DTMF use in Rowan County

CFP387 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 10:36 AM

Rowan County has been considering using (and has started testing today) DTMF tones to activate some FDs sirens because the Bramco model decoders that they once used are now obsolete and parts aren't available. My knowledge is very little concerning this system but I understand that it is a series of tones much like what's heard on a touchtone telephone.

I am sure that many more here have knowledge of this system and how it works. I would like to know how this works, if it's better than two-tone decoders, and if others have DTMF as their department's means of getting dispatched. Can DTMF be used to set off all series of Minitor pagers? Is DTMF designed only for a certain frequency range? I'm also curious as to why they're considering DTMF because they already have all the Z-group tones from the Motorola package they bought in the 1970s. Why not buy some new decoders that would be compatible?

yardbird · #2 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 11:56 AM

Stanly County has been using DTMF for a few years now to set station sirens off.

I think Iredell County uses the same format for there siren activations as well.

To my knowledge they do not have any problems.

Hope this helps

David

FD5722 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 01:38 PM

Not tryin to stir the pot here, but Shannon our Communications director came from Stanley County (used to be director down there). Wonder where he got the idea? LOL Just like the OSSI system & CAD we are using now is the same thing they are using down there. Hmmmmmm

CFP387 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FD5722

...our Communications director came from Stanley County (used to be director down there). Wonder where he got the idea? LOL Just like the OSSI system & CAD we are using now is the same thing they are using down there.

Yes, I'm aware of that and I'm pretty sure that he's the one that's behind all these changes. I'm sure you heard some testing this morning; I wonder how much air time they're going to use trying this out. I wonder if they'll use DTMF for the storm warnings as well.

FD5722 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 03:56 PM

Who knows. Ever since he became director everything that Stanley has, we have gotten. Now if we could just convince them to go back to VHF & UHF like Stanley that would be great, lol. I missed the testing this morning. What departments are involved with it?

CFP387 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 04:08 PM

You really didn't miss anything much, Daniel. They tested 46 pagers and then the DTMF tones were right behind the A-B tone. It kind of surprised me that they didn't start with 71 since the chief is a telecommunicator. And it would be absolutely wonderful if the fearless leader would go back to VHF and UHF like Stanly. No complaints here!

FD5722 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 08:09 PM

But it seems like if they think we're complaining it gives them more fuel to do the opposite. I've been around emergency services in this county since 1987 when my mother was a patrol deputy for the Rowan County SO. (Ah, 1987, the good ol days, lol. )

So I wonder if more depts are going to start using their alarms again since they are trying to impliment this DTMF stuff. I know in GQ a couple of years ago we tried to take the siren off line except for ssevere weather & the citizens actually complained that it wasn't going off. Imagine that.

CFP387 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-20-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FD5722

But it seems like if they think we're complaining it gives them more fuel to do the opposite.

It's sad to say but that's pretty much the case

Quote:

Originally Posted by FD5722

(Ah, 1987, the good ol days, lol. )

I wouldn't have said that then, but I'll sure say it now!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FD5722

So I wonder if more depts are going to start using their alarms again since they are trying to impliment this DTMF stuff.

I'd say that will probably be the case. Any department whose decoder is shot or any new station that's built will probably have DTMF tones. A few stations that have upgraded to three phase power that want their siren set off will have to as well. I don't have enough knowledge of how that system works to completely understand the advantages. I thought for sure someone here has worked with the system and had some past experience with it.