Apco Project 25 explanation

Apco Project 25 is the official name but you will often hear it refered to as Apco 25, P25, Project 25 complaint, and many more. Before I tell you what it really is let me first explain where the need comes from then the definition will make better sense. Over the last 25-35 years any industry that has anything to do with communications has been changing with every increasing need. The two way radio industry is no different. In 1989 Apco Project 25 began out of need. The radio or frequency spectrum has stayed the same but the need has gone up tremendously. In other words, the radio spectrum of frequencies have become more congested over the years. The need for data transmission has become more necessary which is not an option on many narrow band systems. Increased system functionality along with more secure communications is a growing neccessity. Also increased transmission quality over a larger transmission area is needed. Out of these needs sprang Apco Project 25.

Apco Project 25 is according to the International Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials website “an industry-wide effort to set the recommended voluntary standards of uniform digital two-way radio technology for public safety organizations”. Let's look at what is important and what that means to you a consumer. First, “industry-wide” this means that it's not just one manufacturer but many large manufactures working together, included in these are but not limited to Motorola & Bendix King, to produce the second part “uniform” that means that they'll work with each other in other words interoperability. Not all functions of each P25 radio will work with the other but the basics will work with each other therefore allowing the consumer an easier way to not only compare but to also incorporate the new P25 radios into there existing systems. I'll explain more on that in a minute.

The last two parts are “digital two-way radio technology” which means it's digital not analog. And as almost everyone knows just about everything is going digital due to the better quality is the main reason but also as important being able to send data. TV has gone digital, radio is going, phones are going, everything is. Try to find a record. Many don't even know what that is. And the last part is who it is for which is “public safety organizations” in other word you first responders. You know who you are and we thank all of you.

P25's Suite of Standards specify eight open interfaces between the various components of a land mobile radio system. These interfaces are:

• Common Air Interface (CAI)

• Subscriber Data Peripheral Interface

• Fixed Station Interface

• Console Subsystem Interface

• Network Management

• Data Network Interface

• Telephone Interconnect Interface

• Inter RF Subsystem Interface

So in simple English Apco Project 25 is a set, not a single rule, of standards that cover digital two way radio technology for first responders. It promotes competition by allowing you to compare apples to apples. It allows you to slowly incorporate digital into your existing analog system because P25 is backward compatible meaning that they will work with any analog system yet know that you are investing in equipment that will work with the latest greatest.

Browse our P25 portables, P25 mobiles, or P25 repeaters and Base stations.

We realize that this is just the most basic explanation. If you have any question please feel free to call or email us. Thank you.