If your department operates a VHF or UHF business, public safety or local government radio communications system then January 1, 2013 is a very important date to remember. On that day, the Federal Communications Commission has ordered where all licensed radio communications system governed by Part 90- Rules and Regulations must be operable on narrow bandwidth 12.5KHz channels. More to the point, wideband 25KHz voice radio systems, as have been established since the early 1960's, would be operating illegally past this key date.

Doesn't make sense yet? Let's try it another way. If this was real estate instead of radio spectrum, then by January 1st, 2013 your home's lot width would be cut in half and the house must be shrunk to fit…or else!

This FCC Refarming Order has been in effect since February 25th, 2003 and is not likely to be relaxed. In the case of Public Safety and Local Government agencies that rely on capital budget approvals, aggressive planning, budgeting and implementation actions should be undertaken soon to avoid illegal radio system operations. The penalties are real and the risk of radio system shutdown for non-compliance is high. And, simply turning a Part 90 transmitter's deviation to half-level (2.5KHz) is often not the answer as significant coverage reductions would result. Some early modification kits now on the market to support VHF-UHF Refarming may in themselves invalidate FCC type acceptance of older equipment and could run the risk of unapproved use and jeopardize one's licensed status.

Looking for help? You've come to the right place. Our consultants are thoroughly familiar and knowledgeable of the FCC's Refarming Order and required outcome. Many of our personnel designed and constructed some of these early conventional radio systems, so our range of experience runs deep and broad in scope. We understand the proper way to evaluate these non-trunked conventional systems reduce coverage-robbing tower site noise levels and maintain analog coverage reliability so there is no surprise to you at the end.

This Refarming Order is an unfunded mandate, yet much good will result. In the end, there will be increased channel availability, reduced interference and better system performance for all utilizing the VHF-UHF 150 to 512MHz radio spectrum. View the adopted band plans.

Please visit our Presentations page for more specific information on Refarming. Visit our site periodically - Technical White Papers are coming. But, get started on your refarming NOW. There is plenty to do and little time to waste. Call today and schedule a free initial consultation to begin to see what refarming/narrowbanding approach meets your needs.