When does the FCC require us to migrate to 700 MHz P25?
There seem to be quite a bit of misinformation floating around on this subject. The FCC is NOT requiring a migration to Project 25 digital or to 700 MHz. While it is true that P25 Phase 1, in any frequency band, meets the FCC’s narrowbanding requirements, this can be accomplished by using 12.5 KHz bandwidth analog mode on the same 25 KHz channel(s) you are presently using. It is also true, that in most cases if you are using grant money to fund radio purchases, you are required to purchase P25 “capable” radios. But…you are not required to operate in P25 mode. See our Narrowbanding page. We use Motorola Smart-Net trunking. My present radio supplier has said, “Ours are the only units that will work on your system.” Wrong, EF Johnson produces Smart-Net trunking protocol radios under license from Motorola that will work on your system. Many of your XTS-2500 and XTS-5000 accessories such as batteries and speaker / microphones will work on both units.
