METCOM still in use?

[HoooyaJohn]

Was wondering if METCOM was still in use? I have not heard it being used for some time.
Any help appreciated.

[stmills]

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I have not heard much traffic on there recently but did confirm from Unitrunker logs that it is still in use.

[Golson2210]

Which control channel do you use to monitor this talkgroup?

[HoooyaJohn]

It is part on Zone 1 Interoperability Metro Talk-groups, so I have it in each of my Metro Tower systems. Dakota, Washington Mpls etc, so it is off of the CC for each tower site.

If I am doing it wrong, let me know.

[Raven95150]

Originally Posted by HoooyaJohn

It is part on Zone 1 Interoperability Metro Talk-groups, so I have it in each of my Metro Tower systems. Dakota, Washington Mpls etc, so it is off of the CC for each tower site.

If I am doing it wrong, let me know.

I have it included in an "interop" group in for each site along with all the PTACs, LTACs, etc. I hear traffic on it once in a while but not very often.

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[n9upc]

METCOM is designed to be used within the Metro area and is only allowed in consoles and not in field units. Some exceptions for programming into field units for back-up radios and such has been approved in the past.

Since it is a console resource and if no field units are sitting on the talkgroup no one will hear any transmissions on it at all.

It is a very hard talkgroup to pin down and monitor since not a lot of filed units have it.

[mmtstc]

To Expand on N9UPC's post, if there are no subscriber units that are affiliated with MetCom, then the voice traffic is carried strictly over the Microwave network that links all of the Dispatch Consoles to the ARMER system and doesn't require any Voice channels to carry it.

It also will only appear on UniTrunker logs if there is a Subscriber that is currently affiliated with the talkgroup.

I would also assume that it is not a scannable talkgroup, and must be the primary select in order to be heard on a subscriber radio.

It never has been all that busy of a talkgroup though, only when multiple agencies need to be notified quickly or if there is a safety issue that requires rapid notification that is faster than hitting the speed dial on a consoles phone, like an officer safety issue.

[dwgelle]

If a dispatch center was on their back up mobile radios that are run through the consoles as well you would then see it as a subscriber unit as stated to.

[HoooyaJohn]

Thanks all for the replies. It makes sense. I use to hear State on the channel talking to other PSAP's requesting EMS/Fire etc to events on the highway, but not anymore.

Thanks again

[Raven95150]

Thought I would dig this thread back up to mention that I have been hearing Metcom quite a bit the last few days, mainly on Anoka County. It had been a long time since I had heard it at all.

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[wogggieee]

My unitrunker hasnt shown any hits for Washington County lately.

[mike6454]

So for intersystem tacs you use Anoka Co as your tower site?Within your Anoka Co System?

[davef3138]

[QUOTE=n9upc;1687045]METCOM is designed to be used within the Metro area and is only allowed in consoles and not in field units. Some exceptions for programming into field units for back-up radios and such has been approved in the past.

For what it's worth, McLeod County's Fire fleetmap lists METCOM in one of the Interop zones in their radios.

I had a hunch that METCOM was 31500, based on watching the way a few radios were affiliating, seemingly hitting each zone in the same order as the fleetmap.

-Dave

[ThinBlueLine22]

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It seems that METCOM has changed into the regional hailing talkgroup much like the other regional CALL talkgroups. I have also seen radio layouts with METCOM in them.

[mmtstc]

In the metro, the only radios i have seen Metcom in are consoles and supervisor units. Our dispatchers portables don't even have it in them IIRC.
i have never seen it in a police or fire radio in either Anoka or Hennepin county.
In my UniTrunker database, i have only seen about 40 non-console ID's affiliate with Metcom in 4 years of running UniTrunker. (i have about 32000 radios logged)

[ThinBlueLine22]

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Originally Posted by mmtstc

In the metro, the only radios i have seen Metcom in are consoles and supervisor units. Our dispatchers portables don't even have it in them IIRC.
i have never seen it in a police or fire radio in either Anoka or Hennepin county.
In my UniTrunker database, i have only seen about 40 non-console ID's affiliate with Metcom in 4 years of running UniTrunker. (i have about 32000 radios logged)

I would agree with this. I think what is now happening is the Metro may be preparing to start the change process to come in line with the rest of the state's regional pool talkgroup concept . Just my thoughts and observations.

[mmtstc]

The goal was for the metro field unit hailing talkgroup to be MSPcall, not Metcom. Not sure how the dilution occurred.

[JASII]

I heard it last week when Metro Transit Police (dispatch) called Minneapolis ECC regarding a medical on a bus.