FCC regulation Cancel The title field is required!

1. Dodson John

   
   12/15/2011 12:12 PM

   As many of you are aware, as of Jan 1 2013, all businesses have to go from wide to narrow band equipment. If i go through my Toro Osmac Company, it will cost $20,000 to upgrade entire system. New People Finder, new decoder modules, new license, new frequency, new everything basically. I have also received and researched an alternative from a company in California called Boardtronics, that have an item called Baracuda that can do it for $5,000. Have any of you dealt with this company, do they have a good track record, are they reliable, etc. etc.
   
   In this current economy, I can't afford to spend an extra 15K if it's not necessary. I've talked to the reps at Boardtronics and they seem to be answering any questions I have with ease and confidence.
   
   John Dodson

   
   
   
   
2. David Smith

   

   0 posts
   
   12/15/2011 8:12 PM

   I am in the same boat and got the same quote from my Toro distributor. I've gotten the mail from Boardtronics and while it seems too good to be true I don't think I can afford the Toro option. From another board posting I here Boardtronics is very reputable so I'm going with that option and crossing my fingers.
   
   David Smith
   Fawn Lake CC
   Virginia

   
   
   
   
3. Wahlin Scott B

   
   12/15/2011 9:12 PM

   I have had very good success with Boardtronics. They kept my VT2 going for years after it was obsolete.

   
   
   
   
4. Terry Smith

   

   0 posts
   
   12/16/2011 7:12 AM

   I had them rebuild a hunter satellite for me six or so years ago after a lightning strike. Did a good job at reasonable rate.
   
   Terry Smith

   
   
   
   
5. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   12/16/2011 8:12 AM

   All I use is Boardtronics for repairs.

   
   
   
   
6. Bob Begey

   

   0 posts
   
   12/16/2011 2:12 PM

   I am in the same situation you are and have done the same research you have. Here is what I have heard after speaking with representatives:
   
   My Toro distributor claimed-
   
   -There will be a Toro option similar to BoardTronics but are waiting on a few things..the FCC has yet to release a statement on whether or not BoardTronics solution method is offically compliant.
   
   -The FCC plans to release a statement around Feb.
   
   -If the FCC states that BoardTronics solution method is compliant, there would be a Toro solution (no decoder replacement, similar to BoardTronics) for a competitive price.
   
   **UPDATE**--- It turns out, that this information is inaccurate.

   
   
   
   
7. Dodson John

   
   12/19/2011 9:12 AM

   My understanding was that NSN would no longer cover my people finder. It would still cover my computer and its components. The computer has nothing to do with the FCC re, so if they are gonna not cover it through NSN then that is bullcocky!!

   
   
   
   
8. Bob Begey

   

   0 posts
   
   12/19/2011 11:12 AM

   Sorry, I wasn't very clear on my last post. It sounds like NSN will still offer support on your computer, just not support on communication between your computer and satellites (people finder, maybe decoder modules? Not sure where NSN draws the line on what they cover in terms of satellite communication)

   
   
   
   
9. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   12/19/2011 12:12 PM

   For those of you on Rainbird Freedom, what are you hearing? Solutions, pricing, alternatives, etc.....

   
   
   
   
10. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    12/19/2011 12:12 PM

    I haven't heard a thing from Rain Bird.
    
    I think it had been mentioned before but what are the specifics again on the frequencies impacted?
    
    Thanks, Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
11. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    12/19/2011 2:12 PM

    The FCC change mandates any users on wide band to switch to narrow band. If you have a frequency now that has a 5 in the third position after the decimal, you are fine. If it is a 0, you need to update. And example of wide band is 467.750. Narrow band is 467.6750. This is also true for your handheld radios you may use either on the course or pro shop and includes VHF radios in the 150.000-174.00 frequency range.
    
    Any equipment manufactured in 1997 until now is narrow band capable. You may only need to relicense and reprogram your current hardware. Older equipment that is not able to be reprogrammed will need to be upgraded entirely. You can chose to stay on wide band, but will be breaking the law, face possible interference, and have limited parts and support.
    
