just heard trooper 6 on tg 408 for Punxy for a search
whoops! forgot to add that to the db, just submitted
just heard trooper 6 on tg 408 for Punxy for a search
That is likely all it will be used for. Even as the new P25 system gets built out for PA to replace the OpenSky network, the current P25 system you're talking about will remain solely for the aircraft. Since the sites are optimized for aircraft coverage, it would just continue on as a gateway into the new system once it is online, same as it is now a gateway into the OpenSky network currently in place. The new P25 buildout should begin testing in 2016 in NW PA. They're starting there since the Erie area brings special coordiantion issues with Canada (regarding potential interference and approvals).
Are you talking about the 700 MHz system (the topic of this thread) or the new VHF system? The 700 MHz system is complete.
The Phase 1 P25 700MHz system currently listed in the database is the system used by the aircraft. There will be a new P25 Phase 2 system coming online in the future that will be a VHF/700/800 hybrid system. That new TRS is the system whose testing is slated to begin in NW PA some time in 2016; it will be the replacement for the current OpenSky. The Phase 1 will remain in service specifically for aircraft use.
Go down to the sample of DQPSK on This Page.
As the licenses pop up for this system, they may specify particular frequencies for particular tower sites (but may also not, if they do some statewide 700 licenses like MD did for some sites). Listen to ID'd frequencies occasionally for that sound. Once you hear that sound, you'll know there's a new TDMA system coming on the air. After that point, you're either gonna want to monitor the control channel with Unitrunker, or bite the bullet and get something that will decode TDMA DQPSK.
Yes the 700 is primarily for Aircraft, and the new VHF is P25.
New? VHF P25, will that be the old VHF freqs listed here?
Pennsylvania State Police Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
Yes, no, maybe.
~snip~.
Yes, no, maybe. There are sites licensed around the state, sites that are in the approval process, and more sites planned. VHF spectrum is at a premium in some areas, so they will have to reuse some of their existing legacy VHF frequencies.
To see what has been licensed (someone else asked), go to a county database page, click on the FCC licenses tab on the upper right area of the screen, then click either the "last 100" or "all" options. If there has not been a lot of new licensing or renewal activity in a county, the new stuff will appear in the "last 100" listing. Otherwise, you will have to go through the list of licensees in the county. Make sure "public safety conventional" and "public safety trunked" are turned on. Find the licences for "Pennsylvania, Commonwealth of". There are some older licenses for the OpenSky that are "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania".
The licenses for Commonwealth of PA (Pennsylvania, Commonwealth of) with the FB8 designator are for the new Phase 2 system.
This link takes you to all the active licenses for the FRN associated with the STARNET stuff. Pennsylvania has other active FRN's because various state universities and other state entities not on STARNET all have their own FRN which also lists Pennsylvania, Commonwealth of as the licensee.
Callsigns for FCC FRN: 0003178472 (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)
At the above link, the FB2's on VHF are primarily part of the upgraded DCNR network. I suppose it is possible they could be integrated into the new system, as needed, if sites can get approval for mods to FB8 (may not be possible or desirable depending on interference contours). Sharing of federal VHF spectrum and Part 22 VHF spectrum through partnerships has also been tossed around as possible solutions to getting sufficient frequencies in certain areas. State licenses at 700MHz do not show up in the database. So, with all this, there might be a lot of searching needed down the road to flesh the new system out as it comes online.
Is there a way to know when the testing is being done? I currently don't have any scanners that receive Phase 2, and will have to buy one to hear this.