What Radios Can I Buy/will my radios work on p25?
What Radios Can I Buy?
Today: The Utah Communications Authority (“UCA”) currently uses a Motorola SmartZone proprietary system. The only three radio manufactures that are capable of operating on our current radio system are Motorola, Kenwood, and EF Johnson. Please consult with a representative from the respective manufacturer to determine what model is appropriate for your agency to purchase. Please also review the approved radio list to ensure that what you are desiring to purchase has been approved for use on the system.
Motorola: Contract # AR3841 with expiration 12/31/2026
JVC Kenwood: Contract # AR3844 with expiration 12/31/2026
Future P25 System: The Utah Communications Authority is anticipating that we can begin migrating users to the new P25 radio system in early 2023. When the new system becomes operational, there is the potential for numerous radio manufacturers to produce radios that are capable of operating on the P25 radio system. Manufacturers could include BK Technologies, Codan Radio Communications, EF Johnson, Icom America, JVC Kenwood, L3Harris, Motorola, Tait, and others. The Utah Communications Authority has developed an approved radio list to authorize and approve specific radio manufactures and models to operate on the radio system.
End users can purchase radios from L3Harris at a discount of 65% off catalog pricing on orders placed with L3Harris before the end of calendar year 2022. Thereafter, end users will be able to purchase radios from L3Harris at discounts ranging rom 40%-65% off catalog pricing (based on quantity purchased) for the duration of the contract between L3Harris and UCA. Other manufacturers may offer discounts either through a NASPO contract or through direct negotiations. All manufacturers offer a range of features and options which can alter the price of a single radio.
Will my current radios work?
If you have a Motorola XTS, XTL, or APX radio or an EF Johnson/Kenwood radio, it has the potential of working on the P25 system. Whether it will or will not work is a question of the specific flash code (software iteration) loaded into the radio. It is not always easy to tell the version of your flash code and, as such, we encourage you to work with Motorola or EF Johnson/Kenwood to determine if you need to upgrade your radios’ flash code. Motorola has agreed to discounted pricing on new flash codes to assist in this transition.
i'm confused.
Don’t worry, these are not simple questions; that’s why we’re here. For any and all specific questions about your radios, please feel free to contact Dan Dialogue, UCA’s Assistant Radio Division Director (ddialogue@uca911.org or 801-828-6118), or Phil Krebs, UCA’s Radio Division Director (pkrebs@uca911.org or 801-840-4224). We are more than happy to give customized assistance.