Trip to D C

investigator16 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-15-2012, 12:03 PM

Going to take Amtrack up on their $19.00 each way from Norfolk. Only have a 346XT. Can I hear DC Fire on 154.1900 (77.0) or should I just leave the radio home.

Thanks
Mark

W2NJS · #2 (**permalink**) 12-15-2012, 12:59 PM

They are still on 154.19/77.0 analog most of the time. At times, for no apparent reason the signal goes off the air. If you want to listen to a well-disciplined, very busy system go to Montgomery County MD on 154.16/156.7 analog. (The patch between the DC trunked systems and the legacy systems stinks. I was being transported to Georgetown Hospital in DC Medic 22 a couple of weeks ago and the 800 mHz system in the unit was absolutely perfect. If DC would do some work on their patches they'd be worth monitoring but as it stands today it's not. To start with, the legacy patch is vox operated and you always miss the first one or two words of a transmission.)

mlmummert · #3 (**permalink**) 12-15-2012, 4:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2NJS

They are still on 154.19/77.0 analog most of the time. At times, for no apparent reason the signal goes off the air. If you want to listen to a well-disciplined, very busy system go to Montgomery County MD on 154.16/156.7 analog. (The patch between the DC trunked systems and the legacy systems stinks. I was being transported to Georgetown Hospital in DC Medic 22 a couple of weeks ago and the 800 mHz system in the unit was absolutely perfect. If DC would do some work on their patches they'd be worth monitoring but as it stands today it's not. To start with, the legacy patch is vox operated and you always miss the first one or two words of a transmission.)

I hope you're ok since they don't give medic unit rides just for the heck of it.

Anyway what do they use the legacy patches for? Are there VHF monitors around in firehouses and such that use them?

investigator16 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-15-2012, 5:19 PM

Thank You! I also hope you are doing alright. Both of you enjoy the Holiday's!

V/R
Mark

W2NJS · #5 (**permalink**) 12-15-2012, 6:39 PM

Thanks for the good wishes, guys. I had made arrangements to sign myself into Georgetown Hospital due to some long standing muscular problems and riding in my wife's low-level VW was out of the question. The ride was just a transport by DCFD, not an emergency. Spent about ten days at GUMC and am now in therapy at National Rehab Hospital in DC and hope to get out in a week or a bit more.
Regards,
Tom, W2NJS

investigator16 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-17-2012, 11:11 AM

Maybe I will try the Capitol Police if those freq's are still good? Other than that I see nothing else that my 346XT will pick up.

Mark

W2NJS · #7 (**permalink**) 12-17-2012, 1:14 PM

Capitol Police are, I believe, still using analog FM in the 160+ mHz area. They've been threatening to go to digital for a long time but last I heard they were still on the old system.

dtscho · #8 (**permalink**) 12-17-2012, 1:29 PM

You could also plug in the Park Police analog frequencies. And there's always the railroad and plane frequencies, if you're interested in those.

Dave

jaymatt1978 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-17-2012, 2:16 PM

A friend of m ine was taking the train from New York to DC and said all the frequencies on Dave's page were accurate

investigator16 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-17-2012, 2:18 PM

Thank You Everyone! Put in Fire Dispatch, A15 & A16 Fire/EMS. Also Capitol Police and Park Police. Hope everyone has a GREAT holiday. In town Dec. 19-21

V/R
Mark

investigator16 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-17-2012, 2:19 PM

P.S. Hello Jay long time no hear from.

reconrider8 · #12 (**permalink**) 12-17-2012, 3:01 PM

Question for W2NJS what all do you listen to up in the dc area like actually dc i can imagine most is Encrypted but it cant all be that way

SkyPager · #13 (**permalink**) 12-18-2012, 9:11 AM

If you get bored and want to search different bands; .there are many unencryptedomms in the 162.6 to 174 MHz and 406 to 420 Mhz range. Thery are not super active, but I have heard motorcade traffic, escorts and various visitor center traffic.

W2NJS · #14 (**permalink**) 12-18-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reconrider8

Question for W2NJS what all do you listen to up in the dc area like actually dc i can imagine most is Encrypted but it cant all be that way

Yes, more and more stuff is encrypted, but there's still lots to listen to. The 800 mHz DC fire is still on a legacy VHF channel, and we now have about six ham P25 repeaters which are fantastic for coverage and wonderful audio. The government stuff that's encrypted has been that way for a long time anyway. The real problems arise when you drive through an RF hotspot where there are multiple transmitters in use; if your receiver has an el cheapo front end it gets wiped out in the area. We also have a DOD spread spectrum system that shows up everywhere on the UHF ham band that's a real and constant nuisance.

investigator16 · #15 (**permalink**) 12-21-2012, 9:32 PM

Had a GREAT trip! Got to see ALL the sites in our two plus days. Meet up with two of my Secret Service friends that use to work with me at the Fire House. Had dinner at the Capitol City Brewing Company. Nice place.
Now for a little info. All five of the Capitol Police freq's are good. 1 & 4 were used the most and 3 not much traffic. Park Police 1 had lots of traffic also. Fire Dispatch was hard to hear most of the time. Had to set volume offset to +3 the hear her talk.

Wanted to say Thank You once again to everyone and wish a Merry Christmas to all.

V/R
Mark

investigator16 · #16 (**permalink**) 12-22-2012, 6:13 PM

Saw Engine 63 going on a call near the Capitol. Must of been running as a reserve?

Mark

mainetrunk · #17 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 5:52 PM

Analog in D.C? Who'd would've thought.No 700's? Thx just curios