File Code: 6640-2 Date: May 21, 2004
Route To: (5100)

Subject: Narrowband Radio Frequency Implementation

To: Station Director, Regional Forester, Forest Supervisors, Director, Fire and Aviation Management, Area Manager, Columbia River Gorge NSA 


In 1995, the Forest Service received direction from NTIA (the frequency governing body for Federal Agencies) stating that "After January 1, 1995, all new systems, and after January 1, 2005, all systems in the 162-174 MHz band must be capable of operating within a 12.5 kHz channel in accordance with the provisions set forth in Chapters 4 and 5 of the NTIA Manual. (Section 4.3.7A)." It further states that " Effective Dates: After January 1, 1995, all systems, and after January 1, 2005, all systems in the 162-174 MHz band must conform to these standards. (Section 5-3-5-2)."

We are rapidly approaching the timelines set forth in the NTIA Manual and have much work remaining in Region Six to accomplish this goal.

There are three important steps that need to be shared on a recurring basis. Reminding everyone of the importance of meeting the timelines, give a status of our progress and provide adequate lead-time for preparation.

Since fire season is quickly approaching, the narrowband radio systems requiring a frequency changes or causing any interoperability issues will NOT be implemented until after this fire season. However, Telecommunication personnel are proceeding with the installation of the narrowband radio equipment in preparation for activation as soon as possible after fire season. This should allow for lead time to communicate with the cooperators, providing them time to "adjust" their equipment enabling them to continue communications with the Forests in Region Six after the "Narrowband" implementation occurs by January of 2005.

In addition to the narrowband implementation, several Forests will be moving ahead with new system designs that will require a frequency change. This will NOT be implemented this fire season, but needs to be shared with all affected personnel, interagency partners and our cooperators. The goal is to turn on the new systems as soon as possible after fire season. The affected Forests are the Umpqua, Willamette, Siuslaw, Malheur, and Fremont/Winema. These Forests will be moving to a "repeater" type system that will require a change in frequencies as well as change in the "operational" characteristics of the system. This "frequency change" information will be shared in more detail several times before activation of the new systems.


Please share this information will all affected personnel, administrative units, all of the Forest Service cooperators, as well as our interagency partners.

If you have any questions, please contact Mike Schone, Region 6 Radio System Manager at 
425-744-3351or Jim Shelton, Region 6 Telecommunications Program Manager at 541-225-6200.



/s/ Wayne Elven
WAYNE ELVEN
Acting Director, Information Resource Management

cc: Michael Ash, pdl r6 irm lt