New MPSCS in St. Joseph

[k8tmk]

The new MPSCS tower in St. Joseph (next to the Berrien County Sheriff's Department) is on the air. The control channel frequency is 868.7000 MHz.

All I've heard on it so far are technicians testing the system from different locations around the area.

Randy, K8TMK

 

[jimsokol]

Yep, I caught it yesterday too. When I saw it, the tower showed up as 340, not the 342 indicated in db. I had submitted a correction.

I also finally thought to check out the physical tower while in the area. There's quite a bit of hardware on it.

 

[whacker]

Thanks for the tip. I was wondering when this was going to happen. The coverage was definitely needed.

 

[jimsokol]

Not sure when it will actually be in full use. They may be testing for a bit.

 

[Craigmoe]

It's 0428 and the St. Joe system appears not to be on the air. Has it been coming and going while testing?

 

[jimsokol]

They appear to be still testing, so it's probably only on-line when they are working on it. It's also probably not connected to the network (rest of MPSCS) until they are done.

 

[k8tmk]

It seems to be on all the time now. Maybe they where just waiting for a November 1 turn-on date.

I have heard some regular MPSCS users on the system for the past couple of days ( such as Berrien North Com and Department of Human Services).

By the way, talkgroup 3187 has been coming through the Coloma and St. Joe towers. My database indicates that is Barry County dispatch, so I don't know whats with that!

Randy

 

[whacker]

Question: Prior to this tower and control freq. becoming active, what would be the predominant tower one would pick up in the St. Joseph vicinity? Would it be the Coloma tower or the Sawyer tower or what? I only visit north county occasionally and never took notice of which one I was receiving. It seems like there was a big difference in my ability to receive MPSCS, comparing, say, Hollywood Rd. & Glenlord to downtown S.J.

 

[jimsokol]

For me, when in Saint Joseph, it was usually Coloma, but sometimes South Haven or Sawyer. In Stevensville, it could be any of Coloma, Sawyer, Sumnerville.

 

[whacker]

Thanks, Jim. That's kind of what I thought.

 

[SCPD]

Herald Palladium > Local News > All clear: Officials say new tower already improving communications

 

[whacker]

Cool! Thanks for posting this.

Gotta love those "high-frequency" radios!

 

[Craigmoe]

BHPD now on the system (MPSCS). The local paper (rag) had said it would be another month, however that would still be true for county dispatching. BHPD is dispatching themselves on the system (800). Started today. (TG# 3583) Their VHF frequency (155.670) has been quiet all day. Maybe just testing...

 

[msdossys]

Excellent, was wondering what they were doing over there a few weeks ago. Now I just have to wait for my Pro-106 to show up that I just ordered!