Chattanooga Regional P25 System

[K4ZXT]

This seems to be what was "Roane Site 2" although sites 2-10 and 2-11 seems to have flip floped from what I orginally had them as. Which ever it is I've never picked it up even though it should be between me (here in the edge of Loudon/Monroe countys) and the Windrock tower.

The frequencies for Roane Co Site 2 do not match the license application. Also, someone has submitted that application to go along with site 2. I'll send in a thing and try to get it changed back.

 

[DaveC56]

Just got me a Radio Shack Pro 197. A long ways from my first scanner in the mid 70's, a Regency 10 channel, chrystal controlled one.

Anyway, after a few false starts and a heap error, got the TN Valley P25 file loaded in and working. Still lots of questions on this but for now just one I would like to ask.

I live only a few miles from the Canyon Ridge tower. Watching the scanner closely over the weekend I never saw any of the Walker County units, or anyone else, use those freqs. The tower has been up and finished for some time now, so don't think it is inactive. My best reception would be off this tower so what gives?

Thanks

 

[Suddath]

Got a hit on 2-17 Madisonville (TN-Monroe) 770.03125c, not sure what agency hit it, but this is a 1st on one of the closest towers to me.

 

[DaveC56]

North Ga Towers

Looking at other web pages the license covers the three towers listed for Catoosa/Walker/Whitfield. Looking at the location I am surprised that I can't pick up Taylors Ridge better. Also, the license covers these three towers plus Canyon Ridge, since Canyon Ridge is on different freqs, I assume it isn't meant to be simulcast like the other three. I am just learning some of this and I will defer to those on here who know much more about this than I do.

Any insight into the tower configuration for North Georgia, particularly Canyon Ridge, would be appreciated.

To throw one more thing in the mix, how will the new tower in Trenton (late comer to the party) tie in with the other North Ga ones?

Appreciate everyones patience as I think out loud on here.

Dave
KG4ZCC

 

[radiohead47]

N GA Towers

Dave,

I will throw my two cents worth into what I think is the reason you don't always hear your Walker Co units on the Canyon Ridge tower. I think since it is not part of the actual simulcast tower system(Walker,Catoosa,Whitfield) that it only becomes active when a unit keys up and the system sees that the Canyon Ridge tower is recieving a stronger signal than one of the simulcast towers and activates that tower for the remainder of the time that the unit transmitting is getting a better signal off that tower than the simulcast towers. I am sure if that is not the reason someone with better knowledge will correct me. But until then thats my story and I'm sticking to it! Have a great Christmas and New year.

 

[slatescan]

any word on new towers to go up soon in East TN or Mid TN?

 

[DonnieDog]

Actually I spoke with a THP Trooper the other day and he said that East TN is going to be switching to this system in the near future. He didnt have any time frame. I guess we will have to keep checking for new FCC Grants in the eastern part of the state.

 

[K4ZXT]

Just heard activity on 15001.

Two people asking about whether or not they wanted to move an inmate since it was almost count time. Talk about a yard officer and needing to get this person to a higher security level area.

It came across Roane Co. Site 2 (which is now mislabeled as Buttermilk Road)...

I'm wondering if it's Morgan Co. Correctional.

 

[rkm1215]

I am considering getting a
Larsen 100/400/800 antenna, but was wondering how much it would impact this system since majority is 700 MHz. Laird makes a multiband that includes 700 MHz spectrum, but it is 4-5X more expensive so I wanted to get thoughts. I currently have a 700-800 antenna so could get a duplexer and run two antennas. I am aware this probably isn't the correct thread, but wanted feedback from the people familiar with this system.

 

[W4EMS]

The Larsen multiband is a good antenna. What else besides TVRS do you plan on listening to?
And forget the duplexer. For mobile use it would be a waste of money.

 

[rkm1215]

Thanks for the tip! 800Mhz and UHF mainly, but occasional VHF. All the systems for the most part come in fine with my 700-800MHz EmWave antenna, but I thought the Larsen multiband might tweak reception. The Laird I'm considering is the WPD136M6C-001, but it costs more than the Austin Spectra.

 

[W4EMS]

Ypu might see some improvement with the Larsen on VHF but doubt it would be worth the cost but that is just me.

I run the RS 800MHz rubber duck and get all the Nashville area stations fine VHF-Hi thru 800. THP base stations are fairly clear but could be better. When I swing through Chattanooga I can usually hear their system from Marion Co. into GA without a problem.

 

[willsergent]

I am in Rhea County and have just recently gotten into scanners and whatnot. I am on the county fire department and rescue squad.

One of the things I am curious about is what kind of equipment is needed to properly scan the new 800mhz system used in Rhea County. There is a common misconception (mainly because how it was marketed) that the system cannot be scanned or trunked whatsoever and that the system is completely 100% secure. For some reason, I am one of the few that believe otherwise. I am trying to get a handheld scanner to use to show them for one, and two so I can actually see whats going on in the county.

