We drove from Virginia to Texas last year and as you can imagine it took forever to get all the frequencies for the trip. I was just wondering if any major cities or the DPS has changed in the drive from Texarkana to Waco in the past year, I know DPS is going digital but have no idea how much they've done in the past year, we'll be spending a few days in Fort Worth before heading down to Waco, thanks.
Texarkana to Waco
- Thread starter vacrx
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Tx DPS Region I is now digital. That includes your route between Texarkana to Ft. Worth along I-30. The Waco region has not made the switch as yet.
In the DFW area, Parker County has rebanded it's 800mhz LTR system, & is working on getting a new Vhf P25 system up (don't know what time frame they're aiming at). Both might be receivable while you're in Ft. Worth, depending on location, scanner, antenna, etc.
Burleson, just to the south of Ft Worth, also went to an LTR system. New frequencies & aircraft sations in the medevacs.
Other than a talkgroup here & there, and one or two revised frequencies, little change in most of the area systems.
In the DFW area, Parker County has rebanded it's 800mhz LTR system, & is working on getting a new Vhf P25 system up (don't know what time frame they're aiming at). Both might be receivable while you're in Ft. Worth, depending on location, scanner, antenna, etc.
Burleson, just to the south of Ft Worth, also went to an LTR system. New frequencies & aircraft sations in the medevacs.
Other than a talkgroup here & there, and one or two revised frequencies, little change in most of the area systems.
There are a bunch of changes, especially with most of DPS going digital. Your best bet for info is to list the counties/cities/towns along your route, then consult the Database (link at the top of this page) and put in what you may need.
Waco is using a Motorola TRS. McLennan County is on the TRS, but it still uses its conventional system, since it does dispatch for several of the smaller towns.
There are several conventional analog and trunked, both analog and digital, systems along your route. Just about all the different trunked systems can be found between TXKA and Waco. Most are easy to figure out, but I just hope you can figure out Ft. Worth, and be able to wade through the potpourri in the Dallas area.
;^>
You will primarily be in VHF land, which means a lot of programming, but there are a few UHF systems along the way (Dallas, for example).
And, there are a few of what I call the paranoid systems, MA/Comm ProVoice with encrypted control channel around too.
:^p
Looks like some specifics were answered by hiegtx while I was typing.
Grazie tanto.
Waco is using a Motorola TRS. McLennan County is on the TRS, but it still uses its conventional system, since it does dispatch for several of the smaller towns.
There are several conventional analog and trunked, both analog and digital, systems along your route. Just about all the different trunked systems can be found between TXKA and Waco. Most are easy to figure out, but I just hope you can figure out Ft. Worth, and be able to wade through the potpourri in the Dallas area.
;^>
You will primarily be in VHF land, which means a lot of programming, but there are a few UHF systems along the way (Dallas, for example).
And, there are a few of what I call the paranoid systems, MA/Comm ProVoice with encrypted control channel around too.
:^p
Looks like some specifics were answered by hiegtx while I was typing.
Grazie tanto.
Boulder
Member
texarkana DPS is now on 155.4450 with input 154.6950 P25 digital with nac 123
Sulphur Springs DPS is now on 155.4675 with 154.6875 input P25 digital with nac 118
Also Sulphur Springs dispatches hunt county DPS (i think they have moved to P25 digital also, although i can't confirm that as of yet but have heard sulphur springs dispatch units around hunt county but they should be on DPS Repeater 15B if digital) RPT 15B Hunt County DPS (Greenville) 159.2175 with input of 154.6725 with 127 NAC according to the statewide plan
like stated above most counties between texarkana and dallas will be VHF besides Bowie county with the 800 mhz bi-state justice center trunked system. I think once you get into Rockwall county going west you start running into the trunked systems but most of east texas is still VHF. The DB is currently correct with the VHF listings along I-30 from Texarkana through hunt County. Bowie county S/O is on bi state 800 mhz system. You will also hear lots of DPS traffic on county S/O VHF radios as they are active on their channels also.
