The Narrowband Transition A Primer

Narrowband Transition What is it? What is it? A nation-wide move to new VHF/FM frequencies A nation-wide move to new VHF/FM frequencies Why are we doing it? Why are we doing it? Our VHF frequencies are federal government property Our VHF frequencies are federal government property The federal government is changing to “narrowband” The federal government is changing to “narrowband” Mandated by federal statute Mandated by federal statute Why “narrowband”? Why “narrowband”? Narrowbanding cuts the size of each channel in half Narrowbanding cuts the size of each channel in half Thereby doubles the number of channels available Thereby doubles the number of channels available Relieves huge pressure to support more radio users Relieves huge pressure to support more radio users What is it? What is it? A nation-wide move to new VHF/FM frequencies A nation-wide move to new VHF/FM frequencies Why are we doing it? Why are we doing it? Our VHF frequencies are federal government property Our VHF frequencies are federal government property The federal government is changing to “narrowband” The federal government is changing to “narrowband” Mandated by federal statute Mandated by federal statute Why “narrowband”? Why “narrowband”? Narrowbanding cuts the size of each channel in half Narrowbanding cuts the size of each channel in half Thereby doubles the number of channels available Thereby doubles the number of channels available Relieves huge pressure to support more radio users Relieves huge pressure to support more radio users

Narrowband Transition What has to be done? What has to be done? Add our new channels to all user radios Add our new channels to all user radios Base stations, mobiles, portables, aircraft Base stations, mobiles, portables, aircraft Narrowband-compliant radios only Narrowband-compliant radios only Exchange all old repeaters with new ones Exchange all old repeaters with new ones Already purchased with AF funds Already purchased with AF funds We can legally start replacement after 1 April 07 We can legally start replacement after 1 April 07 CAP’s plan is to have transition complete by 1 Oct 07 CAP’s plan is to have transition complete by 1 Oct 07 Take our old channels out of all radios Take our old channels out of all radios Turn off and turn in all wideband equipment Turn off and turn in all wideband equipment What has to be done? What has to be done? Add our new channels to all user radios Add our new channels to all user radios Base stations, mobiles, portables, aircraft Base stations, mobiles, portables, aircraft Narrowband-compliant radios only Narrowband-compliant radios only Exchange all old repeaters with new ones Exchange all old repeaters with new ones Already purchased with AF funds Already purchased with AF funds We can legally start replacement after 1 April 07 We can legally start replacement after 1 April 07 CAP’s plan is to have transition complete by 1 Oct 07 CAP’s plan is to have transition complete by 1 Oct 07 Take our old channels out of all radios Take our old channels out of all radios Turn off and turn in all wideband equipment Turn off and turn in all wideband equipment

Narrowband Transition What’s in it for CAP? What’s in it for CAP? More channels More channels From 2 repeaters and 2 simplex channels today From 2 repeaters and 2 simplex channels today To 2 repeaters and 6 simplex channels To 2 repeaters and 6 simplex channels An expanded repeater system An expanded repeater system Total of 545 fixed repeaters costing over $7 million Total of 545 fixed repeaters costing over $7 million 88 more repeaters than before – a 19% increase! 88 more repeaters than before – a 19% increase! What’s in it for CAP? What’s in it for CAP? More channels More channels From 2 repeaters and 2 simplex channels today From 2 repeaters and 2 simplex channels today To 2 repeaters and 6 simplex channels To 2 repeaters and 6 simplex channels An expanded repeater system An expanded repeater system Total of 545 fixed repeaters costing over $7 million Total of 545 fixed repeaters costing over $7 million 88 more repeaters than before – a 19% increase! 88 more repeaters than before – a 19% increase!

Narrowband Transition What’s in it for CAP? (continued) What’s in it for CAP? (continued) New radios New radios 4,243 mobiles 4,243 mobiles 1,910 portables 1,910 portables 927 base stations 927 base stations 10,439 Intra Squad Radios 10,439 Intra Squad Radios 132 transportable repeaters (air and ground use) 132 transportable repeaters (air and ground use) P25 digital capability for outside interoperability P25 digital capability for outside interoperability Encryption capability for future HLS missions Encryption capability for future HLS missions Total: Over $20 million in end-user equipment! Total: Over $20 million in end-user equipment! Purchased over the past eight years Purchased over the past eight years What’s in it for CAP? (continued) What’s in it for CAP? (continued) New radios New radios 4,243 mobiles 4,243 mobiles 1,910 portables 1,910 portables 927 base stations 927 base stations 10,439 Intra Squad Radios 10,439 Intra Squad Radios 132 transportable repeaters (air and ground use) 132 transportable repeaters (air and ground use) P25 digital capability for outside interoperability P25 digital capability for outside interoperability Encryption capability for future HLS missions Encryption capability for future HLS missions Total: Over $20 million in end-user equipment! Total: Over $20 million in end-user equipment! Purchased over the past eight years Purchased over the past eight years

