In this issue:

The Dodge Charger - Police Package

Congressman Nussle Meets with Central Iowa Law Enforcement

Radio Interoperability Update

Civil Air Patrol Transmits Live Images to Internet over multi-State Radio Network

M/A-COM's new vehicular battery charger

The RACOM Newsletter

Keeping you connected...  Spring 2006

The Dodge Charger - Police Package

Automobile.com says,

"the most potent cruiser to ever hit the highway" and

 "one of the best tools...a department head could ever hope for, for signing up new recruits"

Have you seen the performance specifications on the new Dodge Charger? It ranks well ahead of the Chevy Impala and Ford Crown Vic in speed, quickness and braking distance. 

Of course, the back seat is a little tight.  But, Dodge is betting that how fast you can get there and how fast you can stop are more important than the comfort of your backseat passenger.

Congressman Nussle visits with Central Iowa Area Law Enforcement

US Congressman Jim Nussle, the Republican candidate for Governor of Iowa, met with Central Iowa Area law enforcement leaders to discuss their challenges and needs.  The meeting was held at RACOM on Wednesday April 12th.

Congressman Nussle, formerly the Delaware County Attorney and volunteer fireman has a very solid record when it comes to supporting Public Safety.  He recently secured $900 million in funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program as chair of the House Budget Committee.  The grant will provide resources and technology for law enforcement. Congressman Nussle rejected President Bush's budget proposal to eliminate this program and restored these critical funds.  Last year, $2.7M of these funds ended up in Iowa.

Congressman Jim Nussle speaking with Marshall County Sheriff Ted Kamatchus

The Congressman heard from several law enforcement leaders including Chief Lon Walker and Assistant Chief Rock Templeton of Marshalltown, Marshall County Sheriff Ted Kamatchus, Tama County Sheriff Dennis Kucera, Grundy County Sheriff Rick Penning. Nevada Police Chief Mike Tupper and Toledo Police Chief Jeff Harnish. 

Issues these law enforcement leaders wanted to discuss included:

• Problems with funding that supports capital expenditures but not the operations and maintenance of what's purchased

• The quality and success of ILEA, but the need for greater access

• The negative impact budget cuts to the Department of Public Safety and Dept. of Human Services are having on local law enforcement

• Re-entry programs to get released prisoners productively reintegrated into society

• Expanding the Drug Court System that has been a success in Marshall County

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Interoperable Agencies

Local Law Enforcement

University Hygienic Lab

P25 radios are available from several manufacturers that satisfy SAFECOM guidelines, but there's more to the SAFECOM guidelines than just P25.  In fact, the guidelines clearly state that their intention is improved interoperability.  P25 is a means to that goal, but not the only viable option. 

Many agencies across Iowa are purchasing 800 MHz radios on the statewide radio network for interoperability, but saving approximately $1000 per radio by delaying purchase of the P25 protocol itself.  The protocol can be added to the radios later if needed, while meeting all SAFECOM recommendations today.

What are the benefits?  

1. RACOM radios work on the current statewide radio network and are compatible with future P25 infrastructure if a new state-wide radio system is built. 

2. RACOM 800 MHz radios can provide direct radio interoperability with other agencies already using the network (approximately 10,000 users).

3. If you build out your own 800 MHz P25 city or county system, RACOM radios can work on your towers and provide you coverage outside your jurisdiction.  So, whether chasing bad guys across county lines, or simply going to a meeting in Des Moines, your radio can still be an asset.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Are the RACOM radios compatible with the Health Alert Radio Network for Hospitals and Local Public Health Agencies?

Answer:  Yes.

2. I've heard RACOM is developing Regional interoperability talkgroups for EMA's and PSAPs.  Will these same radios work on the new talkgroups?

Answer:  Yes.

3. Can the RACOM radios also be used as a back-up phone?

Answer:  Yes.  The connection to the public telephone network for this radio system is made in Marshalltown, IA.  If you lose local phone services, you can still use the phone feature of the radio to make telephone calls. Use of the phone interconnect is billed in 6 second increments as a toll call.

4. What is the monthly cost for use of the existing towers, repeaters and switching equipment?

Answer:  $25/per radio/per month/.  Radios are typically purchased as a package with one or more years of network access included in the initial purchase.

5. Doesn't SAFECOM require that I pay for the P25 protocol now?

Answer:  No.  The real goal is interoperability which is being achieved by connecting to the network and the other participating agencies.  The radios are also P25 compatible, but you don't have to spend the money on the P25 option until (and unless) it becomes useful in the future. 

6. Will new Motorola P25 radios work on the current 800 MHz statewide network?

Answer:  No.  There aren't any Motorola radios compatible with the current statewide radio network.

7. Who should I contact for help with these radios?

Answer:  Contact Terry Brennan @ 888.752-1015 and terry.brennan@racom.net or your local service shop

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Civil Air Patrol Transmits Live Aerial Photographs over State-wide Radio Network

The Civil Air Patrol flies around and assesses damage from storms, tornadoes and floods all across Iowa.  On the morning of April 14th, they were over Iowa City and Johnson County after the devastating tornadoes that caused millions of dollars in damage and displaced many students and residents the night before.

Decision Makers are responsible for mobilizing accurate and timely responses in crisis situations.  Often, they rely upon aerial survey as one of the first visual means of damage and condition assessment.  The Civil Air Patrol is a primary resource for conducting such missions in Iowa, and they have a new tool that helps them cut anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours off the time it takes to share this critical information.

Decision makers have historically had to wait for the aircraft to return to an airstrip, download the pictures and find an internet connection where the pictures could be emailed to them. This often took several hours and can delay an appropriate response.

The CAP can now transmit images directly from their plane while in flight anywhere across Iowa, eastern Nebraska and South Dakota, and parts of Minnesota and Illinois via the RACOM 800 MHz radio network. 

Still frame images are captured off their existing SSTV (slow scan TV) video system, sent to RACOM via the radio network and put on a secure internet website.

Any decision maker or responding agency with internet access and authorization can immediately access these pictures for review and analysis.

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M/A-COM introduces new vehicular charger

Public Safety customers from across the country requested a low-priced battery charger to operate in a vehicle, with the option of easy removal and use within a home or office.

M/A-COM responded by introducing the VC3000, available for the P7100 series RACOM radios.  It comes with cables and connectors for use in the vehicle running off 12VDC and has an AC power converter available for use on standard 110VAC.

The charger accepts the battery either with or without the radio. You can also keep your radio on and monitor calls while the battery is charging.

They're available now for order and immediate shipment by calling Terry @ (888) 752-1015.