standard format

[fnnm1062]

Is there anyway that we could have a standard database format? I recently took my homepatrol on a roadtrip and discovered that it seems like most states vary in how they are displayed.

is there a way to incorporate states into the counties? This would also help clear up confusion for areas along borders where people maybe unfamiliar with counties they are in while traveling.

if a frequency is tagged as a law dispatch (or fire, etc...) channel, is it still necessary to say xxxx city police dispatch?

is there a way to shorten some of the text as well in the description field, for example is it necessary to say patched to xxx.xxx?

i know not everyone has a homepatrol, but i was looking to share my experiences and see others thoughts and ideas.

 

[loumaag]

Answers in reference to the HP-1:

Is there anyway that we could have a standard database format? I recently took my homepatrol on a roadtrip and discovered that it seems like most states vary in how they are displayed.

Not sure what you mean exactly; examples would be best.

is there a way to incorporate states into the counties? This would also help clear up confusion for areas along borders where people maybe unfamiliar with counties they are in while traveling.

No. States are highest common level, followed by counties. Counties are incorporated into states; if you mean while traveling along the border of one state you hear counties in the next state over, there is nothing to be done about that.

if a frequency is tagged as a law dispatch (or fire, etc...) channel, is it still necessary to say xxxx city police dispatch?

Yes, since the tag does not show up on an HP-1 how else would you know?

is there a way to shorten some of the text as well in the description field, for example is it necessary to say patched to xxx.xxx?

If the text fits, what is the problem?

i know not everyone has a homepatrol, but i was looking to share my experiences and see others thoughts and ideas.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[fnnm1062]

Thanks for the reply Lou. The few things I will clear up then are as follows:

The tag does show up on the bottom of the HP as Law Dispatch, Fire Dispatch, Law Talk, etc... but then I noticed in the description of the agency it still shows ABC City Police Dispatch or ABC Central 911 Dispatch, etc... Maybe I can see the confusion it could cause on that one, so I guess I wont care too much on.

The other one is the shortening the text in the description field, not all of the text does fit. There are some instances (in Michigan, for sure) where not all of the text fits...

I would like to be able to help out as much as I can, if needed

 

[loumaag]

...
The other one is the shortening the text in the description field, not all of the text does fit. There are some instances (in Michigan, for sure) where not all of the text fits...

I would like to be able to help out as much as I can, if needed

The best way of course is to submit recommended changes; however, if you would provide a couple of examples, I would be happy to look and see exactly what you are referring to. Of course it is possible to extend the description too much and thus over-run the display, a topic that has been discussed a little on the private DB Admin forum.

 

[fnnm1062]

Lou,
One of the big ones that I see on a routine basis is the Michigan statewide MPSCS radio system

 

[loumaag]

Lou,
One of the big ones that I see on a routine basis is the Michigan statewide MPSCS radio system

I just looked at the MPSCS system and although some of the descriptions seem wordy, I don't see any that either duplicate any information or don't say what they are clearly. Yes, several say "dispatch" and I will agree that duplicates what an HP-1 says (if the tag is correct) but that seems minor. I could not see any town that was listed twice, that is say Detroit is listed at the sub-category level and not repeated on the description. Those towns that do show up on the descriptions are under county subcategories and hence show up on different lines on the HP-1.

I am afraid you will have to show something more specific as an example.

 

[texasemt13]

fnnm1062, why don't you take pictures of specific tags you don't like and post them here? Visually seeing how it might be wordy/duplicative could help.

 

[fnnm1062]

i will work on that... i have never done that before, so in the next few days....

 

[texasemt13]

Just a suggestion, since to me, this sounds more like a visual issue based on the amount of characters (in the alpha tag and available on the HP-1).

The easiest way is to take pictures, store them to your computer, then prepare your post. Start like a normal post, then once all your text is ready, click "Manage Attachments" under "Additional Options" (below the Submit and Preview buttons). This will allow you to browse your computer and upload certain file types to the thread. Hope this helps.