SC Ports Authority went digital

[kermitdafrog]

Last Saturday Nov 10th SC Ports Authority changed from their analog system to a digital system. They are using the same provider, but I don't have any further info and RR doesn't show any changes yet. Maybe this evening with the update.

[jeffmulter]

Kermit - From some previous posts, I'm guessing you are wishing for the database update to reload your GRE 800 scanner.

I have not worked with that model. Does it allow you to manually program a system ? If so, you might want to load the SCPA frequencies as a P25 system, and see if the scanner can decode the transmissions.

If it cannot decode the system as P25, the agency likely ungraded from EDACS standard to ProVoice, and none of the current scanners can decode the ProVoice audio.

You may also be able to get more information on the SCPA transition to digital if you might know Richard Buckner / KK4B / Goose Creek via your interest in ham radio. Richard's e-mail address was included on the SCPA's license for the trunked system when it was last updated in 2011:

ULS Application - Public Safety/Spec Emerg, 806-821/851-866 MHz, Trunked - 0004799770 - SOUTH CAROLINA PORTS AUTHORITY - Transaction Log

[kermitdafrog]

Jeff,

Thanks for the reply.

Yep, I was hoping for a library update, but it's probably still too soon.

I do know Rick and will probably contact him this week to get the details as he is still the system vendor. I work at the Port in RF infrastructure and we were doing some work with the yard WiFi and I usually bring my scanner so I can monitor results when we make parameter changes. One of the machine operators showed up at the lab with one of the new radios which I spotted right away and said to myself "uh oh", no monitor today. I knew it was coming, but wasn't expecting it yet.

Again, thanks for the reply.

Kermit

[milf]

Emissions Designator is 14K0F9W Which means "multiple different emissions within the specified bandwidth are possible", which is an Harris favorite trick to mean either OpenSKY, or ProVoice digital, though could be an weird mixture of analog, and P-25 switching.... Though most likely its an ProVOICE overlay on the existing EDACS. To switch to OpenSKY or true P-25 would have meant an entire rebuild of infrastructure (Consoles, HT's, Mobiles etc, and an entirely different FCC Emissions Designation for true P-25...)

What kind of radios are they running, that will give a clue as to what they are capable of.

Also can you run like UniTrunker, or T-88, or the like on it and see what that tells you?

Still kinda amazed that while the REST of the state agencies all got on board with Palmetto 800, and will be on board with the Palmetto P-25 when it grows out, SCPA stuck with the EDACS... Go figure.

[kermitdafrog]

The radios are Motorola, if I can grab one tomorrow I'll see what the model is. I haven't had a chance to speak with Rick yet.

Kermit