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than use simulcast technology, however, that will require dispatch center operators to continuously be switching between radio sites depending on where a unit is located in the geographic area of Anoka County when communications with that unit is required. Especially during busy periods, when dispatchers are occupied with remembering and dealing with large amounts of data and large amounts of units, it must be expected that there will be frequent errors in selecting the best radio transmitter site. In addition, the dispatch radio operators cannot always know what is the best transmitter site because radio coverage is highly dependent upon terrain and a unit may actually be able to communicate better with a site further away rather than a closer site ifthere is some intervening terrain between the unit and the closer site. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that if the existing systems are to be enhanced, then additional radio channels obtained through the ref arming process and additional radio sites with simulcast transmission should be the minimum changes implemented. If that is accomplished, then "Coverage" scoring would be a "I". All of the other parameters, except "Smart System Benefits," would be a "2" and the "Smart System Benefits" would continue to be a "5" since those benefits are only gained through use oftrunking technology. The cost estimate figures in Section III of this report reflect the enhancements recommended. There are two complete replacement options that are available in the system replacement alternative direction. They are, use of the Mn/DOT 800 MHz trunked radio system or use of stand-alone 800 MHz trunked radio system. As can be seen from the evaluation form, the two 800 MHz trunked radio system alternatives are considered to provide excellent performance in all of the parameter areas with the exception that it will be somewhat easier for the public to monitor an analog radio system than one that uses digital modulation. As a result of this evaluation, it is concluded that one of the 800 MHz trunked radio systems will provide the very best performing radio system for use by public safety entities within Anoka County. In addition, use oftrunked radio technology is likely to be a long- term solution to the needs of public safety entities in Anoka County while use ofthe existing radio frequencies will most likely become unacceptable in some period of time, probably less than ten years, due to the increasing needs, especially for more radio channels and more functionality, as the population of the County continues to grow and the degree of urbanization increases. It is probable that even with splitting channels through using the refarming option that it will not be possible to provide the increases in radio frequencies that probably will be required in less than ten years. At that time, Anoka County may be forced to abandon its investment in any enhancement of existing radio systems, if that direction is chosen, in order to migrate to an 800 MHz trunked radio option. That would likely occur before the end of the useful life of equipment that might be purchased within the next few years if the enhancement of existing systems option is selected. All of the major U.S. based radio manufacturers are currently developing new hardware and new software options using the end-to-end digital technology that includes digital modulation in the form that is included in the Mn/DOT 800 MHz trunked radio system. This technology is using the Internet Protocol (IP) addressing and is essentially a wide-area digital communications Ronald Vegemast Engineering, Inc. -36- Report: Anoka County