Boerne, TX/Kendall County

[rattlerbb01]

Does anyone have the VHF frequencies that the medical helicopters use when they come into Kendall County like airlife Air Evac Etc. I know they patch them to Ops channels but sometimes they just use the VHF frequencies.

Airlife may have actual radio IDs and access to the LCRA talkgroups. I'll keep an eye out next time they land a medical copter. I would check 154.950, 154.280 and 155.340 for VHF though. They are simplex but I have heard many VFDs coordinate landings all over the state on those three, formally known as Texas Law 1, Texas Fire 1 and Texas Med 1. Or, back even further, Car-Car, Mutual Aid and AHERN.

 

[Sanscanman]

Also Check Vmed29 155.3475 Flightcomm has moved all med ops to this channel.. all the evacs coordinate on it when flying into UTHSC. and I hear Airlife asking to meet LZ Coordinators on Vmed29 when possible.

 

[ajfan1999]

Also Check Vmed29 155.3475 Flightcomm has moved all med ops to this channel.. all the evacs coordinate on it when flying into UTHSC. and I hear Airlife asking to meet LZ Coordinators on Vmed29 when possible.

I've also heard them mention Vmed28.

 

[K9ROD]

AirLife - Air-Flight .....

In Kendall County almost all of the life flight stuff will ask for VMED28 or 155.4300 Sometimes the Boerne Dispatch will patch the VMED28 channel with the VHF OEM Repeater for better coverage. Most of the VFD in the county got rid of their VHF radios when the County moved to 700/800 MHz Digital. We are currently working to get that changed. Any interface with the State or the Forest Service will be on VHF. The current Sheriff is putting VHF P25 radios back in the patrol cars and will have a P25 repeater on the air shortly. The frequency for the SO VHF will be the same as it has always been. Rod

 

[K9ROD]

Emmergency Comm Trailer

I might add that we are working on an emergency communications trailer that will have the capability to talk with anyone. 700/800. VHF, UHF, CB, Amateur Radio VHF/UHF & HF, and a WinLink system. Exciting times again.

 

[ajfan1999]

In Kendall County almost all of the life flight stuff will ask for VMED28 or 155.4300 Sometimes the Boerne Dispatch will patch the VMED28 channel with the VHF OEM Repeater for better coverage. Most of the VFD in the county got rid of their VHF radios when the County moved to 700/800 MHz Digital. We are currently working to get that changed. Any interface with the State or the Forest Service will be on VHF. The current Sheriff is putting VHF P25 radios back in the patrol cars and will have a P25 repeater on the air shortly. The frequency for the SO VHF will be the same as it has always been. Rod

What is the SO VHF frequency?

 

[scrotumola]

That should be 155.3400, not 4300.

 

[boernegang]

Any ideas on why the VHF patches are so “iffy”. Seems like dispatch can patch other agencies when the VFD need/ provide assistance but getting that VMED patch seems very touchy. Is the County getting a new repeater to replace the VHF one?


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[ajfan1999]

Any ideas on why the VHF patches are so “iffy”. Seems like dispatch can patch other agencies when the VFD need/ provide assistance but getting that VMED patch seems very touchy. Is the County getting a new repeater to replace the VHF one?


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I've wondered that to, dispatch always seems to have trouble patching the medical helicopters to the OPS channels.

 

[NC5267]

VMED28 155.340 used for LZ coordination is not a repeater so it is a simplex patch to the LCRA system. Which may account for some patching problems.

In reference to putting the old vhf radios back in the Sheriff patrol cars that is the first I have heard of it. I know a few guys that kept their old vhf handhelds when they switched to the old 900 system but that was a long time ago. The old vhf freq. was 155.655. What would the P25 vhf channel be used for? They spent a lot of money already getting Harris mobiles and handhelds when the P25 switch happened.

 

[boernegang]

My understanding from a Deputy is the VHF radios are going back in so they can talk to neighboring counties that are not on LCRA 700.


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[K9ROD]

VHF

boernegang is correct. I help consult on the VHF system. It is so they can talk to three counties around us that went with VHF P25. They will use the same frequency pair that they use to use a long time ago. They kept the license even though the equipment was out dated. (Use to be a GE MASTR II repeater) New radios will be Kenwood, repeater will be collocated at the same site the EMS & Fire & OEM repeaters are. The patch system from the 700/800 Digital never works very well. It all depends on the equipment being used. Some equipment doesn't take the delay into account. Some of this my improve as LCRA is having to upgrade their equipment on the dispatch side for the new VHF frequency. It's still a couple of months out. I don't think they have started any of the installations in the patrol vehicles yet.

On another note the amateur radio club obtain access to the old Sheriff's repeater tower site. It is in the build stage right now, but will have several devices there. One will be a Fusion repeater. With a hand held we were able to talk into the Marble Falls repeater on 5 watts. Lot of really exciting things happening for amateur radio. Good possibility of a digipeater for APRS will be located there too. The 444.750 linked repeater will also move there. Lots of good things happening!

 

[boernegang]

So would it be possible to put the Kendall OEM frequency on the P25 repeater and would that make patching easier for LZ operations?


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[NC5267]

K9ROD. This may have changed but for LZ operations the LZ coordinator use to have to go to one of the vehicles and get on the VMED channel. Is that still the case or do they just try and rely on a patch

 

[boernegang]

Anybody else see the Bergheim tower is not online?? I cannot get it even in a scan of the 700MHZ band.

At my location Boerne Lake site does not come in to well but I can get it if I go outside, it to is not there.

??????

 

[rattlerbb01]

Anybody else see the Bergheim tower is not online?? I cannot get it even in a scan of the 700MHZ band.

At my location Boerne Lake site does not come in to well but I can get it if I go outside, it to is not there.

??????

Did they switch control frequencies? Check all the channels in the database to see if they have just switched frequencies. Scan 769-775 to look for others, as they aren't licensed specific frequencies at those sites since LCRA uses the state license pool.

I am at work in Tilden/Cotulla so I would be of no help until I get back Friday.

 

[boernegang]

if that is what is was, why is the scanner not picking it up??

It is back online now,

 

[boernegang]

Question, I noticed that the Dispatch radio id’s have changed numbers, does that indicate a console change or just a programming change?


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[NC5267]

LCRA went out awhile back and fixed something with most of the consoles of the system subscribers.Heard part of a conversation between techs about it. Usually updates and new equipment.

 

[K9ROD]

To NC5257, The patch depends on the dispatcher and how busy they are. Lately they have been relying on VMED28. Doesn't make a lot of sense, because the helicopters should have the LCRA P25 system in a radio on board. Why would you spend a couple million for a helicopter but skimp on the radios.

There have been updates in the console and some tweaking of the VHF system given the move by the Sheriff to install VHF radios back in the cars. Although it won't be the main means of communication, it will be interesting to see if it gets used when the 700/800 doesn't work due to the area that the are in.

I checked my scanner tonight and it brought up the Bergheim (Kendall) tower.