Cover Story

A long way to go

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

Many believe the nationwide 700 MHz broadband network will lead to a bright new future for public safety communications. But difficult realities stand in the way and a plethora of vital questions persist, including the biggest of all: Will the network ever be built?...

Features

Army's jamming strategy blows up

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Doug Mohney

Spectrum management challenges abound in Iraq, but technology help is on the way...

Keeping it real(-time)

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By John Delay

Passenger information signs are increasingly important in a digital, networked world...

A word to the wise

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Jay M. Jacobsmeyer, P.E.

Be aware that a new structural standard may affect your tower plans...

Juggling act

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Merrill Douglas

Consolidated 911 centers meet tough training challenges...

The age-old question

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By James Careless

Why do public safety radios cost so much? Because they do so much...

Publisher's Letter

Why we go to IWCE

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Mark Hickey mark.hickey@penton.com

We live in the age of ROI. What's the return on your investment, how do you measure it, how do you prove it? This pretty much applies to all of us, everywhere....

First Word

Keep the faith

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Glenn Bischoff gbischoff@mrtmag.com

Certainly, the public safety community is worried whether the proposed nationwide 700 MHz broadband network ever will be built and for good reason, as...

News

The more the merrier

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

Minneapolis is discovering multiple uses for its citywide broadband network...

Sprint Nextel to cut 4000 jobs

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Sprint Nextel announced job cuts and retail-outlet closures in the wake of more subscriber losses. During the fourth quarter of 2007, Sprint Nextel lost...

Knowledge is power

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

Current announces fault-detection, remote thermostat control for electric utilities...

Surprise party

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Lynnette Luna

Somehow, some analog customers are being caught unaware by start of digital transition...

Production started on beta software-defined radios

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM

The Boeing Co. has begun initial production of engineering design models of its software-defined Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) ground mobile radios....

Rebanding 700 MHz style

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

D Block questions create uncertainties for public safety narrowband users...

Scientists embed radiation detector into cell phone

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Mary Rose Roberts

Researchers at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., announced that they are working with the state to develop a system of networked cell phones...

Ultralife, university collaborate on tactical radio batteries

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Ultralife has entered into a technology partnership with Mississippi State University to develop fuel cell-based portable power systems for military missions....

Rebanded NPSPAC licensees top century mark

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM

More than 100 public safety licensees have finished the 800 MHz rebanding process and almost half of the non-border National Public Safety Planning Advisory...

View From the Top

It's time to learn about P25 trunking

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Chris Lougee

So, how does $1 billion to upgrade state and local first responder communications equipment sound to you? If you're with a public safety agency, could...

First Response

What a 40 years it has been

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Jason Barbour

Feb. 16 marked the 40th anniversary of the first 911 call. What an accomplishment that first call was, and what a magnificent job our entire profession...

IWCE Preview

Hear comes the show

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Mary Rose Roberts

Several new portables are among the product launches...

Production started on beta, software-defined radios

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

The Boeing Co. has begun initial production of engineering design models of its software-defined Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) ground mobile radios....

Strix, Dotworkz partner on video surveillance system

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

Strix Systems and Dotworkz Systems jointly announced the Integrated Wireless Video Surveillance System (IWVS) designed for IP video surveillance over...

NFL, Anritsu kick off spectrum analysis program

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

Anritsu Co. has been awarded a contract of more than $500,000 by the National Football League to supply it with 36 MS2721B Spectrum Master handheld spectrum...

MSV announces Mid-Atlantic mutual aid talkgroups

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

Mobile Satellite Ventures will operate two Mid-Atlantic States Mutual Aid Radio Talkgroups (MSMART) established for federal, state and local public safety...

M/A-COM announces P25 deployment

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

Tyco Electronics's M/A-COM business unit has been awarded a $13.9 million contract to implement its Project 25IP radio communications system throughout...

Products

Clarity brings P2T to cell phones

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson Mary Rose Roberts contributed.

Software solution leverages Qualcomm's BREW programming application...

Aruba launches rugged access points

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Lynnette Luna

Hardened, blast-resistant devices a match for industrial sectors...

Exalt rolls out 4.9 GHz backhaul system

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Donny Jackson

Wireless-backhaul solutions provider Exalt Communications announced the general availability of its high-capacity solution operating in the 4.9 GHz band...

products

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Lynnette Luna

Dual-mode mesh node BelAir Networks announced the BelAir100M Mobile Mesh Node for 4.9 and 5.9 GHz wireless frequencies. The node provides broadband connectivity...

Kenwood's NEXEDGE suite makes future migration easy

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Mary Rose Roberts

Kenwood USA unveiled the NEXEDGE product line of multi-mode conventional and trunked mobiles, portables and repeaters. Joe Watts, the company's product...

Final Word

700 MHz auction isn't time for greed

Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Donny Jackson

From an outsider's perspective, the 700 MHz auction looks like a rousing success. Congress needed auction bids to top $12 billion, and the high bids totaled...