Narrowband Transition What can I do? What can I do? Patience Patience This is a huge undertaking This is a huge undertaking The comm staff at all levels are stretched very thin The comm staff at all levels are stretched very thin Tolerance Tolerance CAP has a plan but we have to plan for the unexpected too CAP has a plan but we have to plan for the unexpected too Be tolerant of other federal radio users Be tolerant of other federal radio users They have to transition too They have to transition too Some Federal users will be moving to our current frequencies Some Federal users will be moving to our current frequencies Did we mention Patience? Did we mention Patience? We have not yet received all our new frequencies We have not yet received all our new frequencies Channel conflicts with Mexico and Canada Channel conflicts with Mexico and Canada The Air Force is working to resolve the problems The Air Force is working to resolve the problems What can I do? What can I do? Patience Patience This is a huge undertaking This is a huge undertaking The comm staff at all levels are stretched very thin The comm staff at all levels are stretched very thin Tolerance Tolerance CAP has a plan but we have to plan for the unexpected too CAP has a plan but we have to plan for the unexpected too Be tolerant of other federal radio users Be tolerant of other federal radio users They have to transition too They have to transition too Some Federal users will be moving to our current frequencies Some Federal users will be moving to our current frequencies Did we mention Patience? Did we mention Patience? We have not yet received all our new frequencies We have not yet received all our new frequencies Channel conflicts with Mexico and Canada Channel conflicts with Mexico and Canada The Air Force is working to resolve the problems The Air Force is working to resolve the problems

Narrowband Transition Summary Summary This is one of CAP’s largest undertakings ever This is one of CAP’s largest undertakings ever $28 million shows AF confidence in our future $28 million shows AF confidence in our future End result: End result: The most capable comm system in CAP history The most capable comm system in CAP history Questions? Questions? See your Director of Communications See your Director of Communications Summary Summary This is one of CAP’s largest undertakings ever This is one of CAP’s largest undertakings ever $28 million shows AF confidence in our future $28 million shows AF confidence in our future End result: End result: The most capable comm system in CAP history The most capable comm system in CAP history Questions? Questions? See your Director of Communications See your Director of Communications

Additional Details for Commanders and Communications Officers

Common Questions Who decided how many repeaters we got? Who decided how many repeaters we got? Wings submitted proposals via online system Wings submitted proposals via online system Regions reviewed and approved/disapproved Regions reviewed and approved/disapproved CAP/CC (with assistance from Region CCs) appointed joint working group to perform national review CAP/CC (with assistance from Region CCs) appointed joint working group to perform national review Called the National Repeater Coordination Group (NRCG) Called the National Repeater Coordination Group (NRCG) Composed of two voting representatives from each region Composed of two voting representatives from each region NRCG studied and voted on each proposed site NRCG studied and voted on each proposed site Developed a detailed final recommendation to CAP/CC Developed a detailed final recommendation to CAP/CC NEC approved the CAP repeater plan in 2005 NEC approved the CAP repeater plan in 2005 AF reviewed and also approved the plan AF reviewed and also approved the plan Who decided how many repeaters we got? Who decided how many repeaters we got? Wings submitted proposals via online system Wings submitted proposals via online system Regions reviewed and approved/disapproved Regions reviewed and approved/disapproved CAP/CC (with assistance from Region CCs) appointed joint working group to perform national review CAP/CC (with assistance from Region CCs) appointed joint working group to perform national review Called the National Repeater Coordination Group (NRCG) Called the National Repeater Coordination Group (NRCG) Composed of two voting representatives from each region Composed of two voting representatives from each region NRCG studied and voted on each proposed site NRCG studied and voted on each proposed site Developed a detailed final recommendation to CAP/CC Developed a detailed final recommendation to CAP/CC NEC approved the CAP repeater plan in 2005 NEC approved the CAP repeater plan in 2005 AF reviewed and also approved the plan AF reviewed and also approved the plan

Common Questions Can we change our repeater request? Can we change our repeater request? We need to stick with the CAP and AF approved plan unless mission critical requirements have changed We need to stick with the CAP and AF approved plan unless mission critical requirements have changed We are already implementing plan We are already implementing plan Changes at this point will be very difficult Changes at this point will be very difficult There is no more AF funding for additional repeaters There is no more AF funding for additional repeaters Bottom line: We need to “stay the course” and live within the plan CAP and the AF approved in 2005 Bottom line: We need to “stay the course” and live within the plan CAP and the AF approved in 2005 Can we change our repeater request? Can we change our repeater request? We need to stick with the CAP and AF approved plan unless mission critical requirements have changed We need to stick with the CAP and AF approved plan unless mission critical requirements have changed We are already implementing plan We are already implementing plan Changes at this point will be very difficult Changes at this point will be very difficult There is no more AF funding for additional repeaters There is no more AF funding for additional repeaters Bottom line: We need to “stay the course” and live within the plan CAP and the AF approved in 2005 Bottom line: We need to “stay the course” and live within the plan CAP and the AF approved in 2005

