Why Digital?
Why the shift to digital?
The answers may surprise you! Before sharing the top user reasons for switching to digital, let us tell you what the reasons are NOT! Government mandates for switching to 12.5 kHz by 2013 and 6.25 kHz by 2018 are NOT the reasons why major user groups such as the Association of American Railroads are switching to digital.
We will share some of our comments leading to the decision by the railroads to make the change to digital. The same considerations would apply to public safety, healthcare, manufacturing, or utility users. Let’s get started…….
In essence the AAR states that for interoperability, the Wireless Communications Committee recommends any railroad purchasing VHF tri-mode radios for use in the 160 MHz band, should specify NXDN compliance for 6.25 kHz Very Narrow Band (VNB) operation.
To break this down into layman’s language, America’s railroads are currently allocated only 97 VHF frequencies for nationwide use. More frequencies are needed but the available frequency spectrum is finite. Visualize a twelve inch ruler. When we needed more measurement capability, we came up with half inch measurements, and then quarter inch increments. The current bandwidth allocated for each of the 97 frequencies is 25 kHz which in our example represents one inch.
The FCC has authorized, actually mandated, operation on 12.5 kHz (think half inch) and/or 6.25 kHz (think quarter inch). All licensees are required to convert to 12.5 kHz by 2013 and to 6.25 kHz by 2018. The result will be three to four times more useable frequencies and improved communications through the use of digital technology (Recommended for 12.5 kHz and required for 6.25 kHz).
The AAR has taken a bold step in recommending a transition directly from 25 kHz to 6.25 kHz. The result will be significantly less cost overall coupled with the advantages or more channels and better communications. Radio equipment capable of operating in compliance with this new standard is known as tri-mode capable. Currently, there are only two manufacturers producing tri-mode capable equipment. Of the two, ICOM is the more experienced with second generation NXDN equipment now available.
Additional information on NXDN is available at www.icomfuture.com or visiting our Blog at http://falconinfo.blogspot.com. By the way – we haven’t forgotten that we promised to tell you the top five reasons why users like the AAR are switching to digital. Here they are!
The top five reasons people switch to digital!
Number 5
Technical benefits – Digital radios consume less current than analog radios. This means portable batteries operate longer between charges. This leads to longer intervals between charges and that means longer battery operating life before replacement. Most digital radios use memory free, high capacity Lithium-Ion batteries that are smaller and lighter than the old Nickel-Cadmium or even Nickel Metal-Hydride batteries. Lower current consumption means less vehicle battery drain and longer operating life when fixed stations are operating on battery backup in an emergency situation.
Number 4
Advanced features – There are some really beneficial options that can easily be incorporated in a digital communications system. The reason is that digital communications systems convert everything to data (including voice). This means it is fairly easy to add 2-way text messaging and GPS either for finding directions, fleet dispatch, or vehicle tracking. The most popular at this time is text messaging.
Number 3
Privacy – The difference in 2-way radio and cellular communications is that cellular communications are designed for one-to-one communications whereas 2-way radio is designed for one-to-many communications. This is great for group coordination, dispatch, and other activities where a large group of people need to communicate with each other. The shortcoming of the one-to-many communications is the lack of privacy. Analog systems can easily be monitored by the public – not so with digital. Of equal importance, digital radios systems allow user groups, or even individuals, to communicate with each other in PRIVATE while still being available to monitor group activity. This is a huge benefit!
Number 2
Elimination of Noise – Static, hiss, and fringe area communications are words that do not apply to digital communications. With an analog system, as the signal levels degrades with distance, noise intensifies until the noise is actually greater in the fringe areas than the actual communication signal. You may be able to hear a transmission, but it is unintelligible because of noise – Not so with digital. If you’ve got a signal – it’s crystal clear since there is no noise. A digital system sounds like it is talking farther than analog. Actually it doesn’t. It just gives you maximum communications capability that sounds great!
