Calgary monitoring advice

[calgaryman]

I'm new to this and would like to know if anyone is free to help offer some guidance in how to start listening to radio in Calgary.

Can't seem to send anyone a private message directly on here.

 

[BC_Scan]

Welcome, all the help is free here sir and there are many local Albertans ready to offer help , once your fancy is identified. What kind of radio do you mean ?

AM/FM like the car radio -easy . . . Taxi, Bus, Plane -easy
Police Fire Ambulance- not so easy

Short Wave from around the world? There are literally dozens or more of things you can listen to in the open (more on that later) you will have to throw us a line.

What equipment do you have ?

 

[calgaryman]

Welcome, all the help is free here sir and there are many local Albertans ready to offer help , once your fancy is identified. What kind of radio do you mean ?

AM/FM like the car radio -easy . . . Taxi, Bus, Plane -easy
Police Fire Ambulance- not so easy

Short Wave from around the world? There are literally dozens or more of things you can listen to in the open (more on that later) you will have to throw us a line.

What equipment do you have ?

Hey BC, I appreciate the response.
So far, I am brand new to all of this with no equipment. If I had a goal with radio, it would be to listen to some things I am interested in like transit or other government services that are not encrypted in Calgary. (Not police obviously)

I checked out the list of encrypted agencies and it seems like it's just Calgary Police and AHS. A lot of my confusion here is in what equipment I would need to be able to listen to things like Calgary Transit etc. I am hoping to go down the RTL-SDR route to save on costs since I don't know if any of this will even work.

If there is a way to figure out if it will work, then I'd love to learn how.

 

[BC_Scan]

A traditional scanner is the preferred way IMHO. A dongle is great but it might have steeper learning curve. I would start with a minimum of Bearcat with P25/NXDN/DMR option, or the Whistler TRX2. Higher price entry point than dongle, but you can start there and move forward.
All videos pertaining to setup of dongle/scanner on YouTube.

If there is a way to figure out if it will work, then I'd love to learn how.

Judging by what is in database from other Alberta users, I would say it has already been figured out, now your turn to jump in for the ride.

 

[calgaryman]

A traditional scanner is the preferred way IMHO. A dongle is great but it might have steeper learning curve. I would start with a minimum of Bearcat with P25/NXDN/DMR option, or the Whistler TRX2. Higher price entry point than dongle, but you can start there and move forward.
All videos pertaining to setup of dongle/scanner on YouTube.

Judging by what is in database from other Calgary users, I would say it has already been figured out, now your turn to jump in for the ride.

Thanks BC, is there a way to get into contact with anyone in Alberta to ask what they are able to receive using their radios?

I think right now I am also confused about what is out there and what isn't. I know you can listen to the airport and fire, but what else is out there? Does everything listed on RadioReference work even though some say last updated 2019?
Appreciate the help.

 

[BC_Scan]

This seems to be the typical. When someone new asks for help in Canada forums, they get ignored. I typically see people chiming in from other Provinces eg: a person asks a question in BC , someone from Alberta answers whom might not have actual knowledge, and vice versa, so its a mixed bag at best.
First you need a scanner/dongle
Second you play/experiment learn the hobby , then ask the questions
third you get some experience understand , use the database, forget the fact it says 2019 ,
Enough said -Dive in (as previously said)

Thanks BC, is there a way to get into contact with anyone in Alberta to ask what they are able to receive using their radios?

I would read what other q/a topics have been discussed , then you will understand

 

[XVCham]

I've been trying to be as active as possible here in British Columbia, with submitting and changing more and more entries. I would highly recommend that you listen to Broadcastify feeds prior to purchasing a scanner to see what is available and the activity in your area.

I would also recommend SDR, however it is slightly more advanced and difficult to navigate through (do play around with SDR if you are committed to learning about them). TAFL is a great source of frequency details/things not listed on RadioReference. I can't speak for Calgary though, I live in BC so I'm not particularly familiar with the area.

Good luck!

 

[StampedeCityStringer]

I'm based in Calgary, so I can probably answer your question. Calgary Fire and the airport FD are monitorable on the Calgary Municipal Radio system, along with Rocky View and Foothills County Fire Depts (both use the provincial AFRRCS system). Some other smaller area fire departments are also monitorable, but it depends on where you are located
I can hear as far as Mountain View and Kneehill Counties on a good day, but I am located in the NW near Nose Hill Park, with decent elevation.

There are not many old-school FM or simplex frequencies in use anymore, STARS uses some and CFD has some backup simplex channels.
Calgary Transit and some area Peace Officer channels are monitorable.
Pretty much all of AHS, CPS and all other law enforcement are encrypted apart from the AHS mutual-aid frequencies and CPS's "all-call" channel (where they broadcast major incidents). That's really about it.

There are also some mutual-aid channels on the provincial system where you can sometimes hear comm's between the RCMP and CPS, but that doesn't happen too often.

