Day Wireless Systems News

Webinar: Wireless Solutions for Education

Wed Dec 9th @ 1:30 - Wireless Solutions for Education

Education entities across the country constantly struggle to meet a wide range of needs for students with limited, even decreased, funding. Now more than ever, schools rely on technology to support management, student communications and e-learning initiatives, and even use it to attract new students. Keeping up with technology trends that adequately serve students and ensure their safety is challenging, but vital today and in the future. Motorola’s portfolio of wireless broadband, two-way radio, enterprise mobility, and wireless network security solutions provide end-to-end, effective answers to many of these important challenges:

- How can coveted wireless technology be deployed with decreases in funding and budget cuts?

- How can we provide a safer environment for our students?

- How can we interconnect our staff to do more with fewer resources?

- How do we protect private information in a wireless environment?

Presenter: Brandon Williams, Motorola
Register here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/136344081

Sneak Peek at the Motorola CP200•XLS

We got the first look today at the new CP200•XLS two-way radio by Motorola. According to the literature, the radio features:

- 128 Conventional Channel Models
- 12.5/25 kHz Switchable Channel Spacing
- 8 Character Alphanumeric Display Model
- 4 Programmable buttons
- X-Pand Technology
- Dual Priority Scan
- LTR

The radio will be available in both UHF and VHF, and I would expect the price point to start in the $500 range. So, good news for all you CP200 fans out there…you should be able to get your hands on this radio in early to mid December 2009.

Updated Wireless Webinar Wednesday Calendar

Wed Oct 14th @ 1:30 - Motorola’s New Multi-Band Radios for Public Safety

Motorola introduces its new Project 25 (P25) multi-band radios with the APX Series. The portable is a dual-sided device that combines two radios into one for added convenience and cost savings for interoperability. The radios are currently available in 700/800 MHz + VHF frequency bands. Additional dual-band frequencies are planned for future release.

APX radios are the most sophisticated two-way radios ever built. However, when combined with intelligent mission-critical product design, the responder is able to focus on the task at hand and not the technology.

Presenter: Patricia Capparelli, Motorola
Register here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/836835400

Wed Oct 28th @ 1:30 - Wireless Spectrum Updates and FCC Current Events

What’s the latest news back in Washington DC about spectrum allocation, auctions, and projects? Spectrum is the foundation of your wireless environment, and decisions made today will affect your communications plans for the next 20 years. Get the latest on:

• Changes at the FCC and its political impact
• VHF, UHF Two-Way Radio Narrowbanding Clarification
• 700, 800, 900 MHz and TV white space spectrum management
• National broadband networks

Presenter: Mark Crosby, EWA

Mark Crosby is the President of Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA), and is considered one of the most knowledgeable individuals on FCC Wireless regulations and spectrum issues. EWA is a national association based in Virginia that is dedicated to assisting business enterprises, government, dealers, and manufacturers in the deployment of licensed wireless communications solutions that promote business productivity and results.
Register Here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/328362032

Wed Nov 4th @ 1:30 - Network Convergence through MPLS

The demand for advanced IP applications, interoperability, scalability, and performance has outpaced the available resources which businesses and municipalities are able to provide. In this webinar, learn how the State of Washington and the County of Fresno, CA implemented IP/MPLS technology during recession and how they were able to reduce operating expenses while improving overall performance of their IT networks.

What can Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) do for me?

MPLS provides the necessary tools and capabilities to converge disparate networks into one homogenous scalable network. The economy of scale brings:

• Lower Operating costs
• Interoperability
• Network scalability

A MPLS architecture system is considered the foundational technology for current and future IT Networking.

Why Alcatel-Lucent?
With “carrier-class” MPLS routers and Microwave under one roof, Alcatel-Lucent is the only vendor able to offer a “one stop shop” end-to-end networking solutions portfolio for government, enterprise, and service providers.

Register Here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/500504745

Blogging the New Sprint 4G/3G (U300 USB Modem)

Friday, August 28 2009
By: Jeff Nishimura

I’m very curious to see what all the excitement is about for 4G. We just got a demo in this afternoon. Luckily I will be the first one here at Day to test it out.

3:09 PM
Put the Smartview install CD in my laptop, I didn’t have the software already installed.

3:15 PM
Installation finished, need to restart….

3:16 PM
The modem comes in a nice box. Looks like a $200 watch should be in there.

3:20 PM
Got it plugged into my USB port, there’s an accessory in the box to clip the modem to the screen so the antenna is up high.

3:21 PM
No WiMAX signal in my office….reverts to 3G. Have full bars for 3G but that’s not what I’ve been waiting for. Do a speed test just for kicks on speedtest.net.
0.76 mb/s down, 0.35 mb/s up….Seems reasonable for 3G.

3:26 PM
Make Aaron Gant (Mobility Sales Manager) take me out for some field testing in his rig. 200 feet down the road we pick up a WiMAX signal. You need to choose the connection so I choose WiMAX. I’m at 1 bar signal strength.

