Chicago Fire Dept. 2012

[Chicago2210]

Sounds much better then other digital systems such as SC21, and at least you can still monitor the radio traffic unlike our neighbors to the north in Milwaukee.

[RoninJoliet]

And to the "south" as Joliet City FD as well as PD and PW has gone Starcom Digital "ENC"....What a waste of money on "ENC" the FD and PW, i can see the PD....Sorry, i don't mean to hi-jack the thread....

[werinshades]

Originally Posted by FFPM571

What does the W stand for in the zone name?

Wideband

[FFPM571]

ahhh that is what I was thinking... Have any of the MED channels been Narrowbanded yet? We don't use them in the burbs.

[werinshades]

Originally Posted by FFPM571

ahhh that is what I was thinking... Have any of the MED channels been Narrowbanded yet? We don't use them in the burbs.

I don't believe so.

[chgomonitor]

Really nice job keeping us up to date on the transition, Dave - many thanks. Wow, I did the math and I've been listening to CFD Fire Main (North) transmitter on 154.130 for 38 years. It was the first FM Land Mobile radio transmission I ever heard. I guess the future finally arrived, LOL. Any chance of getting the channel layout as it end up being programmed in the radios? The database here remains a little messy. Again, nice job. I hope the new system serves the CFD well. Happy Scanning! - Ted

[werinshades]

Originally Posted by chgomonitor

Really nice job keeping us up to date on the transition, Dave - many thanks. Wow, I did the math and I've been listening to CFD Fire Main (North) transmitter on 154.130 for 38 years. It was the first FM Land Mobile radio transmission I ever heard. I guess the future finally arrived, LOL. Any chance of getting the channel layout as it end up being programmed in the radios? The database here remains a little messy. Again, nice job. I hope the new system serves the CFD well. Happy Scanning! - Ted

Your welcome Ted, and I agree on the database being a little messy and confusing. I have been working on updating my Freescan with the Zone/Channel configuration here. We'll be using two different type of radios...XTS 5000, APX 7000. The XTS 5000 has 12 wideband, 12 narrowband zones with each one "mirroring" each other. (Ex...EMSW & EMS.."W" is wideband version of narrowband EMS Zone). Channel configuration is identical in wideband and narrowband zones. Channel configuration varies between zones. Fire Zones have Channel 1 as Fire Main, where Channel 1 on EMS Zones is EMS Main, and Channel 1 on Metro Zone is UMetro 3. Not sure what the best way to submit this data to database?

The APX7000 has additional Zones mainly in the VHF band, but I don't have that information as of yet as these radios are still being programmed and haven't been issued. They will be issued to Exempt Rank officers, Battalion Chiefs, Deputy District Chiefs, Airport officer apparatus, EMS Field Chiefs and ADCP's., as well as Special Operation Bureau Company Officers (Squads, HazMat etc.).

Probably looking at approximately 20 Zones with some different channel designations. I have submitted the frequencies with text tags to the database, but i've noticed it's become a little jumbled and confusing. The VHF channels can all but be eliminated, which I think would help out. Any other database submission suggestions?

[werinshades]

I checked the database this mornning, and noticed the VHF channels have been eliminated and cleaned it up a bit. One thing I did notice is I submitted this change earlier in regards to the "new" UHF Admin and EMS Command. If the databese administrator would like to make these corrections as these were changed with the latest codeplug:

Admin: 458.175 (CTCSS 225.7)

EMS Command: 462.975 (CTCSS 156.7)

****On the CPD channels. the latest codeplug changed the Mounted channel's CTCSS again. I ws able to confirm using an updated radio.*****

Mounted: 460. 5875 (CTCSS 91.5)

[zerg901]

Just a point of general info - moving your scanner antenna just a half inch can make a huge difference in reception. Move the antenna up, down, sideways, back, forward, to the left, lean right, lean left, etc etc. I was playing with my Pro 106 today, and watching signals go from 0 to 3 bars (out of 5 bars max) just by moving the antenna in a circle while holding the scanner upright in the same spot. If anyone has trouble picking up the P25 Chicago FD signal, you might want to keep this in mind.

