868.450 control channel

[FireCop]

While out and about today, I noticed a control channel noise coming across 868.450 Mhz. The reason I have this in my scanner is to check the progress of Mooresville's TRS that should be up soon. I picked up the CC in some areas of Mooresville & Statesville, but not on a continuous basis. I checked the FCC Database for this freq. in NC. The nearest licensee to Mooresville is for NCSHP in Forsyth County (Winston-Salem). Based on the distance, I don't think I would be able to pick up that far away. Does anyone have any ideas?

Ron

 

[pboy]

Atmospheric conditions common during the summer months are helping reception. Ducting is what it is called. Air masses can reflect signals all over the place.

Another thing is the signals are traveling straight line and the distances are shorter than you would think.

I have been hearing 868.450 as well. I'm calling it VIPER Winston-Salem site unless someone knows it not to be on the air yet.

One night I was getting Kernersville digital 800MHz TRS full scale here in Hickory. Though I don't have a digital capable scanner, I could confirm the voice channels and TG ids matched up to RR database info for that system.

Makes for some interesting listening when you scan around!

 

[jeffmulter]

Less likely than a Viper site, but you might also be catching the control data from the Palnet 800 site in Union Co, S.C. ... 868.450 MHz is the control frequency.

The rest of the site frequencies are:

866.7500 867.2875 867.8000 and 868.0750

This site will carry voice communications from SCHP and traffic management units working both I-77 and I-85, particularly when the Cherokee / Union SCHP talkgroup is patched with the York Co SCHP talkgroup.

Possibly someone in the Mooresville / Unifour area might keep a listen on the frequency with a Pro 96 or BCD396T. Reading the system I-D off an audible control channel will tell you if its Viper or Palnet, or otherwise.


Jeff Multer

 

[pboy]

How active is that site in SC?

The control channel I hear is always idle.

 

[FireCop]

Still hearing it today.

I've listened again today and have it come in quite clear most of the time. I monitoring with a BC296D. If it is Forsyth's VIPER site, I shouldn't have been surprised. I have picked up the W-S/Forsyth system (programmed in my 296) on occasion in Mooresville in digital! :roll:

Ron

 

[bonus1331]

I have the 396. I will check it out this weekend and see if I can pick it up in South Charlotte. If so, will report back on what the site ID is.

 

[pboy]

I believe Mooresville has come on line. Getting a full scale signal on 868.450. There were brief test counts on TG 80.

Update: CC changed at midnite to 868.1125.

 

[bonus1331]

Can't pick up that control channel from down here with the rubber duck and the 396.
Did give me the opportunity to play with the CC only search feature on the 396 though.
Darn impressive.
Finds a control channel, holds on the system, gives the SYSID and then starts popping out TG ID's.
Found one I never knew.
SYSID 3235h-From the frequency lookup and chatter, seems to be a Moto system for the Charlotte Observer.
Nice feature

 

[pboy]

Channels that were active while they were testing:
867.7750
868.1125
868.4500
868.8375

TGs that they were using:
80
112
360
1648
5360
37904

I can also receive the site here in Hickory on a BC250 with an 800MHz antenna. The stock antenna on the BCD396T and the Charlotte skyline obstructing the line of sight probably aren't helping you any David.

 

[bonus1331]

Killed the stock antenna as soon as the radio arrived. Using the RS 800 duck, RS telescoping, and a Diamond 77.
Couldn't get the control channel.

 

[FireCop]

Mystery Solved!!!

Thanks for all your help!

Ron

 

[jeffmulter]

So, Ron, you now have a new primary monitoring target. Congratulations !

I hope to see someone with the site I-D soon.

I took a listen last night at home, and could only hear the Union, SC control channel ... I'm actually about equi-distant from Union and Mooresville. I presume using an omnidirectional antenna in the Gaston County area might be a flip-of-the-coin regarding which system one will hear.

Someone asked about traffic on the Union site. Normally, not alot, but affiliations by SCHP, Spartanburg City and County units in the neighboring troop area ... along with TG patching ... can add alot of temporary traffic to the site.

ID 3235 is Charlotte Observer ... actually Knight Publishing. The control channel will alternate between 857.4125 and 858.4125 MHz. I believe the system is used for their printing and warehouse operations.

Jeff Multer

 

[FireCop]

Jeff,

Regarding finding the system ID, will the BC296D find it? I'm not thinking it will, but I must be honest and tell you I haven't had much time to investigate all it's bells & whistles.

Thanks,

Ron

 

[jeffmulter]

Unfortunately, the BC296 won't decode system I-Ds ... unless you use a program like Trunker ... and then, a tap of the discriminator circuit might be necessary to tap a clean audio signal.

The Pro 96 will I-D Motorola trunked sites.

The new BCD396T goes a step further, and provides both the system I-D AND the number of the site within that system. Once you hold on the control channel, you can then trunktrack without having to program anything.

And, Uniden has added a small database of system I-Ds to the scanner, based on information already in the RadioReference db. So, if your 396 displays "0F18," it will also I-D the system as Charlotte-Mecklenberg.

I expect Uniden will incorporate this feature in future trunktrackers.


Jeff

 

[bonus1331]

SYSID

The system ID is BE30h. Was able to pick up the CC on the way home from work at the airport.
They were testing the system on the way home. Was able to monitor my first digital transmission on the 396.
May want to combine this thread with the Mooresville/Iredell 800 thread.

 

[FireCop]

David,

Thanks for the sys ID. I had already thought about combining or closing the thread due to finding out about the CC.

Ron