For a traditional scanner, you will need something that is able to receive P25 Phase II networks, as both the Calgary Municipal system and the provincial AFRRCS system are both P25 Phase II. I use both a Uniden BCD996P2 (base station) and a Uniden BCD325P2 (handheld). You're going to be looking at around at least $400+ for either of those and closer to $600+ for the base station. I've never used any of the USB dongles and their software, so I can't help you there.

Hope that helps!

 

[harryshute]

I'm based in Calgary, so I can probably answer your question. Calgary Fire and the airport FD are monitorable on the Calgary Municipal Radio system, along with Rocky View and Foothills County Fire Depts (both use the provincial AFRRCS system). Some other smaller area fire departments are also monitorable, but it depends on where you are located
I can hear as far as Mountain View and Kneehill Counties on a good day, but I am located in the NW near Nose Hill Park, with decent elevation.

There are not many old-school FM or simplex frequencies in use anymore, STARS uses some and CFD has some backup simplex channels.
Calgary Transit and some area Peace Officer channels are monitorable.
Pretty much all of AHS, CPS and all other law enforcement are encrypted apart from the AHS mutual-aid frequencies and CPS's "all-call" channel (where they broadcast major incidents). That's really about it.

There are also some mutual-aid channels on the provincial system where you can sometimes hear comm's between the RCMP and CPS, but that doesn't happen too often.

For a traditional scanner, you will need something that is able to receive P25 Phase II networks, as both the Calgary Municipal system and the provincial AFRRCS system are both P25 Phase II. I use both a Uniden BCD996P2 (base station) and a Uniden BCD325P2 (handheld). You're going to be looking at around at least $400+ for either of those and closer to $600+ for the base station. I've never used any of the USB dongles and their software, so I can't help you there.

Hope that helps!

Thanks. This should help the OP with his original question. The only thing I'd correct is the AFRRCS system is P25 Phase 1.
Some in Calgary may correct me but I've been told that the Calgary Municipal System is P25 Phase 2 capable but operating as a Phase 1 system.

 

[XVCham]

Thanks. This should help the OP with his original question. The only thing I'd correct is the AFRRCS system is P25 Phase 1.
Some in Calgary may correct me but I've been told that the Calgary Municipal System is P25 Phase 2 capable but operating as a Phase 1 system.

BC also uses Phase 2 capable system on Phase 1 (No TDMA).

I'm based in Calgary, so I can probably answer your question. Calgary Fire and the airport FD are monitorable on the Calgary Municipal Radio system, along with Rocky View and Foothills County Fire Depts (both use the provincial AFRRCS system). Some other smaller area fire departments are also monitorable, but it depends on where you are located
I can hear as far as Mountain View and Kneehill Counties on a good day, but I am located in the NW near Nose Hill Park, with decent elevation.

There are not many old-school FM or simplex frequencies in use anymore, STARS uses some and CFD has some backup simplex channels.
Calgary Transit and some area Peace Officer channels are monitorable.
Pretty much all of AHS, CPS and all other law enforcement are encrypted apart from the AHS mutual-aid frequencies and CPS's "all-call" channel (where they broadcast major incidents). That's really about it.

There are also some mutual-aid channels on the provincial system where you can sometimes hear comm's between the RCMP and CPS, but that doesn't happen too often.

For a traditional scanner, you will need something that is able to receive P25 Phase II networks, as both the Calgary Municipal system and the provincial AFRRCS system are both P25 Phase II. I use both a Uniden BCD996P2 (base station) and a Uniden BCD325P2 (handheld). You're going to be looking at around at least $400+ for either of those and closer to $600+ for the base station. I've never used any of the USB dongles and their software, so I can't help you there.

Hope that helps!

Lucky to have FD in the open. Is Calgary Phase 2 system using Simulcast? If so, are you experiencing any simulcast issues?

 

[smason]

Lucky to have FD in the open. Is Calgary Phase 2 system using Simulcast? If so, are you experiencing any simulcast issues?

Luckily no simulcast in Calgary yet (that I'm aware of anyway)

 

[beeperboy]

Luckily no simulcast in Calgary yet (that I'm aware of anyway)

I never understood the purpose of simulcast on trunking. It sort of defeats the whole purpose of trunking. It's like a brainchild of non technical people who likes fancy words but don't understand the technology. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[calgaryman]

I'm based in Calgary, so I can probably answer your question. Calgary Fire and the airport FD are monitorable on the Calgary Municipal Radio system, along with Rocky View and Foothills County Fire Depts (both use the provincial AFRRCS system). Some other smaller area fire departments are also monitorable, but it depends on where you are located
I can hear as far as Mountain View and Kneehill Counties on a good day, but I am located in the NW near Nose Hill Park, with decent elevation.

