SDINA Stringers

[Stringer619]

This topic has been rarely discussed, but it seems there are a few members here who know the info on the group. So who here is "in the know" with SDINA (San Diego Independent News Association)? I'd probably be a primo canidate for joining the group if I knew where to start, as I'm a full-time 24/7 stringer.

I've picked up chatter mostly on YELLOW (primary dispatches), but also ULTRA, although ULTRA often has beeps like morse code along with chit-chat. WHITE and RED come in some times but are unreadable.

Anyone know how the channels are laid out or other general info on how the group works? Repeater location(s)? Reception in east county is pretty awful, although I'm not using a tuned antenna.

SDINA - GREEN 462.625000
SDINA - YELLOW 462.650000
SDINA - WHITE 462.675000
SDINA - RED 462.700000
SDINA - ULTRA 462.725000

[mike619]

Do you have the CTCSS tones for the freqs?

[Stringer619]

I am still figuring that out, but it appears to be 229.1 for YELLOW and ULTRA. The others I rarely hear, and when I do it's unreadable. Could be anyone, not just SDINA.

[Stringer619]

To the top. Maybe some fresh eyes or members know more information? I used to scan all 5 but rarely heard any traffic, and when I did it sounds like its kids playing with walkie talkies (share the same frequencies I believe). Maybe an antenna cut to 462MHz will help over a handheld whip. The CTCSS tones and "channel layout" would really help. I tend to get the sense that the SDINA crew is extremely secretive and, well, stuck up. I'm not saying they are, but that's my perception. It's like you have to be one of the "cool kids" to get in (or at least get scanning info). I'd be a contributing member on a nightly basis if there was more info available.

[Mike_G_D]

You might want to check out this old thread from three years back: Riverside County GMRS 462.650mhz.

In post number 5 I relate my info which pretty much jives with what you have.

Most recently, I haven't heard them very often - at least on those known frequencies they no longer seem as talkative as they once were. The most recent conversation I can recall of the SDINA group was on their Ultra channel, I think some months ago (that I heard). It seems like I only hear the WRRG group on the 462.650MHz frequency now and haven't heard SDINA in ages on that frequency.

Yes, you will hear the kids and such on those frequencies as they are part of the GMRS and, unfortunately, the bubble pack radios sold in department stores have GMRS channels as well as the FRS channels. Few people buying these things bother to read the fine print and obtain a license to use the GMRS channels (or just don't care anyway) so they use them on all of them, FRS and GMRS, however they like - kids playing around and all.

That's why the tones are very useful.

-Mike

[Anderegg]

I used to be on the SD stringer repeater on 462.650 back in the 90's.....I was unit "108". :-P

Paul

[dano3131]

I be the voice of unit # 31