Sulphur Springs DPS is now on 155.4675 with 154.6875 input P25 digital with nac 118
Also Sulphur Springs dispatches hunt county DPS (i think they have moved to P25 digital also, although i can't confirm that as of yet but have heard sulphur springs dispatch units around hunt county but they should be on DPS Repeater 15B if digital) RPT 15B Hunt County DPS (Greenville) 159.2175 with input of 154.6725 with 127 NAC according to the statewide plan
like stated above most counties between texarkana and dallas will be VHF besides Bowie county with the 800 mhz bi-state justice center trunked system. I think once you get into Rockwall county going west you start running into the trunked systems but most of east texas is still VHF. The DB is currently correct with the VHF listings along I-30 from Texarkana through hunt County. Bowie county S/O is on bi state 800 mhz system. You will also hear lots of DPS traffic on county S/O VHF radios as they are active on their channels also.
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Another note about Texarkana. I spoke with a TXKA officer who told me that both AR and TX PDs have the same dispatcher. Tac channels are unique to each side, but since both agencies have concurrent jurisdiction for a short distance [he wouldn't tell me how far, (;^>) ] on "the other side", don't be surprised if you see either side on the other's, especially along State Line Drive.
Boulder
Member
yes, if i'm not mistaking i think its either a half mile or a mile across both state lines both agencies can respond to. Although it could be more now though.
Been lots of talk as of late about maybe joining the forces and having one texarkana police department and maybe fire too, but that is still in the exploratory phases of it.
Been lots of talk as of late about maybe joining the forces and having one texarkana police department and maybe fire too, but that is still in the exploratory phases of it.
bownasterm
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I can tell you dallas is still the same... LOL
Boulder wrote:
"Been lots of talk as of late about maybe joining the forces and having one texarkana police department and maybe fire too, but that is still in the exploratory phases of it."
Now, that sounds interesting. As much fun as it is in Texas to get a Metro government, such as Metro-Dade and Metro-Nashville, I can imagine how much more interesting the fights in and between two legislatures can be.
;^>
"Been lots of talk as of late about maybe joining the forces and having one texarkana police department and maybe fire too, but that is still in the exploratory phases of it."
Now, that sounds interesting. As much fun as it is in Texas to get a Metro government, such as Metro-Dade and Metro-Nashville, I can imagine how much more interesting the fights in and between two legislatures can be.
;^>
Have a safe trip, and if there is bad weather, mainly ice, be careful on the interstate between the Hot Springs cut-off and Hope, AR. Despite all the work on the roadway, and the excellent road crews' work, the hills can be nasty. Although off your route, unless you detour to take in the fruitcake factory in Corsicana, I-45 south of Dallas to south of Corsicana can have ice problems, too.
nfd_rescue
Member
The way I understand it, the fire and police departments in Texarkana were integrated once a loooong time ago but it didn't work out so they split it up again. I don't see it happening again as there would be a lot of red tape and differences of opinion between the agencies. Also a lot of technicalities as far as personnel having to be certified to work in both states.
Boulder
Member
yeah i doubt it will happen either, but the talk mainly has been hiring like a super city manager instead of having two or even combining some of the department heads for the forces or even just combining the forces. Like i said its just talk and who knows what will come of it, but don't look for anything to change much any time soon. Last i heard they were just looking at the options to see how it could work out and what they would need to do it, but nothing was for sure.
Well, if you look at the differences (size, number of businesses, etc.) between the AR and TX sides, I somehow think that much of the "slowness" is on the TX side. Included in this assessment is the independent spirit of most Texans. Just consider the legal fights of many communities to NOT be annexed by Houston. Kingwood and Clear Lake City have lost the battle, but there is still hope for the Woodlands, although Conroe recently grabbed a chunk of it.
And Arkansas has, unfortunately, some tax laws that make Texas seem like the true Land of Opportunity.
(Grab your history books to understand the above comment.)
And Arkansas has, unfortunately, some tax laws that make Texas seem like the true Land of Opportunity.
(Grab your history books to understand the above comment.)
Bandingabout
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AR city side: Wet, state income tax, airport, fairgrounds
TX city side: Dry, zero state income tax, everything else
You didn't mention what radio you would use but I would follow the RR DPS database once you leave the DFW metro. Unless you ARE taking the scenic 2 hour extra drive route. Then I would go with a search feature as needed. Those white lines move on by at 70+. Saving the homework for where I would spend most of my monitoring.
