McAfee's Communications, Inc.

Narrowbanding or "Refarming" is a rule change the FCC adpoted in 1995. The rule change states that by January 1st 2013 all Industrial/Business Radio and Public Saftey Radio Pools operating in the frequencies of 150-174 MHz (VHF) and 421-512 MHz (UHF) bands must modify their FCC Licenses to meet the requirement of 12.5 kHz channel spacing, or a technology that achieves the narrowband equivalent of one channel per 12.5 kHz of channel bandwidth (voice) or 4800 bits persecond per 6.25 kHz (data).
Read the FCC's offical document on narrowbanding.

What is Narrowbanding?
Currently most radio systems in the private land mobile VHF and UHF bands operate on a channel spacing of 25 khz, or wideband, between frequencies. Narrowbanding reduces the spacing between these frequencies/channels to 12.5 kHz in order to make more efficient use of the spectrum. Because new narrowband channels overlap part of the old wideband channels there is a possibility of interference when a new channel is added. For this reason it is recommended you convert to narrowband early to minimize this risk.

How does Narrowbanding effect you?
Migrating to narrowband requires reprogramming all existing Two-way Radios including:
Portables
Mobiles
Base Stations
Repeaters
RF Links
Pagers

Any equipment not capable of operating in the new 12.5 kHz channel will need to be replaced.

Click here for a complete list of Motorola Two-way radios that are not compatible with the 12.5 switch.

During the migration process it is possible that some radios will be operating in wideband and others in narrowband on the same channel. Wideband radios that communicate with narrowband radios will sound distorted since they are transmitting twice as much information as the narrowband radios are prepared to receive. Narrowband radios that communicate with wideband radios will sound clear but quieter since they are transmitting 1/2 as much information as the wideband radios are prepared to recieve.
It is also possible that one radio will have to be reprogrammed several times as all other departments switch to narrowband. For this reason it is recommended to modify all radios in as short a time frame as possible.

Below are some key dates from the FCC regarding narrowbanding.

January 1, 2011: The FCC will no longer accept applications for new VHF or UHF systems that operate on wideband channels (25 KHz or more).

January 1, 2013: All existing licenses must operate on channels with a bandwidth of 12.5 KHz or less (narrowband). Failure to comply with the January 1, 2013 deadline results in cancellation of license.

What does this mean for you?
Now is the time to start planning for the narrowbanding switch.
Inventory your radio system to determine what needs replacement.
Discuss interoperability.
Discuss financing.
Discuss a timeframe for implementation.

We can also assist you in updating your FCC license to the required Narrowband Emissions. Should you have any questions concerning your FCC License, Licensing requirements, or to upgrade your communications equipment our knowledgeable staff can help.