Forney (Kaufman Co, TX) has moved to GMRS

[bigtex999]

Forney has moved to GMRS (Garland, Mesquite, Rowlett, Sachse) as of 17 Oct 2023.
So far, the old P25 phase 2 system (linked above) is no longer broadcasting.

Was trying to locate any new broadcasts on GMRS but no luck and the RadioReference database is not updated.
Using BCD436HP (x2) scanners, with ID searching and discovery turned on.

Submitted a ticket to indicate the old system is no longer operative.
If any more experienced people have any tips or tricks, please advise.
Thx!

 

[rattlerbb01]

Are you scanning the Terrell site? Have the Forney frequencies been repurposed for GMRS? Try scanning the 700 and 800 bands and search for any new control channels if neither works. They may have caught the E bug on the GMRS system too so you may not hear anything or be able to tell unless you have control channel monitoring software

 

[bigtex999]

Are you scanning the Terrell site? Have the Forney frequencies been repurposed for GMRS? Try scanning the 700 and 800 bands and search for any new control channels if neither works. They may have caught the E bug on the GMRS system too so you may not hear anything or be able to tell unless you have control channel monitoring software

Thx for reply.
Currently took everything out of GMRS except interop listed below

Garland, Mesquite, Rowlett, Sachse (GMRS) Trunking System, Various, Texas

Garland, Mesquite, Rowlett, Sachse (GMRS) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Expected an "unknown" or something to pop up, assuming no E bug. I believe they did catch it though and radio is therefore disregarding it although GMRS talkgroups with E can be heard but obviously garbled. Every new garbled one I heard I could attribute to an existing agency. Terrell on GMRS is still scannable and had other scanner locked on it for a while too.
Old Forney p25 phase 2 system is definitely dead, no signal on it at all.

 

[Harold]

Took a few minutes but here you go. https://www.forneytx.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/8465?fileID=11941

 

[bigtex999]

Took a few minutes but here you go. https://www.forneytx.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/8465?fileID=11941

Thx for your comment. The fact they were upgrading equipment and moving to gmrs wasn't the surprise... it had been in works for a while and was posted on their facebook page.
GMRS has multiple agencies, some have E some don't. The surprise was they decided to go with E for everything unlike other nearby agencies who do not for dispatch, day to day mundane stuff.

 

[riverradio68]

Honestly, I'm wondering if GMRS is going to try and get Greenville onboard next ... I could see it happening.

 

[kmartin]

Honestly, I'm wondering if GMRS is going to try and get Greenville onboard next ... I could see it happening.

I'm wondering if Kaufman might eventually become part of GMRS ?

 

[Russell]

This is a wag but I see encrypted comms on GMRS 2320. Could be Forney PD.

 

[riverradio68]

Forney encryption is a given.

Isn't Kaufman Co. a Harris system? I thought one of Harris's selling points was the added coverage through Kaufman, Van Zandt counties.

 

[hiegtx]

Forney encryption is a given.

Isn't Kaufman Co. a Harris system? I thought one of Harris's selling points was the added coverage through Kaufman, Van Zandt counties.

Kaufman is Harris, as are Rockwall and Henderson County. The ‘selling point’ Harris used to promote their system as opposed to Motorola was that with the other Harris systems in neighboring counties, they had some “backup” if their own system was down. Also, there was some sort of a cost savings by going Harris at the same time as Van Zandt County. See various posts in this thread from last year.

I was mildly surprised that Canton went to a stand alone Moto system instead of going on TxWARN. For that matter, that would also have been a likely solution for Van Zandt County. While Hunt County is going to Harris, apparently Greenville chose Motorola. I suppose that these outliers wanted to be in control of their own systems, rather than cede administrative decisions to the TxWARN staff.

 

[riverradio68]

Kaufman is Harris, as are Rockwall and Henderson County. The ‘selling point’ Harris used to promote their system as opposed to Motorola was that with the other Harris systems in neighboring counties, they had some “backup” if their own system was down. Also, there was some sort of a cost savings by going Harris at the same time as Van Zandt County. See various posts in this thread from last year.

I was mildly surprised that Canton went to a stand alone Moto system instead of going on TxWARN. For that matter, that would also have been a likely solution for Van Zandt County. While Hunt County is going to Harris, apparently Greenville chose Motorola. I suppose that these outliers wanted to be in control of their own systems, rather than cede administrative decisions to the TxWARN staff.

Greenville jumped first and did the math, a Harris system was just too expensive. I am understanding there is trouble with Hunt's Harris system and may not happen or won't be licensed as Public Safety. Apparently Hunt bit off more than it could chew going Harris and actually went to L3 in Greenville and asked them to go on and pay half lol. I dunno, that's radio gossip but it comes from strong sources.

You're explanation of Kaufman was what I was getting at, thanks for cleaning that up better. Yet still, today, there are NO frequencies issued for Van Zandt. I was starting to wonder if Canton would expand out and use theirs.

I noticed another East Texas county went P25 trunking but on UHF so I wonder if there is a frequency shortage because of so much TXWARN in that area.

 

[hiegtx]

Greenville jumped first and did the math, a Harris system was just too expensive. I am understanding there is trouble with Hunt's Harris system and may not happen or won't be licensed as Public Safety. Apparently Hunt bit off more than it could chew going Harris and actually went to L3 in Greenville and asked them to go on and pay half lol. I dunno, that's radio gossip but it comes from strong sources.

The troubles that Hunt County may be having with their Harris system are reminiscent of the troubles that the 'Metrocrest' cities encountered setting up their new Harris system. See various posts in this thread: Info on the delays/issues with the Metrocrest Quad Cities Public Safety Radio System

IIRC, the Carrolton rep managing the system setup was close to the point to tell Harris to take a hike, and take their failing system with them. At some point, Harris sent in an upper level rep, and finally solved the most serious issues.

 

[hiegtx]

Greenville jumped first and did the math, a Harris system was just too expensive. I am understanding there is trouble with Hunt's Harris system and may not happen or won't be licensed as Public Safety. Apparently Hunt bit off more than it could chew going Harris and actually went to L3 in Greenville and asked them to go on and pay half lol. I dunno, that's radio gossip but it comes from strong sources.

You're explanation of Kaufman was what I was getting at, thanks for cleaning that up better. Yet still, today, there are NO frequencies issued for Van Zandt. I was starting to wonder if Canton would expand out and use theirs.

I noticed another East Texas county went P25 trunking but on UHF so I wonder if there is a frequency shortage because of so much TXWARN in that area.

I'd have doubts about a 'shortage of frequencies'. The Dallas layer 1 site on NTIRN is using 700 MHz frequencies via the state license.

If I recall correctly, the Brown County sites on the LCRA P25 system initially were using the state license. But, later on, Brown got their own specific licenses.

 

[WB5UOM]

Who went UHF?

 

[jason51]

Angelina county

 

[hiegtx]

Angelina county

Yet anther county, in the TxWARN coverage area, choosing to roll their own instead of joining the larger system.

 

[WB5UOM]

After looking at the sites in rr db,I did a little investigating, and apparently I provided the antennas and heliax etc..to the Tower Crew who did that job..I never knew or asked what it was for.
So I guessing Angelina is what a UHF Tait system?

 

[KevinC]

After looking at the sites in rr db,I did a little investigating, and apparently I provided the antennas and heliax etc..to the Tower Crew who did that job..I never knew or asked what it was for.
So I guessing Angelina is what a UHF Tait system?

Hopefully not offending anyone, but hopefully if it's Tait it works a WHOLE lot better than the other Tait stuff in the DETCOG did.