AFRRCS question

[4791]

I first got a Bearcat scanner, simply to listen to the local aircraft (out of boredom), but I've gradually progressed to a BCD 996P2 as I found I was listening to Forestry and CPKC.

Since then I've downloaded the RR P25 data to my 996P2 and I have started to listen to MV fire dispatch, RV and Airdrie.

I'm slowly trying to get my head around how this system works. I understand that it's mostly encrypted, but what I'm not sure on is... the cell tower I live near in Mountain View has 4 radio channels. Is this the only set of radio frequencies I need to receive for every AFRRCS radio TG?, or are each set of TG's confined to a set of radio frequencies. Would Rocky View FD be on a tower located in RV and MV TG to be scanned on the MV radio frequencies?

Thanks.

 

[kayn1n32008]

my 996P2 and I have started to listen to MV fire dispatch, RV and Airdrie.

You will want to make sure you have all the local sites you can hear, of agencies you want to listen to.

I'm slowly trying to get my head around how this system works. I understand that it's mostly encrypted,

Most law enforcement is encrypted. Some local bylaw/municipal enforcement is as well, some is clear. all RCMP and most AHS is as well. However the 4 AHS Mutual aid talkgroups are in the clear. AHS MA11-AHS MA15 in each zone.

but what I'm not sure on is... the cell tower I live near in Mountain View has 4 radio channels.

AFRRCS Is a wide area P25 trunking system. Each site has a pool of RF channels, and they are dynamically assigned on an as needed basis, either by traffic from other sites, or local users.

Having said that each site ONLY repeats local and network traffic to talkgroups that have users affiliated to the specific site you are monitoring.

Is this the only set of radio frequencies I need to receive for every AFRRCS radio TG?, or are each set of TG's confined to a set of radio frequencies.

No and No.

Most local agencies like fire departments bylaw, municipal enforcement and local government talkgroups that are not encrypted are limited to specific sites as required by AFRRCS rules. But they may not be heard on every local site if there are sites with out radios on those talkgroups.

Would Rocky View FD be on a tower located in RV and MV TG to be scanned on the MV radio frequencies?

Possibly? It depends. If all RV radios are in MV County on a mutual aid call, you may not hear them on RV local sites. It entirely depends if there are radios affiliated to the site. Users at the edges of their counties could roam, register and affiliate to a site outside of their county amd be heard on a site in a different county. There are a huge number of factors that come into play. I am not overly familiar with either RV or MV, how those departments comms are set up, and how they utilize their radios. However, both counties have multiple AFRRCS sites with in the counties.

 

[4791]

So each site has a certain number of frequencies. The one closest to me has three control channels and one that's not.
Do I need to add all three control channels, just one, or even all four ??

 

[kayn1n32008]

So each site has a certain number of frequencies. The one closest to me has three control channels and one that's not.
Do I need to add all three control channels, just one, or even all four ??

I would add all 4 channels