NHP radio system operating

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Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004 | 8:34 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- After periodic problems, the new $14 million radio system for the Nevada Highway Patrol is up and running in the Las Vegas area, officials said Monday.

Patrol Superintendent David Hosmer said troopers began using the system last week and "it seems to be working."

The 2003 Legislature allocated $15 million to replace the 150-megahertz system that the patrol had been using. The Federal Communications Commission notified the state it did not have authority to use those frequencies, which had been approved for other government agencies or businesses.

The FCC has indicated it may impose a penalty on the state for using the unauthorized frequencies.

The new system was supposed to have been operational in Las Vegas in February, but problems cropped up.

Hosmer said the system was started Thursday on a 72-hour trial basis, but it has been "working so well we left it on and we are off the unauthorized frequencies."