I was thumbing through current spending legislation (What a hobby huh?), and I found something interesting I can't seem to wrap my mind around. In bill HR 2346, I found an interesting little bit of information.
Evidently the U.S.Captiol police would like a new radio system. All fair and good if they believe that they need new radios to protect our elected leaders, what does that cost 10 or 20 thousand right? Naa, how about $71,606,000. Yep that's right 71 million for radios.
I know radios are expensive, I purchase them for work and they can cost 250 to 300 bucks for the single radio. OK, let's say we spent $1000 a radio that is 71,606 radios. Why are we buying 71,606 radios for the protection of 535 members of Congress and a building. Something sounds fishy here. Even if we spent 10 grand per radio that is 7,160 radios. Huh?
The name of the bill (Now law - on 6/24) is the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009. The bill was for "Emergency" supplemental funding for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (yep that's right). I have no idea what police radios, and war funding have in common, but evidently it has something to do with recycling. No wonder I get crazy with all this spending. This is insanity at it's best.
Not exactly the clip from this movie "Dave" I was looking for but it makes the point.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
1 comment:
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Todd:
ReplyDeleteDepending on the type and complexity of the system, that may not be as unreasonable number as one might think.
The system is likely going to use trunking technology to optimize efficiency, and have what is known as P25 digital modulation. Depending upon the coverage area there will need to be multiple sites connected by leased phone line or microwave radio to a central zone controller.
Aside from the physical infrastructure described above, mobile and portable radios for something like this run around $2000 to $2500 apiece.
Yeah, it's a ridiculous amount of money for something that may or may not be needed. This is how companies like Motorola make money, though.
P.S. It's "Capitol".
John