Number 1
Elimination of interference – Every since 2-way radios became practical for vehicular and personal use; we have been conditioned to accept the fact that interference from other users that may be sharing the channel must be accepted. We have been told that there is no such thing as a private channel. We have added privacy options such as tone coded squelch and more recently, digital coded squelch but we still have interference UNLESS we use digital radios. We may still share channels with other users. In some cases, this may be beneficial where Police, Fire, and EMS share a frequency for common emergency use. The difference in digital is that we can either segment or combine different users on the same channel with unwanted interference being a thing of the past. Better yet, we get better utilization of available frequency spectrum – truly a win-win benefit.
As a final comment, it should be noted that interoperability to communicate with other users and compliance with mandatory government regulations are important, but the real reasons for going digital are as shown above. On the next page, we will discuss our most popular equipment models.
The ICOM Solution!
ICOM next generation products meeting the NXDN standard are part of the IDAS (ICOM Digital Advanced System) product family. This includes three versions of portable radios, a mobile, and a fixed base and/or repeater station. With the exception of the F3061 series portable, all are multi-mode capable with scan and 2-tone paging.
| The F3061 is ICOM’s first generation product capable of operating in tri-mode (25, 12.5 and 6.25 kHz). It is available as an analog only dual mode model with digital upgrade capability for use on 25 or 12.5 kHz channels. In the analog mode, you can have 2-tone paging and scan. In the optional digital mode. you can mix both analog and digital channels without 2-tone paging or scan. As an analog radio, your price is only $361. You can choose VHF or UHF, both rated at 5 watts. Upgrade to analog/digital capability for only $84 initially or later for a total price of $445. Price includes programming of first 16 channels. Additional channels are $.50 each or you can purchase an optional PC programming kit (See accessories below). A rapid charger and 2 year warranty is standard. Specifications at www.info4u.us/F3061.pdf. |
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| ICOM F3161S, 5 watt VHF second generation NXDN, or IDAS, or dPMR, or 6.25 or whatever you choose to call the U.S. commercial digital standard (See our August 1, 2008 comments at http://falconinfo.blogspot.com for more information) is an advanced version of the F3061 with some important refinements. Specifications at www.info4u.us/F3161.pdf. Unlike other digital radios, you can enjoy the benefits of mixed mode operation with the F3161. With the included digital board, you can have both analog and digital channels including 2-tone analog paging in the same scan bank. Your price is only $595 (Regular price $865). |
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| Both the F3061 and the F3161S with the installed UT-119 digital board can RECEIVE either analog or digital signals and talk back on EITHER digital or analog. Normally, the radios are programmed to transmit in the digital mode. If an analog signal is received, the user switches to the analog channel to talk back. The F5061 512 channel mobile is essentially a high powered version (50 watts) of the F3161S with full functionality (i.e. scan, 2-tone paging, etc.) The price of the F5061 mobile is $695. Additional information at www.info4u.us/F5061.pdf. |
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| The FR5000 repeater, rated at 50 watts can directly replace an existing station by connecting to the existing antenna system, duplexer, and power supply or, these items can be purchased separately. The price of the FR5000 is only $1,595 excluding duplexer and power supply. This repeater will handle current wide band 25 kHz or 12.5 kHz frequencies as well as a 6.25 kHz frequency on the same channel. Specifications are available at www.info4u.us/FR5000.pdf. More information on the IDAS system is available at www.info4u.us/IDAS.pdf. |
Optional Accessories: PC programming kit is $129 for all models
Portables: Extend warranty from 2 to 5 years - $57
Speaker-microphone for portables - $69 or leather swivel carrying case - $39
Mobiles: Extend warranty from 2 to 5 years - $57
Rear mount kit for mobiles - $140
AC power supply, cabinet, and desk microphone for mobiles - $249
Antenna for mobiles: Rooftop $27, Fender or trunk mount $37, Magnet mount $49
High gain 2X power gain antenna for mobiles adds $15 to above prices
Repeater: Duplexer for repeater adds $399
Power supply for repeater adds $299
Want to know more? Give us a call at 800.489.2611 or email sales@falcondirect.com.
