City of Houston Project 25 TRS

[Ensnared]

Over My Head

I am interested in listening to the available talk groups for HPD & other emergency responders that carry "D." I know I cannot listen to "T" mode on my PSR 500. However, there are plenty of talk groups in "D" mode.

This new government layer site 005 (5) is still confusing to me. I am attempting to update my V-folder. Would downloading the government layer site would help me intercept patches on my PSR 500? Would this mean I would only hear dispatch & not mobiles?

When I attempted to download the various talk groups, I noticed that the "T" modes were still available for downloading. I suppose Win500 will eventually add a check box to avoid "T" modes like it already does with "E."

Finally, would it be wise to program the "government layer" site 005 (5) on my radio to hear the aforementioned patches?

For instance, for Zone 76 TG's, would I be able to hear dispatch & mobiles?

Lost in space.

 

[teknishun]

How to use PSR-800??

I am interested in listening to the available talk groups for HPD & other emergency responders that carry "D." I know I cannot listen to "T" mode on my PSR 500. However, there are plenty of talk groups in "D" mode.

This new government layer site 005 (5) is still confusing to me. I am attempting to update my V-folder. Would downloading the government layer site would help me intercept patches on my PSR 500? Would this mean I would only hear dispatch & not mobiles?

When I attempted to download the various talk groups, I noticed that the "T" modes were still available for downloading. I suppose Win500 will eventually add a check box to avoid "T" modes like it already does with "E."

Finally, would it be wise to program the "government layer" site 005 (5) on my radio to hear the aforementioned patches?

For instance, for Zone 76 TG's, would I be able to hear dispatch & mobiles?

Lost in space.

The last sentence above certainly applies to me !!!! I have a perfectly good PSR-800 and don't
know how to monitor HFD or HPD. I live near Alvin in north Brazoria County. Can someone clue
me in on what towers in my area I can expect to hear HFD now that they have switched over?
Dang. I used to think I knew what I was doing. My PSR-800 has all the latest DSP and CPU
updates.

 

[KevinC]

I am interested in listening to the available talk groups for HPD & other emergency responders that carry "D." I know I cannot listen to "T" mode on my PSR 500. However, there are plenty of talk groups in "D" mode.

This new government layer site 005 (5) is still confusing to me. I am attempting to update my V-folder. Would downloading the government layer site would help me intercept patches on my PSR 500? Would this mean I would only hear dispatch & not mobiles?

When I attempted to download the various talk groups, I noticed that the "T" modes were still available for downloading. I suppose Win500 will eventually add a check box to avoid "T" modes like it already does with "E."

Finally, would it be wise to program the "government layer" site 005 (5) on my radio to hear the aforementioned patches?

For instance, for Zone 76 TG's, would I be able to hear dispatch & mobiles?

Lost in space.

This is only as hard as you make it...in my opinion.

If you want to hear ANY HFD/HPD on a PSR-500 (or any scanner OTHER than a PSR-800) you will have to use the RFSS 3 (or Zone 3 in Motorola terms) site 5 -MA TG's. Such as "HFD NE RO MA". Once the ones for HPD are known and posted you will use those.

These will be the main dispatch TG's only, all the Tac channel stuff will be in TDMA, encrypted and on RFSS 3 sites other than site 5.

If you have a PSR-800 you can listen to the TDMA version of what will be broadcast on the -MA TG's on RFSS 3 sites 1-4 (and sites 11-16 if anyone is affiliated to them) as they will not be encrypted.

All that Zone 76 stuff is existing TG's, the CoH channel identifiers were just added. These will NOT be on RFSS 3 at this time.

So, bottom line...

If you don't have a PSR-800 use RFSS 3 site 5 (and no other RFSS 3 site), if you have a PSR-800 you can use site 5 or whatever regional site you choose.

Their are more intricacies, but this is a high-level overview of the sites vs TG's vs scanner issue.

 

[loumaag]

...
All that Zone 76 stuff is existing TG's, the CoH channel identifiers were just added. These will NOT be on RFSS 3 at this time.
...

