Champaign County METCAD - Digital Interoperable Communication Environment (MDICE)

[Starcom21]

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/ApplicationSearch/applFreqSum.jsp?applID=3896373

http://radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=4403&d=trsinfo

101Simulcast System866.06250866.55000866.80000867.10000867.56250868.13750868.52500868.82500
Towers at
1905 E. Main St. - Urbana, IL CHAMPAIGN County 40-06-43.5 N, 088-10-59.0 W
1000N/County Road 1900E - Sidney, IL CHAMPAIGN County 40-01-36.0 N, 088-06-18.6 W
307 S. Randolph - Champaign, IL CHAMPAIGN County 40-06-49.4 N, 088-14-47.7 W
1390 County Road 2600N - Thomasboro, IL CHAMPAIGN County 40-15-14.4 N, 088-11-40.9 W
2603 West Bradley - Champaign, IL CHAMPAIGN County 40-07-35.0 N, 088-17-25.0 W

By the way, I've updated the StarCom21 page to include a new "window" with the information for the system.

Let me know how it works for you all. Will update it soon.

http://www.StarCom21.com

 

[cubn]

By the way, I've updated the StarCom21 page to include a new "window" with the information for the system.

Let me know how it works for you all. Will update it soon.

[URL="http://www.StarCom21.com"]http://www.StarCom21.com[/URL]

I like the window idea since the info there is not stuff that I need to read everyday, but is a good reference when I need to see it.

We'll keep an eye on the MDICE system as testing starts to occur this summer.

 

[Highlander_821]

So, which digital scanner should I get if I want to be able to monitor this system and the ISP on Starcom when they migrate? What about rebanding?

 

[cubn]

So, which digital scanner should I get if I want to be able to monitor this system and the ISP on Starcom when they migrate? What about rebanding?

In Champaign, either the Pro96/2096 or Uniden 396/996 scanners would work. Some areas in Illinois use 700 MHz frequencies for Starcom21. In those areas, only the Uniden scanners could properly trunktrack those sites.

 

[thomasyu]

Control Channel Active

As of 5/23/2007 there is an active control channel present on 868.8250 showing SID:01DAh-0101. So far I have not heard any traffic on the system.

 

[bob_leach_3]

MDICE System

That's cool that the control channel is active as of today. Does anyone know the approximate range to receive the system's towers? I assume they're not too far having so many towers. I'll try to receive it when I get home later. I can just receive the old 453... channels all the way to Charleston, even clearer at night. And the VHF fire freqs come in nearly all the time.

 

[cubn]

The only TG I heard last night was brief testing on 21002.

I'm not sure about the range of the system or if all towers are online. I was listening on a 396 last night and the signal decoded great here in Urbana. If you listen to the control channel itself it sounds really "messed up" compared to the Starcom21 Champaign site which sounds clear and strong. I don't know if this is a fact of it being a simulcast system and I'm receiving multiple sites or what.

 

[gabbott]

Control Channel

It should sound better tonight.

I was listening on a 396 last night and the signal decoded great here in Urbana. If you listen to the control channel itself it sounds really "messed up" compared to the Starcom21 Champaign site which sounds clear and strong.

 

[cubn]

FileVersion:3
-TowerInfo
#This section is here for information only. With the exception
#of the Call Sign(s), This data is not Read back into the program at all.
System ID : 1da
System Name :
WACN : bee00
Tower Number (Decimal): 101
Tower Number (Hex) : T0101
Tower Description : (null)
Control Capabilities : Voice,Registration
Call Sign(s) : MDICE
Timestamp : Thu May 24 16:56:46 2007

-Tables
#Format: Table ID,Base Freq,Spacing,Input Offset,Assumed/Confirmed,BandWidth
00,851.00625,0.00625,-45.00000,"Confirmed",0.00625
01,762.00625,0.00625,30.00000,"Confirmed",0.00625

-Frequencies
#Format: Channel,Usage,Frequency
"00-2409","i",866.06250
"00-2487","v",866.55000
"00-2527","v",866.80000
"00-2575","v",867.10000
"00-2649","a",867.56250
"00-2741","a",868.13750
"00-2803","a",868.52500
"00-2851","c",868.82500

Apparently the Thomasboro site is not online. On I57 near Thomasboro, the signal starts to fade and by Rantoul/Ludlow, there is no signal at all on this system. Similarly, I had to get south and east of Fisher til I could pick up the signal (this was testing using a 396T with stubby 800 MHz antenna)

 

[thomasyu]

It appears that they may be making preparations for some type of patching. Techs were very active on TG 21002 asking to have various fire channels keyed up from the console. Also all police Metcad police activity was on Channel 5 for all agencies this afternoon, there was no traffic on any other channel. I presume this is related but I’m not sure.

 

[k9swx]

METCAD has posted the talkgroup info on their website:

http://www.metcad911.org/MDICE/Scanner_information.htm

 

[jasonpeoria911]

Now that is a great public oriented thinking. I have great respect for departments that acknowledge there scanner listeners out there and know they can possibly help out at times.

Jason

 

[k9swx]

Now that is a great public oriented thinking. I have great respect for departments that acknowledge there scanner listeners out there and know they can possibly help out at times.

Now if we could just get them to subsidize some digital scanners for us.

 

[timmer]

That is really rare. Most agencies are going the complete opposite direction.

 

[KD4YGG]

Truly good news!!!

Looks like someone actually recognizes the true power of citizen policing.

Encrypt the stuff that needs to be encrypted, and allow the public to be able to hear what needs to be heard.

Super!!!

 

[thomasyu]

As of 8/15/2007 TG 21501 Patrol 2 is patched into 453.9/ 453.15 repeaters.

 

[Highlander_821]

Anyone have any idea when the switchover is going to be? I'm holding out for the Pro-96/2096 to go on sale.

 

[cubn]

I heard 532 using the MDICE radio (which as simulcast over 453.900/453.150) this morning.

 

[cubn]

Most, if not all the sheriff's dept is using MDICE radios on TG 21501 which is cross-patched with 453.900/453.150 (8/21/07). Some of the rural pds are using the new MDICE radios as well.

 

[cubn]

453.250 is currently simulcasting INCIDENT 4 on MDICE. I'm hearing many Urbana PD officers using MDICE radios now.