OKWIN Control Channels

[HogDriver]

I have just meticulously gone through the control channel listing for OKWIN and bumped it against what I have programmed in my Pro-106 and unless I missed something, there are only 32 frequencies which is the max allowed to be prgrammed for a MOT II system. Is this what everyone else is getting?

[dward42586]

When the 32 channels arent enough, you can enter another Object and put the rest in it. Worked for me.

[DickH]

Originally Posted by HogDriver

I have just meticulously gone through the control channel listing for OKWIN and bumped it against what I have programmed in my Pro-106 and unless I missed something, there are only 32 frequencies which is the max allowed to be prgrammed for a MOT II system. Is this what everyone else is getting?

In the RR database there are 65 control channels in the OKWIN analog system, many less in the P25 system.
If you're looking at the Tulsa site, there are 34 freqs. listed, not 32.
So how did you come up with 32 control channels?
Aside from that, you only need to enter the control channels for each site in a Motorola system (up to 4 CCs per site)..

[HogDriver]

34 actually. I had inadvertantly left off Coweta and Grove. They are close enough to other towers that I won't worry about them. And yes, I'm just talking about control channels.

[HogDriver]

As for the 65 channels, there are duplicate sites across the state that use the same control channels, I.e, OKC and Tulsa; Tecumseh and Baker Peak; Okmulgee and Miami; Muskogee, Guthrie and Ada and so forth. So in the long run, there are 34 different frequencies for control channels in use by OKWIN.

[DickH]

Originally Posted by HogDriver

34 actually. I had inadvertantly left off Coweta and Grove. They are close enough to other towers that I won't worry about them. And yes, I'm just talking about control channels.

So you must not be counting the alternate control channels. If you don't enter those into your scanner, when they change, you will lose the site. Some systems seldom change control channels while others change daily.

[plaws]

Originally Posted by DickH

So you must not be counting the alternate control channels. If you don't enter those into your scanner, when they change, you will lose the site. Some systems seldom change control channels while others change daily.

Not sure why you'd want all O'Quinn control channels in the same system except for goofing around, I suppose.

Ignoring that, O'Quinn seems to be the kind of SmartZone that picks a control channel and sticks with it for a good, long time. And usually the highest-frequency channel at that.

[HogDriver]

If you were to write down all the primary and alternate control channel frequencies, Rick, you will find 34 different ones. Note that there is duplication in freqs, like OKC and Tulsa have the same 4 freqs, Geary, Bristow and Arbuckle Mtn all have the same 2 freqs. So, eliminating the dupes, there are 34 different freqs.

[papadoc]

Hope I ask this correctly. Can you program 2 different set of frequencies into the same bank with 2 different primary control channels, such as the Oklahoma County and Pottawatomie County? Right now I have just OC programmed with the Shawnnee talkgroup for PD and FD and picking them up. Would I get more out of Shawnee if I programmed their frequencies and control channel?

[drkatzjr]

What is somewhat frustrating for me is there are dead areas with no coverage.
(Dead spaces between sites)

Two areas, specifically, that always have "spaces"


1. Highway 412 about 30min out from West Siloam Springs

2l Highway 412 (after traveling south on I-35, then east on 412 to Tulsa.
I had this experience this morning. Stillwater, Guthrie, Carney, and Bristow worked invariably,
but very inconsistent, with weak singles and dead spaces.

[HogDriver]

I have the entire OKWIN system programmed in except for Coweta and Grove. That makes 32 frequencies. The radio will pick up the strongest signal as I drive around. I have it set for stationary, not roaming as this lets it pick up the weaker, but still clear enough to understand. So from around Tinker, I can pick up OKC, Norman, Lexington and on a good day, Tecumseh towers. In fact just yesterday I managed to pick up Carney as well. I have the radio set up to display which control channel it is currently using and I just bump that number against my list if what's programmed in what slot. And as I drive around the state it will keep searching all the control channels and if I have a talkgroup programmed in that area, I will hear it. It really is pretty seamless. I do wish OHP would get all their troops on the system, I enjoy listening to them especially during rush hour and bad weather here in OKC.

[HogDriver]

Originally Posted by papadoc

Hope I ask this correctly. Can you program 2 different set of frequencies into the same bank with 2 different primary control channels, such as the Oklahoma County and Pottawatomie County? Right now I have just OC programmed with the Shawnnee talkgroup for PD and FD and picking them up. Would I get more out of Shawnee if I programmed their frequencies and control channel?

Yes you would get more if you live out that way. I don't pick up any traffic from Shawnee here near Tinker until I drive out that way and get within range of the Shawnee tower. I think Shawnee has it set where they ONLY access the Shawnee tower and that's why I don't hear them out here. Occasionally I'll get Tecumseh PD. And by the way, I have a Pro-197.

[papadoc]

Originally Posted by HogDriver

Yes you would get more if you live out that way.

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Like I said, occasionally, I get Shawnee PD and FD where I live, off the Oklahoma County control channels, but I don't have all their frequencies programmed in, or their control channels. We'll see what happens.

[plaws]

Originally Posted by papadoc

Hope I ask this correctly. Can you program 2 different set of frequencies into the same bank with 2 different primary control channels, such as the Oklahoma County and Pottawatomie County? Right now I have just OC programmed with the Shawnnee talkgroup for PD and FD and picking them up. Would I get more out of Shawnee if I programmed their frequencies and control channel?

You would really need to tell what model of receiver you have ...

[plaws]

Originally Posted by drkatzjr

What is somewhat frustrating for me is there are dead areas with no coverage.

Do you have a good external antenna?

I don't know what the specification is for O'Quinn, but it may well be based on mobile unit coverage and not hand-held coverage. Even if it *is* based on hand-held coverage, there are very few (any?) systems that have 100% coverage.

[plaws]

Originally Posted by HogDriver

I have the entire OKWIN system programmed in except for Coweta and Grove.

Which radio? The BCD396XT and BCD996XT (others? I forget) allow you to have multiple sites within a system. One set of talkgroups, multiple sites.

With GPS attached (which I did in my old car, pending in my new car), you can turn on and off sites (and systems and even channels) as you move around. It's pretty cool.

[HogDriver]

The Pro-106/197 are also multiple site capable.

[papadoc]

Originally Posted by plaws

You would really need to tell what model of receiver you have ...

BCD396XT

[plaws]

Originally Posted by papadoc

BCD396XT

I'm assuming you are using Freescan. Within your system (say for OHP), you can have multiple sites (say, OKC, Norman, Shawnee). Program in the talkgroups once, then set up as many sites as you need ... and you only need the control channels.

I've got a lot of crap in Freescan format - I guess I should post it to the web somewhere. I'll try to do that this weekend. A lot of it also has the lat/lon attached, so if you did connect to a GPS, it's set to go.

[papadoc]

Originally Posted by plaws

I'm assuming you are using Freescan. Within your system (say for OHP), you can have multiple sites (say, OKC, Norman, Shawnee). Program in the talkgroups once, then set up as many sites as you need ... and you only need the control channels.

Thanks for the info, plaws.