Speaking of which I don't think I understand the logic behind the recent changes. Those channels don't belong to HFD so adding the HFD channel name to them is incorrect and seems to fly in the face of the guideline so well established. It is a pretty much hard and fast rule that we ignore what any particular agency calls a channel unless that agency is the "owning" agency. The most common user of MA2 is fire departments talking to Life Flight. I can only imagine the confusion at the Life Flight dispatch when HFD calls for a bird and tells them they will be on CA6 for coordination.

 

[Russell]

Speaking of which I don't think I understand the logic behind the recent changes. Those channels don't belong to HFD so adding the HFD channel name to them is incorrect and seems to fly in the face of the guideline so well established. It is a pretty much hard and fast rule that we ignore what any particular agency calls a channel unless that agency is the "owning" agency. The most common user of MA2 is fire departments talking to Life Flight. I can only imagine the confusion at the Life Flight dispatch when HFD calls for a bird and tells them they will be on CA6 for coordination.

I agree with Lou. The Houston specific stuff seems to more Wiki info than DB info. Similar to the guideline that "channel plans" go in the Wiki and not the DB. Houston specific info on non-Houston specific channels should not be in the DB.

The additional radio specific data info is clearly valuable but might be better off int the WIki. FYI, I've always thought the actual user channel tag should be in the DB, if known, but in it's own column.

Russell

 

[loumaag]

...
The additional radio specific data info is clearly valuable but might be better off int the WIki. FYI, I've always thought the actual user channel tag should be in the DB, if known, but in it's own column.

I will agree with this in part, when I felt it was important I would include it in the Description, provided of course that the channel belonged to that agency. :wink:

 

[Ensnared]

Thank You

This is only as hard as you make it...in my opinion.

If you want to hear ANY HFD/HPD on a PSR-500 (or any scanner OTHER than a PSR-800) you will have to use the RFSS 3 (or Zone 3 in Motorola terms) site 5 -MA TG's. Such as "HFD NE RO MA". Once the ones for HPD are known and posted you will use those.

These will be the main dispatch TG's only, all the Tac channel stuff will be in TDMA, encrypted and on RFSS 3 sites other than site 5.

If you have a PSR-800 you can listen to the TDMA version of what will be broadcast on the -MA TG's on RFSS 3 sites 1-4 (and sites 11-16 if anyone is affiliated to them) as they will not be encrypted.

All that Zone 76 stuff is existing TG's, the CoH channel identifiers were just added. These will NOT be on RFSS 3 at this time.

So, bottom line...

If you don't have a PSR-800 use RFSS 3 site 5 (and no other RFSS 3 site), if you have a PSR-800 you can use site 5 or whatever regional site you choose.

Their are more intricacies, but this is a high-level overview of the sites vs TG's vs scanner issue.

For the technically-minded individual, yes, I might agree with your regarding "This is only as hard as you make it...in my opinion." But, for a thick-headed bloke like me, with horrible dyslexia, it is quite confusing. LOL.

I do plan to buy a PSR 800 once I sell my Les Paul. But, for now, I will update my V-folder with your advice in mind. Again, thanks for taking the time to simplify this for me and others.

I have been quite impressed with the quality of transmissions for the Harris County TG's.

So, none of the other RFSS sites will work with HPD TG's that show "D?" I'm now not referring to the aforementioned MA zone.

 

[RexBanner]

I hope this is the right thread and that you guys will excuse a newbie who isn't familiar with all of the terms and whatnot, but I am eager to learn.

I monitor HPD dispatch channels on a RadioShack Pro-96 scanner in my car. Are the current analog frequencies being phased out anytime soon? My friends who work at HPD have told me that they've had new radios for some time now and that it's just a matter of time before the switch happens. What do I need to do to get myself ready for the switch?

 

[N5AMS]

They are switching tonight at 3am and more than likely uhf for hpd will be no more the only thing that hfd has that is uhf is the old alpha 1 453.425 all others are off

Sent from Samsung S3

 

[RexBanner]

Thanks, I guess I'll find out for sure once I'm out again in the morning. Which mobile scanner do you guys recommend that can tune in to the new system?

 

[N5AMS]

The psr 800 would b ed more reliable but its outrageous on the price but if you have any other digital scanner you can pick it up on the government service simulcast 3-05

Sent from Samsung S3

 

[Carney]

Ok, so it looks like the channels I have programmed in my pro-196 for the digital switch are wrong, and I am now in the dark for HPD, HELP!!!!!

