tech talk

July 2007

Commo Babel Put to Rest by New Mobile Center

By Robert H. Williams

The Maryland Transit Administration has a powerful tool to quell emergencies. The agency recently acquired a 40-foot vehicle that offers disaster response communications among a multitude of first responders.

Designed by ARINC of Annapolis, Md., the mobile communications vehicle, or MCV, boasts 11 works stations that are equipped with 17 different radio connections over VHF, UHF, 800MHz, aviation, marine and amateur bands. Providing instant interoperability is a company originated technology, called AWINS. The resulting common communications format allows public safety officials to understand each other using existing equipment.

Additionally, MCV has a broadband video conferencing capability and streaming video from onboard surveillance cameras.

Please email your comments to SErwin@ndia.org

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