jdh08077
Member
Did the PA Turnpike move over to OpenSky?
Did the PA Turnpike move over to OpenSky?
Just today I caught some traffic about "the 800 system" not transmitting as it should so they would have to use the current system . I wonder how far off the change over is?
Who was it that was talking?
PTC uses the 800 system for data to control highway signs and they have 30 or so mobile radios in use in turnpike admin vehicles. PSP, on the other hand, has OpenSky radios in all their cars. I have not paid much attention lately, but I thought I heard a trooper recently who sounded like he was talking on a patched radio (800 to VHF). No idea if they're going that route or not. Considering PSP is investing in new VHF equipment statewide, it seems unnecessary, so I was probably just hearing things.
PTC has a lot invested in their VHF system and they just narrowbanded the system this summer. Emergency services providers just had to buy new VHF Kenwood radios for the narrowbanding. Most of what I see on the road just has VHF antennas.
This radio maintenance contract RFP would indicate to me that the VHF is not going anywhere anytime soon:
http://www.paturnpike.com/OUTPUT/PDFs/RFPs/100514.pdf
From a 2009 document on the PTC web server:
The statewide Open-Sky 800 MHz radio system called PA StarNet is an IP based digital trunked two way radio system being utilized by the Commission for two way communications on the Finley Connector portion of the Mon Fayette Expressway. It is essentially VOIP technology. It interfaces to the Turnpike backbone at Beacon tower via an Open-Sky gateway. The five VHF radio districts also have an Open Sky gateway that can be used to communicate between both the Turnpike and PA StarNet systems. This capability can be utilized to facilitate a cutover to the Open Sky system if necessary.
So are there Open Sky talk groups that correspond which each of the VHF channels?
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux i686; U; en-US) Gecko/20081217 Vision-Browser/8.1 301x200 LG VN530)
mlmummert, if your radio has it, switch to NFM and/or turn Audio Boost: On. You may be trying to listen to narrow FM with a wide FM setting. Otherwise, turn the volume up.