    See attached for a run through of the mandate.

    
    
    
    
12. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    12/19/2011 8:12 PM

    Thanks Andy, will check it when I get into work in the morning. We installed ours in 2005.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
13. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    12/20/2011 7:12 AM

    I checked ours it has a 7 in the third spot after the decimal. xx3.03750 I wonder if that is ok?
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
14. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    12/20/2011 12:12 PM

    BallMark said: I checked ours it has a 7 in the third spot after the decimal. xx3.03750 I wonder if that is ok?
    
    Mel

    
    
    You are good.

    
    
    
    
15. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    12/20/2011 12:12 PM

    Thanks Andy
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
16. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    12/20/2011 2:12 PM

    bbegey said: I am in the same situation you are and have done the same things you have. Here is what I have learned during my research of the two companies:
    
    My Toro distributor claims:
    
    -There will be a Toro option similar to BoardTronics but are waiting on a few things..the FCC has yet to release a statement on whether or not BoardTronics solution method is offically compliant.
    
    -The FCC plans to release a statement around Feb.
    
    -If the FCC states that BoardTronics solution method is compliant, there would be a Toro solution (no decoder replacement, similar to BoardTronics) for a competitive price.
    
    -If you are utilizing Toro NSN on your computer you will lose support coverage on your computer to satellite communications (people finder) going with BoardTronics updated people finder.
    
    It will be interesting to see what Toro offers after the FCC makes a statement on whether or not BoardTronics solution method is officially compliant.
    
    -Bob

    
    
    Knowing absolutely nothing about the Barracuda system being offered by Boardtronics, I felt I had to do my own research to get up to snuff, per say, with what is being offered. Boardtronics has tons of information on their website in regards to the FCC mandate and the offerings from Boardtronics during this switch. I'm kind of surprised to know that Toro has not offered a better solution prior to this point and why they would be waiting until February to announce something/anything since our local Toro dealer has been informing us of this mandate for several years now. If Toro has an economically feasible solution, why not bring it forth so that they can at least compete with what Boardtronics is offering and assist their customers with the change?
    
    The Boardtronics solution appears to be solid and at an affordable price versus a complete upgrade which is what is currently being offered by Toro. I have been a Boardtronics customer for several years now and can tell you that they stand behind what they sell. I have no doubt that if Boardtronics has found a solution, that it will be fully 100% FCC compliant and meet current needs. It would be extremely bad business on their part to offer something that is not suitable and if they did, they probably wouldn't be in business for very much longer after the fact.
    
    I would suggest anyone wanting to know more information to call Boardtronics or check out the information on their website and dispose of any questions, myths and rumors they may have.

    
    
    
    
17. Christian Pekarek

    

    0 posts
    
    12/20/2011 2:12 PM

    It is my understanding you can't tell if you have wide vs narrow band by looking at your frequency. It is the range of your frequency that determines your band. If your frequency is 450.00 and you have wide band, your frequency range is 450.0125 to 449.9875, a spread of 25 MHz. If you have narrow band, your frequency range would be 450.00625 to 449.99375, a spread of 12.5 MHz.
    
    
    I think the company who licensed your equipment has the info. In my case, Toro didn't license the equipment. It was a third party vendor.
    
    Chris Pekarek
    Village Links of Glen Ellyn
    Glen Ellyn, IL

    
    
    
    
18. Dodson John

    
    12/21/2011 7:12 AM

    andyjorg said:

    bbegey said: I am in the same situation you are and have done the same things you have. Here is what I have learned during my research of the two companies:
    
    My Toro distributor claims:
    
    -There will be a Toro option similar to BoardTronics but are waiting on a few things..the FCC has yet to release a statement on whether or not BoardTronics solution method is offically compliant.
    
    -The FCC plans to release a statement around Feb.
    
    -If the FCC states that BoardTronics solution method is compliant, there would be a Toro solution (no decoder replacement, similar to BoardTronics) for a competitive price.
    
