San Diego County-Imperial County Regional Communications System
The San Diego County-Imperial County Regional Communications System, known locally as the RCS, provides wireless 800 MHz voice (radio) and data communications—on separate networks—to over 200 local, county, state, and federal public safety and public service agencies in San Diego County, California and Imperial County, California. The day-to-day operations are managed by the Wireless Services Division of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
The RCS voice network is a Motorola Type II SmartZone 800 MHz trunked, simulcast system. It supports mixed mode analog and digital communications and is digital encryption capable.
The RCS data network uses the Motorola 800 MHz conventional 19.2 kbit/s RD-LAP protocol. It provide wireless data access to computerized applications, such as computer aided dispatch (CAD), automated law enforcement databases, and unit messaging.
History
Timeline of notable events
- December 8, 1992 - San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the RCS business plan
- March 7, 1995 - Governing bodies signed the Participating Agency Agreement
- March 5, 1996 - San Diego County Board authorized contract with Motorola & financing of remaining RCS components
- December 1996 - Construction of 43 radio repeater sites began
- May 1998 - Participating agencies began using the RCS
- December 1999 - San Diego County portion of the project completed
- March 5, 2001 - Santana High School shooting
- March 22, 2001 - Granite Hills High School shooting
- October 25, 2003 - Cedar Fire and Paradise Fire
Member agencies
Counties
- San Diego
- Imperial
Cities
San Diego County
- Carlsbad
- Chula Vista
- Coronado
- Del Mar
- El Cajon
- Encinitas
- Escondido
- Imperial Beach
- La Mesa
- Lemon Grove
- National City
- Poway
- Oceanside
- San Marcos
- Santee
- Solana Beach
- Vista