Redwood City PD Dumping trunking?

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kk6rq

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Clear Lake, IA
So does anyone have any inside info on whether RCPD has decided
to reverse course and go back to their analog radios? They've been
off the system for over a week now (on their old ch-2 which they're
calling "The Primary"; 488.7875)

While we’re on the subject…

Much as I like playing with APCO25, I've been noticing that when there is
background noise in your environment, even barely ANY, the
digital voice is missing just enough frequncy components to make casual
listening much, much harder to understand than an equivalent
analog transmission. At least for me, unless I'm paying close attention,
I usually need it repeated to me. So is it just me then?
 

kk6rq

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Addendum...

This is weird;...I was casually listening the other afternoon when I heard
radio service do a check on the analog channel, then a minute later I heard
dispatch tell units to 10-3 to the digital channel. Now, a few days later they're
right back on the analog channel. Kelty told me they're currently only using
the digital channel (451h/17680) for APB's.

If anyone hears anymore logistical traffic, plz post it as I don't really listen
to RC much, but I'm curious what's up.
 

poltergeisty

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kk6rq said:
Much as I like playing with APCO25, I've been noticing that when theres
background noise in your environment, even barely ANY bg noise, the
digital voice is missing just enough frequncy components to make casual
understanding much, much harder to understand than an equivalent
analog transmission. At least for me, unless I'm paying close attention,
I usually need it repeated to me. So is it just me then?
I believe that this is typical of the digital vocoder that the radios use. They have a hard time distinguishing the audio when to much background noise is present
Now I ask is this a good system for public safety or what? :roll:
 

kk6rq

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RC answer...

So I got the word yesterday--they're back on analog while radio/moto/whoever fixes their supposed dead spots. Then
back they go....
 

kk6rq

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Clear Lake, IA
Update 3/5

I spoke to someone today who spoke to an RC sgt. who says
apparently they REALLY want to go back to analog. They hate
the digital.

We shall see as time goes (etc.)...
 

ssmith39

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As I understand, San Mateo S.O. is also using the APCO 25. Wonder how things are going for them?


Glen at Scanners Unlimited told me that no other agencies have expressed interest in the trunked system - perhaps this is why?
 

hapytstr

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RWC & SMSO

I herd that RWC has stopped using the trunk system because of coverage issues. Part of the reson seams to be that the sytem has gigantic coverage holes in downown RWC making it imposible to use a hand held in most buildings. I belive that when the county or motorola adds a few more sites and the coverage issues get resolved then they will switch back. :confused:

This is just like what happined when SMSO switched to T-Band in the late 60's early 70's. They had a bunch of coverage problems. For the most part, the system works well and appears to be a step in the right direction. As in the 70's, I feel the county will have to shell out some more money to get the system working better.

But that is just my 2 cents 8)
 

ssmith39

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T-band was still assigned as TV channels in the late 60s early 70's. As I recall, the San Mateo T band countywide radio system was implemented in the early 80's. I have some old CRB data sheets that list SMSO as being on low band before that.

Interesting about the holes in coverage for RCPD on the P25 system. Time and money can fix everything...
 

kk6rq

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SMPD-not yet

I just checked and as of 3.19 SMPD is still on their same analog channels,
plus I didn't hear any digital simulcast on the county system. It's interesting
you should say that, because I heard a parallel rumor (unsubstantiated as
it may be)-- as I heard it, SM, Burlingame and 1 or 2 other north peninsula
cities were going to pool their resources and buy digital, but for a
collective CONVENTIONAL digital thingamabob. I know; didn't make sense
to me either; whatayagoingtodo- that's what I heard. Hasta.
 

SFBayHooligan

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Re: SMPD-not yet

kk6rq said:
I just checked and as of 3.19 SMPD is still on their same analog channels,
plus I didn't hear any digital simulcast on the county system. It's interesting
you should say that, because I heard a parallel rumor (unsubstantiated as
it may be)-- as I heard it, SM, Burlingame and 1 or 2 other north peninsula
cities were going to pool their resources and buy digital, but for a
collective CONVENTIONAL digital thingamabob. I know; didn't make sense
to me either; whatayagoingtodo- that's what I heard. Hasta.

It's been reported in the paper that San Mateo PD & Burlingame PD are considering having SMPD take over Burlingame's PSAP dispatching.
 

ssmith39

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As of tonight, RCPD is using their channel 2 for the primary. Did they leave the old radios in the cars, or do the new radios do trunking and conventional?

Just an idea regarding the post about San Mateo, Burlingame et al collectively purchasing a new digital system...I would imagine that Motorola has a fair number of radios in the warehouse that are obsolete, what with the new Homeland Security interoperability requirements.
 

medwards42

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Hi,
I just purchased a pro-2096 from Radio Shack and I am having a heck of a time programming it to hear the San Mateo SO. I found the listing in the RR Database but I just cannot get it to work. HAs anyone programmed a pro-96 for this group or does anyone have the freq's so I could check and make sure I have the right info. When I program in the control channel I get the digital info (I can see the ID transmitting), but I cannot hear anything. The scanner keeps telling me that the Voice Channel is 410.xxxx. Can this be right? I would really appreciate any help you could provide.

Thanks in advance.
 

WayneH

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medwards42 said:
Hi,
I just purchased a pro-2096 from Radio Shack and I am having a heck of a time programming it to hear the San Mateo SO.
See this thread here. You'll need WIN96 programming software. The 96 uses the same procedure for programming as the 2096.

-Wayne
 
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