First Transit Westcook and Chicago Paratransit new radios

Status
Not open for further replies.

FCB64

Member
Joined
May 3, 2020
Messages
16
Reaction score
5
Location
Chicago, IL
PACE paratransit bids their paratransit service to various transportation companies. Currently First Transit (a division of First Student) dispatches West Cook County and Chicago Paratransit out of a consolidated facility in Melrose Park. This past week the radios in WESTCOOK and Chicago were upgraded on all their buses. Westcook used to be on the Team Connect network utilizing the Chicago/ Milwaukee frequencies TGID 1999899. Does anyone know what system they switched to? I used to work there and still enjoy monitoring activity. Thanks in advance. SDS200, BCD996XT.
 

kevino

Database Administrator
Database Admin
Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
1,105
Reaction score
502
Location
Chicagoland
I just looked at the Team Connect database page on Radio Reference for talkgroup 1999899. Usage was shown kinda generically as "medicar?" or something like that. I updated the information, albeit a bit late it appears. Would it be possible for you to compare the information for any other talkgroups you listen/listened to on that system to what's listed in the database TeamConnect Trunking System, Various, Multi-State - Scanner Frequencies and see if there are any other updates that you might be able to submit, Frank?

Unfortunately, I don't know what system/talkgroup/channel this user is currently on.
 
Last edited:

FCB64

Member
Joined
May 3, 2020
Messages
16
Reaction score
5
Location
Chicago, IL
Yes, it was labeled as Medicar. I only had TGID 199899 stored and would let it run in the background. I've searched far and wide for the first Transit's Chicago Paratransit freq's with no success. Now that Westcook and Chicago consolidated to new equipment, I now have a new challenge. I know someone who still works there and told him to take a pic of the radio, that's a start, I guess. I don't even remember how I discovered 199899 on TeamConnect last year. There are a few paratransit companies (SCR, MV, CDT, First Transit). I can find SCR and CDT (cook-dupage-transfer) if I wanted to. MV Transportation still uses NEXTEL's. Up to last week, First Transit Westcook used Motorola MOTOTRBO XPR 5580's that were just installed in Spring of 2018 but have now been replaced. I am uncertain what radio's First Transit Chicago had in their buses but they're all connected now as they consolidated the 2 divisions dispatch departments. All I know is that before all buses at Westcook could hear the dispatcher at the same time like a broadcast and now it's a one-on-one transmission. I even did a search to see if there were and new FCC licenses that were issued to First Group or First Transit, but I'm pretty positive this is leased equipment. I'm hoping they didn't go encrypted.
 
Last edited:

werinshades

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
6,671
Reaction score
3,211
Location
Chicago , IL
Yes, it was labeled as Medicar. I only had TGID 199899 stored and would let it run in the background. I've searched far and wide for the first Transit's Chicago Paratransit freq's with no success. Now that Westcook and Chicago consolidated to new equipment, I now have a new challenge. I know someone who still works there and told him to take a pic of the radio, that's a start, I guess. I don't even remember how I discovered 199899 on TeamConnect last year. There are a few paratransit companies (SCR, MV, CDT, First Transit). I can find SCR and CDT (cook-dupage-transfer) if I wanted to. MV Transportation still uses NEXTEL's. Up to last week, First Transit Westcook used Motorola MOTOTRBO XPR 5580's that were just installed in Spring of 2018 but have now been replaced. I am uncertain what radio's First Transit Chicago had in their buses but they're all connected now as they consolidated the 2 divisions dispatch departments. All I know is that before all buses at Westcook could hear the dispatcher at the same time like a broadcast and now it's a one-on-one transmission. I even did a search to see if there were and new FCC licenses that were issued to First Group or First Transit, but I'm pretty positive this is leased equipment. I'm hoping they didn't go encrypted.

The Rental Car shuttles at Midway, and the UGo Shuttle services which are both run by First Transit are using the Diga-Talk NXDN Trunking system, so might look there too.
 

kevino

Database Administrator
Database Admin
Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
1,105
Reaction score
502
Location
Chicagoland
Another clue might be the antennas, Frank. Do you know if new antennas were installed on the buses? If so, it could mean a change in bands from 900 MHz, and a photo of the antenna (including any printing, if possible to get that close) could help.
 

RoninJoliet

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jan 14, 2003
Messages
3,581
Reaction score
410
Location
ILL
I monitor TG 83 and TG 1082 Midway Schuttles and Park & Fly on Chicago NXDN Digital Talk site 6 which can be found on radio reference on UHF with my 996P2
 

kevino

Database Administrator
Database Admin
Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
1,105
Reaction score
502
Location
Chicagoland
Frank, you might try giving a listen to the Comlink NXDN system Comlink Wireless (NXDN-61) Trunking System, Various, Illinois - Scanner Frequencies . Looking at some old notes, I've heard what might have been First Transit paratransit ops in DuPage County on talkgroup 2101 a couple of years or more ago. Mobiles were calling "First Base" and talking about talking about making pickups "in the window" with mentions of Metra train stations and other locations in DuPage County. From past listening observations, signals can be fairly weak on this system. I've been listening for about twenty minutes and I haven't heard any traffic there. A few years ago, traffic seemed to be primarily school bus operations.
 

RoninJoliet

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jan 14, 2003
Messages
3,581
Reaction score
410
Location
ILL
I entered a system for Comlink 61 but it wants LCN and there not listed anywhere per freqys.....
 

werinshades

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
6,671
Reaction score
3,211
Location
Chicago , IL

I'm hearing "transit activity" on this system this morning. Talkgroups heard (so far) are 900010, 900015 with Radio ID's also in the 90000 series.. Heard mention of an "ETA to drop off an individual / confirmation of the use of a Ventra card for payment".

You might have better luck confirming being a little more familiar with the system.
 

RoninJoliet

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jan 14, 2003
Messages
3,581
Reaction score
410
Location
ILL
Thank you "werinshades" I applied the LCNs you sent and now receive the Site4 Joliet system...I wonder how you found the LCNs, are they on rr.com somewhere, your the best TY
 

werinshades

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
6,671
Reaction score
3,211
Location
Chicago , IL

I'm hearing "transit activity" on this system this morning. Talkgroups heard (so far) are 900010, 900015 with Radio ID's also in the 90000 series.. Heard mention of an "ETA to drop off an individual / confirmation of the use of a Ventra card for payment".

You might have better luck confirming being a little more familiar with the system.

After listening a little longer, this is probably what you were looking for. RID 900130 is coming up as the Base. Alot of "transit-related" conversations.
 

kevino

Database Administrator
Database Admin
Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
1,105
Reaction score
502
Location
Chicagoland
I believe that Ron figured out how to view the logical channel number (LCN) info for a particular site, but for everyone else's benefit, go to the Radio Reference database page for the particular system then click on the link for the particular site you're interested in. You'll see LCNs displayed next to each of the site's frequencies.
 

werinshades

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
6,671
Reaction score
3,211
Location
Chicago , IL

I'm hearing "transit activity" on this system this morning. Talkgroups heard (so far) are 900010, 900015 with Radio ID's also in the 90000 series.. Heard mention of an "ETA to drop off an individual / confirmation of the use of a Ventra card for payment".

You might have better luck confirming being a little more familiar with the system.
After listening a little longer, this is probably what you were looking for. RID 900130 is coming up as the Base. Alot of "transit-related" conversations.

I'm hearing activity today on TGID 90015..Base Radio ID 900140. "Transit related" communications.
 

werinshades

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Messages
6,671
Reaction score
3,211
Location
Chicago , IL
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Top