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Short Range Communications Upgrade System
Rescue 21 is the backbone of the Short Range Communications Upgrade System (SRCUS), and will modernize and recapitalize short-range radio equipment on all Coast Guard vessels 87 feet or shorter. Much of the existing equipment is no longer supported and cannot meet new interoperability communication standards and requirements. The project will install three types of radios on each vessel: Tactical VHF, Tactical UHF, and Marine Band VHF/Digital Selective Calling (DSC). Installation of such VHF and UHF radios will permit full leverage by Rescue 21’s network and use of (DHS desired) UHF first-responder frequencies (to reduce VHF congestion). The project began in September of 2006 and is expected to be completed in early 2012.
Benefits:
- Boat operators will learn the operations of three standard radio systems that are common among small boat platforms.
- Reduces logistical concerns of supporting multiple non-standard radio systems.
- Reduces maintenance training requirements for ET’s.
- The interface between the vessel’s DSC radio and Scalable Integrated Navigation Systems (SINS) allows the display of DSC alerts on the vessel’s display system so operators can easily pinpoint the location of distressed vessels.
- All radios are interoperable with the Rescue 21 shore-side infrastructure.
- The UHF radios are trunking enabled allowing them to operate with joint forces on enterprise land mobile radio (ELMR) systems.
- The Tactical VHF and UHF radios provide more secure communications for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) by employing the Advance Encryption Standard (AES).
- APCO Project 25 compliances improves the ability to communicate with other responder agencies.
Equipment:
- Tactical VHF: Motorola XTL-5000 O5 VHF
- Tactical UHF: Motorola XTL-5000 O5 UHF
- VHF/DSC: Standard Horizon GX5500S
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Last Modified 1/26/2012