Chicago Trip

[PhillyPhoto]

I'm thinking about shooting out to Chicago for a day trip or so, and wondering what stuff listed in the database is good for city fire, and some of the surround towns.

Also, where's a good place to stage for fires, or just to hang out and check the city out? And does anyone know of a list of the stations?

Thanks for the help!

 

[cubn]

The documents (PDF or Word doc) found at the following link will likely provide the information you are looking for, and a whole lot more.
http://www.carmachicago.com/profiles.html

This page also has lots of frequencies that you can copy and paste into your scanner:
http://home.comcast.net/~tandkmoran/

As always, consult the Cook County RadioReference.com page:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&ctid=606

If you use scanner programming software (ex. Butel, Starsoft), please advise in case somebody may have a file(s) that they can post for you.

 

[scanman1350]

chicago police and fire

Scan between 460.000-461.000 this will give you most of the districts for Police and Fire Ambulances:460.600 Northside
460.625 Southside
Fire:154.130 Northside
153.770 Southside
Fireground:153.830

 

[N9JIG]

The various CARMA Profiles have the best info as was already stated.

The CPD basics are that the 13 "Zones" (patrol dispatch) and 7 "Citywide" (special units) repeaters run from 460.025 thru 460.500. 460.525 is CW8, a simplex car to car channel.
CPD also has an 800 MHz. trunked system with various special service units and tac use.

CFD is even easier. 2 dispatch repeaters (154.130 "Main" on the north side and 153.770 "Englewood" on the south) along with VHF fireground channels (Mostly 154.295, with a couple others occasionally used) holds the vast majority of Fire Suppression traffic.

EMS (part of CFD) runs on 4 UHF repeaters: 460.600 "Main" on the north and 460.625 "Englewood" on the south are for dispatch ops. 462.950 and 462.975 are used occasionally for special assignments and command.

Things are going to change soon for CPD and CFD, they are working on a large UHF expansion with CFD having already been involved in intense testing. Many more UHF channels will be used, mostly in the "T-Band" (470-482 MHz.) and CFD and CPD will have compatible radio systems. APCO25 digital will be used and encryption will be available. How much of what traffic will be encrypted is anyone's guess right now. CFD has had a few incidents of unfortunate radio usage that may drive the chances of encryption higher, but let's hope not!

CFD and CPD remain one of the best shows in the nation for scannists. Huge activity levels, colorful personalities on the air, decades of tradition and strong signals allow for a great listening environment.

 

[PhillyPhoto]

Good info to have. I figured the VHF stuff would be pretty easy.

Things are going to change soon for CPD and CFD, they are working on a large UHF expansion with CFD having already been involved in intense testing. Many more UHF channels will be used, mostly in the "T-Band" (470-482 MHz.) and CFD and CPD will have compatible radio systems. APCO25 digital will be used and encryption will be available. How much of what traffic will be encrypted is anyone's guess right now. CFD has had a few incidents of unfortunate radio usage that may drive the chances of encryption higher, but let's hope not!

So from that description, are they going to Moto II Smartzone?

 

[N9JIG]

Trunking is in the plans, but the CFD testing has been all conventional so far.

They do have some experience with UHF trunking in the city. Both O'Hare and Midway Airports (Owned and operated by the City) have UHF T-Band Motorola digital TRS's.

While I haven't heard of plans to integrate these into the Citywide system being planned I wouldn't be surprised to see it. The controllers on the airport systems are already SmartZone (as per Moto practice with digital systems using 3600 Baud data) but by the time the Citywide system gets up and operational the Airports systems will be close to a decade old and probably in need of major upgrades to match the technology.

 

[bravo14]

I hear Cook Co is going to 800 Digital and Encrypted also by Oct. I'm going up in July I'm bringing my 396 up with me I have them setup and stuff. I have the 800 and uhf/vhf That is great info also you guys put up.

 

[N9JIG]

I hear Cook Co is going to 800 Digital and Encrypted also by Oct. I'm going up in July I'm bringing my 396 up with me I have them setup and stuff. I have the 800 and uhf/vhf That is great info also you guys put up.

The Cook County 800 system is up and in daily use. Most of the traffic is encrypted, about the only stuff that isn't is the ops at the County Jail.

 

[bravo14]

Thanks for info. Is the FD enctrypted? or just some channels. I'm too far to pick them up lol. I'll give them a try when I head up there. I'll be in Franklin Park area. I'm not sure about different areas like North Lake, Franklin Park, etc.. is on 800 yet.

 

[N9JIG]

Thanks for info. Is the FD enctrypted? or just some channels. I'm too far to pick them up lol. I'll give them a try when I head up there. I'll be in Franklin Park area. I'm not sure about different areas like North Lake, Franklin Park, etc.. is on 800 yet.

No, the FD is not encrypted at this time.

The suburban area you are going to be in uses 154.370 BTW.

 

[bravo14]

Wonder how many PD channels will go to encrypted? I have a few weeks before I'm up there I was looking around up there and get the surrounding cities around Franklin Park

 

[SouthSoundScanner]

You can hang out at 47th & Cottage Grove on a Friday or Saturday night.

 

[bravo14]

47th & Cottage Grove where is that located at? I haven't lived up there over 15 years I'll be around Franklin Park area for 14 days...

 

[Chicagostretch02]

You do not want to hang out at 47th & Cottage Grove. That member was joking.....I hope. Maybe you'll be here for the Taste of Chicago. That is a great time to scan as well. Anywhere downtown is great. Look at the city of Chicago website for neighborhood festivals or see if the Sox are in town.

E-mail again before you come to town.

Brian

 

[bravo14]

I missed it by one day here. I made i Mon. I heard some crazy stuff o it already. I have found some new tones around Franklin park area need help on it.