Radio Services
The City's 800MHz Voice and Data System has grown to 22 voice and 7 data channels. The expansion of the 800MHz system has greatly increased the quantity of equipment, added additional tower sites, as well as, increased the complexity of the communication system.
The 800 MHz radio system is currently undergoing an upgrade to provide increased capacity and greater resistance to damage from lightning.
System History
In December 1996, the Commission authorized City staff to begin negotiations for the provision of a combined 800 MHz Voice/Data system.
On April 9, 1997, the Commission approved staff's recommendation to execute the agreement with Motorola for the provision of the proposed 800 MHz Trunk Simulcast Analog Voice Radio System.
In April of 1999, the City Commission approved the shared ownership of the 800Mhz Radio system and also formed the 800MHz Management Oversight Committee that consisted of the Tallahassee Police and Fire Chiefs, Assistant City Manager/Safety and Neighborhood Services, Sheriff's Office, and ISS Chief Information Systems Officer. This partial ownership agreement required Leon County to share 25% in expenses relating to the maintenance of the radio system, project management salaries, and radio shop operating expenses for radio programming.
In July of 2000, the City Commission approved the authorization of the City Manager to execute an 800Mhz maintenance contract with Motorola.
On December 13, 2006, the City of Tallahassee and Leon County entered into a Memo of Understanding that established The Pubic Safety Communication Board to take the place of the Management Oversight Committee. Realizing that the current radio system was approaching end of factory support, a decision was made, by the City and County, to purchase a new digital radio system.
On November 8, 2009, the City of Tallahassee/ Leon County went live on the new 800Mhz Simulcast P25 Digital Radio System. This system took 3 years from planning to full operation with the City and County sharing 50/50 ownership. Part of the radio system upgrade is the addition of two new towers to help with communications on the Southside of Tallahassee and Eastside of Leon County. P25 is the Digital Standard for Public Safety in North America to accomplish interoperability between agencies. Being a true digital radio system, there is no static in the radio transmissions. The latest encryption is installed in all public safety radios to benefit public safety users and to ensure privacy for our citizens.
In keeping with the fast changing technology, the radio system will be factory-supported and updated until the year 2022.