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Narrowband Deadline
January 1st, 2013
Learn what you need to do to make sure your ready for the 2013 deadline. We can help with licensing and equipment.January 1st, 2013
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Narrowbanding 101
The FCC has issued an order mandating that all state, government and private land mobile radio licensees convert their radio system operations from wideband to narrowband by January 1st, 2013. This affects anyone using VHF frequencies between 150 - 174 MHz and UHF frequencies between 421 - 512 MHz.
Narrowband Deadline
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Why The Change
More and more people are using devices that utilize the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. As more people use these devices the less spectrum there is available. In response to this demand, the FCC has mandated that all devices operating in these bands run on narrowband frequencies. In simple terms, narrowbanding takes the normal space a channel takes up and divides it in half. This then allows the FCC to issue more frequencies in the same space.
What You Need To Do
Your FCC License - Your license needs to be valid and upgraded to a narrowband license. If you renew your license, the FCC will automatically upgrade your license to narrowband status. If you need help determining the current status of your license or you need help renewing your license, we can take the guess work out of it and handle this for you.
Your Equipment - Many licensees have already started the transition to narrowband compliance by purchasing dual-mode radios, radios which allow for both narrowband and wideband operation. In fact, most radios purchased after 1997 are probably narrowband compliant. This transition, however, is only the first step in a multistep process.
Many dual-mode radios have been put into use on existing wideband systems and are programmed for wideband rather than narrowband operation. In many instances this was done to retain compatibility with existing wideband infrastructure currently in place. In addition, this method also allowed for the off-setting of the expense associated with replacing wideband only equipment when the 2013 deadline seemed to be a long way off.
Simply having a dual-mode radio does not mean you're ready for the 2013 deadline. When your license is upgraded to narrowband you will need to have your existing radios tuned for narrowband operation. You can contact General Communications to have your radios tuned for narrowband operation.
Replacing Old Equipment - If you have radios that are wideband only you will need to replace those radios with narrowband capable radios. January 1st, 2013 is right around the corner. Plan now to secure funding and create your budget, or continuous radio communications may be put at risk. It is important not to wait until the last minute to begin the narrowbanding process as equipment demand will increase as the date approaches.
Contact General Communication's Service Department to begin the process today.
Your Equipment - Many licensees have already started the transition to narrowband compliance by purchasing dual-mode radios, radios which allow for both narrowband and wideband operation. In fact, most radios purchased after 1997 are probably narrowband compliant. This transition, however, is only the first step in a multistep process.
Many dual-mode radios have been put into use on existing wideband systems and are programmed for wideband rather than narrowband operation. In many instances this was done to retain compatibility with existing wideband infrastructure currently in place. In addition, this method also allowed for the off-setting of the expense associated with replacing wideband only equipment when the 2013 deadline seemed to be a long way off.
Simply having a dual-mode radio does not mean you're ready for the 2013 deadline. When your license is upgraded to narrowband you will need to have your existing radios tuned for narrowband operation. You can contact General Communications to have your radios tuned for narrowband operation.
Replacing Old Equipment - If you have radios that are wideband only you will need to replace those radios with narrowband capable radios. January 1st, 2013 is right around the corner. Plan now to secure funding and create your budget, or continuous radio communications may be put at risk. It is important not to wait until the last minute to begin the narrowbanding process as equipment demand will increase as the date approaches.
Contact General Communication's Service Department to begin the process today.