Westar and the new 396XT

[mpreece]

Combining two topics here, hope no one minds.

I just got my new 396XT. All I can say is, WOW. What a difference in audio quality and sensitivity. I have several antennas that I had decided were no good because they were just not performing on the 396T but were slightly better on a Pro-96, Icom R-20, or AR-8200 Mark III. Now, with the 396XT, I find they really do perform well...or else I am left with the other option that the XT would be even BETTER with a DECENT antenna!

There used to be two trunked systems out here I could get: KSICS (P25) which sounds great on the XT (every bit as good as on the XTS2500 at the office!) The other trunked system was the Westar 900 MHz. system. It seems to have disappeared. Truthfully there was very little activity on that dedicated system before, but at least it was fun to see which towers I could get and decode the control channels.

Anyone know what happened to the Westar system? I wouldn't be surprised if it were more cost effective to use cellphones and air cards as opposed to maintaining the dedicated 900 MHz. system.

[keithb]

I monitor Westar and still hear lots of traffic on their system. (in NE Kansas) Also hear Kansas Gas Service traffic as well.

[mpreece]

Thanks for the information. I have lost the Edwards County and Great Bend towers. It was usually KGS activity out here. Searching across 800 and 900, the ONLY trunks here now are KCICS.

[n0lqt]

The database is showing those towers as still active, although I think Great Bend may have changed the active control channel. Check out: Scanner Frequencies: Westar Energy - 900 MHz (KS/MO) Trunking System, Various, Multi-State

Enjoy.....

[mpreece]

I still don't receive anything on any of those frequencies, but Great Bend was always a bit marginal anyway. I will have to check it out next time I am over that way. The Kinsley repeater is supposedly on the same tower as all of the county systems, but not getting it either.

By the way, I like your avatar. The police chief in Larned is a real Dragnet fan, too, and his badge/radio number is -- you guessed it -- 714!!

[n0lqt]

714 was my badge # at Leavenworth PD many many years ago. (821 was my Radio # though) I was just a patrolman then. Never made the connection back then. I moved to Newton about 30 yrs ago and joined the Newton PD (badge #48 at first and later #38) where I made Sargent before retiring. Too bad I couldn't have kept the same badge #.....

[rick521]

Originally Posted by mpreece

Combining two topics here, hope no one minds.

I just got my new 396XT. All I can say is, WOW. What a difference in audio quality and sensitivity. I have several antennas that I had decided were no good because they were just not performing on the 396T but were slightly better on a Pro-96, Icom R-20, or AR-8200 Mark III. Now, with the 396XT, I find they really do perform well...or else I am left with the other option that the XT would be even BETTER with a DECENT antenna!

There used to be two trunked systems out here I could get: KSICS (P25) which sounds great on the XT (every bit as good as on the XTS2500 at the office!) The other trunked system was the Westar 900 MHz. system. It seems to have disappeared. Truthfully there was very little activity on that dedicated system before, but at least it was fun to see which towers I could get and decode the control channels.

Anyone know what happened to the Westar system? I wouldn't be surprised if it were more cost effective to use cellphones and air cards as opposed to maintaining the dedicated 900 MHz. system.

Can you advise where you purchased the new scanner?

[mpreece]

Universal Radio. Received it within a week, too!

Universal Radio shortwave, amateur, scanner and CB radio since 1942