As far as I know, the only people using 700 mhz at this time in Massachusetts are - the Governors security detail (maybe) - and the Mass State Police out by New York.
In the future, 700 mhz may be used as an expansion band for the 800 mhz systems. It might also be used for public safety broadband. Also - there are approx 50 channels set aside in the 700 mhz range for interops nationwide. Most ops at 700 mhz are (or will be) digital. If MassPort or Cambridge wanted to add one channel to their present 800 mhz trunked systems, and if there were no vacant 800 mhz channels to use, I am pretty sure that they could add a 700 mhz channel to their system. This has been done in other parts of the country (I am pretty sure). This is possible because the newest radios are fully capable of utilizing both 800 mhz and 700 Mhz channels. Down in Texas and Lousiana, I think that they have 700 Mhz "overlay" systems - and 700 mhz "fill in" systems - and some mixed 700/800 systems. In other words - some trunked sites must just use 700 mhz channels - some other trunked sites might use a combination of 700 Mhz and 800 Mhz channels. Bottom line - I think it is very much up in the air what will happen around the Boston area in regards to 700 Mhz. The FCC might push everyone nationwide to move to 700 Mhz sometime down the road. Maybe not. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "massfire" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/massfire?hl=en.
