Alabama Forestry Commission updates

[Avery93]

Well it's been almost three years since AFC started using their narrowband VHF system, and the database still contains a ton of outdated information, duplication's and yet is still incomplete.

So the other day I started to map out the system using FCC data, the excellent info gathered in the "Couple of updates" thread, and by loading all of the new and most of the old AFC freqs into a couple of radios and monitoring them. I also found a map of the 6 "Regions" the Forestry Commission has.

I then took a generic Alabama County map and started coloring in each county that shared the same frequencies. I found that most "regions" are split into 2 "zones" of 4-6 counties each, and each "zone" uses the same frequencies and output DPL. The East Central and Southeast Regions just have 1 "zone" each.

Here is the map I created:

(click to enlarge)

The only "zone" I'm not completely sure about is Northeast Region's 159.405 (662 DPL). I have only heard two weak transmissions on this freq, both from spotter aircraft in Cullman County. I have heard more traffic from everywhere else in the state, except for the Southeast Region. I figure the reason they are using an old 15 kHz step frequency is because the counties in this zone are only licensed for repeater output frequencies of 159.3225, 159.3975 and 159.405. Since 159.3225 is used in the second "zone" in this region, and 159.3975 is directly adjacent to Walker County Fire's freq (159.390), this left them with 159.405.

Also, I found out quite a while back that there is at least two frequencies for "TAC-1" in use. In the North Region, the frequency is 159.345 (023 DPL). Everywhere else it seems to be 159.270 (023 DPL), and they are both just called "TAC-1" over the radio. There is also a TAC-2 in use in the North Region, 151.175 (023 DPL). I don't know if any other regions have a TAC-2 channel, but if they do it may be a different frequency also.

If anyone is in the Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Etowah, Blount or Cullman County area; try listening to the 159.405/151.2275 repeater pair and see if you can verify that this is the correct frequencies for that area. When this is confirmed I will go ahead and submit all of the info to the database.

[big_irish_99]

Here in Cherokee Co I hear All Cherokee County, Calhoun Co Cleburne Co, Clay Co, and Randolph Co for some reason I never hear Etowah Co, or Dekalb Co

[Avery93]

Originally Posted by big_irish_99

Here in Cherokee Co I hear All Cherokee County, Calhoun Co Cleburne Co, Clay Co, and Randolph Co for some reason I never hear Etowah Co, or Dekalb Co

What frequencies are you monitoring? Dekalb County should be on 159.4275 (047 DPL).

Etowah County may be on 159.4050 or possibly 159.4125. I still have not heard any more traffic from the Etowah, Shelby, Jefferson or Cullman County area. I don't know whether they are just not very busy in that area, or if they are on a different frequency. I don't think they are beyond my reception range as I have heard quite a lot of traffic from the other "zone" of the Northeast region, and also the East Central region.

Would you mind monitoring these two frequencies (159.4050 and 159.4125) and see if you can verify what freq that area uses? This is pretty much the only area that hasn't been confirmed. Keep in mind that if you are listening with any kind of a consumer grade scanner, and they are operating on either of these frequencies; you will likely hear them on both. One will sound slightly distorted and/or clipped, and the other should sound normal. The one that sounds normal will be the correct frequency.

[Avery93]

It's looking like every region may have a different TAC-1 (and possibly TAC-2) frequency. Yesterday I heard Northwest Region's spotter aircraft on 159.315 (023 DPL) talking to a ground unit in Tuscaloosa or Walker County. They are using the old frequencies, with 023 DPL, for tactical use.

