PSERN 800 MHz Bi-Directional Antenna (BDA) and Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Information
The following are the actions that must be taken before designing, connecting, and turning on a bi-directional antenna (BDA), or distributed antenna system (DAS) that will be compatible with the PSERN system. Since changing from the existing 800 MHz King County Emergency Radio Communication System (KCERCS) to the all-digital 800 MHz Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN) will not impact radio users until December 2020, your DAS/BDA needs to continue to be approved by the manager of the current system in your geographical area. In this regard, it is important that your related equipment be compatible with the future PSERN system and following the steps listed below will help to ensure its compatibility.
- Contact your Fire Marshal or Building Official (authority having jurisdiction or AHJ) to validate local code requirements for DAS/BDA.
- To ensure your system is compatible before design begins and to schedule a walk-through inspection after installation, you may wish to contact the PSERN team at 206-47-PSERN (206-477-7376) or email at das@psern.org.
Please note, until the new PSERN system is close to activation, those who need to design and install a DAS/BDA in a building should continue to contact the managers of the current King County Emergency Radio Communications system (KCERCS).
For questions on the PSERN Project’s timeline impacting DAS in King County, please contact das@psern.org
King County
(The County radio shop handles all unincorporated areas and some cities. Please see the chart below to know if your city’s DAS/BDA authorization is handled by King County or an agency listed below).
William (Rich) Richardson
206-263-8105
william.richardson@kingcounty.gov
Seattle
City of Seattle
BDA@seattle.gov
Eastside
Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency (EPSCA)
Scott Hatfield
dshatfield@redmond.gov
206-786-6632
South
Valley Communications (ValleyCom 911):
info@valleycom.org
253-372–1300
Please review the table at the bottom of this webpage to determine which system manager to contact.
Note: Starting December 2020, before commissioning, activating, or “turn-up” (the initial power-on of the BDA or DAS), a walk-through inspection must be conducted with PSERN staff to confirm the new installation does not interfere with PSERN operations.
Technical Specifications
Technical specifications for a DAS to be able to connect with the future PSERN system may include:
- Must be capable of supporting 800 MHz analog operation, as well as 800 MHz APCO Project 25 Phase I FDMA and Phase II TDMA
- Fiber fed BDA’s are preferred, but when not available the PSERN signal will need to be received from a repeater site. In these cases, the appropriate donor repeater site will be determined at the time of authorization
- All PSERN compatible BDAs shall be an FCC Class A channelized BDA capable of supporting up to 28 channels
- BDA’s shall be fitted with anti-oscillation circuitry and per-channel AGC
- BDA’s and associated equipment shall meet all applicable local, state, and national Codes, Ordinances, and FCC Rules
| City | Contact |
| Algona | Valley Communications |
| Auburn | Valley Communications |
| Beaux Arts Village | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Bellevue | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Black Diamond | Valley Communications |
| Bothell | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Burien | King County |
| Carnation | King County |
| Clyde Hill | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Covington | Valley Communications |
| Des Moines | Valley Communications |
| Duvall | King County |
| Enumclaw | King County |
| Federal Way | King County |
| Hunts Point | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Issaquah | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Kenmore | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Kent | Valley Communications |
| Kirkland | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Lake Forest Park | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Maple Valley | Valley Communications |
| Medina | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Mercer Island | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Newcastle | King County |
| Normandy Park | King County |
| North Bend | King County |
| Pacific | Valley Communications |
| Redmond | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Renton | Valley Communications |
| Sammamish | King County |
| SeaTac | King County |
| Seattle | City of Seattle |
| Shoreline | King County |
| Skykomish | King County |
| Snoqualmie | King County |
| Tukwila | Valley Communications |
| Woodinville | King County |
| Yarrow Point | Eastside Public Safety Communications Agency |
| Unincorporated King County | King County |
| All Other Areas Not Listed Above | King County |