States can license spectrum in 700MHz band

The FCC has released a public notice alerting states of the ability to apply for a state license for public safety services in the newly allocated 700MHz band. The notice, DA-01-406, was released on Feb. 15 and provides the detailed information necessary for states to apply for all or part of the 192 channel pairs (2.4MHz) of spectrum reserved for state geographic licensing.

The deadline for notifying the FCC of a state’s decision is Dec. 31, 2001.

The governor of each state is the person authorized to apply for the state license using the FCC Form 601, according to the notice. Attachment B to the public notice contains details about how to apply for a state license.

States should manually file applications through mid-2001. At that point, the Universal Licensing System, an interactive licensing database developed by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, is expected to be available to process applications for state licenses filed on-line.

The Public Safety Wireless Network issued a fax alert on Feb. 22, and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials — International issued a release urging states to apply for the licenses.

“I highly recommend that all states apply for this spectrum regardless of their current state of preparation to utilize the grant,” said Ron Haraseth, director of APCO automated frequency coordination.

“The deadline is Dec. 31, but according to the previously issued third Memorandum Opinion and Order and Third Report and Order in docket 96-86 (FCC document 00-348), the FCC has left the fine details of justification to a later date,” he said.

According to Haraseth, the later date is tied to estimates of when the incumbent TV channels will be vacated starting Jan. 1, 2007. At that time, the states will be required to certify they are preparing or are providing substantial service to one-third of their populations or territory by Jan. 1, 2012 and two-thirds by Jan. 1, 2017.

The FCC warned in the notice that any part of the 2.4MHz a state does not apply for by Dec. 31, 2001, will revert to General Use.

FL system expands by 19 channels

The FCC has granted the state of Florida a waiver to obtain licenses for 19 off-set channels. These frequencies are centered between regularly assigned channels within a block of 20 contiguous 800MHz general category channels currently licensed statewide by the state.

The state of Florida filed a request for this waiver in August after meeting with the design team of Com-Net Ericsson Critical Radio Systems, Lynchburg, VA. Florida’s request stated that because the state is covered by the composite footprint of its licensed stations, other users could not gain access to these 19 off-set frequencies. With the waiver, the state would be able to increase its capacity and coverage with these frequencies.

The FCC determined that the waiver is warranted and furthers the public interest. In its ruling, the FCC stated the communications needs of public safety officers and their requirements for interoperability are the primary goals of the commission.

Datamarine to supply 220MHz mobiles to Securicor Wireless

For several years, Securicor Wireless, New York, has needed a suitable manufacturer for its 200MHz, linear modulation mobile transceiver. Its sister company, Securicor Radiocomms, initially provided units, but it was not a suitable long-term supplier because it was not equipped to make large quantities. Securicor next turned to the E. F. Johnson subsidiary of Transcrypt International, but after making some mobiles for Securicor, Johnson exited the “original equipment manufacturer” business last year.

Datamarine International, Mountlake Terrace, WA, is Securicor’s next hope for a source of mobiles at a competitive cost. The two companies inked a joint product development, manufacturing and distribution agreement in January.

Datamarine already offers 220MHz mobiles and repeaters under its SEA brand. Why the cooperative agreement with a competitor?

“It’s an important step forward for the 220MHz radio service to have two major suppliers working together to make the service develop,” said Datamarine’s president, David Thompson. “Also, Securicor is not interested in product development and manufacturing. Because we do like product development and manufacturing, we fill a role for them at this time.

“I think the important thing is that Securicor will now be selling MPT 1327 and LTR systems. …[T]hose two operating systems fulfill different market needs, and they represent different cost levels for dispatch systems. Securicor has [licenses for] a lot of spectrum, so they’ll have customers who want a lower-cost, less-complicated system to do certain things and that will enhance their ability to meet customer demands,” he said.

Securicor’s products use trunking based on the UK-developed MPT 1327 protocol and dubbed “advanced digital network trunking.” Datamarine’s products use the Johnson-developed “logic trunked radio” or LTR protocol.

Thompson said Datamarine brings engineering expertise and its own OEM, Maxon, to the partnership.

“Our offshore manufacturer had a difficult time last year, but we know all those problems have been resolved. We are confident that there’s going to be a continuing flow of radios in whatever quantity Securicor and SEA required,” he said.

Thompson said it was too early to predict how many units Securicor is likely to order.

Times Microwave hosts training seminar

In January, Times Microwave Systems, Wallingford, CT, hosted a regional training seminar in conjunction with Johnson Associates Rep Group of New England, PolyPhaser, Telewave and Microwave Tower Services.

About 80 two-way dealers, installers and end users attended. Product and training presentations were made by the companies. The seminar also included a tour of the Times Microwave Systems product operation.

PSPP meets to fine-tune agreement

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute and the Telecommunications Industry Association met in Mesa, AZ, on Jan. 30 to sign their final partnership agreement and to welcome the South Korean standards organization, the Telecommunications Technology Association, into the partnership as an observer.

