Chicago Fire P25 system

[Chicago2210]

They Won't even use the old channels as a backup system?

 

[werinshades]

Eventually, they will be all digital. The current analog frequencies will eventually grow quieter and quieter. They have some low-power UHF frequencies for fireground usage as well. This won't be an overnight event as extreme caution is being used, so not to duplicate the New York issue during 9-11.

 

[kevino]

CFD Freqs / Future Interop Use?

Eventually, they will be all digital. The current analog frequencies will eventually grow quieter and quieter. (snip)

I seem to remember reading something that at least inferred that the current CFD "Main" and "Englewood" freqs / repeater systems might be used as part of a Cook County interoperability plan once CFD was no longer using them. I wish I could remember where I read this but I can't right now. Anyone else remember reading this and/or have more information on current/planned interoperability freqs for Cook County?

 

[werinshades]

I seem to remember reading something that at least inferred that the current CFD "Main" and "Englewood" freqs / repeater systems might be used as part of a Cook County interoperability plan once CFD was no longer using them. I wish I could remember where I read this but I can't right now. Anyone else remember reading this and/or have more information on current/planned interoperability freqs for Cook County?

It will probably be in the Command Vans, and a patch with the new frequencies. They want all city operations on UHF, that I heard.

 

[KB9WUV]

I seem to remember reading something that at least inferred that the current CFD "Main" and "Englewood" freqs / repeater systems might be used as part of a Cook County interoperability plan once CFD was no longer using them. I wish I could remember where I read this but I can't right now. Anyone else remember reading this and/or have more information on current/planned interoperability freqs for Cook County?

I thought the Cook County sheriff old VHF system was supposed to be used tor that and County EMA ops I noticed Strogers security suv sporting a VHF whip .But back to Chicago fire will the fireground channels be P25 or analog

 

[FFPM571]

All cook county sheriff cars have VHF radios. The Cook County band 1,3,5 repeaters are still on the air

 

[Astro25]

While I haven't heard much on this lately, wasn't CPD also anticipating the switch to a P25 system if I remember correctly?

 

[Chicago2210]

All cook county sheriff cars have VHF radios. The Cook County band 1,3,5 repeaters are still on the air

That is true and I occosionally hear traffic on them, particulary during the fourth of july.

 

[Chicago2210]

While I haven't heard much on this lately, wasn't CPD also anticipating the switch to a P25 system if I remember correctly?

Yes that is true just go to Second City Cop: New Radios? Again?

 

[werinshades]

Just a quick note to all interested parties. I'm not sure if the new fireground frequency(ies) will be digital or not, as they have not re-programmed the fire radios yet.I've been told UHF is definite. EMS portables also have all the CPD Zones, all CPD City-Wides, IDOT Channel 4 (Minutemen), All 8 of the Streets and Sanitation frequencies (Not sure why),
Some unknown frequencies are two City-Wide CTA channels, Metro 1 and Metro 2. Re-programming still going on today.
9 new ALS companies (6 Engines, 3 Trucks...including three O'Hare Companies) going inservice on Monday Nov. 2nd.

 

[RADIOGUY2002]

Sweet

Sweet, can't wait.........

 

[werinshades]

Ch. 1-477.5125 EMS Main (Digital)
Ch. 2-478.4625 EMS Englewood (Digital)
Ch. 3-460.3500 City-Wide 5
Ch. 4-462.9750 EMS Command (Analog)
Ch. 5-476.6875 City-Wide Fire (Digital)
Ch. 6-458.0250 Special Events 5 (Analog)
Ch. 7-458.0750 Special Events 6 (Analog)
Ch. 8-477.7000 Ops 8 (Digital)
Ch. 9-478.1500 Ops 9 (Digital)
Ch. 10-unknown Metro 1
Ch. 11-unknown Metro 2
Ch. 12-unknown CTA CW
Ch. 13-462.9750 EMS Command (Analog)
Ch. 14-460.3500 City-Wide 5
Ch. 15-460.6250 EMS Englewood (Analog)
Ch. 16-460.6000 EMS Main (Analog)

*****This is the initial "Test Zone" set up....shown as Zone TZ in radio***

 

[FFPM571]

NAC the default $239

 

[FFPM571]

Is the NAC the Motorola default $293?

