Is my Radio affected by the new requirements?

All land mobile Part 90, 25 kHz efficiency systems operating on VHF (150-174 MHz) and UHF (421-512 MHz) frequency bands must conform to the FCC narrowbanding mandate. Narrowbanding does not require you to implement digital equipment, change frequencies or to obtain new channels. Many models of current and discontinued Motorola radios may be serviced for narrowbanding, for more information or to find out if your radio can be serviced, please contact us.

How can I comply with the narrowbanding requirements?

The first steps to ensure compliance are to check that you have a valid FCC license and that your radios are narrowband capable. Most radios purchased within the last 6-8 years are already narrowband capable and need only to be re-tuned or re-programmed by a technician to comply with the mandate. Radio Technology, Inc.'s repair team offers a range of services to modify all of your existing equipment and bring your system into compliance as well as assist with your FCC licensing. Licensees that have not made the necessary technical changes by the deadline will be immediately cancelled by the FCC. Relicensing of cancelled systems will subsequently become a very difficult process.

What is Narrowbanding?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated that all public safety, industrial and business mobile radio users convert to a minimum 12.5 MHz narrowband efficiency technology by January 1, 2013. This mandate affects all mobile Part 90, 25 MHz efficiency systems operating on UHF (421-512 MHz) and VHF (150-174 MHz) frequencies. By January 1, 2011, the FCC will not grant applications for new voice operations or applications for existing stations that use 25 kHz channels, nor will they allow the manufacture or importation of new equipment that operates on 25 kHz channels.

Radio Technology, Inc. offers services to “reband” your existing radio equipment, saving you from spending thousands of dollars in modifications and purchases for your radio system. The FCC deadlines are quickly approaching, so the time to prepare is now.

Radio Technology, Inc. is one of the only providers in the industry that offers such a high level of expertise in narrowbanding, tuning and reprogramming services. Narrowbanding is intended to improve interoperability, reduce interference and to ensure more efficient use and greater access to the spectrum. Currently UHF and VHF frequencies are extremely crowded, prohibiting licensees from expanding existing systems or creating new ones. Narrowbanding will allow for the creation of new channels within the same spectrum, thereby supporting a greater number of users.

Where can I find out more information?

Radio Technology, Inc., the FCC and Motorola can all provide you with more information regarding narrowbanding procedures and requirements. Please refer to the current PDFs from the FCC and Motorola regarding Narrowbanding and Narrowbanding FAQ's.

Radio Technology, Inc. will be continually updating our News section in order to keep you notified of any important changes.