How useful is the FCC website for freqs?

[AmonStone]

When I first got into scanning, I used to buy the Police Call book. I used to buy the new edition every year. Over a few years, I noticed that the freqs didn't change very much. I tried looking on the FCC website, and found all the frequencies I could ever want. But, how accurate and up to date are they?

[gewecke]

I would think they are probably the most up to date,since that's who issues our licenses. But I'm pretty sure a lot of public safety agencies don't always modify their license every time they drop a freq. or make minor changes to it. Some don't even renew when they expire! Fyi,2005 was the last year for the "police call" publications so be sure to check here!
N9ZAS.

[mtindor]

Originally Posted by AmonStone

When I first got into scanning, I used to buy the Police Call book. I used to buy the new edition every year. Over a few years, I noticed that the freqs didn't change very much. I tried looking on the FCC website, and found all the frequencies I could ever want. But, how accurate and up to date are they?

The FCC website is the most accurate you are going to get as far as _licenses_. But, just because a license (and associated frequencies) is listed in the FCC database does not mean that those frequencies are in use.

And, oftentimes you'll find frequencies in use that aren't licensed or for which a license existed many years ago and expired - thus there is no current record of it.

Then there are those instances where radio shops, etc. set up their systems (such as an LTR trunked system) using a combination of frequencies from various licenses, even though those licenses may be for different geographical areas and a specific frequency on one license isn't listed as being licensed for another area of theirs.

If you want up to date licensing info, then the FCC database is the way to go.

If you want up to frequency information, the RRDB is the way to go... Of course, not everything is in the RRDB - But there are a heck of a lot of users on here and if you are wanting to know about frequencies in your genereal area use the RRDB to check for (a) FCC licenses, (b) submitted frequency information and then use your particular state forum on the RR Forums to dialog with others in your area regarding activity.

Mike

[AmonStone]

Thanks for the info. I asked because I was going to submit some frequencies to the database. I don't want to add any info that might be out of date. I'm sure folks would rather have active frequencies. I know I would. I've looked on the FCC website and got 3 or 4 frequencies for the local police and have only ever heard anything on a couple of them.

[mtindor]

Originally Posted by AmonStone

Thanks for the info. I asked because I was going to submit some frequencies to the database. I don't want to add any info that might be out of date. I'm sure folks would rather have active frequencies. I know I would. I've looked on the FCC website and got 3 or 4 frequencies for the local police and have only ever heard anything on a couple of them.

I _believe_ that over the years, especially earlier on, a lot of data might have been taken directly from FCC records without confirmation of it being active. Still today you'll find that happen (for new trunked systems for instance) - so that people know ahead of time what hte likely layout of the system will be and will know what frequencies to listen on for control channels in order to start monitoring and obtaining talkgroup information from those systems.

But as a general rule I believe RR prefers to only have verified information submitted - If you heard it with your ears and you know its frequency is xxxx.xxxx and you know it has a DPL of 065 or a PL of 110.9, and you know for sure the agency using it, then its good to submit. This is especially true if you have a license to reference to back that up.

But even in the absence of any license, RR still takes submissions - Let's face it, there is a ton of useful information gleaned from listening that isn't included in FCC records.

So I'd say that if you have heard it yourself and can verify what you are about to submit, and it isnt' already in the DB - submit it. Or if it's in the DB but characteristics of it have changed (i.e. didnt' use a PL but now does, PL has changed, switched to DPL, switched to P25, is now being used by a different agency or additional agencies), then submit it.

That's my personal philosophy. Some or all of it may mimic the RR submission guidelines.

Mike

[N1BHH]

If you are submitting frequencies to the database they should be currently active and confirmed to be in use. I am not an administrator, but that is standard procedure.