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Palmetto 800 Radio System


The South Carolina Statewide 800 MHz Radio and Mobile Data System is a cost-shared public/private partnership between state government, local governments, power utilities and Motorola, Inc. The system is a Motorola SmartZone trunked system with 69 transmitter sites across South Carolina and Georgia. 

The goal of the shared system is to reduce costs and improve interoperability for all system users.

In operation since 1992, the original system contract was with SCANA Communications, Inc. In 2001, Motorola purchased the primary ownership and management of the system under a contract with the Division of the State Chief Information Officer (CIO).

  • Commonly refered to as the "Palmetto 800," the South Carolina system has continued to grow and today is one of the largest shared statewide public safety radio systems in the nation with over 23,642 voice users and 1,054 mobile data system users.
  • Over 400 different agencies representing state government, federal government, local government, law enforcement agencies, fire services, EMS services and power utilities in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia currently participate in the shared statewide 800 MHz radio system.
  • Over 94 percent of South Carolina’s population is serviced by sheriff’s departments with access to the statewide 800 MHz  radio system.
  • South Carolina continues to recieve top rankings for its interoperability efforts with the statewide shared public safety system.

     
System Notices/Meetings:

  • Next Users Advisory Committee Meeting - Wednesday, July 10, 2008 (9:30 am to 12:00 pm) location, DPS Headquarters, I-77/exit 24, Room CG44.
  • Fiscal Year 2008-2009:  Legislative Funding approved for support of Palmetto 800 Fees - The SC Legislature graciously provided funding to cover 33% of Palmetto 800 user fees for SC First Responders and equivalent grant funding to enhance interoperability with the Palmetto 800 System for the users of the existing 800 MHz City and County Systems. More information will be coming out in the near future. Please remember to Thank Your Legislators for their support.
  • Fall 2008 User Group Meeting - Wednesday, November 12, 2008, (12 pm) at Pine Island on Lake Murray.
  • "NEW" SCDTAC Mutual Aid Channels (digital channels) 800 Mutual Aid Channels.
  • Palmetto 800 24 hour System Monitoring and Support (800) 353-0101.
  • Interconnecting to the Palmetto 800 System - The Palmetto 800 Radio System and its licensees prohibit two-way interconnecting or the connecting of the Palmetto 800 System to other radio systems, telephone systems, cellular systems or any system that brings additional/outside loading to the system without written approval of the State CIO, 800 MHz Advisory Committee. See the interconnect guideline links on the System Operations page for additional information.