title

logo

New Handy-Talkies Hit the Street -- Again

The new handy-talkies (Motorola XTS-3500R) are going back into service the first week of September, 2002, in the borough of Staten Island only. Select Brooklyn units (those who relocate to the Island frequently) also have the radios. Beginning September 3, all units operating on S.I. will use the new radios.

There are 2 types, model 1 (for engines, ladders, battalions, and special units) and model 3 (for division chiefs and above). The major difference between the two is that the model 1 radios will not have an LCD display nor will they be able to go to any zone but Zone "A". However, battalions and units in SOC will have 3-zone capability. Model 3 radios will have 3 zones, A, B, and C.

Aside from the fact that these radios will use UHF, the major advantages over the Sabers and MX330's are the additional channels for secondary or adjacent incidents, and additional command channels. Under the old system there was only 1 fireground frequency and 4 tactical frequencies. Now there will be 2 fireground channels each with it's own command channel.

Here is the channel plan as it is now:

ZONE A Models 1 and 3 - Fireground and Repeaters
Ch 1HT 1 FiregroundSimplex
Ch 2HT 2 FiregroundSimplex
Ch 3HT 3 FiregroundSimplex
Ch 4Queens FiregroundSimplex
Ch 5Brooklyn FiregroundSimplex
Ch 6Manhattan FiregroundSimplex
Ch 7Bronx FiregroundSimplex
Ch 8 Staten Island FiregroundSimplex
Ch 9 Hi-rise In-Building Repeater
Ch 10Battalion Mobile Repeater
Ch 11Subway Repeater 1
Ch 12Subway Repeater 2
Ch 13EMS/Fire Fireground
Ch 14Railroad Repeater
Ch 15Unassigned
Ch 16Unassigned

Channel 1 is designated as the primary tactical channel. All units will use it in the same way we used 153.83 in the VHF system. Should a second incident occur nearby those units will use channel 3 as their primary tactical channel.

If the incident on channel 1 escalates the staff chief on scene will use channel 2 as a command channel. If the incident on channel 3 escalates that chief in charge will use either channels 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 depending on the borough.

ZONE B - Inter-agency and Select Communications
Ch 1Interoperability - Citywide
Ch 2Interoperability - Manhattan
Ch 3Interoperability - Queens
Ch 4Interoperability - Brooklyn
Ch 5Interoperability - Bronx
Ch 6Interoperability - Staten Island
Ch 7Not yet assigned
Ch 8 Not yet assigned
Ch 9Not yet assigned
Ch 10Not yet assigned
Ch 11Not yet assigned
Ch 12Not yet assigned
Ch 13Not yet assigned
Ch 14Not yet assigned
Ch 15Not yet assigned
Ch 16Not yet assigned

ZONE C - Dispatch Communications
Ch 1Not yet assigned
Ch 2Not yet assigned
Ch 3Not yet assigned
Ch 4Not yet assigned
Ch 5Not yet assigned
Ch 6Not yet assigned
Ch 7Not yet assigned
Ch 8Not yet assigned
Ch 9Not yet assigned
Ch 10Not yet assigned
Ch 11Not yet assigned
Ch 12Not yet assigned
Ch 13Not yet assigned
Ch 14Not yet assigned
Ch 15Not yet assigned
Ch 16Not yet assigned

To my knowledge there are no guidelines at this time governing the use of zone B. In my opinion it looks like it will be at least 3 years before dispatch (future zone C) is converted over.

Charles Hargrove has on his web site the same radio plan as above, but with the actual frequencies.