High Tech Communications on the Cheap with Zello PTT App

We seem to have come full circle when it comes to in vehicle and handheld communications devices. In the 70's in Montana we used 100 watt FM radios on 39.82 Mhz in our patrol cars. That's low band not too far from CB radio frequencies.

In the winter when skip was in we couldn't talk to a deputy 20 miles away, but we could hear LAPD put out their stolen car report every morning. In the 80's we changed to VHF radios and the problem went away.

Later cell phones came to law enforcement and officers carried phones. The specialized units started using specialized cell phones with PTT, push-to-talk. These used the cellular network rather than repeaters on mountain tops.

Zello PTT on the cheap...

You can spend hundreds of dollars on specialized Bluetooth headsets with PTT for Zello or other PTT over cellular services, or less than $10 for a Bluetooth headset with remote PTT button.

Use a wired headset? Want to use an in the ear $5 Bluetooth headset like mine, or your favorite BT headset as a PTT for Zello.

The AINA Bluetooth PTT Button for Zello is $79.00 OR you can get a Bluetooth camera buttons on eBay for $1.20 from China or $5.00 from the US 

Watch This Video on how to setup a cheap bluetooth camera button as a Zell PTT button for your BT headset.

My First Impression of AT&T's First Responder Network FirstNet

I've been testing out AT&T's network built for first responders 

called FirstNet. The first thing I learned is don't call AT&T for help with FirstNet, they have a seperate support group that are great. They know what they're doing and get any problems with activation or IMEI numbers solved fast.

The FirstNet tower is working great in Dolan Springs. My guess is the cell tower above Dolan is the FirstNet tower 310-100 I can see on an app. I checked data speed and it just over 60 Mbps. You can not only download large files in seconds, you can tether 10 devices when needed.

The plans and prices for first responders in HERE 

They have some great offers for agencies to purchase the $1000 rugged Sonim XP8 phone for .99 cents and a 2 year plan.

The plan I use is the $44.99 unlimited data, talk & text plus unlimited mobile hotspot & tethering plan, with no throttling.

All in all FirstNet seems like a good deal for first responders. Just remember to call FirstNet for support and not AT&T..

This is a good article from All Things FirstNet about the system being built for first responders. I just signed up for FirstNet and found we have a local tower dedicated to first responders..

If you're a first responder check out Band 14 a high power band for first responders. If communications are important to your agency, check out FirstNet

Information on Band 14 Link 
While public safety is intrigued by the performance capabilities of the FirstNet system being built by AT&T, first-responder representatives repeatedly have expressed concern that typical LTE devices use only 0.200-0.250 watts of power when transmitting signals. By using HPUE—a 3GPP standard that can be used only on the 700 MHz Band 14 spectrum licensed to FirstNet in the U.S.—devices can transmit signals at 1.25 watts of power, according to Bob LaRose, vice president of business development at HPUE maker Assured Wireless.

IAFF Joins with AT&T to Educate Firefighters on FirstNet Mobile Broadband Services

POSTED BY: EDITORIAL STAFF JUNE 11, 2019

FirstNet is a critical tool to keep firefighters and paramedics safe and ensure effective emergency and disaster response LINK to Article

LMRFD Board Needs to Stay OUT of the Operation of the Fire District

I've filed one complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office and will continue to file complaints until the board stops interfering with the operation of the fire district.

I urge everyone to learn the Open Meeting Rules attend the fire board meetings and file complaints when the board goes beyond their mandate..

I sat down with Chief Bonnee today and he gets it.

I sat down with Chief Bonnee today and he gets it. He understands that we need volunteers as well as more support from areas currently not paying property tax to the LMRFD.

I hope the fire board is smart enough to spend a little to save a lot. We need our brush truck at station 41 where it can be of use, not as a chiefs vehicle.

The chief needs a 4x4 pickup truck he can use for support. I don't understand why the old chief was running a fire truck to death that's going to cost US $100,000 plus to replace.

If you have any interest in the fire service or EMS go to the LMRFD Web Page and apply the LMRFD needs volunteers. 

Welcome Chief Bonnee

I want to congratulate Tim Bonnee on his appointment as interim fire chief for the LMRFD. Tim is a paramedic that's a plus, and he seems to understand the problems we face in the LMRFD.

I hope we see some movement toward training local volunteers that can provide support for the EMS and fire service portions of the LMRFD.

I would hope the new chief would follow up with Representative Regina Cobb who I ask to look into why the laws the legislature passed allowing EMR's in medically underserved areas like Dolan Springs and meadview were not being followed.

As far as additional money some ambulance services in other areas use a subscription service to raise additional funds. This is similar to the the subscription programs the medical helicopter services have.

Welcome Chief Bonnee