Texas DPS Troopers
- Thread starter cole7873
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KE5BCP
Analog Man
The frequency information is listed in the database here:cole7873 said:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&aid=71
Some (most?) regions have converted to digital, and those that haven't will soon.
Listen to both your local Sheriff frequency and 159.2100, or 159.2175. I know that Lufkin dispatches them, so if you pick up activity from nearby on those two DPS freqs, if will most likely be digital.
Shelby County
Go to the data base to the state of Texas agencies select dps> Find the office nearest shelby county . You will find that all dps units have went digital and you will need a digital scanner to receive most of their calls, however the dps still uses analog which you will find somewhere on the same list as you found the dital P 25. Have fun and I hope I have helped you some what
Go to the data base to the state of Texas agencies select dps> Find the office nearest shelby county . You will find that all dps units have went digital and you will need a digital scanner to receive most of their calls, however the dps still uses analog which you will find somewhere on the same list as you found the dital P 25. Have fun and I hope I have helped you some what
I get DPS Lufkin at night, the Dispatch channel is full P25. But for those Troopers stuck between repeaters, Generally will Use Sheriff repeaters. However, with the new CAD system, A LOT of 28 checks and car to car has moved to the LCD screen. And yes, for the Most part DPS are fully digital.
texasemt13
CenTex DBA
How many times have we asked to have a Texas DPS Sticky?
Enough that even I am getting PMs about it. I think I am going to try to make one up over the weekend and get Eric or Lou to sticky it. Input?
I also think it would be an excellent idea. While most of the dispatch operations, except perhaps Childress (looking at the database) have made the P25 conversion, questions still come up often enough that a sticky could a good tool for answering the most frequent questions of newcomers, as well as those intending to visit or pass through the state.
This was a two year old thread that got resurrected, when a post from 2007 was answered, again, in 2009.
Do you think we can get a TEXAS FEDERAL STICKY too?
rockag41
Member
I'll vote for that.
texasemt13
CenTex DBA
rattler,
I think a better explanation should be offered overall of DPS Communications and its capabilities. I'd like people to know that not every trooper is a. able to hear every other trooper at every moment; b. that sometimes they might not be using their radios (MDTs); c. that Comm Centers are capable of linking to other Comm Centers. I think people who are just getting into listening need an explanation of the use of half-duplex. I also think most people would benefit from just programming in the whole statewide plan (if they have the room).
Other than that, the sticky could be running tab of who might be left on analog (anyone?); I'd also like it to cover what other TRSs the DPS might be using on a regular basis (Austin MRG), or simply whatever conventional frequencies they might use for "back and forth" (I hear them using low power TX LAW 3 on I35 pretty often during the summer).
I hope the thread can remain open so it could be the "end all, be all" of the "Texas DPS" and would cover the "what do I need to program in" question.
I second that.
I think a better explanation should be offered overall of DPS Communications and its capabilities. I'd like people to know that not every trooper is a. able to hear every other trooper at every moment; b. that sometimes they might not be using their radios (MDTs); c. that Comm Centers are capable of linking to other Comm Centers. I think people who are just getting into listening need an explanation of the use of half-duplex. I also think most people would benefit from just programming in the whole statewide plan (if they have the room).
Other than that, the sticky could be running tab of who might be left on analog (anyone?); I'd also like it to cover what other TRSs the DPS might be using on a regular basis (Austin MRG), or simply whatever conventional frequencies they might use for "back and forth" (I hear them using low power TX LAW 3 on I35 pretty often during the summer).
I hope the thread can remain open so it could be the "end all, be all" of the "Texas DPS" and would cover the "what do I need to program in" question.
I second that.
As we all know, most DPS communications occur on VHF channels, much of it on their own, now P25, channels. DPS units are, of course, assigned to counties. I'm not sure if it's policy or law, be here goes. DPS units assigned to a county or counties MUST be provided with access to that county's radio system. In the old days that simply meant adding the VHF channels to the trooper's radio. If those channels could not be added to the trooper's radio then the county was required to provide a radio programmed to their system for the trooper's use. With the advent of trunked systems counties were required to provide a trunked radio for each trooper assigned to their county. Thankfully most radios permit the programming of multiple systems (of similar type) into a single radio, otherwise, a trooper could conceivably end up with four or five radios.
In Austin troopers have their VHF radio and Austin/Travis TRS radios. Most of the comms are simulcast. DPS Austin dispatcher is simulcast 100% of the time and DPS has several of their own talkgroups. However, you still hear DPS on Travis and Williamson County talkgroups all the time.
I imagine central Texas presents somewhat of a problem. In the Austin area, a trooper will have his regular VHF radio, a trunked radio on the Austin/Travis system, and possibly an LCRA radio; in San Antonio they must add the SAT/Bexar EDACS radio, and possibly an LCRA radio. Of course, Hays County requires the addition of an LCRA radio. I don't know what they do if the have to cover the wider area. Do they have to have their VHF radio, an Austin/Travis TRS radio, an LCRA radio, and a SAT/Bexar ProVoice radio? That's four! I don't recall seeing a trooper with that many radio's in the car.
North Texas is much easier. It's VHF and a Motorola 800mhz trunked/conventional radio programmed with several systems. I've never heard DPS on Richardson's EDACS though I have heard DPS on the Dallas UHF system but that's only beacuse the trooper sprung for his own UHF handie talkie.
Of course, the other 90% of Texas has full interoperability as they are all still on VHF. The metro areas are the ones that do not have interoperability.
Russell
Russell
In Austin troopers have their VHF radio and Austin/Travis TRS radios. Most of the comms are simulcast. DPS Austin dispatcher is simulcast 100% of the time and DPS has several of their own talkgroups. However, you still hear DPS on Travis and Williamson County talkgroups all the time.