There are not many old-school FM or simplex frequencies in use anymore, STARS uses some and CFD has some backup simplex channels.
Calgary Transit and some area Peace Officer channels are monitorable.
Pretty much all of AHS, CPS and all other law enforcement are encrypted apart from the AHS mutual-aid frequencies and CPS's "all-call" channel (where they broadcast major incidents). That's really about it.

There are also some mutual-aid channels on the provincial system where you can sometimes hear comm's between the RCMP and CPS, but that doesn't happen too often.

For a traditional scanner, you will need something that is able to receive P25 Phase II networks, as both the Calgary Municipal system and the provincial AFRRCS system are both P25 Phase II. I use both a Uniden BCD996P2 (base station) and a Uniden BCD325P2 (handheld). You're going to be looking at around at least $400+ for either of those and closer to $600+ for the base station. I've never used any of the USB dongles and their software, so I can't help you there.

Hope that helps!

Hey! Thanks for the info. If I was to buy the BCD436HP would that help in anyway?

Is it mainly just fire that people are receiving and is that a different experience than listening to fire on Broadcastify right now? The reason I ask is because I saw some stuff about being able to get Transit Peace Officers, which would be cool to listen to.
I don't know how updated the RadioReference page is on Calgary, but there seems to be a lot on there but obviously not having a radio yet makes it hard to know if its still there or encrypted etc.

 

[XVCham]

What is being broadcasted on Broadcastify is delayed. Seems like BCD436HP is quite the fancy radio if you are just getting started, but hey I mean if you have the money to spend, go for it (it seems like a sweet radio).
Most scanners should tell you if a traffic is encrypted (provided that they use standard encryption algos) and you can remove tg to not listen to garbled voice. If the scanner allows for "tgid wildcard" option, you might even find some of the talkgroups that have not yet been submitted to RR.

 

[harryshute]

I never understood the purpose of simulcast on trunking. It sort of defeats the whole purpose of trunking. It's like a brainchild of non technical people who likes fancy words but don't understand the technology. Maybe I'm wrong.

You may be correct, but quite a number of agencies have gone to Simulcast. The radio builders keep including it in their units. But here in Edmonton, both Police and Fire pushed for Simulcast because it worked well for them on EDACS. They had to pay quite a bit to get five sites on Simulcast. As a monitor I like it, but I know Tech types who do question it.
As for the OP, the Uniden 436 would work very well for you. Here because of Simulcast. we have to go to the much more expensive SDS Uniden series.

 

[StampedeCityStringer]

Hey! Thanks for the info. If I was to buy the BCD436HP would that help in anyway?

Is it mainly just fire that people are receiving and is that a different experience than listening to fire on Broadcastify right now? The reason I ask is because I saw some stuff about being able to get Transit Peace Officers, which would be cool to listen to.
I don't know how updated the RadioReference page is on Calgary, but there seems to be a lot on there but obviously not having a radio yet makes it hard to know if its still there or encrypted etc.

The BCD436HP would work here in Calgary, but there are definitely cheaper options.

The broadcastify feed for Calgary is delayed and only broadcasts dispatch channels (at CFD's request). Using your own scanner allows you to also listen to the "tac" channels where on-scene communications are conducted.

The RadioReference page for Calgary is fairly up-to-date. We've been working hard to keep it that way (at least the page for the Calgary Municipal Network). Calgary recently did a radio system refresh/upgrade, which changed a lot of channels, so there are still quite a few missing from the RR page. But, we are adding to it and updating it as we find channels etc.

 

[calgaryman]

The BCD436HP would work here in Calgary, but there are definitely cheaper options.

The broadcastify feed for Calgary is delayed and only broadcasts dispatch channels (at CFD's request). Using your own scanner allows you to also listen to the "tac" channels where on-scene communications are conducted.

The Radio Reference page for Calgary is fairly up-to-date; we've been working hard to keep it that way (at least the page for the Calgary Municipal Network). Calgary recently did a radio system refresh/upgrade, which changed a lot of channels, so there are still quite a few missing from the RR page, but we are adding to it and updating it as we find channels etc.

Thanks! Are you able to get any Transit or Peace Officer stuff?
I see one of them is encrypted, but there are like three others.

635

27b

DE

CT PS

Protective Services

 

[smason]

Yes,I listen to the Transit Protective Services dispatch talk group now and then.

Hey! Thanks for the info. If I was to buy the BCD436HP would that help in anyway?

The 436HP is pretty pricey. I use a BCD996 and a BCD996P2 as well as a couple of older GRE scanners. I don't believe they sell the 396 (handheld version of the 996) anymore, so the 325P2 is the handheld version of the 996P2. None of them are cheap, but a bit cheaper than the 436HP.

 

[ENGINE_4]

The BCD436HP would work here in Calgary, but there are definitely cheaper options.

Hey, I am wondering what some of these cheaper options are? Thank you in advance

 

[jordoncloutier]

Here is a video from a local YouTuber here in Edmonton. He shows how to use a cheap dongle and get started monitoring our P25 system easily .