Palmetto 800

This system began as a trunked radio system built by SCANA, the state's largest energy utility. After Hurricane Hugo in 1990, the state realized the need for a state-wide emergency communications platform that would allow public safety, government and utility workers to inter-communicate. The state took control of the system and began its state-wide build-out. Motorola purchased the system from SCANA on 6/15/2001.

The Public Saftey Wireless Network has recognized South Carolina as being one of the few states that has a statewide network which allows full interoperability. To achieve this level of interoperability , over $15 million in funds has been provided to aid local departments in purchasing 800mhz radios. 33 out of 46 (over 70%) county sheriff's offices have radios with access to the system, and funding has been secured to provide the remaining sheriff's offices with 800mhz radios. Eventually, every sheriff's department will have access to the system.

The buildout of the system was completed in May of 2003 with 61 cells. Many of the cells combine both the old SCANA licensed frequencies as well as County/City frequencies. The future of the system includes converting it from a mobile coverage system to a handheld coverage system. By 2007, the system is estimated to have 25,000 users.

The majority of the users' main operation talkgroups are in analog mode; however, many agencies have digital talk-around talkgroups. State DPS is moving to the State system from the various county systems almost immediately where agreements have been worked out between the counties and the Palmetto 800. State agencies that are fully digital include the State Attorney's Office. A Federal Agency access agreement allows federal agencies to acces the system. Federal entities on this system include the F.B.I. (Digital & Encrypted) USCG (Analog & Digital) U.S. Customs (Analog & Digital), U.S. Border Patrol (Digital & Encrypted), and US Army Weapons of Mass Destruction Unit .

Many SCHP officers have digital capable radios and can kick to digital or encryption if needed, although very few do. Some cells are being used in digital mode by county agencies, including Lexington, Fairfield, Williamsburg and Chester counties. Encryption is rare, with the exception of the Federal Agencies, SLED, and the Lexington Co. SD.

System Technical Information/Specs

* High Tier Fault-Tolerant Zone Controller

* 4.0 Mixed Mode Platform

* DES-XL Astro Secure at ALL sites

* Redundant Zone Controller

* Gold Series Embassy Audio Switch

* UPS and Generators

* Nova Telephone Interconnect

* MOSCAD Alarm and Control System

* Integrated Fault Management

* Mobile Data for all sites

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The user demographics as of July 1, 2003 are as follows:

56% Local Government Users (23 SDs and 74 Municipal PDs)
26% State Users (21 Agencies)
16% Power Utility Users (7 Power Utilities)
2% Other Users
13,375 Network Users

The user demographics as of March 1, 2004 are as follows:
59% Local Government Users (85 County Gov't agencies, 86 municipal agencies)
24% State Users (23 agencies)
15% Power Utility Users (8)
2% Other Users (5 federal agencies)
14,800 Network Users

SC Highway Patrol TG Assignments Spreadshet