I imagine central Texas presents somewhat of a problem. In the Austin area, a trooper will have his regular VHF radio, a trunked radio on the Austin/Travis system, and possibly an LCRA radio; in San Antonio they must add the SAT/Bexar EDACS radio, and possibly an LCRA radio. Of course, Hays County requires the addition of an LCRA radio. I don't know what they do if the have to cover the wider area. Do they have to have their VHF radio, an Austin/Travis TRS radio, an LCRA radio, and a SAT/Bexar ProVoice radio? That's four! I don't recall seeing a trooper with that many radio's in the car.
North Texas is much easier. It's VHF and a Motorola 800mhz trunked/conventional radio programmed with several systems. I've never heard DPS on Richardson's EDACS though I have heard DPS on the Dallas UHF system but that's only beacuse the trooper sprung for his own UHF handie talkie.
Of course, the other 90% of Texas has full interoperability as they are all still on VHF. The metro areas are the ones that do not have interoperability.
Russell
Russell
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texasemt13
CenTex DBA
Yes, Hays County Troopers use LCRA (w/ both Hays County SO and SMPD), and Comal County Troopers only seem to use the CCSO conventional freqs there.
I have heard one trooper on 3 "systems" in the course of about 15 minutes: 1. First, he was in Austin using the MRG TRS on TGRP 3522; 2.Second, he was travelling in to Hays County and called in on the LCRA TRS to HaysSO on TGRP 0777; 3.Third, he called into San Antonio DPS Comm Center on Rptr21. So that appears to be at least 3 radios (he had an MRG identification number different from the dispatcher's so I assume this wasn't a simulcast rebroadcasting of 155.4675MHz Base A2).
Collin County troopers have a County 800Mhz portable and CAD. Fannin have FCSO added to their radio.
txemt13, we could always add What you have stated to the Wiki. But many newcommers generally wont go to the wiki and will ask DPS questions in the forums first.
There is a butt load of ICE and CBP activity bouncing around out here as well. I logged 163.7000 NAC: 031 yesterday. DEA is hit & miss and TXDPS has been active in area's most people don't generally scan. The technology they use can change from one State Highway to another in less than a mile. It would be nice to see and be able to add to a DPS Sticky and a FEDERAL Sticky in the Texas Forums. nOur Texas Federal page is gross to look at, so the Sticky might be a good resource for folks to debate a frequency before we submit it.
When a trooper graduates from the DPS boot camp, they are given two choices for assignment, Highway Patrol or Comercial Vehicle Enforcement. Depending on the choice, they are given two more questions. Home or Regional or Anywhere for their assignment. If they accept CVE there is no promise made to keep them in their home region or county. If they accept TLE/THP and request Home or Region DPS will try to keep them there. But won't promiss it. I believe once you have been a trooper for 2 years working where ever DPS sends you, then you can accept and be granted HOME or REGION.
We have a trooper in Fannin Co. that is the Daughter of a Co. Judge. She got HOME but also works the Region, Now mostly Paris and Bonham and DPS has threatened to Ship her else where. (Many motorists wish they would) However, DPS have training Counties also, Fannin is one of them so we may be stuck with her a while longer.
txemt13, we could always add What you have stated to the Wiki. But many newcommers generally wont go to the wiki and will ask DPS questions in the forums first.
There is a butt load of ICE and CBP activity bouncing around out here as well. I logged 163.7000 NAC: 031 yesterday. DEA is hit & miss and TXDPS has been active in area's most people don't generally scan. The technology they use can change from one State Highway to another in less than a mile. It would be nice to see and be able to add to a DPS Sticky and a FEDERAL Sticky in the Texas Forums. nOur Texas Federal page is gross to look at, so the Sticky might be a good resource for folks to debate a frequency before we submit it.
When a trooper graduates from the DPS boot camp, they are given two choices for assignment, Highway Patrol or Comercial Vehicle Enforcement. Depending on the choice, they are given two more questions. Home or Regional or Anywhere for their assignment. If they accept CVE there is no promise made to keep them in their home region or county. If they accept TLE/THP and request Home or Region DPS will try to keep them there. But won't promiss it. I believe once you have been a trooper for 2 years working where ever DPS sends you, then you can accept and be granted HOME or REGION.
We have a trooper in Fannin Co. that is the Daughter of a Co. Judge. She got HOME but also works the Region, Now mostly Paris and Bonham and DPS has threatened to Ship her else where. (Many motorists wish they would) However, DPS have training Counties also, Fannin is one of them so we may be stuck with her a while longer.
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I am typing a sticky up. It is a work in progress, but includes all possible DPS radio configurations and capabilities. It focuses on THP channels, but also includes CLE and Ranger blurbs since it comes up time to time. Give me the weekend, and I should have it just about done. No promises, though. The oilfield can yank me up at anytime for a job.....
Thanks Rattler, your not too bad for an Ex-State employee ....
Stealthguy05
Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2009
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This isnt quite radio related, but Is the Texas DPS Crosstrained as Fire and Police and EMS? I was thinking they were since most agencies named Department of Public Safety are.
No, they are state police that have jurisdiction anywhere in the state. They can and will work in any area of law enforcement, although they are generally thought to be only highway patrol. They are not cross-trained as Fire/EMS, although they go through CPR/First Aid training like any other first responder.
texasemt13
CenTex DBA
Thanks rattler.
Update: I have the sticky almost finished, however, I will wait until next week. My aunt is apparently now engaged to a DPS radio tech. I get to meet him this weekend. I am not going to ask him anything he shouldn't answer, but I might be able to get a better understanding of some policy and future system progression within DPS. Its kinda wierd, because I have had less and less time to play with scanners, yet I get to meet someone that a scanner nut would absolutely love to get drunk with!
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