STLFD Trunking?

[mikie333]

Hey y'all, i have a quick question...Why is the STLFD on a VHF wheras the rest of STL City (EMS, Police, etc) are on a trunked, 800mhz fq?? And do they plan on upgrading (the FD)?

 

[redhelmet13]

I dont blame them for not gong to 800mhz. Signal penetration sucks!!!! Herer in Fort Worth we are on 800mhz trunked and if there is an incident downtown in a high rise, forget about using a handheld to hit the nearby site (also downtown). Unless there are BDA's installed in the building, in can be almost impossible - The FD have 3 direct frequecies programmed into the handhelds which are not part of the trunked system for such a purpose, it requires a firefighter to relay to the outside but it allows some sort of communication out of the building . Bottom line - they have good reasons to stay on VHF - lots of big old buildings.

Ed (former Chesterfield resident).