Analog MEDCOM Frequencies

[sportsanchor]

Hey friends,

Im relatively new to the hobby, so I have a few questions.
Is there traffic on the analog MEDCOM frequencies? I loaded them into my SDS200 and have heard nothing as of yet.
I remember those frequencies used to have a lot of chatter years ago.
If all those EMS-to-Hospital channels have gone digital, I'll grab those.

Thanks

 

[dave3825]

Im relatively new to the hobby, so I have a few questions.
Is there traffic on the analog MEDCOM frequencies? I loaded them into my SDS200 and have heard nothing as of yet.

Can you post a link to what you put in the scanner? Took a quick look at Kent County and did not see any Medcom freqs listed. In any event, make sure you have all ems related service types enabled in the scanner.

Kent County, Michigan (MI) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Kent County, Michigan (MI)

www.radioreference.com

 

[sportsanchor]

I loaded in all of these.
If they're all dead, let me know, and I'll delete them.
Thanks

 

[dave3825]

I am not from the area so I can not advise on if they are still used. Do you have all the Hospital and Ems related service types on in the scanner? Are you in range of them and what range is selected in your 200?

 

[ffexpCP]

Many of those are part of the statewide medcom plan. Not often used, but several VHF channels are mandatory to be available in every life support unit in the state. I would not delete anything.

 

[fnnm400]

Then ones you listed are hardly used these days. Most are up on the MPSCS or they use something called e-bridge which is and app or they call by phone.

 

[MiCon]

I'm not familiar with your area, or your state's requirement for EMS frequency availability and use. Regardless, there's a lot to consider here.

From what I've seen, most states still require a mutual aid system that includes the use of the old 155.34 and 155.4 VHF frequencies. They're almost never used, but available for use during mass casualty and areawide incidents.

As for the 462 ~ 463 Mhz MEDCOM frequencies, and private ambulance company systems, they were in heavy use 20 ~ 30 years ago but that use has dropped off due to some of the following reasons:
- use of cell phones by both private ambulance companies, and FD paramedic ambulance-to-hospital comms.
- ambulance companies giving up their own radio license & equipment to join a private business trunked system such as a local LTR system, along with local taxi cabs, school buses, trash trucks, and whoever else is willing to pay for the service.
- paramedics and ambulance companies piggy-backing onto the local FD radio systems.

The EMS spectrum has changed a lot in the past thirty years due to technology, improved coverage, and cost.

Your mileage may vary.