Canyon Co. Sheriff Freqs

[KC1KVQ]

Hello,
I'm located in Canyon County and haven't used a scanner in years. I just picked up a used PRO-97 for casual public service use. I noticed on the RR Canyon County database that the Sheriff's office is assigned some 400 MHz freqs and no more. However, in the FCC database file (also downloaded from RR) I notice a block of 800 MHz freqs from 810-859. I presume this is a trunked system. If so, how can I tell which is the primary control channel?
It's alright, go ahead and tell me how much I don't know!
Chris

 

[thewenk]

Hello,
I'm located in Canyon County and haven't used a scanner in years. I just picked up a used PRO-97 for casual public service use. I noticed on the RR Canyon County database that the Sheriff's office is assigned some 400 MHz freqs and no more. However, in the FCC database file (also downloaded from RR) I notice a block of 800 MHz freqs from 810-859. I presume this is a trunked system. If so, how can I tell which is the primary control channel?
It's alright, go ahead and tell me how much I don't know!
Chris

Chris,
Most of the Boise area, including Canyon County, Law enforcement are on the 700 MHz digital system and have switched from 400 MHz. Most talk groups on the 700 MHz system are encrypted and can't be monitored.
Idaho Cooperative Agencies Wireless Interoperable Network (ICAWIN) Trunking System, Statewide, Idaho - Scanner Frequencies

Fire and EMS are still simulcast on VHF and 700 MHz. The Pro 97 is not able to monitor the digital 700 MHz system. I'm not sure that the 800 MHz frequencies you referred to are even in use.

Dave

 

[KC1KVQ]

Thanks, Dave. I knew about the 700 MHz digital system and knew I wouldn't be able to listen with the Pro-97. I'm OK with that. For now. Does Canyon County LE no longer simulcast on the 400 MHz band? If they don't I'm in for a disappointment.
Chris

 

[thewenk]

Thanks, Dave. I knew about the 700 MHz digital system and knew I wouldn't be able to listen with the Pro-97. I'm OK with that. For now. Does Canyon County LE no longer simulcast on the 400 MHz band? If they don't I'm in for a disappointment.
Chris

As far as I know, they stopped simulcasting on the UHF 400 MHz freqs.

Dave

 

[KC1KVQ]

That IS a bummer. Do you happen to know if the digital traffic is encrypted? Is it even worth getting a digital receiver?

 

[thewenk]

Chris,
Some Law dispatch Talkgroups in Ada county are not encrypted. The inputs to the RR database indicate all Canyon county Law is encrypted. Fire and EMS are generally not encrypted.

On the RR database page for the 700 System I referenced previously, an "E" in the mode column indicated the TG is encrypted, while a "D" indicates the TG is digital, but not encrypted. If you just want to listen to Law TGs, it probably is not worth getting a digital scanner, but that's up to you. You could still hear a lot of unencrypted fire/EMS traffic.

Dave

 

[KC1KVQ]

Roger... thank you.