Confusion

[lunkerhunter]

When I pick up a fire dispatch many times the dispatcher will advise them to go to another channel. Obviously I known it means another channel but RadioReference database only shows one frequency for the fire department. Is this is what is meant by a trunking system. Thanks.

 

[doctordialtone]

Is this is what is meant by a trunking system.

Not quite.

When they change to another frequency, it's a conventional system and they are switching frequencies manually.

A "Channel" may either be another frequency OR another "Talk Group" on a trunked system

A Trunked system shares a "pool" of frequencies among similar type users.

Read here:

Trunked Radio Systems - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[wscranston]

Which fire department?

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Hi & welcome to the RR forums!

RadioReference database only shows one frequency for the fire department. I

The database relies on user submissions for accuracy. Giving us your location would give us a better picture of where they may operate. Alternately, you can click the "Report" link beneath your post and ask the admins to relocate this thread to your state's discussion forum where you're more likely to find someone who knows about your specific agency(ies) of interest. It's possible that you're tuned into a conventional dispatch channel and your fire department indeed operates on a trunked radio system. Another possibility (though less likely) is that a 2nd conventional channel exists but hasn't been discovered by a RR user yet...

 

[tvengr]

What are you trying to monitor (city, county, state, agency)? Channel is supposed to refer to a conventional frequency. A lot of people using trunking systems mistakenly use the terms talkgroup and channel interchangeably. Conventional .frequencies are channels. Trunking systems use talkgroups. The confusion probably stems from the fact that many people do not understand the difference between conventional and trunking systems and that channels and talkgroups are selected in a similar manner on radios, often by turning a knob to a certain position.

 

[Blackink]

In my area, we have several Conventional frequencies/channels that fire can switch to, especially when things get hectic and there are many departments involved and the dispatcher doesn't want the main dispatch frequency tied up with chatter.
Conventional frequency but with 7 Fire tac channels. No Trunked System, no talkgroups.
If these fire tac channels are not listed in the database for your area, maybe you can do a search during one of those events and find those "other channels/frequencies".

 

[lunkerhunter]

Which fire department?

I'm an Mass. The other night it was the Tewksbury Police and I have heard it from Lowell, to name few.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Tewksbury and Lowell both list secondary fire channels clearly in the database...

 

[lunkerhunter]

Tewksbury and Lowell both list secondary fire channels clearly in the database...
View attachment 81820
View attachment 81821

Thank you.

 

[Matt0691]

Tewksbury and Lowel FD's have traditionally used their primary dispatch channels for fireground operations; it is very rare for them to go to another channel. In listening, I have never heard Tewksbury do it, but it is not impossible. As for Lowell, there have been occasions where they will work simultaneous large scale incidents; in these instances, they will use Channel 2, but day to day, it is used by Fire Prevention and Traning Divisions.

For Police, Lowell will utilize Channel-1 for all operations. When they receive a priority call, they will sound a tone and advise all units to go to Channel 2 which is 100% encrypted. Once the incident is under control, units will return to channel 1. Tewksbury PD channel 2 is used primarily by detectives for surveillance, but is usually encrypted. When used for other operations, they will be in the clear.

 

[ecps92]

Generally they are directing them to a Fireground or Tactical channel [some are simplex] and you may need to be near-by to even hear them.
Most of those ARE in the RR DB [for years now]

For Police, look for BAPERN and/or NEMLEC as those are the Regional consortiums for mutual aid channels

When I pick up a fire dispatch many times the dispatcher will advise them to go to another channel. Obviously I known it means another channel but RadioReference database only shows one frequency for the fire department. Is this is what is meant by a trunking system. Thanks.