The scenic route is worth it if you stop along the way nevertheless. Enjoy the trip. Be safe.
TX city side: Dry, zero state income tax, everything else
You didn't mention what radio you would use but I would follow the RR DPS database once you leave the DFW metro. Unless you ARE taking the scenic 2 hour extra drive route. Then I would go with a search feature as needed. Those white lines move on by at 70+. Saving the homework for where I would spend most of my monitoring.
The scenic route is worth it if you stop along the way nevertheless. Enjoy the trip. Be safe.
rbhtxk
Member
I-30 trips- I'vd made a few
Texarkana and Bowie County, Texas are very interesting to monitor. The Moto II system for Bi-State covers dispatch for Police and Fire for both cities as well as some of the surrounding suburban cities. The Bi-state TRS is pretty low on height and low on power so there’s trouble hearing it well even before you get out of the city moving west on I-30 (there’s an 800 MHz conventional repeater in New Boston that repeats Bowie County Dispatch from the TRS system). The State of Arkansas P-25 800 MHz trs can be heard many miles to the west of Texarkana. As far as the two cities combining, I think that the Texas side is more financially secure and would love to annex the Arkansas side (financially strapped) but there are a lot of old territorial issues that will probably never get sorted out. Both the Texas and Arkansas PD’s share the same building with Bowie County Sheriff’s office. Another interesting note is that both cities share a single water provider (they also have been monitored on the Bi-State TRS). As for the tax issues in Texarkana, Arkansas- those folks don’t have to pay the Arkansas state tax if they live within the city limits.
Along I-30 to the Dallas area, you’ll find mostly VHF conventional systems along with Texas DPS on P-25. I have noted that DPS now operates most of its P-25 system in repeater fashion; at least in the east Dallas, Rockwall, Hunt, Lamar, Hopkins county areas. Dallas county Sheriff’s office has picked up a lot of the traffic-law enforcement on the east side of the metroplex (they still are on a conventional VHF system).
Good luck in your travels!
Texarkana and Bowie County, Texas are very interesting to monitor. The Moto II system for Bi-State covers dispatch for Police and Fire for both cities as well as some of the surrounding suburban cities. The Bi-state TRS is pretty low on height and low on power so there’s trouble hearing it well even before you get out of the city moving west on I-30 (there’s an 800 MHz conventional repeater in New Boston that repeats Bowie County Dispatch from the TRS system). The State of Arkansas P-25 800 MHz trs can be heard many miles to the west of Texarkana. As far as the two cities combining, I think that the Texas side is more financially secure and would love to annex the Arkansas side (financially strapped) but there are a lot of old territorial issues that will probably never get sorted out. Both the Texas and Arkansas PD’s share the same building with Bowie County Sheriff’s office. Another interesting note is that both cities share a single water provider (they also have been monitored on the Bi-State TRS). As for the tax issues in Texarkana, Arkansas- those folks don’t have to pay the Arkansas state tax if they live within the city limits.
Along I-30 to the Dallas area, you’ll find mostly VHF conventional systems along with Texas DPS on P-25. I have noted that DPS now operates most of its P-25 system in repeater fashion; at least in the east Dallas, Rockwall, Hunt, Lamar, Hopkins county areas. Dallas county Sheriff’s office has picked up a lot of the traffic-law enforcement on the east side of the metroplex (they still are on a conventional VHF system).
Good luck in your travels!
Boulder
Member
so is hunt county DPS (greenville) gone P25 now? I haven't been out that way in a while so i couldn't tell if they were digital yet or not. I know i've heard sulphur springs dispatch units from along 380 around farmersbranch for a 10-50 one time on their p25 channels so i suspect they were digital...if you know they are P25 for sure on repeater 15B ( i think thats the one greenville dps will use in p25) then submit it to the DB that they have moved to P25, it still shows Greenville and Paris DPS on old FM system
rbhtxk
Member
DPS Digital
Yes DPS is P-25 digital in Hunt Co, Lamar Co, and Hopkins Co. I will make an entry in the database; I was not aware that it was not updated.
Yes DPS is P-25 digital in Hunt Co, Lamar Co, and Hopkins Co. I will make an entry in the database; I was not aware that it was not updated.
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