Radio Equipment Overview

The PSERN Project Radio Deployment will provide 800 MHz radios that are appropriate for the services of the fire, law enforcement, schools, hospitals, public works, and other radio-user agencies. In about 2012 and again in 2018, stakeholder groups of radio-user subject matter experts advised the Project on the needed radio features and functions per service. In 2021, the PSERN Project conducted the Final Radio Inventory to collect the current quantity and types of radios agencies needed exchanged to place the order with Motorola. Although agencies may not receive the identical radios or features that they currently have, the equipment will meet the needs identified as requirements by the stakeholder groups and the PSERN Project Operations Board, as well as the information agencies provided during the Final Radio Inventory process. Agencies will receive standard radios unless they committed to purchasing non-standard radios.

View the standard radios that will be provided in Radio Deployment.

Standard Accessories

The PSERN Project is providing agencies with standard accessories that are compatible with each radio they will receive, including:

  • Portable (hand-held) Radio: microphone, antenna, charger, 2 batteries, holster
  • Mobile (vehicle) Radio: microphone, Unity Gain antenna, speaker, interface cables between the intercom and headset system (the Project will ensure compatibility with fire agency headsets and intercom systems)
  • Control Station: microphone, power supply
  • Consolette: microphone (power supply within device)

Specialty Accessories

If an agency uses specialty accessories, it is their responsibility to ensure those accessories are compatible with the radios they will receive. Specialty accessories may include items such as portable radio interface adapters between headset and radio, earpiece headsets, SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) with radio function, over-ear headsets for hands-free movement, specialty fiberglass base Unity Gain antennas, or consolette desksets. If agencies use specialty accessories, they should take the following steps to prevent delays of when they will receive their radios:

  • Determine Accessory Compatibility – On their Validated Final Radio Inventory, agencies should identify all radios that currently use specialty accessories and inquire with the accessory manufacturer or their local radio shop if those accessories are compatible with the PSERN radio model you will receive. For example, if an earpiece is used with a radio, they will need to determine if that earpiece is compatible with the new radio they will receive.
  • Purchase Specialty Accessories (if needed) – If a specialty accessory is not compatible with the radio the agency will be receiving and they require the specialty accessory for operations, the agency needs to purchase a compatible specialty accessory to be delivered prior to their Radio Deployment mobile radio installation appointment or portable radio/control station exchange date. The Project recommends that agencies use Motorola certified accessories. There may be lead time issues related to how quickly accessories can be delivered, so the Project recommends immediate action.
  • Notify PSERN Project About Delivery Delays (if needed) – If an agency needs to purchase specialty accessories, they should notify the Project to inform Radio Deployment scheduling if they believe there could be delivery delays.

If agencies have questions about specialty accessories, please contact Motorola Account Executive Joe Piksa at joe.piksa@motorolasolutions.com.