Problems plague NHP communications

Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 | 11:32 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Problems continue to crop up on the $14 million project to switch the radio frequencies of the Nevada Highway Patrol, which are now operating on illegal channels.

There were three instances in Clark County in which officers were unable to signal for help over the new 800-megahertz system. So it was shut down and the patrol and the other state law enforcement agencies in Clark County switched back to the old 150-megahertz frequencies.

The patrol plans to run a final 72-hour test starting Sunday to see where the bugs are in the system and correct them, state officials said.

"We're going to make sure there is no more down time," David McTeer of the state Department of Administration said.

The final tests will detect the glitches, he said. "We're making progress but it is much slower than expected."

The Legislature a year ago authorized the $14 million to transfer the Highway Patrol and other state law enforcement agencies off the frequencies that had been used.

The patrol had been notified by the Federal Communications Commission in 2002 that it had been illegally operating on 150-megahertz channels that are assigned to other agencies. It told the state to get off those frequencies.After the three instances of malfunctions, the patrol closed the 800-megahertz loop and switched back to the 150-megahertz channels.

Highway Patrol Superintendent David Hosmer said a female officer in the state Taxicab Authority had made a stop and was unable to communicate. Two patrol officers were also blocked.

"We could not tolerate that," Hosmer said. "We're going to get to the bottom of this."

The system is up and running in Northern Nevada but has experienced delays in Southern Nevada. It was supposed to be completed by March.