Tusa Consulting Services Ben Hill County, Georgia Board of Commissioners Conceptual Report Presentation

Presentation Roadmap 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Existing Network Configuration 3.0 Technology Options 4.0 Spectrum Issues 5.0 Interoperability 6.0 Conceptual Solutions 7.0 Conclusion and Recommendation

1.0 Introduction TCS was retained to provide support to Ben Hill County in determining the best approach to improve radio communications, both short term and long term County radio users experienced a loss of coverage after FCC’s January 1, 2013 Narrowbanding mandate Performed needs assessment, user interviews and site visits Followed with review of current FCC licensing, technological options available to the County, an analysis of existing and potential VHF (analog and digital) propagation and 700/800 MHz propagation Conceptual solutions, short term and long term, to improve Countywide radio coverage Cost estimates for P25 700/800 MHz trunked simulcast radio system

2.0 Existing Configuration Active Agencies Emergency Management (EMA) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Road Department Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Fire Department Fitzgerald Fire Department Fitzgerald Police Department

2.0 Existing Configuration

2.0 Existing Configuration

2.0 Existing Configuration Existing Ben Hill County Towers

2.0 Existing Configuration Sheriff’s Office – Expected Mobile Talk Back

2.0 Existing Configuration Sheriff’s Office – Actual Mobile Talk Back

2.0 Existing Configuration Sheriff’s Office – Expected Portable Talk Back

2.0 Existing Configuration Sheriff’s Office – Actual Portable Talk Back

2.0 Existing Configuration Road Dept – Expected Mobile Talk Back

2.0 Existing Configuration Road Dept – Actual Mobile Talk Back

2.0 Existing Configuration EMS – Expected Mobile Talk Back

2.0 Existing Configuration EMS – Actual Mobile Talk Back

2.0 Existing Configuration Volunteer Fire: Mobile Talk Back (Actual = Expected)

2.0 Existing Configuration Volunteer Fire – Expected Portable Talk Back

2.0 Existing Configuration Volunteer Fire – Actual Portable Talk Back

3.0 Technology Options Analog vs. Digital Systems Proprietary (Nexedge) vs. Open Standards (P25) APCO P25 vs. Kenwood Nexedge Extended RF Coverage Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDA) Digital Vehicular Repeater System (DVRS)

4.0 Spectrum Issues VHF Frequencies λ = c/f λ = 6.56 ft. Poor FCC band plan Poor licensing coordination Poor in-building penetration due to large wavelength Susceptible to interference from outside County Co-channel Susceptible to atmospheric conditions Susceptible to noise floor interference Locally generated (computers, transformers, fluor. lights) λ = c/f λ = 6.56 ft.

4.0 Spectrum Issues 700/800 MHz Frequencies Highly organized/ coordinated band Interference of any kind is rare Less propagation distance then VHF Superb in-building penetration Smaller wavelength Simulcast technology

5.0 Interoperability Surrounding counties - mainly VHF GEMA Region 8 – mainly VHF GA Forestry - VHF GSP – VHF/UHF/700 SEGARRN 700/800 SmartZone/Smart-X/P25

5.0 Interoperability

6.0 Conceptual Solutions SHORT TERM RECOMMENDATIONS 1) Confirm radio programming 2) Confirm ERP matches FCC license 3) Confirm VHF amplifier configuration 4) Perform Intermod Study 5) Measure effective sensitivity (“noise floor”) 6) Perform line sweeps

6.0 Conceptual Solutions SHORT TERM RECOMMENDATIONS 7) Consider pooling frequencies 8) Amend licenses for changes 9) Retest coverage if issues are found in 1-6.

6.0 Conceptual Solutions 10) Consider better or even new towers/sites - #1 Mediacom Tower

6.0 Conceptual Solutions 10) Consider better or even new towers/sites - #2 319/182 Tower

6.0 Conceptual Solutions 10) Consider better or even new towers/sites - #3 Western “Greenfield” Site

6.0 Conceptual Solutions 10) Combined coverage

6.0 Conceptual Solutions 11) Switch to Nexedge (Sheriff’s Office) - Critical for daily interoperability with PD - Improved coverage (3dB) - Reduced interference - Easier licensing - P25 capable

6.0 Conceptual Solutions 12) Consider leveraging Nexedge trunking Triangle Pool and Western Towers

6.0 Conceptual Solutions 12) Consider leveraging Nexedge trunking Western, Mediacom and 319/182 Towers

6.0 Conceptual Solutions LONG TERM RECOMMENDATIONS (3-5 Years) Begin planning for 700/800 MHz Region P25 Proactively take the lead Organize regional communications group Involve the users, gain buy-in Coordinate with immediate counties/cities Coordinate with GEMA Region 8 Use SEGARRN and others as examples * Nexedge radios would function on P25 system

6.0 Conceptual Solutions 800 MHz coverage with ideally located sites

6.0 Conceptual Solutions 800 MHz coverage with ideally located sites

6.0 Conceptual Solutions 800 MHz System Features

800 MHz System Cost Estimate 6.0 Conceptual Solutions 800 MHz System Cost Estimate

800 MHz System Yearly Maintenance Costs 6.0 Conceptual Solutions 800 MHz System Yearly Maintenance Costs

7.0 Conclusion – Short Term 1) Immediately demolish Road Department tower Extreme risk of falling Visibly distorted and crooked Substantially corroded guy wires No OLS lighting, not ASR registered Consider replacement as part of future planning Built in the late 1960’s

7.0 Conclusion – Short Term 2) Update site grounding to current industry standards - Critical for reliability of public safety radio system - Deficient grounding places basestations/repeaters at risk for damage from lightning induced electrical surge

7.0 Conclusion – Short Term 3) Immediately perform SHORT TERM options #1-6, and #9 if necessary #1 – Confirm radio programming #2 – Confirm licensing/ site ERP #3 – Confirm amplifier configuration #4 – Perform IM study #5 – Perform noise floor measurements #6 – Perform line sweeps #9 – Retest radio coverage

7.0 Conclusion – Short Term 4) Consider benefits of options #7 and #10 #7 – Pool FCC licensing to maximize higher ERPs #10 – Relocate to more beneficial towers 5) Complete option # 11 and retest coverage #11 – Convert to Nexedge digital radios (Sheriff’s Office)

7.0 Conclusion – Short Term 6) Complete option #8 #8 – Amend and update licenses 7) Consider option # 12 #12 – Configure Nexedge system for “D” trunking capability

7.0 Conclusion – Long Term Future) Plan for a Regional 700/800MHz P25 system #1 – Plan for a Regional 700/800MHz P25 Radio System GEMA Region 8 Turner County (I-75) #2 – Consider and Plan a Regional Dispatch Center Pooled resources Improved quality of life for citizens Ideal location in region due to existing fiber

Project Conclusion Conceptual Solutions Report

Questions?