New Non-CAP CSSI Interoperability testing has been completed by Keenfinity Group -Telex and Motorola.  Their previous testing occurred in July of 2025. This latest testing was completed September 4th 2025 testing new software revision levels for the products tested. 

The Full test spreadsheet can be downloaded using the Link below:

250911 Keenfinity Group Telex - Motorola Solutions CSSI Non CAP Interoperability Test September 2025

Testing dates: September 4th 2025

Software Versions:

MSI system software versions:  AN2024.1

ISGW - Astro version - 20.24.01.02.67

MCC7500 Console version:  25.1.171"

Telex software versions:

C-Soft version 8.500

MSI lab connected to Telex lab via VPN.

Intra System configuration (i.e. matching WACN ID + System ID)

The Motorola RF Subsystem (RFSS) was configured as the ""Home"" subsystem for all talkgroups used in the testing.

The Telex Console Subsystem (CSS) was configured as the ""Serving"" subsystem for all talkgroups used in the testing and consisted of console equipment only.

Keenfinity Group -Telex and Motorola recently completed Non-CAP CSSI Interoperability testing for their products. 

The Full test spreadsheet can be downloaded using the Link below:

250814 Keenfinity Group Telex - Motorola Solutions CSSI Non CAP Interoperability Test July 2025

Testing dates: July 2, 2025

MSI software versions: ISGW-Astro-07.18.00.12-01

Telex software versions:

C-Soft version 8.328

CMS version: 2.000

Testing configuration info:

MSI lab connected to Telex lab via VPN.

Intra System configuration (i.e. matching WACN ID + System ID)

The Motorola RF Subsystem (RFSS) was configured as the ""Home"" subsystem for all talkgroups used in the testing.

The Telex Console Subsystem (CSS) was configured as the ""Serving"" subsystem for all talkgroups used in the testing and consisted of console equipment only. 

• Join us at APCO for “P25 for the Future” Panel session featuring the latest Updates, Applications and Capabilities of P25 technology Wednesday July 30th 2-3 PM Room 343-344

• Join us for “Security Triad for P25 LMR: Encryption, Access, Cyber IDs” Wednesday July 30th 3:30-4:30 PM Room 345-346

• Visit the Project 25 Technology Interest Group Booth (2238). Bring your questions and meet with P25 User agency directors and engineers from our P25 Industry members and consultants.

• See all the new P25 Products and Services from 19 PTIG member Booths on the show floor.

APCO 2025 

Conference: July 27-30   Exhibits: July 28-29  

Baltimore Convention Center 

P25 for the Future: New Standards, Interop & Security

Wednesday July 30th  2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

Baltimore Convention Center, 343-344

Speakers:

• Stephen Nichols, Project 25 Technology Interest Group (PTIG)
• Don Root P25 Steering Committee Chair, APCO P25 Manager
• John Lambrou, Motorola Solutions, TIA TR-8 Chair
• Jeremy Elder, L3Harris
• Scott Wright Connecticut Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection, P25 Public Safety User Needs Working Group (PSUNWG) Co-Chair

See how P25 technology is evolving to meet the changing communications eco-system.

Look at the top priorities for the future of P25 from the Steering Committee and Public Safety User Needs Working Group (PSUNWG) . Get the latest Standards update including: P25 Standards recently completed and new Standards in development including LMR interworking with LTE and Mission-Critical PTT.

Learn what's new for Project 25 in 2025 and beyond including: New P25 Cyber Security for P25 Control Channels and Unit IDs, a new "GPS location on every PTT" Standard for P25 subscriber units, a new Multi-vendor "User ID alias" capability to share the user-name for each unit across multiple systems and talk groups, and new radio receiver design specs to protect mission critical systems from harmful interference.

Hear how P25 technology is best deployed and managed to meet the communications needs of Public Safety and government user agencies. Explore Multiple Emergency Alarm capabilities in P25 including new P25 Standards for remote emergency activation including: Man Down, Vehicle Sensed, Accessory Sensed and New Remotely Activated and Silent Emergency Modes

Strong interest in Communications Security and Encryption is growing. Review the new P25 Link Layer Standards, P25 User Authentication Standards, and improved, interoperable, AES Key Management. Explore P25 testing resources including the DHS CAP program and Independent Labs.

Project 25 remains critically important to public safety users and government agencies. With over 3300 P25 systems on the air and 42 State-wide Networks, its continued evolution with new standards, capabilities, and applications will be relevant, even as other public safety broadband networks continue to roll out.

Security Triad for P25 LMR: Encryption, Access, Cyber IDs

Wednesday July 30th  3:30 PM – 4:30 PM 

Baltimore Convention Center, 345-346

• Stephen Nichols, Project 25 Technology Interest Group (PTIG)
• Scott Wright, Connecticut Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection, P25 Public Safety User Needs Working Group (PSUNWG) Co-Chair
• Hermina (Nina) Koshinski, Chief, Radio Operations Engineering & Support, P25 System Administrator & Engineer, Pennsylvania State Police - Statewide Radio Network Division

Today Project 25 offers Defense in Depth through three unique P25 Communication Security Services, each with an integral key management and delivery process.

 It is important to understand the unique capabilities that each service offers and how they can be combined and applied offering: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability for P25 voice, data, and network information. The P25 Security Triad assures access control, privacy protection, information modification prevention, and timely reliable access for the nation's First Responders. 

