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Consultants recommend Jay County migrate to state radio system to fix coverage gaps
Summary
In a June 18 special session, Ritter Strategic Services presented a two-part radio study documenting coverage gaps and interference across three disparate systems and recommended migrating to the State IPSC system as the preferred long-term solution; cost estimates and a one- to two-year timeline were discussed.
Ritter Strategic Services presented a phase-one assessment of Jay County’s public‑safety radio systems in a special June 18 session, concluding the county’s three disparate systems create coverage gaps and interference and recommending migration to the State of Indiana IPSC radio system as the preferred long‑term option.
Barry Ritter, the consultant leading the study, said the county’s systems are effectively operating in silos with no single inventory or authority. Technical lead Dillion Griffith outlined a two-stage assessment — a human survey of first responders and a technical propagation analysis — and showed maps indicating spots where portable radios will not work indoors or outdoors. Griffith explained the sheriff’s 900 MHz system covers smaller areas but penetrates structures better, while the VHF systems used by Fire/EMS/EMA travel farther but lose signal at obstructions, creating coverage gaps and opportunities for interference when frequencies overlap.
Ritter and Griffith reviewed several options: reorienting or replacing antennas, adding tower sites, a simulcast system upgrade within the same band, purchasing a stand-alone 700–800 MHz system (which the report did not recommend because of its high cost), and migrating to the State IPSC system. Ritter said migration to IPSC would leverage state infrastructure, avoid congested VHF bands, and was estimated in the study discussion at a rough county-level figure near $3 million, depending on site and subscriber needs; by contrast, a fully county-funded, standalone 700–800 MHz system could exceed $8.5–$10 million.
Commissioners asked about testing, maintenance, radio pricing and tower reuse. Griffith said coverage-acceptance testing would be a standard procurement milestone and that IPSC site additions could require structural assessment. Sheriff Larry “Ray” Newton said replacement parts for the current system are already hard to obtain and supported moving the project forward. Ritter recommended appointing an independent subject-matter representative to guide procurement and said phase two could proceed with procurement specifications and vendor evaluation if the county chooses to move forward.
No formal procurement vote occurred at the session; commissioners discussed next steps including outreach to cities and towns, exploring public‑private partnerships for tower costs, and returning with direction to Ritter Strategic.
