Cover Story

A CORNER TURNED

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

The recent introduction of multiband radios offers hope that the pathway to frequency-agile radios - and ultimately cognitive devices - has been cleared....

Features

A heads-up when surf's up

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Jim Barthold

Washington state's tsunami alert system is getting a lot of attention...

Testing the waters in D.C.

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

ROW-B could provide public safety with a glimpse of its 700 MHz future...

When measurements aren't feasible

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

Computer models are the next best thing for predicting radio wave propagation...

Let the buyer beware

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

Users are finding that emergency text alert systems have their limitations...

First Word

Longing for the past

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, GLENN BISCHOFF gbischoff@mrtmag.com

Idrove to Iowa City, Iowa, last month from my home in the Chicago suburbs to visit my daughter, who is a student at the University of Iowa. The roundtrip...

News

700 MHz still up in the air

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

Entire wireless awaits word from FCC, Congress on D Block airwaves...

Verizon, AT&T both plan 2010 launch for LTE networks

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Lynnette Luna

The country's top two wireless operators came away with the bulk of licenses from the 700 MHz auction that concluded in March. And it appears the big...

NATE to expand culture of safety

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Glenn Bischoff

National Association of Tower Erectors Executive Director Patrick Howey said last month that the organization is working to develop a culture of safety...

Satellite gets back into the game

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

After a down period, several operators are planning to launch new equipment, services...

Positron deploys IP-based E911 system

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

Positron Public Safety Systems announced that the Broward Sheriff's Office in Broward County, Fla., upgraded to next-generation E911 services by installing...

Cistera deploys LMR recording app

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

Alaska agencies capture IP voice and data transmissions for training and documentation...

M/A-COM: New York state system ready for testing

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Donny Jackson

Public safety communications vendor M/A-COM has certified that the New York Statewide Wireless Network is ready for operational testing in the initial...

Motorola shuffles the deck

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Whether it's a winning hand will depend on marketing, leadership decisions still to come...

Sheriff's office deploys mobility platform

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Research In Motion subsidiary Ascendent Systems and Sprint announced the deployment of Sprint's Mobile Extension platform at the Lee County (Fla.) Sheriff's...

FDNY beefs up its mesh network

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM

The New York City Fire Department will deploy six NOMAD tactical access points from Fortified DataCom to support a wireless broadband mesh network. The...

FCC approves rules for wireless text alerts

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Donald Jackson

The FCC last month issued an order to establish a program for commercial wireless carriers to deliver text-message alerts and critical information to...

California dispatch center upgrades

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM

TriTech Software Systems announced the implementation of its VisiCAD Command and VisiNet Mobile solutions at Santa Barbara (Calif.) County's Public Safety...

Etherstack wins SDR development contract

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Etherstack received a contract extension from the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration to supply technology and engineering services to support further...

View From the Top

The meeting that should have been

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Andrew Seybold

By now you should be well-aware of how the 700 MHz D Block turned out: Qualcomm was the sole bidder for the airwaves but did not bid enough to meet the...

First Response

Measure twice, cut once

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Rik Rasmussen

When the subject of rebanding comes up, some speak of it as the Hurricane Katrina of the public safety radio community. In many ways, they are correct....

Products

Mobile data software for cops upgraded

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

Improvements include a CAD interface, over-the-air installation and updates...

products

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Wireless backhaul solution Trango Broadband Wireless introduced the TrangoLINK Apex, part of its point-to-point microwave backhaul product line. The device...

Tri-band mesh infrastructure

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

Firetide of Los Gatos, Calif., announced tri-band capability for its HotPoint access points and HotClient client premises equipment, which it said would...

Sprint debuts Qchat service, devices

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, Lynnette Luna

Sprint Nextel introduced the long-awaited Qchat services over its CDMA 1xEV-DO Rev. A network and unveiled two new clamshell push-to-talk, or P2T, devices...

Analyzer combines four tools in one device

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

Carlsbad, Calif.-based AEA Technologies unveiled the VIA Echo analyzer, a device that offers several test-and-measurement instruments in one handheld...

Final Word

What's wrong with 6.25 kHz migration?

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Stephen Devine

In March 2007, the FCC released an order that extended the deadline for vendors to manufacture equipment capable of operating on 6.25 kHz-wide channels...