Columbia County Georgia systems...

[Caesar]

My dad has a co worker that wants to get into scanning, he lives in columbia county, i think the part of it closest to aiken/sc line, i was wondering what type of system is used in that area, if they are 800mhz trunked yet, if so which system, and if they are not yet trunked, any chances that they might soon?

Do not want to get him a scanner with stuff he doesn't need costing more, but don't want to get him a non trunked scanner if they might go trunked in the near future.

btw, this is for the county sherriff, local law, fire and ems.

i checked the pages in the rr data base here, but did not see anything listed in the 800mhz iden system, but no much listed in the non 800mhz pages either, so just a little help to get a new guy started.

thanks guys!!!

 

[FesteringMaggot2]

Columbia still very actively uses VHF. Gold Cross EMS is also on VHF and provides their EMS. Even in Augusta, all ambulances use the HEAR system (155.340) to talk to MCG and Doctor's hospital.

I don't believe Columbia is going trunking any time soon, although they do have some coverage up that way.

 

[f4jmk]

Columbia County uses a conventional VHF system, so any entry level scanner should do nicely. The info in the rr database appears to be correct. Georgia State Patrol, DNR and Forestry are still using conventional VHF as well ( Georgia State Patrol rumored to go to 800 TRS, not sure on the time frame for this area )

Richmond County uses Palmetto 800 TRS for communications, may be an consideration if he wants to scan neighboring counties. McDuffie County uses conventional VHF.


Mark.

 

[FesteringMaggot2]

Yeah, you're right about that f4jmk.

GSP has tried for years to get a statewide system, going back to the dealings of Bob Hightower. It's not going to happen in the next decade most likely. I can forsee Palmetto 800 encroaching from the east into GA, but North Georgia would have a miserable time with 800 and the state does not have the money to do it properly.

Right now the Governor et al put money into ACU1000s and T's to help the 800 to VHF situation. The DHS funding has helped this too, thanks to mobile comm units in the GEMA regions. Unfortunately much money intended for local agencies has been 'held up' at GEMA and Public Health. But that always happens.