Corrections Canada Kingston (CSC) is P25 - It's OFFICIAL Now

[VA3PGK]

Howdy Folks and all at RR.

I guess I'm a NEWBIE to the RR Forums (not really a newbie but when I look at my frequency of posts, feel like one) and I'd like to just share a bit about CSC. First I'm very surprised to see that I can't find anything on the RR site reference Corrections Canada. Secondly, I'm aware of the 2 UHF frequencies however I know for a fact that in the Kingston Area where I live, they are on a DIGITAL P25 System. However I don't have any SYS ID although Lord knows I'm searching for it. Having Penitentiaries all around the area I have been fortunate to learn that they have gone DIGITAL.

Using an older frequency database I have been able to program the older VHF frequencies into my Pro-96, and learn a few things about the system. However I'm at a stand still and cannot find a CC or data CH but I do know they are on a MOTOROLA TRS.

I suppose I could drive into the close proximity of a 'pen' and do some scouting, but I don't want to risk this great hobby by chasing after them. (1) With all the equipment these prison guards have up in their guard towers (several towers), they also have BINOCULARS and I don't wish to be noticed in close proximity punching in keys into a device with an antenna clearly visible. (2) These 'pens' house some of every kind of offender and with the 'terrorism' happening worldwide lately, I don't wish to be noticed much less have someone call the police on me. Finally, I love this hobby too much and have always abided to the scanning laws and if I pull something like that it could mean the end of my hobby so "I'm not going to be the one to go in close proximity to scout any further" Maybe years ago I could have been bold but now with all the terrorism going on and the public asked to report anyone and anything suspicious... figure it out. Anyways with all due respect to the hobby.

On the VHF side of things, here are the frequencies I am able to monitor occasionally, some of you will probably remember these from times past but trust me they are still active and used daily.

Keep in mind I only have a rubber duckie and no external antenna. So I think I was lucky to learn what about the CSC system that I have monitored and I am trying to complete this system for submission to RR.

(1)143.235
(2)150.740 (Old inmate transport & Sallyport)
(3)151.295 (Previously Shared Among Local Penitentiaries)
(4)151.520 (Previously Shared Among Local Penitentiaries)
(5)151.805 (Previously Shared Among Local Penitentiaries)
(6)152.060 (Previously Shared Among Local Penitentiaries)
(7)153.125 (Previously Shared Among Local Penitentiaries)
(8)159.840 (Previously Shared Among Local Penitentiaries)

Now I have not scouted the system over the past month or so (too busy otherwise) so I cannot recall exactly what the id's were (odd or even or both) but the Id's were in the five figures range ex: 14670, 15320 etc... etc... but I will begin scouting again and check back to this post for replies and so on so I can share my findings with y'all. I know a few of you must be eager like myself to figure out the system. However without the CC and/or data CH I'm severely dumfounded. If my Pro-96 is not in the MOT mode, I am unable to see any id's at all but I can scan but each reply is on a different frequency (once in awhile on the same). Now in MOT mode I can see the ID's but only in manual mode. I Randomly type in frequencies in close proximity for example: now I have 151.700 (Remember just testing, scouting...) as the base frequency, 15Mhz as the spacing, and 380 as the channel offset. However in scan mode, the radio wil not stop n let me hear the Tx's. If I place the unit in manual mode I can jump around between replies (if I'm quick enough) to hear the response. However I do get Id's on my display. In scan mode nothing. No id's or audio. Almost like the data ch or CC is missing, and I think this is the key to discovering the remainder of the system.

I believe I'm on the right track, and after 9 frustrating months of try n miss OR try n get lucky, I submit my findings to this RR forum and hope someone can help me along like last year in an old problem I had with the opp system but thanks to the RR forum, I was able to fix the issue. I think it's time to figure out this system and submit it to the RR Database, where it rightfully belongs.

Anyone have any ideas that will help?

PS
I am disabled and not always doing too well so this ((Lifelong Hobby of mine (scanning since teenager) and recently, amateur radio is just a great pastime for me. I find this Hobby to be a passion, always has been, they are more than just excellent hobbies to me as such, and then some ...but in your posts or replies please don't be alarmed if I don't reply right away. I will answer and I do appreciate your patience in all this.

