Ok now another problem has arrived since my ground-grid posting yesterday. My same "friend" now says I can't use my base radio and rover radio past Jan 2013 unless i get the stuff upgraded to "narrow band" spectrum. MY radios are all PDL's so can they (PDL) upgrade my stuff or is this more foder for the vendors. I am a small company and can't afford to buy all this new stuff that the vendors keep totin around. Beside who knows how long my state's RTN is gonna be workin. I'll keep my base and rover but need to find a cost effectgive solution. Thanks again guys and have a good weekend!
Supposedly you can send the PDL base back to Pacific Crest for a narrow band retrofit. I'd hold off as long as possible though. Things change, deadlines get pushed back, etc.
http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/public-safety-spectrum/narrowbanding.html
I'm a bit surprised I can't simply set the PDL base to use 12.5 Khz channels instead of 25 Khz channels with PDLconf. I even have the dealer version. I will take a look at this when I have some free time and post to this message board if I discover something worthwhile.
I'm wondering about a Trimble TrimTalk IIe base radio. Channel spacing is 25 but I don't know whether it broadcasts 12.5 narrowband or not. Or whether it can be set to 12.5 from 25.
It's a good radio and high watts, I'd hate to not be able to use it any longer.
Does anyone know whether this model radio will be good after the new regs go into effect?
I can't really go to a RTN as some of the mountainous places I work don't have cell phone coverage. A dealer is going to want to sell me something new if I ask them.
I contacted PacCrest tech support and the PDL radios are not upgradable. You must buy the new ADL Pro radios to comply with the FCC narrowbanding requirements. You have until January 1, 2013 to comply. I have a feeling there will still be a lot of PDLs transmitting at 25kHz after that date.
http://www.pacificcrest.com/products.php?page=adlvantagepro