 

[spoung45]

with the new system will you only be able to pick it up on a digital scanner? i have heard some testing on my scanner that is a non digital one.

 

[RADIOGUY2002]

Is the digital system in play?

 

[chgomonitor]

Dead Spots

Not when the system is entirely switched. The ambulances will be the "guinea pigs"...looking for any dead spots they missed. All digital is the direction they're heading. The time frame of when this will occur will be dependent on how it works for EMS.

Yup, and my money stays on the "dead spots". These new digital systems will work just fine from the high power mobile radios on the rigs. As soon as the first system user steps out of the rig and into any of the even moderately heavily constructed buildings in the city and then tries to talk into the system on a hand held, that will be that. I predict this system will fall flat on it's face, very, very quickly. They have no where near the density of digital remote receiver infrastructure coverage to provide in-heavy building hand held coverage. The "testing" for that functionality was a huge joke. I could be wrong, I have been before, but this looks like a big expensive goose that ain't gonna fly anytime soon. Appreciate the channel reports, Dave, keep 'em coming.

What they should have done is a digital mobile extender system from the hand helds back to the rig radios, though there probably would be scene interference issues in as dense and busy an environment as Chicago. Scratch that, what they need is about 3 times the number of the remote receivers, and even that probably wouldn't have been enough. And since that would be too expensive, we can scratch that, too. The money should have been spent on upgrading the existing analog systems and making them narrow band capable. Too simple a solution and too cost effective, I suppose...

EMS dispatching remains on 460.600 / 460.625 analog today. Fire's still on VHF analog, too.

I'd love to hear the final, ultimate price tag on the "new" system. How long have they been working on this thing?

Happy Scanning! - Ted

 

[jobes]

A typical political money pit. But hey that's Chicago

 

[werinshades]

Yup, and my money stays on the "dead spots". These new digital systems will work just fine from the high power mobile radios on the rigs. As soon as the first system user steps out of the rig and into any of the even moderately heavily constructed buildings in the city and then tries to talk into the system on a hand held, that will be that. I predict this system will fall flat on it's face, very, very quickly. They have no where near the density of digital remote receiver infrastructure coverage to provide in-heavy building hand held coverage. The "testing" for that functionality was a huge joke. I could be wrong, I have been before, but this looks like a big expensive goose that ain't gonna fly anytime soon. Appreciate the channel reports, Dave, keep 'em coming.

What they should have done is a digital mobile extender system from the hand helds back to the rig radios, though there probably would be scene interference issues in as dense and busy an environment as Chicago. Scratch that, what they need is about 3 times the number of the remote receivers, and even that probably wouldn't have been enough. And since that would be too expensive, we can scratch that, too. The money should have been spent on upgrading the existing analog systems and making them narrow band capable. Too simple a solution and too cost effective, I suppose...

EMS dispatching remains on 460.600 / 460.625 analog today. Fire's still on VHF analog, too.

I'd love to hear the final, ultimate price tag on the "new" system. How long have they been working on this thing?

Happy Scanning! - Ted

The only thing I can say is their is quite a few "new remote" receiver placed throughtout the city. The "plan" I keep hearing is all portables, with a side mounted mobile radios on each Engine, so they can communicate on the fireground. I have expressed my doubts as to how the range will be, but i'm hoping to be suprised. One day a long long time ago, I was given one of these radios to test the range inside the hospitals. I was amazed that I was able to transmit and be heard from deep inside a few hospitals. Just saw a note on the desk, that we will be trained on the usage, so add a few more weeks to implementation. I'd suggest keeping a these new channels handy in the event of a switch. Ted, your welcome for the submission, and I hope we can straighten out the database to reflect the proper designations and frequencies so not to confuse people.

 

[cucho]

Any word on the status of use yet?