PSS
Thanks For The Advice Folks, As You Can See I Have successfully Removed The Smiling Face and Once Again We Now See Just The List Of 8 Frequencies. Thanks Again.

Well. 73 for now.

 

[mciupa]

Re: Corrections Canada (CSC) is P25 Hear Ye! Yes, It's Offic

PSS
Sorry about the smiling face in place of the figure 8 for the 8th frequency above, but I could not get rid or figure out how to get rid of the smiling face, or figure out how it got there.

Very interesting post , Peter.
Looks like you have laid a foundation and I hope some one out that way can pitch in.

About that smiling face . What has happened is that the number eight figure with a right-sided parentheses and no space was typed. This happens to be the same as the Cool emoticon8) that you see to the left of the screen when you type or reply to a post.

To avoid that happening type: 8 ) not eight-no space-parentheses
Seeing as you can edit your own posts, you may go back and make
the correction by typing 8 ) if you wish. We all know what you meant :wink:
Thanks for your research.

 

[Jay911]

Re: Corrections Canada (CSC) is P25 Hear Ye! Yes, It's Offic

About that smiling face . What has happened is that the number eight figure with a right-sided parentheses and no space was typed. This happens to be the same as the Cool emoticon8) that you see to the left of the screen when you type or reply to a post.

Another way to avoid it is to click on "Disable Smilies in this post" directly below the text entry box.

 

[DaveH]

Peter,

Good to hear you are persistant in trying ot figure this "system" out.
I realize you mentioned replies on different channels, but is it possibly
just a conventional group of P25 channels?

At least one of these is provincial (142.235); also I think the two UHF
channels if they are the ones I'm thinking of in the 411MHz range, are
provincial.

I was starting to wonder if anyone in the Kingston area was regularly
listening to trunking. I pass through once/twice a year and usually check
up on the Queens system, C&W 473b (pretty dead), the EDACS system
and whatever else might be heard. I snagged an 800MHz system last year
in Millhaven (Invista, not far from one of the sites you are talking about).
I may be through as early as next week, more likely early Sept. but could
keep an ear open. I don't have digital capability so would not be able to listen.

If it's a pure digital system, more than likely the CC will be 9.6k. These
sound distinctly different from the "idling diesel" sound of a 3600 CC;
more like a steam train chugging. Don't limit yourself to searching in the
immediate area of the voice channels; even the older systems allow three
ranges of frequencies (Hydro-Quebec has a site with CC around 142MHz
and voice channels in the 150MHz range). I believe that 9600 systems follow
different conventions for base/offset/spacing, but guessing in any case is a
long-shot. If it's an older system, we could use Trunker to get channel
numbers and try to piece it together.

So, as painstaking as it may be, I'd search the whole 138-144 and 148-174
ranges for CCs. If there is one "hiding" in amongst the Fleetnet CC's it could
be singled out by elimination; you probably know where they are anyway.
Let us know what happens.

Dave

 

[electricsheep]

I don't know if they use a different system out east there, but out here in the West CSC have been P25 conventional for quite some time. I don't think I know of a P25 CSC trunk in Alberta at least.

 

[VA3PGK]

I don't know if they use a different system out east there, but out here in the West CSC have been P25 conventional for quite some time. I don't think I know of a P25 CSC trunk in Alberta at least.

I Think you're right MatteBlack, since yesterday I notice that the Id's have either disappeared or no longer there and I am beginning to see this more and more as a conventional P25 system. I know it's not uncommon to have invalid Id's (rc's 'n' garage door openers etc...) pop up on a MOT TYPE 2 Sys, without audio and I don't know if this follows similarly on a conv. P25 Sys but until I can find a better explanation this is what I will be seeing it as. I will monitor and try to get more specifics as to who, what and where etc... etc... Funny 'cause I remember distinct CSC dialogue on the Id's ...anyways. When all is said and done, I think this will merit a submission into the RR Database. First I'll scout round some more and get rid of all the question marks and uncertainties. Thanks for yor reply and input, it is just what I have been suspecting this system was. Nothing more and nothing less than a conventional P25 System. Any comments welcome, please?