NEWS Champion offers 450MHz trunked communications in two formats
For two-way radio users searching for alternatives to cost-effectively enhance their dispatch capabilities, 450MHz trunked service may be the answer they have been looking for, according to representatives of Champion Communications Services, Houston. Champion is one of the first service providers in the United States to offer 450MHz trunked systems and provides 450MHz trunked service in nine states.
Champion first became involved in the community repeater business in 1994, following its purchase of about 1,500 community repeaters from Motorola in 22 states. The addition of 450MHz trunking was both a natural extension of the company’s list of user services and part of its long-range business plan, company representatives say.
“If regulatory trends continue, there will be little, if any, new spectrum for land mobile radio users,” said David Terman, Champion president. “The FCC also is encouraging users to consider shared systems. Thanks to the spectrum we already control, we can offer users the services they need, while addressing the FCC’s objective of greater spectrum efficiency.”
Champion offers trunking services in two formats–ETrunk developed by ETrunk Systems, Yorktown Heights, NY, and LTR from Kenwood Communications, Long Beach, CA. ETrunk systems are available in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas. Champion operates LTR-based systems in California, Illinois, Texas and is evaluating other markets. The company also is testing a SmarTrunk II UHF trunked radio system in Chicago and Houston using Motorola’s Radius radios.