So far I have confirmed the following:
*North Region TAC-1: 159.345 (023 DPL)
*North Region TAC-2: 151.175 (023 DPL)
*Northeast Region TAC-1: 159.270 (023 DPL)
*Northwest Region TAC-1: 159.315 (023 DPL)

[puzzleriddle]

wrong reply

[codeplug]

Any updates for the new narrow band VHF AFC frequencies.
It's been a while since anyone has posted any updates. Any new repeaters found or freq.'s heard.
Any updates for Etowah County or St. Clair County.
Any updates for these Counties: Baldwin County, Escambia County, Hale County,
Lauderdale County, Mobile County or Washington County.
Any updates for any AFC freq.'s, Inputs / Outputs, PL / DPL's. or Tactical freq.'s
From the recent post it looks like some of the old WB repeater outputs/inputs are being used for Tactical use in some areas.
I just heard St. Clair County calling Montgomery Diisp. on what appeared to be 159.4050 / Output, can anyone confirm that freq.or DPL.
That frequency was supposed to be an old WB freq., maybe they are using some of the WB freq.'s for repeaters again.
Etowah County may be using the same freq. I haven't monitored them lately.

[big_irish_99]

Ill listen for you ill let you know what i got

[big_irish_99]

is it possible that the Etowah Forestry talk on the gadsden P25

[Avery93]

Originally Posted by big_irish_99

is it possible that the Etowah Forestry talk on the gadsden P25

That would be pretty unlikely.
If there was more FD use on the system, the AFC units in Etowah County might have a 7/800 MHz radio for interop with the local fire departments; however according to the database all of the FD traffic in Etowah County is still on UHF.

Even in my area where everything is conventional VHF, AFC almost never uses the local radio systems when working with fire department(s). If they need anything they always seem to contact Montgomery dispatch over the AFC system, and then Montgomery contacts the local fire department's dispatch via phone.

Other than the statewide VHF system, the only other system AFC really uses is SouthernLinc.

Also, thanks for monitoring those two frequencies!

[Steve]

Old info but may still be useful, the UHF system talked about here is actually the "old" RCFP radio system.
RCFP stands for "Rural Community Fire Protection" or the volunteer FDs. Years ago RCFP was the program that AFC used to provide equipment to the volunteer FDs. AFC units used (and stills uses) the UHF system to contact VFDs directly. If the County Dispatch has the capability, AFC units with contact them also.
Also when AFC used District Dispatch centers, these centers would receive requests for AFC assistance from Counties on the UHF system (or by phone).
And in the Counties that use VHF instead of the UHF, AFC units can contact the those VFDS directly on the Counties system (if the County approves). At least here in East Central AL this happens.

[Avery93]

Originally Posted by Steve

Old info but may still be useful, the UHF system talked about here is actually the "old" RCFP radio system.
RCFP stands for "Rural Community Fire Protection" or the volunteer FDs. Years ago RCFP was the program that AFC used to provide equipment to the volunteer FDs. AFC units used (and stills uses) the UHF system to contact VFDs directly. If the County Dispatch has the capability, AFC units with contact them also.
Also when AFC used District Dispatch centers, these centers would receive requests for AFC assistance from Counties on the UHF system (or by phone).
And in the Counties that use VHF instead of the UHF, AFC units can contact the those VFDS directly on the Counties system (if the County approves). At least here in East Central AL this happens.

I guess this varies quite a bit by region. In the last 5 years I have only heard an AFC unit directly contact a local department on their frequency once. This was in Franklin County during a large forest fire.

Also, this reminded me; it looks like the old RCFP system underwent some changes during narrowbanding as well. Two counties near me that use the system, Lamar and Fayette, are now using DPL on their repeaters (114 and 071 DPL, respectively); and I believe I have heard Lauderdale County using 205 DPL on their Forestry owned repeaters.

[codeplug]

Heard St.Clair Co.on 159.4050 / DPL 662

[medic9351301]

outstanding work avery93

[puzzleriddle]

AL Forestry Commission Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

[medic9351301]

tuscaloosa county vhfd uses 453.150 and changed to a dpl

bibb county uses 453.200

[codeplug]

I don't see an RRDB list of all of the AL Forestry Commission / RCFP freq.'s.
Great info from all that have posted, but a new category or sub-category would be nice to submit all of the Co's AFC / RCPP freq.'s to.
I know that there are some RCFP freq.'s on VHF and some on UHF.
They need to be separated from the AFC VHF freq.'s in their own category or sub-category under Alabama State Agencies.