Since they switched off our old system, a good number of us are in the dark aside from the initial tone. (They are still toning on the old frequency and giving the initial dispatch then for most departments everything else is done on the new system.

Pardon my newb-ness - just trying to learn.

Also @ButchGone - When you heard the city PD, it was most likely Spring City. As far as I know, Dayton is still using the old system.

 

[suttles1972]

I am in Rhea County and have just recently gotten into scanners and whatnot. I am on the county fire department and rescue squad.

One of the things I am curious about is what kind of equipment is needed to properly scan the new 800mhz system used in Rhea County. There is a common misconception (mainly because how it was marketed) that the system cannot be scanned or trunked whatsoever and that the system is completely 100% secure. For some reason, I am one of the few that believe otherwise. I am trying to get a handheld scanner to use to show them for one, and two so I can actually see whats going on in the county.

Since they switched off our old system, a good number of us are in the dark aside from the initial tone. (They are still toning on the old frequency and giving the initial dispatch then for most departments everything else is done on the new system.

The new system is a P25 exclusive system. Now I'm sure that means little, unless you're trying to monitor with a scanner. Any scanner will not work. The scanner will have to have to decode the P25 voice transmissions. Now to dumb it down, the scanner can not be analog, because the system communications is digital. You will have to obtain a scanner that can decode the digital voice for the communications to be heard. Now if the type of scanner becomes questionable, this site has a wiki board that provides a listing of all the scanners ever made. What you'll want to do is find all the scanners that can decode the P25 radio transmissions? I'm guessing 7. Then see if the scanner you have matches the make and model. If so, congrats to the new world of digital scanning. If not, be prepare to spend between $350-$550.00. Yes I know, its a large chunk, But these type of scanners are so sophisticated, you'll have to use a computer program to program systems the size of the Tennessee Valley Regional Telecommunications System or TVRTS (optional of course, but much easier). Now if you have any technical questions about the system, Butchgone can really help. I see him as, the "Guru of Southeast Tennessee scanning". His knowledge has made TVRTS system, easier to understand and program. Final note: If for some reason, Rhea County DOES secure the site in your area, no scanner can monitor it. But I do not feel that encryption is the issue versus lack of knowledge about the new system. My suggestion is to find someone in the area, with a digi scanner and test it.
I hope this helps. Good luck and happy scanning.

 

[willsergent]

Thanks - my issue was more the digital vs analog deal. I don't have a digital scanner and am preparing to buy one - (Thinking PSR-500 and using PSREdit 500 - I am no stranger to using a computer to program things). I think its pretty apparent that they are not encrypting transmissions in Rhea County as many have heard the SO talking, etc.

We were told no scanner can get on the system and properly keep up because of how it "switches channels." It has been quite the ordeal in getting everyone to properly understand how this system works. There has been a lot of confusion surrounding the system - especially the belief that just because its P25 it is secure.

I am trying to understand it a bit more - and reading through this thread from start to finish was a big help too.

 

[lowerrollin]

On my trip through Rhea county, I picked up all the county and city transmissions on there new 700 tower, which is on Evensville mountain. The part I was in was the north part of the county, and I could still pick up some of there traffic on the Roane repeater as well. I use a Uniden996t

 

[W4EMS]

The Pro 106 and equivalent base scanner also do fine with this system. Do ercommend Win500 and cable if you buy one of these. Much easier.

 

[broonzbane]

Interesting activity today...school shooting drill

Listened to a police training drill for a simulated school shooting incident for about 20 minutes today on TGID 1033 (Hamilton Co. Police Mutual Aid Interoperability channel). Simulated school shooting with shots fired, victims, police sweeping the building, etc.

Thought it was real for a while...

broonzbane

 

[SCPD]

What happened to all of the Chattanooga and Hamilton County city services (except McKamey), Chickamauga Park and The Red Cross?

Is TVA going to go digital?

 

[SCPD]

I am in Rhea County and have just recently gotten into scanners and whatnot. I am on the county fire department and rescue squad.

One of the things I am curious about is what kind of equipment is needed to properly scan the new 800mhz system used in Rhea County. There is a common misconception (mainly because how it was marketed) that the system cannot be scanned or trunked whatsoever and that the system is completely 100% secure. For some reason, I am one of the few that believe otherwise. I am trying to get a handheld scanner to use to show them for one, and two so I can actually see whats going on in the county.

Since they switched off our old system, a good number of us are in the dark aside from the initial tone. (They are still toning on the old frequency and giving the initial dispatch then for most departments everything else is done on the new system.

Pardon my newb-ness - just trying to learn.

Also @ButchGone - When you heard the city PD, it was most likely Spring City. As far as I know, Dayton is still using the old system.

Maybe they're saying the new system is encrypted.