New Washington State Patrol Radio System Information

[commstar]

No intent to hijack but before a wonderfully entertaining source of empirical information is silenced, I would like to know more about the VTAC trunked system.

Perhaps Monroe is on this system?

Mike

Sent from an MDT-9100

[FreqMeister]

Originally Posted by jeremym70

Latest and greatest news from the columbian newspaper. WSP gets more time for switch to digital radio system | The Columbian

Thanks, that's helpful. The article implies trunking and also mentions the system will be set up for encryption but they'll limit using it. The interoperability goal implies 800 Mhz if they want to interact with King County public safety as do previous articles about the Motorola contract. It's also consistent with the observation WSP is still using wideband as otherwise they wouldn't need a FCC waiver. So cabletech appears to be at least partly wrong on all 3 issues.

@Wilrobnson, thanks for the clarifications. It's frustrating when people post things as hard facts yet it's really just one guy's opinion, and in this case, the opinions appear to be wrong. The newspapers are at least interviewing people responsible for the upgrade--in this case the commander of WSP's electronic services.

It is interesting the WSP waited so long to implement such an ambitious upgrade and it's not surprising they missed their Jan 1 2013 deadline.

[Dann]

Good To Know.

[DickH]

Originally Posted by Dann

Good To Know.

WHAT is good to know? If you would use the QUOTE button, it would be clear.

[Wilrobnson]

Yes..

[Dann]

The Information In The Article.

[lowboy654]

Originally Posted by commstar

No intent to hijack but before a wonderfully entertaining source of empirical information is silenced, I would like to know more about the VTAC trunked system.

Perhaps Monroe is on this system?

Mike

Sent from an MDT-9100

I do belive Monroe will be coverd by this system.

[SKPhoton]

What's their current setup/frequency? I don't see them listed in the RR database.

[RBMTS]

You can find the link on the main Washington page. Look under "Choose Agency" and then "State Patrol:.

State Patrol Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

[chpalmer]

it's not surprising they missed their Jan 1 2013 deadline.

Personally I wish every agency would have went for the extension. Just to piss em off. IMHO this was nothing but a premature money grab by the FCC. There is a bit of spectrum that gone unused now that could have been taken back instead of forcing agencies and companies to put out a wad of cash to the narrowband effort- especially during a recession. Yea I know- they couldn't have known but still.

[cabletech]

Recieved from a very relieable high level source within Elect Service Division.

In regards to the wavier that was anounced in the Coloumbian, the WSP did apply for and was granted a wavier based on the problem that they were having in been able to get equipment from venders to finish putting the system on line, and this was not just from Moto.

All of the equipment was to be used for the voting from the base/remote transmitters and recievers
and to replace a few of the main Quantar transmitters.

State wide, the system is build out to allow for going to P25 Digital and Yakamia will be changing to Digital on Wed the 16th on the main repeater and Tri-Cities/Kenewick will change over within the next 10 days to two weeks.

The change over was then going to Spokane but it now looks like it will go to Vancouver next then to either Spokane or Seattle.

As for the encryption, the only communications that will be encryped will be SWAT, bomb squad, and investicatons, all other communications will be 'in the clear'---THIS IS PER CHIEF BASTISTE.

commstar asked about VTAC TRUNKED, there is no VTAC trunked. VTAC stands for VHF TACATAL and are nation wide VHF frequencys that are in the nation wide interop plan, UTAC is the same.

VTAC--UTAC and some in 800 are all simplex and these are frequencys that are used for things will Storm Sandy were LE and rescue personal come from outside the area/state and they have a common frequency to interface with the local group(s).

[bcradio]

Great info, thanks Cabletech!

[kd7kdc]

Thanks for the update Cabletech

[szron]

Any info on the rest of the state?

Should I get a P25 scanner for District 2 and 7 operations soon or there's still time?

[brandonmckinney]

Is there anything written anywhere regarding the timeline for the conversion of Kennewick/Walla Walla? I would be like to provide this to my dispatch center who is frustrated with me for taking the WSP frequency out of their non-digital radios.

[jrw14493]

Originally Posted by brandonmckinney

Is there anything written anywhere regarding the timeline for the conversion of Kennewick/Walla Walla? I would be like to provide this to my dispatch center who is frustrated with me for taking the WSP frequency out of their non-digital radios.

Why don't you put it back in there until they start hearing static? Then take it out?

Wouldn't that be easier?

[jrw14493]

Originally Posted by cabletech

investicatons

What are these? Does this have anything to do with a new division of WSP!?

[kd7kdc]

Like you have never misspelled anything Joey Weedman......

[brandonmckinney]

Originally Posted by jrw14493

Why don't you put it back in there until they start hearing static? Then take it out?

Wouldn't that be easier?

I would but its kind of a hassle trying to find time to go down there and do it. And I am a little frustrated that they want to monitor (RX Only) the WSP channel over monitoring and communicating with us (Fire Department) on your Tac channels during incidents.

[kd7ctv]

They are testing it in Yakima today. I have only heard one side of the conversation though and its intermitant. Its on the digital side. My analog just has noise.