We have run into quite a few “green” salespeople lately.  They seem to be telling customers that by moving to a MOTOTRBO Conventional or IP Site Connect (a.k.a. DMR Tier II) system that they are getting the benefits of trunking.  This is simply NOT the case.

DMR utilizes TDMA to allow different users to share the same channel, by dividing it into “time slots”.  In a standard configuration, talkgroups are statically assigned to time slots.

Let’s assume an example case with the following:

• 20 administrative talkgroup users
• 10 security talkgroup users
• 10 maintenance talkgroup users

Since the administrative talkgroup has more users, you decide to assign it to time slot 1.  You decide to assign the other two talkgroups to time slot 2.

If security is using their radios and maintenance needs to talk, can they?  No.  Why?  Because both groups are statically assigned to time slot 2.  If security is using time slot 2, maintenance cannot.  This does not change whether or not time slot 1 is in use.  So, while it is true that “you’ll have double the capacity“, you won’t have an efficient way to use that capacity.

In order to efficiently use capacity, you need trunking, which allows for talkgroups to be dynamically assigned.  If you are looking to efficiently use capacity, please contact us at (804) 625-4233 or sales AT richmondrf DOT com.