3:27 PM
Pull into a McDonalds parking lot. Still at 1 bar signal strength. Pull up speedtest.net for a speed test. 0.54 mb/s down, 1.2 mb/s up. Not very impressed. We decide to head towards Portland to see if we can get a better signal.

3:32 PM
Driving through some thick forest on both sides of the road drops my connection. I can see this as a big drawback for mission critical applications. 3G CDMA Rev A is available so I connect to it. Have full bars so I do a speed test on the go. Getting 1.14 mb/s down and 1.3 mb/s up.

3:38 PM
Out of the foliage WiMAX is available again, this time with 2 bars and getting stronger. We stop in a parking lot and we are up to 3 bars WiMAX. Ok speed test on speedtest.net. 6.16 mb/s down and 16.92 mb/s up. That’s more like it, but I wonder why the upload speed is so high.

3:50 PM
We decide to head back towards Clackamas to see what the coverage looks like closer to the office.

3:57 PM
Pulled over at a Church parking lot. Can see obvious cell tower site with at least 3 carriers on there. Let’s see what we find. I’ve got 3 bars for WiMAX. 9.78 mb/s down and 10.35 mb/s up. Streaming videos with ease, this is a very fast connection.

Conclusion
First off, this test makes you really appreciate the 3G CDMA Rev A network. I had full bars everywhere I went, indoors and out, and had fairly consistent speeds of roughly 700k down and 400k up. 4G WiMAX is not going to be for everybody. When you have the right coverage the speed is awesome, but if coverage is spotty you will need to reconnect, search, and eventually need to connect to the 3G network. Not to say that with future hardware the modem won’t automatically roam between 4G and 3G, but for now I would absolutely rule out critical public safety applications.

Mobile vs. Moving
I see this for business/executive use where the user who wants to be “mobile” from site to site, but does not require the connection to be held seamlessly through a “moving” environment…in a car, walking in and out of buildings, etc.

Calendar: Day Wireless Wednesday Webinar Schedule

Wed September 23rd @ 1:30
Get More from Your Mobile Workforce With Workforce Management Tools

Manage mobile workers, ensure their safety, control costs, and respond to customers quickly and efficiently.

The right technology can address the following concerns:
• Inability to access information while in the field
• Lack of sufficient safety measures
• Lagging customer response times
• Lack of mobile worker accountability
• Excessive paperwork
• Inefficient communication

With GPS tracking and reporting you can stay in close contact with your mobile workers to improve communication and accountability. View the location of mobile workers on a Web-based map, track their status and view a history of the locations they’ve visited. You will know that employees are where they are supposed to be and are efficiently routed from one job site to the next.

Presenter: Jeff Thompson, Channel Manager, Telenav
Who should attend?
General managers of mobile workers

Register here for the Mobile Workforce Management webinar

Wed September 30th @ 1:30

Introduction to Alcatel Microwave/MPLS

Alcatel-Lucent will provide a high level overview of their industry leading carrier class Microwave/MPLS solution that provides cost savings over traditional leased line networks and provides greater scalability and performance.

Industries:
Public Safety, Government, Utility, Healthcare, Education, Transportation

Presenter: Sheri Johnson, Alcatel Lucent
John Kim, Alcatel Lucent

Register here for the Alcatel Microwave/MPLS webinar

Day Wireless Announces the Wireless Wednesday Webinar Series

Beginning August 5th, until the end of the year, Day Wireless Systems will host a 30-minute informative webinar, every Wednesday at 1:30 PM (PST) on various hot button topics. View the full calendar with complete descriptions.

Scheduled topics include:
• Expanding Your Communications Capacity with Small Systems Trunking
• Mission Critical Mobile VPN for Security, Productivity, and Management
• New National In-Building Codes and How They Effect You
• Motorola’s APX Multi-Band Radio for P25 Interoperability
• End Your Leased Line Recurring Payments Using Point-to-Point Wireless Ethernet Bridges
• Tips On Writing a Winning Grant Proposal

2009 International Fire Code Addresses Emergency Responder Radio Coverage

Radios today are lifelines for first responders. Buildings without adequate radio coverage can endanger the lives of public safety personnel if they are cut off from communication when responding to an emergency. FCC approved “signal boosters” along with distributed antenna systems allow first responders the ability to safely communicate when in these buildings. Implementing in-building coverage codes using these technologies have been gaining momentum recently with a scattering of municipal ordinances, but for the first time, a nationally recommended standard by the International Fire Chiefs was released that specifically addresses Emergency Responder radio coverage.

510.1 All buildings shall have approved radio coverage for emergency responders within the building based upon the existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems of the jurisdiction at the exterior of the building. This section shall not require improvement of the existing public safety communication system.

Approved radio signal strength is defined as:

510.2 The building shall be considered to have acceptable emergency responder radio coverage when … 95 percent of all areas on each floor of the building meet the signal strength requirements of –95dBm receivable in building, and –100dBm when transmitted out of the building.