Also keep in mind that Chicago FD probably has multiple different transmit sites. They might be steered, or simulcast, or primary usage might be just off 1 downtown highrise (with other sites used for backup). This can have a major effect on the signal that you receive.

[werinshades]

[QUOTE=zerg901;1860078 Also keep in mind that Chicago FD probably has multiple different transmit sites. They might be steered, or simulcast, or primary usage might be just off 1 downtown highrise (with other sites used for backup). This can have a major effect on the signal that you receive.[/QUOTE]


Yes...it's a single channel P25 simulcast system, is is why the occasional "garble" will be heard. Also keep in mind, mainly portable radios are being used at this time, until the mobile radios are to be upgraded. This may also cause some signal degenration. Some Battalion Chiefs, Communication Vans have had their mobile radios upgraded.

[RoninJoliet]

Thank You "werinshades", u have done a fantastic job on this site for the CFD info....

[werinshades]

Starting today, the Apparatus Mobile Radio upgrades have begun. 4-2-8 (Radio Shop Tech), was at Engine 109's quarters and companies in the area were coming in to reprogram and install new antennas. Anyone that has Radio ID capabilities, if you see an apparatus radio ending with 09, it's a mobile install. 009 is the assigned apparatus, 809 is spare apparatus.

i1xxxxxx (Engine)
i2xxxxxx (Truck)
i3xxxxxx (Buggy-Chiefs)
i4xxxxxx (EMS Field Chiefs)
i5xxxxxx (Ambulances)
i6xxxxxx (Cars/Command Staff)
i7xxxxxx (Specialty Rigs)
i8xxxxxx (Spare Vehicle)
i9xxxxxx (Spare Portable)
i0xxxxxx (Miscellaneous Equipment)

***The new APX 7000 appear to be using i6xxxx01..(01-Portable)

Ex: i6451001 (Field Chief 4-5-1 portable radio...APX 7000).

[werinshades]

We are currently usung the old VHF Admin Channel (154.220 CTCSS 156.7) as a temporary back-up. I've been told this won't be for long, but anyone who happens to hear the "0900 hrs. Radio Check", and when they say "Switch to the Administrative Channel", that's why you don't hear anything on the "new" UHF Admin Channel. I know slightly confusing, but I beleive the consoles have to programmed at the OEMC yet.

[oemctx4]

Originally Posted by werinshades

We are currently usung the old VHF Admin Channel (154.220 CTCSS 156.7) as a temporary back-up. I've been told this won't be for long, but anyone who happens to hear the "0900 hrs. Radio Check", and when they say "Switch to the Administrative Channel", that's why you don't hear anything on the "new" UHF Admin Channel. I know slightly confusing, but I beleive the consoles have to programmed at the OEMC yet.

UHF Admin Channel will not be connected to a console.

[werinshades]

Originally Posted by oemctx4

UHF Admin Channel will not be connected to a console.

Thanks Donnie...just got tht information today.

[zerg901]

Do we know if all channels are synchronized simulcast from ALL sites? Or does Main Fire just transmit from northern sites? Does Englewood Fire just transmit from southern sites? etc

[werinshades]

Originally Posted by zerg901

Do we know if all channels are synchronized simulcast from ALL sites? Or does Main Fire just transmit from northern sites? Does Englewood Fire just transmit from southern sites? etc

I believe it's synchronized..

[werinshades]

***There are over 20 Zones in the radios. Most have duplicate channels in the zone, numbering may be different. These are 2 Zones Fire & EMS will be using primarily. Other Zones will be used for different purposes/events.. Number in parenthesis (1-16) is actual channel number in radio.

Zone (FD)

(1) FIREMAIN: Used by FS&R companies in the North jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.

(2) FIREENGL: Used by FS&R companies in the South jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.

(3) ADMIN: For communications between FS&R companies and ambulances.
Used as alternate Fireground channel if a MAYDAY is requested.

