New Detroit System - Control Channel

Mike7883d · #1 (**permalink**) 02-01-2005, 07:32 AM

My BC796D will not lock on to the control channel for the new Detroit system. I live in Taylor, so I doubt that I'm too far away. It will pick up voice clearly on the other frequencies that I have programmed for the system. Obviously it won't trunk since I can't get the control channel. Any thoughts on what might be the problem?

:?

Thanks!

Thunderbolt · #2 (**permalink**) 02-01-2005, 08:21 AM

What kind of antenna and feedline are you using? I really live too far away from the site, but like you I can hear the voice channels very good, but the data channel is too weak to decode. Hopefully, this all will change once the new simulcast system goes online, and the data channel signal will transmit off several towers at the same time, across the entire city. However, only time will tell how well this system will work.

73’s

Ron

Mike7883d · #3 (**permalink**) 02-01-2005, 08:31 AM

I'm using the antenna that came with the scanner. I can't have an external antenna per the condo association.

I wonder how much difference this would make:
http://www.scannermaster.com/store/1...ml?id=ZArI7KmB

mikey60 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-01-2005, 09:14 AM

Keep in mind that they are still operating on the "temporary" system, which is only running at 26.3(ERP) watts. You should be able to get them in Taylor though. I can get it pretty well in extreme SE Oakland county without too much trouble.

I don't know when the full sites are supposed to be coming on line. I check usually at least once a day to see if there is a new control channel on any of the new frequencies... nothing yet.

Mike

n8chb · #5 (**permalink**) 02-02-2005, 03:00 PM

I live in Canton near I275 and Ford road and I can receive the
Detroit tower 868.9375 MHz at 3 S units and some of it's transmitting
antennas almost full scale.

There is not much being sent from that site yet. I would try Northville
at 868.9250 MHZ or Flat Rock at 868.9750 MHz.

Northville has the most traffic at the present time and the tower is
at 7 and I275 on the old State Police tower. Way up there.

Check my live feed at http://67.149.70.95:8000/

MPSCS Statewide + Detroit Metro West & South Area - public safety by N8CHB

73,

Roger N8CHB

mikey60 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-02-2005, 03:35 PM

He's looking for the City site though, which the temporary site has a control channel on 868.725. The main sites are not online as yet.

Mike

n8chb · #7 (**permalink**) 02-02-2005, 05:12 PM

OK here's the scoop,

I just checked 868.9375 MHz that is the frequency listed for
Detroit at the FCC site.

That transmitter is only controlling two other transmitters 867.9375
and 867.4375 MHz. I copied these ID numbers.

2051,2008,2006,2051,2089,2176,2010 and yes it's playing sound.

I don't recommend listening it because there is very little
traffic on it as of now.

On the antenna you listed I doubt if it would help increase
the signal but if you have lost of money buy it.

I would first try collapsing the antenna you have and moving the
scanner around the room. 800 MHz is real tricky to pick up
on an indoor antenna system.

CUL

73,

Roger N8CHB

mikey60 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-02-2005, 05:31 PM

Ok, to set the record straight!

868.9375 is the Detroit MPSCS site (licensed to the State of Michigan). It is a 7 frequency site that has been in operation at full power for years. Tower number is 209. You'll hear a lot of MSP traffic, Gaming traffic, and DOC traffic on this tower. I've been listening to this tower as my primary site for over a year. (I can also hear Northville, Romeo and Mt Clemens easily from my home).

The NEW Detroit city system (Licensed to the City of Detroit) is not on line as yet. There is a temporary system online running low power (25 watts) with 8 frequencies. The current control channel on this site is 868.7250. This site has most of the Detroit city services active on it with the exception of Police and Fire as of this time. This is another site I can hear well from home and have been monitoring since it first went online.

Mike

feta92 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2005, 06:59 AM

Any idea when this site will be up and running?? We have been waiting a long time now!

mikey60 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-03-2005, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feta92

Any idea when this site will be up and running?? We have been waiting a long time now!

Not a clue. The Mayor's state of the city address last year said the fire department would already be on the system now, and the PD some time this month. Obviously that's not too likely at the moment.

Mike

Combustion · #11 (**permalink**) 02-04-2005, 04:09 PM

As I sit in my office, which is in the shadow of the Iris tower site there is no control channel for this system on my BC296D. However, as I drove up I-75 from Toledo this afternoon I found that the control channel is strong throughout the southwest Detroit area up to Downtown.

feta92 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-28-2005, 01:53 PM

Was on Belle Isle the other day and noticed that the new BI site was completed.

I know the Kelly Rd site at Denby HS is completed and so is the one at the fire academy, just wondering if Detroit is making progress on getting this new system in place or is it just another waste of Detroit taxpayer money???