CPS Equipment

[prometheusfreed2002]

Curious to know if anyone in the Calgary area can comment on the equipment used in the standard CPS cruiser. Seeing three UHF antenna on each unit makes me wonder what, other than the main radio in the unit, is in the unit, and what frequencies this equipment would be using.

Any ideas out there?

 

[masonb]

They got 800 Mhz & The Mobile Cad.
No idea what the third is for, AM/FM ?

They also have pagers & cell phones but I doubt that the antenna is for them.

 

[Jay911]

CAD in Calgary is done via something similar to cellular network, so a cell-like antenna would be in place there. GPS/AVL is received with a big flat antenna that looks like a medium sized dinner plate turned upside down, and the signals are relayed to dispatch along with CAD. The 800MHz trunk network uses a short stubby antenna. I would be astonished if there were in-car cells any more, so don't look for an antenna for them; and the pagers will not have antennas at all.

I have no idea if LoJack or something like it is in use in Canada. That's my only other thoughts on what they could have.

 

[HDMechanic]

Some of the traffic cars have a CB in their cars. Especially the truck unit.

 

[robertmac]

Not really sure why CPS would want to have or listen to CB radios [I know this subject is covered in other posts on RR]. CB won't be very useable in a few years and most of the language is very pathetic to say the least. CPS would be better using VHF radios to listen to truckers, so I wonder if these antennas are for VHF freqs.. And I can only remember seeing one antenna that would look like a CB/VHF antenna on CPS vehicles. Next time they have a "truck check stop" by my place, I will have to look closer at the antennas. And I would expect some of the UHF antennas are for the fact more than one radio could be installed in a police vehicle. And I have never heard of a ham radio being installed in a police vehicle in Alberta. I have never given this any thought so will have to look closer the next time I am riding in a police vehicle. Heaven knows, as taxpayers we are already paying for a couple of radios, CAD, GPS, pagers, and cell phones, etc.. in a police vehicle.

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

A good friend works at one of the garages installing equipment into new/existing CPS vehicles.... in a standard marked unit there are the following:
-standard lighting package (strobes, wig wags, leds, light bar, take downs)
-obviously a radio package that uses only the CPS P25 digital system (motorola, but can't remember which ones)
-weapon storage system (usually just the standard shot-gun lock)
-CAD system
-And yes, they do still have cell phones in alot of the units!
-Ignition system to keep the vehicle running
-And depending on the unit, some are equipped with surveillance systems for the persons in the "back seat"
-As for antennas the CAD system uses an 800Mhz one, as does the radio. And so would the cell phone obviously. Never a UHF though...

Now.... as far as CD radios, you won't find anything other than the truck unit's half ton's that have a CD in them and they're nothing special. When I last talked with the guys from the truck unit, alot of them didn't bother to use them unless they wanted to see if truckers were warning each other about truck stops.

VHF/UHF radios aren't used, and if they need to talk with RCMP, STARS, ect. dispatch can open channels into the required system if really needed.

In relation to another thread I seen in one of the other areas, you all know the standard "unmarked" unit. There are the crown vic's, explorers, and even the oh-so hated GMC white 1/4ton truck. I've seen some of the "undercover" / "surveillance" units, and I wouldn't look at them twice on the road...you won't know what they are.

 

[masonb]

I've seen some of the "undercover" / "surveillance" units, and I wouldn't look at them twice on the road...you won't know what they are.

I've observed a survalence roll call before & they do use a vary strange variaty of vehicles.
I will agree with you that no one (...even me knowing what some of them are) would be able to distinguish them from another civilian car on the road, or parked.

A handheld & portable heater... no one knows your there, CPS is great at what they do !

 

[omrail]

talking about surveillance vehicles the RCMP have one if not two units in alberta that the Vehicles are just like every day cars. the radios are hidden and no antennas. license plats are the same as Ares

 

[HDMechanic]

Just a note to add K9 units have vhf radios in their units as they used by the RCMP from time to time.

 

[Intellgence2008]

CPS equipment ...

A lot of the undercover and survl. units do not have exterior mounted antennas, the portable radios work sufficient for reception.
Slightly of the topic , this summer I was advised that the Alberta sheriffs are parking full size RV(typical tourist like) on the highways and using it for speeders and calling ahead to the intercepting units to pull over speeders,quite creative.
And finally does anyone have any idea ,where in Calgary can you purchase the short mobile magnetic mount antenna similar to CPS,nice and low profile ? Also, the price !!

Thks!

 

[robertmac]

VHF to talk to movers?

Just wondering if some cars with VHF use it to help truckers moving large equipment through the city?

 

[SCPD]

Curious to know if anyone in the Calgary area can comment on the equipment used in the standard CPS cruiser. Seeing three UHF antenna on each unit makes me wonder what, other than the main radio in the unit, is in the unit, and what frequencies this equipment would be using.

Any ideas out there?

I looked at a parking of 12~15 CPS cruisers yesturday, I did'nt see any unit with a antenna looking like an UHF antenna. I seen three antennas, GPS puck/plate, and two 800 MHZ that is about it.
Most of these units are newer, less than one year old.

Today I will take a closer look, open up the trunk.... let you know what I find.

 

[SCPD]

I looked at a parking of 12~15 CPS cruisers yesturday, I did'nt see any unit with a antenna looking like an UHF antenna. I seen three antennas, GPS puck/plate, and two 800 MHZ that is about it.
Most of these units are newer, less than one year old.

Today I will take a closer look, open up the trunk.... let you know what I find.

Looking at a parking lot of 12 plus CPS patrol cars I see only 3 antennas per vechical, 1 GPS puck and two 800 Mhz.
Looking in the trunk of two patrol cars all three antennas seem to be connnected to something. It was hard to tell what due to the amount of stuff in the way, first aid kit, duffle bag, fire extinguisher, boots, rain coats, Teddy Bear, traffic cones, brief case, and one unit had a spike stick

All of these patrol cars are less than 1 year old.