Day Wireless Systems can help with the entire process of implementing and maintaining in-building signal booster systems including:

J101.3 System Design. The emergency responder radio coverage system shall be designed in accordance with Sections 103.1.1 through 103.1.5 (Amplification systems, secondary power, technical criteria, battery systems, and signal booster requirements)

J103.1.4 Signal Booster Monitoring
Central supervising station to monitor any alarms or malfunctions that are transmitted by the booster.

J103.3.3 Testing and proof of compliance
Annual inspections or field testing for performance.

Day Wireless Systems will be hosting a webinar on September 16 featuring Jack Daniel, one of the most knowledgeable individuals in America on in-building wireless codes. Stay tuned for more details.

Tags: In building wireless codes, International Fire Chiefs, public safety radio, signal boosters

Apply for Local Byrne JAG Grant Funding by May 18

$2 Billion Available — Don’t Miss Out!
If you think you may have missed the deadline, the good news is you still have time to apply for local Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funding. You have until May 18, 2009 to submit your application for funds that can be used to prevent and control crime and improve the criminal justice system.

In order to receive funds, you must submit your application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), notify your governing body for review 30 days prior to accepting the award and provide public notification via the newspaper or the web. After the 30-day review period, you are eligible to receive the funds from BJA. It’s really that easy.

Day Wireless Systems can help you understand the grant application process and help you identify opportunities to apply funds to improve law enforcement efforts in your jurisdiction. Examples include:

• Interoperability solutions for daily use and emergency operations
• Secure wireless broadband to enable mobile applications
• Mobile computing devices and applications to improve revenue generation and efficiency

Visit motorola.com/recoveryact to view:
• Easy to understand two-page summary of Byrne JAG funding highlights
• Webinars for executives and applicants explaining the funding process and steps for a successful application
• Presentation materials you can use within your agency

Tags: Byrne Jag, Law Enforcement Grant, Recovery Act

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Deadline May 20, 2009

The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Guidance on the AFG Website. The application period is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Applications for these grants must be received by Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide approximately $510 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country. AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

An applicant tutorial is available through the www.firegrantsupport.com website. The tutorial provides you with valuable grant information and will walk you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the funding priorities and evaluation criteria. Applicants who have questions regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grants opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov. During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (EDT), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume and demand.

The AFG Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.

For access to the FY09 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Guidance or FAQs - visit www.firegrantsupport.com/afg/ or contact Day Wireless Systems.

Tags: AFG, Fire Grant, Firefighter Grant, Homeland Security

Last Day for Byrne JAG Grant Public Notification is April 18th

In order to submit the Byrne JAG local award application by the deadline of May 18, 2009, applicants must provide an opportunity for the public to comment on their Recovery JAG plan 30 days prior to submission. That makes April 18th the last day for public notification which may include website and newspaper postings, city council, and county board hearings open to the public. Applicants must also make the grant application available for review by the governing body 30 days prior to submission.

When President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, it included almost $2 Billion in additional funding for resources for State and Local law enforcement. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant (JAG) is an annual grant and something most agencies are already taking advantage of. However, this year, the Byrne JAG program is a one-time infusion of stimulus funds that local law enforcement can use to support a wide range of programs.

Local and State Allocation Lists
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryJAG/recoveryallocations.html

Even if money has been allocated to a specific jurisdiction you still must apply for the funds.

Local Application and Instructions
http://www.ojp.gov/BJA/recoveryJAG/JAGrecoveryLocal.pdf

For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact: BJA toll-free at 1-866-268-0079 or email jagrecovery@usdoj.gov. The email account will be checked hourly.

Motorola solutions can provide the basis for many grant proposals.

• Interoperability solutions for every day use and especially during emergency situations. Motorola leads the industry in successfully deploying interoperable networks that span states, connect counties and municipalities and agencies within a municipality.

• Secure, Wireless Broadband Networks enable mobile applications, even while driving at highway speed. Background checks, license plate look-ups and even email can now be done in the vehicle, improving officer safety and efficiency.

• Mobile Computing Applications and Devices enable improved revenue generation and increase personnel productivity, often in less than 12 months.

• Upgrade existing systems to include GPS capabilities to better track personnel and their proximity to an incident’s location.

Act Now!
Deadlines are approaching. Submit your application now in order to take advantage of these newly released funds. Even if money has been allocated to a specific jurisdiction you must still apply. Contact Day Wireless Systems for more details.

Day Wireless Systems is composed of 28 locations throughout the West and 175 in technical staff. Since 1969, Day Wireless Systems has been providing professional wireless services for demanding commercial, government, and mission critical public safety systems, and is the largest Motorola Premier Service Partner and Manufacturer’s Representative in the USA.
For more information, please visit http://www.daywireless.com

Tags: Byrne Jag, Day Wireless, Motorola, Public Safety, stimulus funds