disapproved CAP/CC (with assistance from Region CCs) appointed joint working group to perform national review NRCG studied and voted on each proposed site Called the National Repeater Coordination Group (NRCG) Composed of two voting representatives from each region Developed a detailed final recommendation to CAP/CC NEC approved the CAP repeater plan in 2005 AF reviewed and also approved the plan Common Questions Can we change our repeater request? We need to stick with the CAP and AF approved plan unless mission critical requirements have changed We are already implementing plan Changes at this point will be very difficult There is no more AF funding for additional repeaters Bottom line: We need to “stay the course” and live within the plan CAP and the AF approved in 2005 Common Questions Can we get funding for installation costs? First, be innovative in meeting wing requirements Use existing hardware, antennas and cable to max extent possible Use members or State agencies to help install new equipment Seek funding from State and other customers you serve before you request support from NHQ Wings have been tasked to submit a detailed plan Plan should list all reasonable expenses that cannot be fulfilled from other sources There is a limited amount of AF funding for: Antennas and cable Installation hardware Once these needs are satisfied there MAY be some remaining funding for limited labor costs for antenna installs but the wing should not count on it Common Questions What if the frequencies continue to be delayed? Mexico’s concerns appear to be solved However, some of the Federal frequencies allotted to CAP are still being contested by Canada CAP has asked the AF for a final decision by 28 Feb 07 After this date the AF will decide whether CAP should: This issue affects all of CAP’s repeaters…not just those along the Canadian border CAP cannot ship any repeaters until this is resolved A) Press on with our transition and deal with the international complaints/problems after the fact, or B) Go forward to NTIA and formally request an unprecedented extension to the 1 Jan 2008 legal mandate No one wants to have to take either of these actions Bottom line: Keep planning for transition to go as scheduled Updates will be provided as soon as they are available