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On Tuesday WKEU news talked with County Commissioner David Phillips and Assistant County Manager Virginia Martin about the questions many citizens have about the 800 megahertz radio system. There were many questions posed and the conversations were broadcast and then re-broadcast at 4pm on Tuesday Afternoon.  Some of the questions and answers posed were.

1.  Who will manage the system in the future. 

Answer:  The Assistant Manager will not over see the system and the County is now reviewing an application for a administrator from a individual that will be very strong in programming and very computer literate to be able to program and trouble shoot problems that will arise.

2.  Why did it take so long to implement the system.

Answer:  The FCC mandated  that all Television Stations in the United States to convert to digital in the past.  It took the stations in Atlanta more than 1 and a half years to complete that conversion freeing up the FM spectrum utilized by their STL (Studio Transmitter Link) to allow those stations to microwave their signals from the downtown Studio to their Main broadcast tower in North Atlanta. When the conversion was complete it freed up those channels that would be utilized by the 800 megahertz system in Griffin.  

3.  How well does the system work?

Answer in the present form many hand held nits are being tested. David Phillips had a unit with him for demonstration and made a call from the WKEU Studio C which is a total concrete re-bar reinforced structure with many miles of copper installed  the concrete walls and the unit performed extremely well.  It must be pointed out that the hand held units and all new units to be use dint he system will require a setup and programming by computer to allow the units to function as designed. Which is being improved on each day.

4.  Is our system a proprietary system or can it be used with other makes of equipment.

Answer:  The system will work with all makes of equipment and if we need to replace equipment later we can buy what ever is the most cost effective. It will not matter whether it's Motorola, Sanyo, Harris or the many others that are currently being made.  As our software can be used with all other systems.

5.  Did we get the exact system we ordered or was there a change.

Answer:  The only change to the system was the APCO 5 capability which was added by the 17 person Committee and 3 other commissioners.

6.  Are there any problems yet to be addressed?

Answer:  As each problem is identified it is being addressed with the Software manufacturer, or Harris if its Equipment problems with emphasis that time is of the essence.  . 

7.  The Griffin Fire Department has identified several areas of concern are these being repaired. (question posed by WKEU after the broadcast along with LT. Rick Rickerson of the Griffin Fire Department, and Commissioner Phillips)

Answer:  Yes there were issues that surfaced and it was found that the repeater systems to be installed in the Fire Trucks to allow better transmission of hand held units had not been accomplished and it has become a priority for implementation. David Phillips made a call on Tuesday to Harris to insure this issue is corrected and the Fire Departments in both the City and County have their concerns addressed and fixed as soon as possible as fire department personnel safety and citizen safety is a major concern.

8.  Are provisions being made to keep the VHF system to insure a back up is concerned. 

Answer:   Yes we will keep the VHF system will be operational as long as we can. We want our users to have a strong confidence level in the new system.

9.  Why has Trudy McDivit not been involved in the 800 megahertz system.

Answer:  She has, she was on the original panel for the recommendation to the Commissioners of the System they wanted.  She is also involved in conference calls with Harris, and the sub contractors that are installing the system each time a conference call is held. .

10.  What is the target date for completion of installation and testing.

Answer:  Installation of City units have been given a priority and we are hoping to be complete with installation in the next two months. with additional testing of the complete system to start in October.

11. Maintenance Costs... has this been addressed?

Answer:  Negotiations with the city are continuing and we feel sure we can find a way to make this cost effective and a plan that will work for everyone.  Plus the addition of now Southern Crescent College, and UGA Griffin Campus security is to be added to the new 800 megahertz system.

12.  What is the major item of concern now with the new system?.

Answer:  Programming of the new digital hand held and mobile units will continue and with the installation owe find some minor problems that can be corrected with programming.

13. Can the new system be monitored by conventional scanners?

Answer:  At present the system cannot be monitored  by scanners.  We are trying to insure that some channels will not be available to the general public for obvious reasons of safety to law enforcement officer that may be making a drug raid, or looking in a certain area for a suspect. just to mention a few.

14.  Did the Commissioners Accept the system earlier?

Answer:  The initial acceptance was for the CORE system not the complete system.  We only accepted the manufacturer installation of the Transmitter Sites, Towers, and Installation of generators and equipment at those sites only.  NOT the total operation of the system, NOT the installation of the computers in Mobile systems, NOT the 911 system soft ware , NOT the software system,  NOT the hand held units, and NOT the required repeater units that will be required in some areas and buildings.  All of those acceptances will be done later as they are complete and found to be fully operational. 

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