P25 Communications Services Security Triad:

• Voice and Data Encryption (256 bit AES): Encrypts and protects the voice and data information sent over the air.
• Link Layer Authentication (LLA): Protects the System from access by unauthorized users.
• Link Layer Encryption (LLE): Protects the data and User ID information sent on the Control Channel of the system.

The profile of each service will include a detailed definition of what is protected and how that benefits the First Responder. Keys to successful application including agency policies, radio programming, and encryption key delivery and management will be detailed. Interoperability with Non encrypted (Clear) radios for Multi-agency task forces and incidents will be included. Finally, the current P25 Standards development status and product availability will be shared.

Visit the Project 25 Technology Interest Group Booth (2238).  Bring your questions and meet with P25 User agency directors and engineers from our P25 Industry members and consultants.

See all the new P25 Products and Services from 19 PTIG Members on the show floor.

The Project 25 Technology Interest Group (PTIG) is pleased to share our latest P25 System of the Month:

Oklahoma’s PatrolNet P25 Network

 The docvument can be downloaded using this link: https://www.project25.org/index.php/documents/ptig-p25-system-case-studies?view=frontlist&catid[0]=10015

The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) has implemented PatrolNet, a Project 25 (P25) conventional network that covers about 210,000 square miles in Oklahoma.

DPS oversees the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), which staffs 1,500 civilian and uniformed employees across the state. OHP state troopers patrol the state’s 111,994 miles of state roads and highways, responding to traffic collisions, natural disasters, and civil disorders.

DPS had an aging VHF low-band system with spotty coverage across about one-third of the state. Maximizing Oklahoma DPS’ current sites, Stolz Telecom designed a coverage plan for a new P25 network using 35 sites and covering one-third of Oklahoma. To address the coverage problems with the legacy system, the department deployed an in-fill 700 MHz voted multicast coverage solution designed by Stolz Telecom and using Tait Communications P25 equipment in 2021.

The department has a Communications & Electronics Services Team that oversees and maintains its public safety communications network. That DPS team independently verified Stolz Telecom’s coverage calculations and assumptions. The new P25 base stations have remote access and spectrum analyzer capabilities, allowing DPS field technicians to remotely diagnose issues in real-time. This saves hours of driving time to remote locations that are sometimes five hours away.

The solution was cost effective, with the radio equipment, configuration, and training providing a solution that easily fit within the DPS budget. The infrastructure cost was about $1.5 million. The Communications & Electronics Services Team installed the shelter hardware and hired a tower crew to purchase and install the tower hardware for a separate cost.

The P25 conventional network includes three sites, two channels, a console gateway, and an RF console. The base station can operate in a trunked  network in single, simulcast and fill-in receiver configurations. The mobile station votes each downlink frequency to find the best frequency available.

Stolz Telecom provided engineering support to configure the network and train the internal technicians for ongoing maintenance and firmware upgrades.

System Expansion

Texas County is in the panhandle of Oklahoma. The county seat is Guymon, and the population was 21,384 in 2020. Texas County is the second-largest county in Oklahoma based on land area and is named for the state that adjoins the county to its south.

The county includes 11 fire departments, 8 law enforcement agencies, and 2 ambulance services.

The county joined the DPS P25 conventional network in 2024 through an inexpensive equipment purchase. The tower equipment and first round of radios were funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money. P25 radios from at least two different vendors are being deployed. Additional P25 radios are being purchased using grant funds, and more radios will be budgeted into yearly budgets.

To ensure coverage would be adequate, hundreds of miles of drive coverage testing were conducted, and the results exceeded expectations.

The three tower sites in Texas County cover most of the Beaver and Cimarron County Oklahoma, and reach into five counties in Texas, one in Colorado, and five counties in Kansas.

The green portable symbols are portable coverage, and the mobile symbols that are green indicate mobile coverage.

Network Advantages

One of the benefits for Texas County to join PatrolNet in addition to meeting its budgetary requirements is improved coverage. The network offers clear radio traffic and 700 MHz portable coverage tested at nearly 100% countywide. Previous VHF portable coverage was 5 miles or less. Officer safety has benefited.

Network redundancy is another benefit through generators at state-owned tower sites. Texas County towers lacked generators at 3 of 5 previous sites, but DPS 700 MHz towers all have generators.

In addition, interoperability has improved. Joining PatrolNet allowed the county to restore communications with Kansas after the state moved to 800 MHz. Texas County mutual aid with Kansas EMS providers and fire departments is common, so renewed interoperability was critical.

Direct communications with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and local agencies was also established. The 700 MHz system will play a key role in communicating with neighboring counties and allow a future COOP plan. There are currently no radio communications with the two surrounding counties, but testing has proven the new system will fill this gap.

Lessons Learned

Rural areas pose unique coverage challenges. Because of smaller budgets, rural agencies must maximize coverage with effective network design, which is critically important to a successful P25 mission-critical communications system.

Working with state partners to share infrastructure provides cost benefits to both entities and allows for true radio communications interoperability between state and local agencies.

Achieving buy-in from local agencies to change spectrum bands from VHF to 700/800 MHz was a challenge. Stolz Telecom demonstrated the new frequencies’ improved coverage with propagation maps and a live demo of the PatrolNet system.