scanSydney

I'm hearing that the Ambo MDTs have switched from Mobitex to 4G in the Illawarra. Is this a permanent thing or a temporary measure I wonder?

Mike

There is currently a statewide rollout of new MDT's happening as we speak.

Because of the new features I'd say its permanent.

Cheers

yes it is permanent, other parts of the state are in the process of changing

I wonder no more. Thank you gentlemen.

Mike

So this would free up the 421Mhz band in due course where the Mdt's have been parked all these years?
I got the impression in the past from listening on the north coast, that the regional Non-GRN areas have been using Telstra 3G for some years.

From the September issue of Frequency

UPDATE FOR NSW AMBULANCE
MOBILE DATA NETWORK

The Mobile Data Radio Network (MDRN) is a narrow band data solution that plays a critical role in the NSW Ambulance dispatch process. The ten-year-old system has worked well for the service, but it’s time for a replacement. The Telco Authority has been working with ANSW to upgrade the system, which will use the Government Radio Network to transmit data from dispatch. With the procurement endorsed by the Ambulance NSW Chief Executive, the Authority is working diligently to ensure plans are in place for a smooth transition from the old to the new vendor.

that the regional Non-GRN areas have been using Telstra 3G for some years

Yes they have been Grant since they left that system where data was TX'ed over the voice channels on a different subtones in the mid 2000's.

In the just superseded system some could work on Mobitex/3G some were 3G/satellite. you could spot the satellite equipped ones with the 'Madonna's tribute' antenna on the RHS roof behind the lightbar.

Cheers

Mike Alpha wrote: ......The Telco Authority has been working with ANSW to upgrade the system, which will use the Government Radio Network to transmit data from dispatch.

I didn't think the current GRN can carry enough data for MDT use?.

Mike

A single P25 channel has more bandwidth than MOBITEX..

If I were doing this (the GRN option that is) I'd want to make sure that all the equipment in each car, including the regular radio, was Phase II preferred, otherwise (I assume) each vehicle would require two talkgroups on the base it's affiliated to, one for voice dispatch and another for data.

That may be okay in metro but I've seen smaller country sites swamped as it is when there's a localised incident, adding extra demand certainly won't help unless both the base and the car were operating in Phase II.

Andrew