BM82557
Member
I was wondering what STARS transmitting site will be used for the Winchester area. Anyone know?
Thanks
Brian
Thanks
Brian
STARS - Winchester/Frederick Co. area
- Thread starter BM82557
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W4UVV
Member
Current sites
Where possible STARS will use existing VSP analog transmitter sites. So whatever currently is being used for analog broadcasts will be used for STARS.
Where possible STARS will use existing VSP analog transmitter sites. So whatever currently is being used for analog broadcasts will be used for STARS.
I had programmed all the available STARS locations from the FCC for northern & northwestern Virginia into my 996 this past summer. I have heard nothing yet, not even a data channel.
These are licensed to the Gore transmitter site (western part of Frederick County).
Conventional, listed to the Dept. of Forestry
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/Uls...Loc=14125131&licKey=1295002&archive=&x=14&y=8
Two TRSs listed:
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/Uls...Loc=14146701&licKey=1303272&archive=&x=14&y=8
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/Uls...Loc=14146655&licKey=1303261&archive=&x=14&y=8
I see on the STARS page on RR that the system won't ready in the Culpeper division until later next year.
Steve
These are licensed to the Gore transmitter site (western part of Frederick County).
Conventional, listed to the Dept. of Forestry
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/Uls...Loc=14125131&licKey=1295002&archive=&x=14&y=8
Two TRSs listed:
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/Uls...Loc=14146701&licKey=1303272&archive=&x=14&y=8
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/Uls...Loc=14146655&licKey=1303261&archive=&x=14&y=8
I see on the STARS page on RR that the system won't ready in the Culpeper division until later next year.
Steve
W4UVV
Member
Keep scanning
Virginia originally underestimated the number of high band vhf frequencies needed to support STARS in VSP divisions statewide. A number of 151-152 and 158-159 mhz. range frequencies were licensed to the state a few of which via an emergency application basis. These were licensed by the FCC via a letter authorization and may or may not be documented in the FCC database. Other high band vhf authorizations were licensed to VSP, DGIF, MRC and Forestry. If you check the license control location typically it is to the VSP in Richmond. Even with all the new STARS sites frequency licenses Virginia still needs more frequencies for STARS. A reliable source rumor is the state seriously considering petitioning the FCC to license certain unused 156 mhz. range marine frequencies for STARS use. Maybe next Virginia will want some of the 160-161 mhz. unused railroad frequencies.
Keep scanning as Culpeper STARS Radio Maint. techs will be increasingly active as the April, 2009 operational date approaches. If possible additionally do a 151-152 mhz. and 158-159.5000 mhz. range scan locking out known analog and digital users. This scan should catch any "new" P25 frequencies used but not programed in your scanner for Division 2.
As best as can be determined not all the Culpeper Division 2 infrastruture is ready and until 100% of all STARS Division 2 sites are good to go, Culpeper will continue to operate in the analog mode. My guess as to reasons why are STARS installations involving mountaintop locations more difficult due to weather related issues and other related equipment delays and difficulties. The last supposed target operational date for Culpeper was October, 2008. Now as you stated it has slipped again to April, 2009.
Virginia originally underestimated the number of high band vhf frequencies needed to support STARS in VSP divisions statewide. A number of 151-152 and 158-159 mhz. range frequencies were licensed to the state a few of which via an emergency application basis. These were licensed by the FCC via a letter authorization and may or may not be documented in the FCC database. Other high band vhf authorizations were licensed to VSP, DGIF, MRC and Forestry. If you check the license control location typically it is to the VSP in Richmond. Even with all the new STARS sites frequency licenses Virginia still needs more frequencies for STARS. A reliable source rumor is the state seriously considering petitioning the FCC to license certain unused 156 mhz. range marine frequencies for STARS use. Maybe next Virginia will want some of the 160-161 mhz. unused railroad frequencies.
Keep scanning as Culpeper STARS Radio Maint. techs will be increasingly active as the April, 2009 operational date approaches. If possible additionally do a 151-152 mhz. and 158-159.5000 mhz. range scan locking out known analog and digital users. This scan should catch any "new" P25 frequencies used but not programed in your scanner for Division 2.
As best as can be determined not all the Culpeper Division 2 infrastruture is ready and until 100% of all STARS Division 2 sites are good to go, Culpeper will continue to operate in the analog mode. My guess as to reasons why are STARS installations involving mountaintop locations more difficult due to weather related issues and other related equipment delays and difficulties. The last supposed target operational date for Culpeper was October, 2008. Now as you stated it has slipped again to April, 2009.
I may have already posted this, but a 2-3 weeks ago I heard two radio tech's talking about rolling out STARS towers on Massanutten and the Harrisonburg site soon. Then they named a couple of locations I wasn't familiar w/ (I assume Shenandoah Co.), and into Winchester after that. One tech. stated that it wouldn't be long for trunking. They didn't state any time frame in the conversation, but it led me to believe that STARS is well on it's way in 2nd Div.
On the same subject, I've noticed intermittent activity on Culpeper TG's # 17 and 19. I've only heard the dispatch side and I've never heard an identifier (call sign or Culpeper, etc). It doesn't seem to be patched to 159.165 or 158.985... so I'm not sure what it is.
On the same subject, I've noticed intermittent activity on Culpeper TG's # 17 and 19. I've only heard the dispatch side and I've never heard an identifier (call sign or Culpeper, etc). It doesn't seem to be patched to 159.165 or 158.985... so I'm not sure what it is.
MOTORHEAD3902
Member
Interestingly, during a pursuit a coupla nights ago, our dispatchers in Div 1 patched the appropriate Div 2 (Culpeper) dispatch tg in as the chase got close to the line so that the troopers could better co-ordinate their efforts across division lines. I was impressed, as I wasn't aware of this capability.
gcgrotz
Member
That is impressive, Motorhead. It speaks well of the training your dispatchers have received too.
I'm looking forward to Culpeper going digital since I can hear them well. I guess Appomattox will get there some day...
I'm looking forward to Culpeper going digital since I can hear them well. I guess Appomattox will get there some day...
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I saw 7 or 8 VSP cars in the Winchester area yesterday that have 700/800 1/4 wave antennas, (I can't be sure they were all Div. 2 cars). I would think those are for the new extenders. I have only heard one set of transmissions on the 458 extender and quite a few on 764 during the last 60 or so days when I have been in Frederick or Clarke county.
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