Homeland Security spent $430M on radios.....................

[bannination]

Only one of 479 employees surveyed could operate radio correctly.

Homeland Security spent $430M on radios its employees don't know how to use
Only one of 479 employees surveyed could operate radio correctly.

Getting the agencies responsible for national security to communicate better was one of the main reasons the Department of Homeland Security was created after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

But according to a recent report from the department's inspector general, one aspect of this mission remains far from accomplished.

DHS has spent $430 million over the past nine years to provide radios tuned to a common, secure channel to 123,000 employees across the country. Problem is, no one seems to know how to use them.

[Wneglia]

Only one of 479 employees surveyed could operate radio correctly.

Homeland Security spent $430M on radios its employees don't know how to use
Only one of 479 employees surveyed could operate radio correctly.

Getting the agencies responsible for national security to communicate better was one of the main reasons the Department of Homeland Security was created after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

But according to a recent report from the department's inspector general, one aspect of this mission remains far from accomplished.

DHS has spent $430 million over the past nine years to provide radios tuned to a common, secure channel to 123,000 employees across the country. Problem is, no one seems to know how to use them.

They are just pissed because they can't find Sirius/XM

[billy.pilgrim]

Only one of 479 employees surveyed could operate radio correctly.

Homeland Security spent $430M on radios its employees don't know how to use
Only one of 479 employees surveyed could operate radio correctly.

Getting the agencies responsible for national security to communicate better was one of the main reasons the Department of Homeland Security was created after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

But according to a recent report from the department's inspector general, one aspect of this mission remains far from accomplished.

DHS has spent $430 million over the past nine years to provide radios tuned to a common, secure channel to 123,000 employees across the country. Problem is, no one seems to know how to use them.

who made the millions? jeb or haliburton

[Dryer Vent]

If my figures are correct, that is $388 per year per employee for radios. It's inconceivable that 123,000 employees are that stupid that they can't figure out how to operate a radio in nine years.

[billy.pilgrim]

If my figures are correct, that is $388 per year per employee for radios. It's inconceivable that 123,000 employees are that stupid that they can't figure out how to operate a radio in nine years.

why is everybody attacking lil bush's huge govt expansion boondoggle

if I had a radio that wouldn't work, I would complain to the asshole who made it. I just spent about 30 minutes reading link after link - mostly wnd types - and everybody is attacking the employees. I assume these are normal type people and some very qualified high position types. these radios were made mostly for border patrol and drug enforcement - seems more of a radio problem than a people problem

again - did jeb or haliburton make the millions? none of the articles mention where the radios were made

enter tag stage right for obama attack

[Dryer Vent]

Can't be Obama's fault. He wasn't in office nine years ago.

[billy.pilgrim]

Can't be Obama's fault. He wasn't in office nine years ago.

tag don't care bout them details

[bannination]

If my figures are correct, that is $388 per year per employee for radios. It's inconceivable that 123,000 employees are that stupid that they can't figure out how to operate a radio in nine years.

I don't know, picture your average American you see gallivanting out in town.... now picture them configuring and operating a encrypted radio transmitter.

It's not that unbelievable.

[rstrong]

It's inconceivable that 123,000 employees are that stupid that they can't figure out how to operate a radio in nine years.

I used to wish that my computer was as easy to use as my phone. My wish came true; I no longer know how to use my phone.

Seriously though, half of these are probably people who use the radios every day without any problems. They just couldn't identify how to use the common channel feature. And the other half no doubt are people who would not use them at all except in an emergency that hasn't happened yet, people who got a 10-minute demonstration five years ago and haven't thought about radios since.

[neoplacebo]

I'm not a detective, but I would be suspicious that the radios were made and utilized by the same companies and workers who allowed the breach of the Oak Ridge nuclear facilities recently; I also suspect the cameras sited along the perimeter of the Oak Ridge complex do not work, or if they do, only two workers know how to manipulate them and they both work in the daytime. But I could be wrong.....

[Stinger]

Can't be Obama's fault. He wasn't in office nine years ago.

Since when has that stopped any wingnut worth his salt from blaming Obama?

They've regularly blamed Obama for any number of things that happened or began during the Bush administration.

GM announced the closing of its Janesville, Wisconsin, plant in 2008. It stopped production on December 23rd, 2008.

That didn't stop the head wingnut, Paul Ryan, for blaming it on Obama.

He doubled-down on his stupid by claiming the closing was due to Obama's disastrous energy policies and the high cost of gasoline.

Gasoline was about $1.60 a gallon when the plant closed.

That's wingnut lie-logic for you. Facts don't mean a damned thing. If you can blame something on Obama, do it.

He gave Eve that apple, you know.

[Stinger]

Propublica broke this. Down in the comments is an explanation that explains the complexity of such a system. It would have been nice if the journalist/writer had gotten background from someone knowledgeable in communications.

http://www.propublica.org/article/homel ... ont-know-h

James T. York
Nov. 21, 8:01 p.m.
I am in a communication batallion and deal with emergency radios every day (also retired DHS & former police/fire). Most people think radio is the magic “Dukes of Hazard” CB radio that works on all frequencies, all modes, all power settings and then speaks only to the desired recipiant. Radio is very complicated and requires much study and licensed skill to use. A simple, “Push to Talk” radio works fine for non-licensed users but when you try to make a radio system that will talk around the world to everyone, you are building a very complicated system. These radios are dependant on repeaters and computer centers just like cell phones. Programming these Advanced Land Mobile radios requires an advanced programming technician and an advaced user. If the user is not clear on what is meant by “frequency” or “Peak Envelope Power” it is like expecting a teenager to shift gears on a 16 speed Kenworth. There is no substitute for training and practice. However, many people have no interest in com and so never master the radios. Give classes and next month it is the same thing all over again—“How do I turn this on?”—No interest-no Practice-no mastery. This is why the military relies on communications people with special qualifications and does not expect other personnel to use anything beyond a cell phone. (Technically, some systems work exactly like a cell phone with all the attendant limits like “NO BARS!” and no “Roaming!!”.) —- “Can you hear me now?” (Ever try to get 200 cops to pistol qualify to minimums? Only about 5% will qualify “MASTER”, but they work at it. Some never qualify and lose their billet. Same thing for radio communications. There is no simply way. Train, practice, credential. —Jim, “Wolfpack 7” or KL3CJ

In a second post, he wrote:

James T. York
Nov. 21, 8:36 p.m.
To Stephanie,

Private corporations as well a public agnecies need com. This was usually handled with simplex radio—one channel—push to talk. The problem is in communication with other corporations and agencies. That is difficult and requires “Multiplex” radios. At this point training gets intense. I am tired of corporate adminstrators telling me no to"bother them” with “Details. This is not a government vrs private thing—thay are all the same on this issue. The desire to have every radio talk to every other radio is just not technically practical. In fact, there is limited programming memory availible so when an agent travels outside his area, his radio may not properly programmed to connect with repeaters and computers in another state or jurisdiction. People who are not technically qualified usually expect more than can be delivered. These advanced systems work well but only when used by people who understand the technology. The more you try to make it simple, the more complicated it gets. Corporations spend millions on systems that don’t work as their administrative staffs won’t train either. Jim