Lawmakers told of NHP problems with radios

Thursday, June 17, 2004 | 9:43 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada Highway Patrol troopers in Southern Nevada are continuing to struggle with a new radio system's dead spots, static and dropped messages, and it may take another year to fix, officials said this week.

Gary Wolff, representing the troopers' union, warned the Legislative Interim Finance committee Wednesday that the glitches in the system put the safety of troopers and the public at risk.

David McTeer, chief of the state's Information Technology Division in the Department of Administration, said there have been "unique challenges" in changing from a 150-megahertz system to an 800-megahertz system.

The patrol switched the systems on June 9 as part of a $15.6 million project to get off the old statewide VHF system that was not approved by the Federal Communications Commission.

Highway Patrol Capt. Chris Perry told the committee there were about 15 "dead spots" where officers could not communicate. The 200 troopers are still hooked up to the old system.

At one location on Interstate 15 north of Jean, engineers solved a dead spot situation where they found a dip in the freeway. They moved the antenna to the top of the vehicle to solve the dilemma, Perry said.

Perry said new equipment is being installed that should improve communication and work is being done on the mountaintop antennas to help.

Robert Chisel of the state Transportation Department told the committee the transition to a fully operational system should be complete by this time next year. McTeer said the changeover is proceeding "at a slower pace then desired." He acknowledged that "not everybody would be pleased" with the installation of the new system.

The FCC has indicated it may impose sanctions on the state for unauthorized use of the 150-megahertz channels. But the federal agency so far has not taken any action.