 

[RexBanner]

I tuned into my monitored channels around 4AM and listened as the announcement was made for all handhelds and shop (vehicle) radios to be switched to the new digital system. All dead air afterward, so it looks like my Pro-96 is pretty much useless now.

Can you guys recommend some reasonably priced compatible handhelds that will allow me to scan HPD? I've looked up the PSR-800 and....wow, is all I have to say after seeing the pricing. What is the benefit of the PSR-800 vs any other P25 scanner?

 

[mfn002]

Can you guys recommend some reasonably priced compatible handhelds that will allow me to scan HPD? I've looked up the PSR-800 and....wow, is all I have to say after seeing the pricing. What is the benefit of the PSR-800 vs any other P25 scanner?

Unfortunately, the PSR-800 is the only scanner currently available that can decode the X2-TDMA that both HPD and HFD are using, although you'll find that almost all of HFD's channels are encrypted for some reason, with the exception of the "Radio Operator" channels, which are P25 Phase I (FDMA), and therefore monitorable by any P25 scanner capable of tracking a 700 MHz trunking system. As for HPD, some of their channels are FDMA, so they can also be monitored by any P25 scanner.

 

[grem467]

It's phase 2, not X2. Just as a point of reference.

 

[KevinC]

It's phase 2, not X2. Just as a point of reference.

And sounds pretty darn good!

 

[loumaag]

... All dead air afterward, so it looks like my Pro-96 is pretty much useless now.

Your Pro-96 can still be used. Program TxWARN P25 site 3-005 as a single system in a single bank. Run it in open mode until we (or you) can determine the TGs that are being used by HPD in FDMA. Then you can run it in closed mode. I have to tell you, my 96 does not do a very good job on the decode, but then I am not in a great spot due to multi-path. I have not yet tried to correct that (using the various methods described elsewhere here on the site); however, it is working this morning.

What is not working, for some reason, is my PSR800 on site 3-005 only. It is not even locking on the CCh. It used to work very well on it last time I tried (a month or so ago), so I am not sure what is up there. I am running an update right now and will set up it and my HP-1 on Unitrunker duty in a bit and see what I can find out after the change this AM.

 

[KevinC]

What is not working, for some reason, is my PSR800 on site 3-005 only. It is not even locking on the CCh. It used to work very well on it last time I tried (a month or so ago), so I am not sure what is up there. I am running an update right now and will set up it and my HP-1 on Unitrunker duty in a bit and see what I can find out after the change this AM.

Probably doesn't help much, but mine still works. I'm between you and Sugarland.

 

[loumaag]

Probably doesn't help much, but mine still works. I'm between you and Sugarland.

Found the problem, probably operator error. Somehow the system I had set up just for that site got changed to "Motorola", put it back to "Project 25" and it is working just fine now.

On another topic, somehow the helicopters not having radios onboard seems a little like, "oops" to me.

 

[Ensnared]

Wide Variance Of Listeners

There is no doubt that those posting in RR forums come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some, are well-versed in the complicated structure of digital radio systems. Some of us have a limited understanding of such. But, the Houston system seems to be a puzzle for some relative to effective programing techniques.

One of the most difficult things to do is to simplify that which is complex.

For instance, I could sit here & discuss in great detail how to administer, score, & interpret Rorschach Cards using an Exner interpretation system. I would guess that 99% of this audience would not have a clue what I was talking about.

Sometimes, those with intimate knowledge forget what it is like to be "in the dark." So, I appreciate those in this forum who have taken the time to explain themselves to those of us scratching our heads. Hopefully, the TxWarm wiki might be updated to specifically address the programming of three main radios categories: the intuitive digital scanners; the GRE digital scanners, non-intuitive; and Uniden digitals specific to HPD/HFD.

Now, I realize this is new territory for many of us. I expect the RR DB to undergo some changes after the switch flipping.

Right now, I am going to program the system like I know & see what happens. I am already hearing Harris County on TxWarn P25.

I will tackle HPD at a latter date when I fully understand how to program my PSR 500.