This Public Safety Partnership Project has been established to meet the advanced mobile broadband needs of public safety users and to develop new standards within a global context.

“The PSPP represents a unique opportunity for industry to absorb and understand the specific harmonized requirements of public safety organizations across the world’s regions,” said Dan Bart, senior vice president, standards and special projects at TIA. “PSPP will produce the technical specifications, and the participating standards organizations will produce the official standards. We strongly encourage industry and public safety organizations to join this partnership.”

Organizations can register on-line at www.ps2p.org.

The mobile broadband specifications will be intended to meet a variety of public safety applications, including the expanded use of wireless and remote robotics.

Possible uses include the containment of chemical spills, the disarmament of bombs, fire management and control, the identification of hazardous conditions within a fire, locating fire hot spots, pinpointing the locations of victims and firefighters and many other audio, data, visual and robotic operational functions that are needed in law enforcement and the fire and emergency medical services sector.

This new PSPP technology has been named MESA (mobility for emergency and safety applications), after the city where the final agreement was signed.

MRT adds to editorial staff; Roger Lesser named editor

Intertec Publishing, owner of Mobile Radio Technology and RF Design magazines, has named Roger Lesser, RFD’s editor, to fill the additional post as editor of MRT. RFD’s senior art director, Maurice Lydick, adds to his responsibility for RFD and takes the same position with MRT.

The group publisher for both magazines, Mercy Contreras, said that she made the appointments to further integrate the editorial staffs of the two magazines. MRT and RFD already share the efforts of their editorial director, Don Bishop, and senior associate editor, Nikki Chandler.

“We’ve seen the value of a team effort between the two magazines, and we want to draw even more upon the valuable ideas and expertise from one magazine to the other,” Contreras said.

Lesser said, “I’m excited about the opportunity to work more closely with the MRT staff and to become more involved in covering the two-way radio industry.”

Since retiring from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, Lesser has spent eight years in publishing. He was editor of Defense & Security Electronics for four years. He joined the editorial staff of RFD in 1997.

Lydick has worked in publishing for 20 years, including art direction for RFD from 1983 to 1993 under a previous owner. He also provided art direction for Communications, a magazine that covered two-way radio communications. He joined Intertec Publishing in 1997 and became RFD’s senior art director last year.

Meanwhile, Matthew Halverson, who had been Mobile Radio Technology’s associate editor since last year, has moved over to Intertec’s Electrical Construction & Maintenance magazine. Kari Taylor has been named MRT’s new associate editor, moving over from a position with Intertec’s advertising production department. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism — Columbia, Taylor worked in advertising and public relations before joining Intertec.

Motorola expects to fall short of projected earnings

Motorola, Schaumburg, IL, announced on Feb. 23 that as a result of significant weakness in first-quarter order input across its business segments, the company does not expect to achieve the first-quarter 2001 sales guidance of $8.8 billion or the earnings guidance of $0.12 per share given on Jan. 11, 2001.

Motorola issued a release stating that the sharp economic slowdown occurring in the United States and inventory corrections taking place broadly in technology markets worldwide have caused the adverse change in its order pattern. Should the pattern continue, the company expects to incur an operating loss in the quarter.

The company has been hit hardest by slumps in its cellphone and computer chip business, and has announced about 6,500 layoffs since January.

Scanning …

Andrew, Orland Park, IL, has acquired the remaining 30% equity in its Andrew Industria e Comercio Ltda and Andrew Comercio e Servicos Ltda subsidiaries, Sorocaba, Brazil. The transaction was for a cash amount that has not been disclosed. Andrew originally acquired 51% of both companies on Dec. 5, 1995, and raised its interest to 70% on Oct. 30, 1997.

Vytek Wireless, White Plains, NY, has acquired Sonik Technologies, Vista, CA.

Allen Telecom, Beachwood, OH, reported sales of $106.9 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2000, an increase of more than 17% over $91.5 million for the comparable quarter last year.

Seneca Financial Group, Greenwich, CT, has been retained by the Chapter 7 trustee of TSR Wireless to be its financial advisor. Seneca will work with the court-appointed Chapter 7 trustee, Charles Forman, to develop and implement a divestiture plan to maximize the recovery for TSR Wireless’ creditors.

New FCC Chairman Michael Powell will deliver the keynote address at the CellularTelecommunications & Internet Association’s Wireless 2001 in Las Vegas, which runs from March 20 — 22.

Dataradio, Atlanta, will supply a mobile data communications system for the Jefferson County, AL, Sheriff’s Department. This system will provide 165 vehicles in the county with secure wireless data transfer in the 800MHz frequency band at 25.6kbps.

VisionAir, Castle Hayne, NC, will provide VisionCAD, VisionRMS and VisionMobile to the city of Vacaville, CA. The city also purchased Inform, the company’s Web-based Intranet product.