Virginia has started installing new interop system

[jim202]

Virginia has started installing a new radio interoperability system in the Lynchburg and Roanoke
region of the state. When completed, the new system will be able to inter link 32 dispatch
911 centers together. These dispatch centers will be able to link their radio channels as
needed with a Sytech Corp gateway system called RIOS.

The RIOS gateway system has the ability for the client computer locations to send text messages
between computers without using a radio channel or telephone. The network will use an IP
connection. The system can link one radio channel from one dispatch center gateway with
another dispatch center gateway radio channel.

The linking of the gateway channels is with a few simple keystrokes or mouse clicks. In most
cases, it only takes 5 keystrokes to link 2 radio channels from 2 different gateway systems.
You click on the icon to make a link, then click on the local radio channel icon, then click on
the second gateway location icon, a new screen comes up with the radio channels of that
gateway, click on the radio channel desired on that gateway and go back to the original
icon that started the process and your done. The 2 radio channels are now linked and
fully functional. No engineering degree required, no manual to study for hours, no
expensive T1 rental circuit needed like other gateway systems. No hub gateway
location to fail and take out the whole system. The RIOS uses an IP mesh type network.

The RIOS gateways are fully redundant with a backup system. The RIOS gateways have a
built in recording feature. This allows operator selection to turn on or off the recording
on a channel by channel as needed. The RIOS gateway also has an instant voice recall
of all local radio channels connected.

The RIOS gateways have been interconnected via both a BEGAN satellite and regular
satellite links in other projects by the Sytech Corp. This provides the ability to use a
RIOS gateway out in the field where no IP connections exist. Many mobile command
vehicles around the country have a RIOS gateway installed and interconnected this way.

[jim202]

There are now some 58 different 911 dispatch centers on line and functional. More are in the process of
being installed. Already the dispatchers are finding the interoperability system easy to use and provides
the ability to interconnect the adjacent agency radio channels as needed.

In one case there was a bank robbery in a big city using an 800 trunking radio system and they were chasing
the suspects south into another county. The county they were going into had a low band radio for the
sheriff's operation. A smart, fast thinking dispatcher linked the two agencies together and they had a
seamless radio connection for both agencies, just like they were on the same channel.

Several different fire departments have used the state COMLINC system in the same fashion.

With the addition of a number of the Virginia State Police dispatch centers, the ability to link local agencies
directly with the state police troopers on the road is now a reality. The state police mobile command
vehicle has been upgraded with one of the RIOS gateway units. This now allows the interconnection
of local agencies with the STARS trunking system.

Additional dispatch centers are in line to be added to the Virginia COMLINC Interoperability system.