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The Narrowband Transition

The Narrowband Transition. A Primer. Narrowband Transition. What is it? A nation-wide move to new VHF/FM frequencies Why are we doing it? Our VHF frequencies are federal government property The federal government is changing to “narrowband” Mandated by federal statute Why “narrowband”?

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The Narrowband Transition

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  1. The Narrowband Transition A Primer

  2. Narrowband Transition • What is it? • A nation-wide move to new VHF/FM frequencies • Why are we doing it? • 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

  3. Narrowband Transition • What has to be done? • Add our new channels to all user radios • Base stations, mobiles, portables, aircraft • Narrowband-compliant radios only • Exchange all old repeaters with new ones • 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

  4. 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!

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Additional Detailsfor Commanders and Communications Officers

  9. 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 • Called the National Repeater Coordination Group (NRCG) • Composed of two voting representatives from each region • NRCG studied and voted on each proposed site • Developed a detailed final recommendation to CAP/CC • NEC approved the CAP repeater plan in 2005 • AF reviewed and also approved the plan

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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 • This issue affects all of CAP’s repeaters…not just those along the Canadian border • CAP cannot ship any repeaters until this is resolved • CAP has asked the AF for a final decision by 28 Feb 07 • After this date the AF will decide whether CAP should: • 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

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