Common Questions Can we get funding for installation costs? Can we get funding for installation costs? First, be innovative in meeting wing requirements First, be innovative in meeting wing requirements Use existing hardware, antennas and cable to max extent possible Use existing hardware, antennas and cable to max extent possible Use members or State agencies to help install new equipment Use members or State agencies to help install new equipment Seek funding from State and other customers you serve before you request support from NHQ Seek funding from State and other customers you serve before you request support from NHQ Wings have been tasked to submit a detailed plan Wings have been tasked to submit a detailed plan Plan should list all reasonable expenses that cannot be fulfilled from other sources Plan should list all reasonable expenses that cannot be fulfilled from other sources There is a limited amount of AF funding for: There is a limited amount of AF funding for: Antennas and cable Antennas and cable Installation hardware Installation hardware Once these needs are satisfied there MAY be some remaining funding for limited labor costs for antenna installs but the wing should not count on it Once these needs are satisfied there MAY be some remaining funding for limited labor costs for antenna installs but the wing should not count on it Can we get funding for installation costs? Can we get funding for installation costs? First, be innovative in meeting wing requirements First, be innovative in meeting wing requirements Use existing hardware, antennas and cable to max extent possible Use existing hardware, antennas and cable to max extent possible Use members or State agencies to help install new equipment Use members or State agencies to help install new equipment Seek funding from State and other customers you serve before you request support from NHQ Seek funding from State and other customers you serve before you request support from NHQ Wings have been tasked to submit a detailed plan Wings have been tasked to submit a detailed plan Plan should list all reasonable expenses that cannot be fulfilled from other sources Plan should list all reasonable expenses that cannot be fulfilled from other sources There is a limited amount of AF funding for: There is a limited amount of AF funding for: Antennas and cable Antennas and cable Installation hardware Installation hardware Once these needs are satisfied there MAY be some remaining funding for limited labor costs for antenna installs but the wing should not count on it Once these needs are satisfied there MAY be some remaining funding for limited labor costs for antenna installs but the wing should not count on it

Common Questions What if the frequencies continue to be delayed? What if the frequencies continue to be delayed? Mexico’s concerns appear to be solved Mexico’s concerns appear to be solved However, some of the Federal frequencies allotted to CAP are still being contested by Canada However, some of the Federal frequencies allotted to CAP are still being contested by Canada This issue affects all of CAP’s repeaters…not just those along the Canadian border This issue affects all of CAP’s repeaters…not just those along the Canadian border CAP cannot ship any repeaters until this is resolved CAP cannot ship any repeaters until this is resolved CAP has asked the AF for a final decision by 28 Feb 07 CAP has asked the AF for a final decision by 28 Feb 07 After this date the AF will decide whether CAP should: After this date the AF will decide whether CAP should: A) Press on with our transition and deal with the international complaints/problems after the fact, or A) Press on with our transition and deal with the international complaints/problems after the fact, or B) Go forward to NTIA and formally request an unprecedented extension to the 1 Jan 2008 legal mandate B) Go forward to NTIA and formally request an unprecedented extension to the 1 Jan 2008 legal mandate No one wants to have to take either of these actions No one wants to have to take either of these actions Bottom line: Keep planning for transition to go as scheduled Bottom line: Keep planning for transition to go as scheduled Updates will be provided as soon as they are available Updates will be provided as soon as they are available What if the frequencies continue to be delayed? What if the frequencies continue to be delayed? Mexico’s concerns appear to be solved Mexico’s concerns appear to be solved However, some of the Federal frequencies allotted to CAP are still being contested by Canada However, some of the Federal frequencies allotted to CAP are still being contested by Canada This issue affects all of CAP’s repeaters…not just those along the Canadian border This issue affects all of CAP’s repeaters…not just those along the Canadian border CAP cannot ship any repeaters until this is resolved CAP cannot ship any repeaters until this is resolved CAP has asked the AF for a final decision by 28 Feb 07 CAP has asked the AF for a final decision by 28 Feb 07 After this date the AF will decide whether CAP should: After this date the AF will decide whether CAP should: A) Press on with our transition and deal with the international complaints/problems after the fact, or A) Press on with our transition and deal with the international complaints/problems after the fact, or B) Go forward to NTIA and formally request an unprecedented extension to the 1 Jan 2008 legal mandate B) Go forward to NTIA and formally request an unprecedented extension to the 1 Jan 2008 legal mandate No one wants to have to take either of these actions No one wants to have to take either of these actions Bottom line: Keep planning for transition to go as scheduled Bottom line: Keep planning for transition to go as scheduled Updates will be provided as soon as they are available Updates will be provided as soon as they are available