Heard St.Clair Co. on Output - 159.4050 DPL 662 / Input - 151.2275.
I believe the input is the same, apparently they must have changed to the old WB freq. as the output for some reason.
The AFC listing needs to be updated and add St. Clair Co. on the AFC local repeater list.
I am still trying to confirm Etowah Co.'s AFC VHF freq., it should be the same as St. Clair Co.but it needs to be verified and updated on the list.
I have not heard any traffic from Etowah Co. lately.
The new narrow-band and the old wide-band freq.'s are so close together it's hard to tell which freq.'s they are actually using.

[medic9351301]

this is from the State of Alabama
2007 Strategic Communications Interoperability Plan:

The Commission has excellent
coverage throughout the state.
They not only manage their own
communications infrastructure,
they also maintain 95% of all
Volunteer Fire Department’s UHF
Communications on their towers.
The Forestry Commission has a
VHF radio system statewide that
has a central dispatch found in
Montgomery. Plans are in place to
open three more control sites soon
that will give the infrastructure a
statewide linked system. One
individual in a location could talk to
those in the other locations
throughout the state at-will. Their
communications system is also
connected to the Alabama Public
Television System, in that a laptop
can be connected at any one of the
APT tower sites and by means of
VoIP, “talk” is opened with central
dispatch. In the future, this can be
with any location within the state.
Work is in progress to upgrade every single tower in their system. This includes not
only their VHF system, but also the UHF system that Alabama’s volunteer firefighters
use. These UHF repeaters for VFDs are not a statewide system but are individually
local (county) in coverage.
The State Forestry’s role in a disaster is to immediately follow the Department of Public
Safety into the area and perform road-clearing duties. This clearing involves a path to
allow emergency vehicles access, only and not complete remediation. There are
several strike teams trained, located in various stations throughout the state, ready to
respond with two dozers, support and communications vehicle, with several chain saw
crews in each team. All the vehicles have the State Net 155.010 frequency in their
radios and are able to interoperate on scene with other agencies easily. No other
M/A or NPSPAC frequencies are in use now. They will have narrow banding
completed by the end of 2008 and 700 MHz frequencies have been applied for and
received so transition can begin as fitting.


The Commission is installing a statewide Auto Vehicle Locator (AVL) module in each
vehicle, including dozers. This GPS-based software will give a vehicle location every
ten minutes to central dispatch. This will be used for location pinpointing and for
operational and logistical purposes also. With this frequent updating, it is possible to
draw a map of fire line clearance locations and plot the progress of firefighting efforts.
Every time a transmission occurs over the radio system, this update takes place also.
This excellent system will be a model for other agencies to follow, especially for the
Alabama Department of Public Safety, who would be able to track their patrol cars and
pinpoint each unit’s location. An added feature is the ability to manually send a
signal/location when the unit is in trouble and needs help. This system runs on the
forestry’s repeater system and is not satellite functional.

[codeplug]

Great job, good information.
Looks like the AFC has their act together, more agencies need to follow their lead.

[Avery93]

Thanks for the info guys!

It looks like the Northeast Region's 159.405 (662 DPL) "zone" has pretty much been confirmed. In addition to codeplug's observation, I have heard several repeater key ups and some very weak traffic on this frequency and DPL while monitoring with an Icom F5021 (commercial grade, narrowband capable transceiver).

Does anyone know what these "zones" are called? In the 2007 Annual Report they seemed to call them "Work Units", but that was before the re-structuring when there were only 4 regions and each zone/work unit only covered 2-3 counties.

I hope to get all of this information submitted to the database this weekend. I think it would be best to only have category's for each of the 6 Regions, and then list the 1-2 zones and tactical frequencies for that region. This would get rid of the massive amount of duplication that is caused by listing every county as it is done now. Also, almost every category other than "Local Repeaters" is out of date, so I will have them removed as well.