MSP Kenwood Radios

[Whistler]

I think I may have posted this before but can't find it. Is anyone else having trouble copying MSP mobile units. Last year they retrofitted the cruisers. They added Data Pucks for their Panasonic Toughbooks. From what I have been told the reception in Allegany and Garrett counties is terrible. You could get a better connection on dial-up. They also replaced those awesome 110 watt MOTs with 60 watt Kenwoods. I use to be able to pick up mobile units in the counties West and East of me but now it is a struggle to pick up a unit in my county. You can hear the Barrack well but when units respond it is all static. Is anyone else experiencing this problem. I guess down state most Barracks use the County systems but in our county the "system" is in flux.
I had heard two Troopers in Allegany ask each other if they had their NEXTELs. Will this be the future for MSP. Cumberland City Police Department has issued each officer a NEXTEL to communicate with which has cut down on radio traffic.
Any thoughts?

 

[screenersam]

doesn't look good when I hear 'call me on cell phone'. I've never had much luck with vehicle repeaters anyway. is MSP still using freqs in the 39.XX range? I get lots of traffic stuff there.

 

[Whistler]

They are still using 39 mHz since the 800 mHz thing flopped due the amount of sites needed. The vehicle repeaters are always an issue due to proximity, but now that they are using lower powered mobiles they aren't getting out to receivers as well. Since the State Police use a voter system I guess they only need enough power to get to one of the voter sites. When listening to the Dispatcher you can tell he is having a hard time copying the units.
As for the Data Puck stuff they can pull up MVA and I believe NCIC info but are not allowed to make take an action until they call the Barrack. ie 10-99's.

 

[ambdrvr]

MSP Kenwood's

Hello all,

Just for a head's up, the Kenwood radios that MSP are using is the TK-690(H). That means it's a 110w mobile, same as the old /\/\oto that they used to have. I would have to assume either lousy programming or even worse tuning. Since they retrofitted they equipment inside, you would think they would replace the antennas and retune them to the new equipment, but if I know MSP like I think I do, they probably just used the old antenna's and that's my guess why the lousy reception. Just my 2 cents worth. Catcha ya later guys.

Ambdrvr

 

[doctordave]

MSP radios in Balt Co are as clear as ever. See no change in the range here.