    -If you are utilizing Toro NSN on your computer you will lose support coverage on your computer to satellite communications (people finder) going with BoardTronics updated people finder.
    
    It will be interesting to see what Toro offers after the FCC makes a statement on whether or not BoardTronics solution method is officially compliant.
    
    -Bob

    
    
    Knowing absolutely nothing about the Barracuda system being offered by Boardtronics, I felt I had to do my own research to get up to snuff, per say, with what is being offered. Boardtronics has tons of information on their website in regards to the FCC mandate and the offerings from Boardtronics during this switch. I'm kind of surprised to know that Toro has not offered a better solution prior to this point and why they would be waiting until February to announce something/anything since our local Toro dealer has been informing us of this mandate for several years now. If Toro has an economically feasible solution, why not bring it forth so that they can at least compete with what Boardtronics is offering and assist their customers with the change?
    
    The Boardtronics solution appears to be solid and at an affordable price versus a complete upgrade which is what is currently being offered by Toro. I have been a Boardtronics customer for several years now and can tell you that they stand behind what they sell. I have no doubt that if Boardtronics has found a solution, that it will be fully 100% FCC compliant and meet current needs. It would be extremely bad business on their part to offer something that is not suitable and if they did, they probably wouldn't be in business for very much longer after the fact.
    
    I would suggest anyone wanting to know more information to call Boardtronics or check out the information on their website and dispose of any questions, myths and rumors they may have.

    
    
    
    
    I have had multiple conversations with both my Toro dealer and Shawn from Boardtronics. Everytime I talk to my Toro rep, he gives me a couple of reasons or questions as to why I shouldn't go with Boardtronics. I call Shawn and he knocks it out of the park! He has even invited an open dialogue with my Toro rep (I highly doubt he took him up on the offer), to inform him on what exactly Boardtronics and Baracuda does and offers. My mind is pretty much made up. The savings from Boardtronics is gonna help me get some new equipment that I need badly. I personally feel that Toro saw an opotunity to make a ton of money that they could blame on the government.
    
    Thanks for all the replies and opinions. I have just started using the Forum and am very happy with everyones willingness to help and advise!
    
    John

    
    
    
    
19. Benton Mark L

    
    3/19/2012 7:03 AM

    btt
    
    anyone have any new info on this? any discussions at the national show? i guess my main concern would be if going with boardtronics for a new people finder, will toro nsn still do the same thing that they were doing before the people finder is changed out? any and all info is greatly appreciated.

    
    
    
    
20. Robert Crockett

    

    4 posts
    
    3/21/2012 7:03 AM

    John Dodson said: As many of you are aware, as of Jan 1 2013, all businesses have to go from wide to narrow band equipment. If i go through my Toro Osmac Company, it will cost $20,000 to upgrade entire system. New People Finder, new decoder modules, new license, new frequency, new everything basically. I have also received and researched an alternative from a company in California called Boardtronics, that have an item called Baracuda that can do it for $5,000. Have any of you dealt with this company, do they have a good track record, are they reliable, etc. etc.
    
    In this current economy, I can't afford to spend an extra 15K if it's not necessary. I've talked to the reps at Boardtronics and they seem to be answering any questions I have with ease and confidence.
    
    John Dodson

    
    I was told it was to make more room for internet and cell phone.....and we're paying for it.

    
    
    
    
21. D'Ann Kimbrel

    

    0 posts
    
    9/4/2012 9:09 PM

    We have made the switch to narrow band - Very frustrated - feel it is not as reliable. Toro distributed has been very responsive however we have not been able to pinpoint the issue. Anyone out there having a similar problem?

    
    
    
    
22. Robert Crockett

    

    4 posts
    
    9/5/2012 7:09 AM

    D'Ann Kimbrel, CGCS said: We have made the switch to narrow band - Very frustrated - feel it is not as reliable. Toro distributed has been very responsive however we have not been able to pinpoint the issue. Anyone out there having a similar problem?

    
    What are the issues you are having D'Ann?