BCD436 no longer receives AAFD...

[Howiescans3215]

Thanks, will follow-up

I definitely have 1A and hear it all the time. I do hear some units but not as much as I heard prior to them switching to the P25. like I mentioned, zero background sirens an arrival on scene comments

 

[ThePhotoGuy]

AAFD has always used their in vehicle computers/SME's but in recent years they have really relied on them much more than before. Much of responding/# of personnel/on scene arrival radio traffic is now done electronically which has really cut down on routine radio communications.

Even much of info that used to be shared on the "air" (pre arrival patient statuses/updates) during responses just don't occur anymore on the radio. While it does occur sometimes, it is not like before.

 

[Howiescans3215]

AAFD has always used their in vehicle computers/SME's but in recent years they have really relied on them much more than before. Much of responding/# of personnel/on scene arrival radio traffic is now done electronically which has really cut down on routine radio communications.

Even much of info that used to be shared on the "air" (pre arrival patient statuses/updates) during responses just don't occur anymore on the radio. While it does occur sometimes, it is not like before.

Thanks very much for your reply.

 

[maus92]

AAFD has always used their in vehicle computers/SME's but in recent years they have really relied on them much more than before. Much of responding/# of personnel/on scene arrival radio traffic is now done electronically which has really cut down on routine radio communications.

Even much of info that used to be shared on the "air" (pre arrival patient statuses/updates) during responses just don't occur anymore on the radio. While it does occur sometimes, it is not like before.

I can't say I care much about pre-arrival EMS details, but the fire side seemed to vocalize a lot of pre-arrival and on-scene info - has that changed since the retirement of the SmartZone system? Every time I pass through the county, somebody seems to be talking about something, lol.

 

[Howiescans3215]

I can't say I care much about pre-arrival EMS details, but the fire side seemed to vocalize a lot of pre-arrival and on-scene info - has that changed since the retirement of the SmartZone system? Every time I pass through the county, somebody seems to be talking about something, lol.

Thanks for your feedback. I do hear some info. Since losing PD to ENC, I guess there is much less overall traffic, but I did hear a bit more today. TX again.

 

[ThePhotoGuy]

I can't say I care much about pre-arrival EMS details, but the fire side seemed to vocalize a lot of pre-arrival and on-scene info - has that changed since the retirement of the SmartZone system? Every time I pass through the county, somebody seems to be talking about something, lol.

While I wouldn't say it is fully because of the switchover, it has been building in recent years for less radio activity. Again, maybe it just me but after listening for 15+ years, it definitely is less chatty.

I think AVL's years ago really started the movement to less activity. With AVL's, there is a lot less of bidding of calls by field units (units still bid but is extremely less common). With less volunteer activity, you hear less Chief Officers responding, 2nd engines, Utility's, etc. requesting to be added.

In recent years, the county has really adopted each responding unit (1st Due Engine, 2nd Due Engine, etc.) knowing their responsibilities based on dispatch lineup which cuts down traffic.

As I discussed before, heavy usage of Computers/SME's...

It also seems to have been heavy turnover in the past couple years with Fire Alarm. A lot of dispatchers that I used to hear on the radio (which were very talkative and informative of response details) seem not to be assigned/working at Fire Alarm. Same could be said about field users as a lot of the chatty firefighters/officers have retired/left.

I think it is just a cumulative effect from multiple different avenues over the years which seems to have cut down radio traffic. The county is still one of the most chatty departments around but just seems "different" from years ago.

 

[Howiescans3215]

While I wouldn't say it is fully because of the switchover, it has been building in recent years for less radio activity. Again, maybe it just me but after listening for 15+ years, it definitely is less chatty.

I think AVL's years ago really started the movement to less activity. With AVL's, there is a lot less of bidding of calls by field units (units still bid but is extremely less common). With less volunteer activity, you hear less Chief Officers responding, 2nd engines, Utility's, etc. requesting to be added.

In recent years, the county has really adopted each responding unit (1st Due Engine, 2nd Due Engine, etc.) knowing their responsibilities based on dispatch lineup which cuts down traffic.

As I discussed before, heavy usage of Computers/SME's...

It also seems to have been heavy turnover in the past couple years with Fire Alarm. A lot of dispatchers that I used to hear on the radio (which were very talkative and informative of response details) seem not to be assigned/working at Fire Alarm. Same could be said about field users as a lot of the chatty firefighters/officers have retired/left.

I think it is just a cumulative effect from multiple different avenues over the years which seems to have cut down radio traffic. The county is still one of the most chatty departments around but just seems "different" from years ago.

It sounds correct. I moved from Suffolk County, NY a year ago to Anne Arundel. The system there is a Motorola Trunked analog system which was great to listen to. I sold 2 trunk trackers and a Plectron as they would be of no use here in Maryland. So I bought a BCD436HP and started scanning Annapolis/Anne Arundel I believe on P16. Then in November I realized ENCRYP happened which is unfortunate but I certainly understand. So now, There's a lot less to actually listen to. Thanks again for your feedback. I started monitoring in 1968 at age 14 and have had many radios. This is the last one. A friend paid $ 600+ for the SDS100 but now, we can only pick up what we can. Have a Happy New Year !

 

[maus92]

@Howiescans3215 - I've been listening to AA Fire's Broadcastify feed for several hours this afternoon and it's very active. I suspect one of the reasons why you are not hearing many (or fewer) transmissions is because you are using a 436 to monitor the system. The county's new system is densely simulcast (more than double the previous sites) thus demands a radio that is designed for simulcast systems, like a SDS series radio or Unication G4/G5.

 

[Howiescans3215]

@Howiescans3215 - I've been listening to AA Fire's Broadcastify feed for several hours this afternoon and it's very active. I suspect one of the reasons why you are not hearing many (or fewer) transmissions is because you are using a 436 to monitor the system. The county's new system is densely simulcast (more than double the previous sites) thus demands a radio that is designed for simulcast systems, like a SDS series radio or Unication G4/G5.

Thanks. This is my last scanner since my area is mostly encrypted. To buy anything new now would be a waste. Thanks so much for your feedback.