First non testing talk group; system ID
The transmitter was for the system was powered up in early spring. In April, testing began in the dispatch center. Later field testing was done, then grid testing. In grid testing, 2 teams w/ mobile or portable radios went block by block repeating simple silly phrases. In June they spent a day testing in buildings where reception might be an issue, 27 in all. The last location on the list was Carmike (theaters) at the AB Mall.
In the last week or so, city & county firefighters have been testing the radios for the EA activation , which allows a firefighter to press a button to alert he/she is in distress. More info about the EAs are here
The Mayday - Technology for Better Mayday Monitoring! - Fire Engineering Training Community
When the system went to bids years ago, one thing desired was to repeat the fire primary channel (much like the WPD channels are now). During testing, the tones were broadcast on the TRS and sounded loud & clear. (On many other systems, the tones are not dispatched on the TRS side, only on the conventional frequency.)
It was also stated that the conventional frequencies would be used, especially for mutual aid. When the FD is doing the EA testing, Fire 3 and Fire 5 is being repeated on 154.415 (one a time, not together).
Right now most of WFD radio traffic is on the primary dispatch channel. However on many trunked systems, EMS calls & minor fire incidents are usually quickly moved to secondary talk groups.
For whomever at Radio Reference is setting up the entry of the new system, the ID is 06FAh-0101. The primary control channel is 856.4625. Before voice testing began, I occasionally saw the CC at 858.4625, but not in the last few months.
While there has been several talk group ID's shown, I heard the first transmissions that were not for testing. The Winchester Public School buses are using talk group ID 101. (It was the first day of classes today.)
I have the system programmed on several digital scanners, and it works great. Right now the system is P25 Phrase 1. While the system was modified to do Phrase 2/FMDA, there is no indication that it will be used in the near term. (From what I know about Phrase 2, it's decoded differently & the frequencies are split two ways to allow more users at the same time. It usually used in more populated areas where additional frequencies are harder to obtain. Also it needs several tower sites, Winchester currently only has two.)
As far as buying a new scanner, there are cheap as $250 for a older Whistler model. I like the Pro 106 in the since individual talk groups can be assigned a priority channel. Each talk group can be placed in as many folders (banks) as you want. The Whistler format is very similar in operation.
What I like about the Uniden 996 is that encryption is blocked, and that it is easier place talk groups into smaller groups within each system.
I have older radios that do not receive Phrase 2, but some newer radios will. I am unsure if individual talk groups can be made a priority channel on the newest Uniden scanners.
Recently, Winchester began issuing a transparency report each week. There have brief blurbs mentioning the status of the project. It can found at
Week In Review | City of Winchester.
Steve