D
DaveNF2G
Guest
I have been attempting to analyze the various radio systems operated by Wells
Communications in the Albany area. Some of the old LTR systems are being
converted to MotoTRBO. I believe that all of the conventional repeaters have
been switched to some form of trunking by now.
The monitoring setup I used on Friday consisted of three computers running the
same version of FMP24 and DSDPlus Fastlane 2.98, activated with the exact same
command lines in each case. Each computer used two RTL-SDR dongles and ran
under Windows 10x64 Professional. The receivers were fed via multicoupler from
an attic-mounted discone. Each station was assigned to one of the three sites
described below. I also used a Uniden BCD536HP for confirmations.
I have previously narrowed down relative transmit site locations using an 800
MHz yagi in the attic.
Deciphering these systems based on licensing data is not possible. Like many
large radio shops, Wells' licensing is a mish-mash of emission types and site
locations. Some trunked repeaters are on their own separate licenses, some
are on licenses with other pairs at the same sites, while others might be on
multiple licenses, sometimes covering different sites. Misspellings and other
errata in the FCC data (most likely originating from the original filings) add
to the challenges. For example, the Helderberg Mountain site is listed as
being in New Salem on most licenses, but at least one shows it as being in
Voorheesville.*
Two of the Wells DMR sites are listed in the RRDB per my recent submission and
update. Two "sites" are in the same physical location on Helderberg Mountain,
so without the color code information, it is difficult to distinguish them.
There is a third site associated with the first two, apparently (see above re
licensing) at the company offices in North Greenbush, where they have a small
tower next to the building. I have not submitted this site to the RRDB.
Here is the composite info:
Helderberg Mtn: CC5, Site 1-1, Network 1, (No neighbor list) uses ARS
1/2=463.850 (WPDQ207) 3/4=461.450 (WNMI472) 5/6=461.500 (WPGW414)
2-digit talkgroups between 10 and 50 noted so far
Helderberg Mtn: CC8, Site 2, No Network, (Neighbors 1,2,5) uses RAS
1/2=451.550 3/4=451.750 (+WPMA274) 5/6=451.675 (all WPLZ404)
3-digit talkgroups between 100 and 120 noted so far
North Greenbush: CC5, Site 1-1, Network 1, (Neighbors 1-2,1-3,1-4) uses ARS
same talkgroups as Helderberg Mtn on CC5
CC7, Site 1-1, No Network, (Neighbors 1-2,1-3,1-4) uses RAS
same talkgroups as Helderberg Mtn on CC8
1/2=461.475 (WPLE817) 3/4=451.9625 (WPPD662) 5/6=unknown
As if that isn't weird enough, when talkgroups are mirrored on the North
Greenbush site, they are sometimes simulcast over the matching Helderberg
Mountain site. Also, North Greebush will flip very rapidly between color
codes while different Rest channels are being read.
* This is one of the reasons I disagree with the RRDB policy of listing
transmitter sites by town. An incorrect town on a license or submission can
create bogus data. Besides, I have never heard anyone I know who is involved
in radio to refer to a transmitter site by its mailing address. Sites are
always designated by the geographical feature, radio tower, or building on
which the site is located. In some areas, using just the transmitter mailing
address can confuse the GPS coverage range of a site. A single municipality can
host multiple sites that are several air miles apart.
Communications in the Albany area. Some of the old LTR systems are being
converted to MotoTRBO. I believe that all of the conventional repeaters have
been switched to some form of trunking by now.
The monitoring setup I used on Friday consisted of three computers running the
same version of FMP24 and DSDPlus Fastlane 2.98, activated with the exact same
command lines in each case. Each computer used two RTL-SDR dongles and ran
under Windows 10x64 Professional. The receivers were fed via multicoupler from
an attic-mounted discone. Each station was assigned to one of the three sites
described below. I also used a Uniden BCD536HP for confirmations.
I have previously narrowed down relative transmit site locations using an 800
MHz yagi in the attic.
Deciphering these systems based on licensing data is not possible. Like many
large radio shops, Wells' licensing is a mish-mash of emission types and site
locations. Some trunked repeaters are on their own separate licenses, some
are on licenses with other pairs at the same sites, while others might be on
multiple licenses, sometimes covering different sites. Misspellings and other
errata in the FCC data (most likely originating from the original filings) add
to the challenges. For example, the Helderberg Mountain site is listed as
being in New Salem on most licenses, but at least one shows it as being in
Voorheesville.*
Two of the Wells DMR sites are listed in the RRDB per my recent submission and
update. Two "sites" are in the same physical location on Helderberg Mountain,
so without the color code information, it is difficult to distinguish them.
There is a third site associated with the first two, apparently (see above re
licensing) at the company offices in North Greenbush, where they have a small
tower next to the building. I have not submitted this site to the RRDB.
Here is the composite info:
Helderberg Mtn: CC5, Site 1-1, Network 1, (No neighbor list) uses ARS
1/2=463.850 (WPDQ207) 3/4=461.450 (WNMI472) 5/6=461.500 (WPGW414)
2-digit talkgroups between 10 and 50 noted so far
Helderberg Mtn: CC8, Site 2, No Network, (Neighbors 1,2,5) uses RAS
1/2=451.550 3/4=451.750 (+WPMA274) 5/6=451.675 (all WPLZ404)
3-digit talkgroups between 100 and 120 noted so far
North Greenbush: CC5, Site 1-1, Network 1, (Neighbors 1-2,1-3,1-4) uses ARS
same talkgroups as Helderberg Mtn on CC5
CC7, Site 1-1, No Network, (Neighbors 1-2,1-3,1-4) uses RAS
same talkgroups as Helderberg Mtn on CC8
1/2=461.475 (WPLE817) 3/4=451.9625 (WPPD662) 5/6=unknown
As if that isn't weird enough, when talkgroups are mirrored on the North
Greenbush site, they are sometimes simulcast over the matching Helderberg
Mountain site. Also, North Greebush will flip very rapidly between color
codes while different Rest channels are being read.
* This is one of the reasons I disagree with the RRDB policy of listing
transmitter sites by town. An incorrect town on a license or submission can
create bogus data. Besides, I have never heard anyone I know who is involved
in radio to refer to a transmitter site by its mailing address. Sites are
always designated by the geographical feature, radio tower, or building on
which the site is located. In some areas, using just the transmitter mailing
address can confuse the GPS coverage range of a site. A single municipality can
host multiple sites that are several air miles apart.
