Ulster County Scanning

[eric12401]

I just got a scanner today for Christmas, and have programmed all of the frequencies for Ulster County, including F1-5. The problem is that nothing comes over through them. I only receive the initial dispatches, and can't hear anyone calling out/in/at the scene. Dutchess County comes in fine regarding that. Is there anything wrong with the scanner, or just UC's problem?

 

[GTR8000]

When you say "F1-5" I assume you're referring to the low band fire frequencies? Please be a little more specific in the future, we're not mind readers.

You have to understand that these low band frequencies are "simplex", meaning point-to-point transmissions where nothing is repeated over high powered base stations. You're not going to hear any field units if you're not within range of them. The county is pumping out more wattage from base stations at fixed sites, usually at a good elevation, which is why they cover a much larger geographical area.

Basically, you're simply not close enough to hear any of the lower powered mobile radios, which is why you only hear Ulster 911's transmissions.

 

[eric12401]

Sorry for not being specific enough. Yes, I was talking about Ulster's Fireground channels 1-5.

Thank you for the answer, though. But one more: I live in Ulster County (near Kingston, if that helps), but hear Dutchess County field units just fine. Does that mean that they have higher powered mobile radios?

 

[petey_racer]

Eric, I am pretty nearby you. What are you using to program your scanner? Would you be willing to swap files?

 

[eric12401]

Petey, I manually programmed the scanner using the frequencies found on RR. I'm completely new to the scanner world, so any help would be appreciated.

 

[DaveNF2G]

Dutchess County is using repeaters. Ulster County is not.

 

[GTR8000]

But one more: I live in Ulster County (near Kingston, if that helps), but hear Dutchess County field units just fine. Does that mean that they have higher powered mobile radios?

Dutchess Fire operates on UHF repeaters, not Low Band simplex...huuuuuge difference!

 

[SCANdal]

Plattekill FD is the newest example...

12401,

Bear in mind that there are a number of agencies that, once dispatched, do not use the county VHF-low band channels at all (barring a mutual aid incident), therefore, unless you're monitoring their local channels, you won't hear anything at all.

SCANdal