March 5, 2019
The patrol template for the new radio programming is being finalized and will begin when all of the new radios are auto tuned and re-aligned to specifications. Surrounding agencies are also being surveyed to ensure their readiness. Testing has begun on the WAVE Project for specialized units to enhance day to day communications. The Magnolia Tower site move was completed in January and is up and running. The Conroe Tower move is still under review by Motorola Consultants. An infrastructure project that will strengthen the radio system has just been completed.


October 10, 2019
Radio tower black and white graphicThe new Radio System Manager will be Tracy Shillock. Tracy came to the SO from Cy-Fair and has decades of radio technology experience. Additionally, he retired from law enforcement and has experience as a dispatcher, street deputy, and sergeant. The newest Radio Technician is Austin Hanson, who is a military veteran of the US Navy. Austin will be serving as the primary Coban technician. The once shorthanded unit is now fully staffed. However, this by no means lessons the amount of work that lies ahead for the Radio Shop. The new radios are currently going through the required inventory and inspection process which should be complete by mid-October. The Patrol Division is in the process of determining the layout of their radio templates and has been soliciting input from units in the field. If the Patrol templates are finalized by mid-October, the Radio  shop can begin programming immediately thereafter. The plan is to be finished with programming and installations by mid-January, at the latest. 

The new radios will be fully encrypted. However, for a short time the Radio Shop will be leaving a small number of channels un-encrypted for compatibility with older radios countywide to give agencies who have not yet upgraded their radios a chance to get them purchased and programmed to ensure connectivity with dispatch and county units is not lost.

Lastly, the Conroe radio tower will be completely replaced. The Magnolia tower will be moved, upgraded with new equipment, and will continue to handle the day-to-day issues with the overall county Radio System and your current equipment.