Nor-Cal CalTrans

[usfsengine]

Why does the state of California, in all of its infinite wisdom pay to have 2 systems for CalTrans? I see that most of NorCal CalTrans in the RR DB have a 800 Mhz. repeater system, but I have seen that they still use the VHF-Lo. This is true for Modoc County, I belive Siskiyou, Lassen and Shasta. Why are they still operating on the Lo? I have scanned all the 800 Mhz. channels for Modoc & Siskiyou and havnt heard anything. I do hear lots on the VHF-Lo. Why would the state pay so much money in keeping 2 systems for one organization operational. I belive I have one idea why the dont switch, Coverage, but here in Modoc Co. I count 12 repeaters on the 800 Sys. Whats up with that?? Just asking Thanks Ya'll. HAPPY HOLIDAYS

 

[clanusb]

my guess would be because of terrain.

or better yet...because its the state of California.

 

[ssd]

12. 800. That a lot. Well if they ever go to a state widy trs. they got 1 county set up lol

 

[WayneH]

Why does the state of California, in all of its infinite wisdom pay to have 2 systems for CalTrans?

Because they make stupid decisions a lot.

I don't even see how they justify having the number of freqs they do on those systems for what little traffic occurs.

 

[avtarsingh]

the 800 system was forced onto caltrans by morons who dont understand 800 and mountains

in remote areas where 800 just doesnt work - dot flat out refuses to use it

the 800 systems are there but nobody will use it because a good working lo band system does everything it needs

just more and more of this come up with a new sales pitch every 3-4 years to sell more radios to managers who dont understand radio

just like the tv market

now that flat screen tv s are to a reasonable price - its time for 3 d tv now you get to pay full above retail price for a new tv that has features that very little will even use or features that might not even be available in all areas

sound familiar?

oh you need 800 mhz radios
oh you need type 2 trunking
oh you need p25
oh you need encryption
oh you need multiple bands
oh you need interoperability
oh you need multiple band mobiles
oh you need multiple band portables
oh you need an avr
oh you need a multiple band avr

look at chp spending 47000 in electronics per car ?

when all they need is a light bar -a pa/siren code controller - an avr - a kenwood low band radio and a scanner and a vhf clemars mobile and they could talk to anybody in the state

but that doesnt make sales quotas

 

[KMA367]

I see that most of NorCal CalTrans in the RR DB have a 800 Mhz. repeater system, but I have seen that they still use the VHF-Lo. This is true for Modoc County, I belive Siskiyou, Lassen and Shasta. Why are they still operating on the Lo?

As the other guys said: coverage. You can add Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity as VHF-Lo counties as well.

When I moved here (Humboldt) in early 1991 from Burney, I had my scanners programmed for the already-licensed CalTrans 800 mHz freqs, and heard zilch, so I asked around and was told that the system was built but it didn't work - lots of topography issues, distances and of course the thick forests. So for 20 years CalTrans has stayed on 47.20 which works as well now as it ever did, and serves their needs. Ditto for State Parks who got an 800 mHz "system" which also worked just as poorly, so they jumped from 44 mHz up to some well-placed VHF-High band repeaters which takes care of their needs - including interoperability with all the other LEAs and FDs in the three counties (except CHP) who are all on VHF high.

OTOH (and somewhat OT), CalTrans and CHP, both being on low band and covering generally the same areas are at least theoretically able to communicate with each other, though I never hear it. Maybe their radios' bandwidth doesn't allow it.

 

[SCPD]

I did quite a bit of research and contributed much of the 800 MHz information in the database. The FCC licenses indicated that the majority of the sites had been constructed, and others were pending completion. After I made this contribution others observed that the 800 MHz systems in Districts 1 & 2 were not being used and that all of the traffic was on VHF Low. I haven't submitted any of the low band info for the database due to some very time consuming responsibilities I have right now.

It would be great if those with knowledge of the current low band frequency use submitted it to the database.

 

[wolter]

The areas that I know to still use VHF-Lo use 800 MHz handhelds for flagging operations.

 

[code3cowboy]

I am finding more and more offices using kenwood 290s for flagging ops (hi band).

 

[code3cowboy]

the 800 system was forced onto caltrans by morons who dont understand 800 and mountains

State Parks is in the same boat.

 

[WayneH]

For the areas using low-band, are there tones being used?