(4)FIREGRND: For FS&R communications at the scene of an incident.

(5) FIRE CMD: Used by Chief Officers to coordinate activities at the scene of an extra
alarm or other large-scale incident.

(6) EMS CMD: Used as the EMS tactical channel during EMS Plan incidents.

(7) EMS OPS: Under the direction of the ranking EMS Command Chief, EMS
companies shall utilize the EMS OPS channel for communications when
operating at a high-rise fire.
May be designated by the EMS Command Chief as a EMS tactical
channel at a large incident.

(8) OPS 8: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, alternate EMS tactical channel,
etc.).
Used as an alternate Fireground channel at a second incident, if a
MAYDAY is requested at an incident in close proximity.

(9) OPS 9: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, alternate EMS tactical channel,
etc.).
For FS&R communications at the scene of a second incident if an incident
in close proximity is already using FIREGRND.

(10) OPS 10: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, , alternate EMS tactical
channel, etc.).
Used by Chief Officers to coordinate activities at the scene of a second
extra alarm or large-scale incident if another extra alarm or large-scale
incident is already using FIRE CMD.

(11) CTA FIRE: Used by Department units/members working on the scene of an incident
within the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) tunnel/subway.

(12) UMETRO 3: Interoperable channel to communicate with other city/county agencies.
With permission from the Incident Commander, can be used as a backup
channel for CTA to FS&R communication at the scene of a CTA subway
incident.

(13) CW FIRE: Alternate dispatch channel used by the OEMC during high-volume
periods.

(14) LAKEFRNT: Used to communicate with Chicago Park District lifeguards on the
beaches.

(15) FIREENGL: Used by FS&R companies in the South jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.

(16) FIREMAIN: Used by FS&R companies in the North jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.

Zone (EMS):


(1) EMS MAIN: Used by EMS companies in the North jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.

(2) EMS ENGL: Used by EMS companies in the South jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.

(3) ADMIN: For communications between FS&R companies and ambulances.
Used as alternate Fireground channel if a MAYDAY is requested.

(4) FIREGRND: For FS&R communications at the scene of an incident.

(5) FIRE CMD: Used by Chief Officers to coordinate activities at the scene of an extra
alarm or other large-scale incident.

(6) EMS CMD: Used as the EMS tactical channel during EMS Plan incidents.

(7) EMS OPS: Under the direction of the ranking EMS Command Chief, EMS
companies shall utilize the EMS OPS channel for communications when
operating at a high-rise fire.
May be designated by the EMS Command Chief as a EMS tactical
channel at a large incident.

(8) OPS 8: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, alternate EMS tactical channel,
etc.).
Used as an alternate Fireground channel at a second incident, if a
MAYDAY is requested at an incident in close proximity.

(9) OPS 9: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, alternate EMS tactical channel,
etc.).
For FS&R communications at the scene of a second incident if an incident
in close proximity is already using FIREGRND.
(10) OPS 10: May be designated by the Incident Commander as a tactical channel at a
large incident (Search and rescue, support, alternate EMS tactical channel,
etc.).
Used by Chief Officers to coordinate activities at the scene of a second
extra alarm or large-scale incident if another extra alarm or large-scale
incident is already using FIRE CMD.

(11) CTA FIRE: Used by Department units/members working on the scene of an incident
within the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) tunnel/subway.

(12) CITY W5: Used by Chicago Police as a Special Events Channel monitored by
OEMC.

(13) CW FIRE: Alternate dispatch channel used by the OEMC during high-volume
periods.

(14) LAKEFRNT: Used to communicate with Chicago Park District lifeguards on the
beaches.

(15) FIRE ENGL: Used by FS&R companies in the South jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.

(16) FIRE MAIN: Used by FS&R companies in the North jurisdiction for communications
with the OEMC.

[RADIOGUY2002]

Do you have the frequency layout for these channels or is that in the works?

[werinshades]

Originally Posted by RADIOGUY2002

Do you have the frequency layout for these channels or is that in the works?

All in the database...