CTA T-Band Licenses expired and freqs snapped up by A-Beep

[N9JIG]

In perusing the RR Database I found that FCC licenses for the CTA expired on several of their T-Band freqs. 6 of 8 of the T-Band freqs were covered under the now-expired licenses. Once the grace period for renewal was over, the FCC cancelled all six of the licenses. Almost immediately, A-Beep grabbed all six of the frequencies and licensed them for 100 Watt repeaters on the Willis (Sears) Tower. Following are the frequencies:

472.9875 Security
470.9875 Rail Emergency
471.0375 Blue Line/Pink Line
471.0625 Green Line/Orange Line
471.0875 Brown Line/Purple Line/Yellow Line
471.1125 Red Line

So, this all poses several interesting questions. The CTA is (as of today) still using these frequencies for their operations. Once A-Beep starts using them to their potential it will all but render the CTA communications unusable. Will the CTA go with A-Beep for their daily operations? I believe there are base stations/repeaters (leaky coax) in the subway tunnels to rebroadcast the audio to and from the surface. If they went with A-Beep not sure how this would work. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Anybody on the list have any contacts at the CTA?

 

[kevino]

In perusing the RR Database I found that FCC licenses for the CTA expired on several of their T-Band freqs. 6 of 8 of the T-Band freqs were covered under the now-expired licenses. Once the grace period for renewal was over, the FCC cancelled all six of the licenses. Almost immediately, A-Beep grabbed all six of the frequencies and licensed them for 100 Watt repeaters on the Willis (Sears) Tower. Following are the frequencies:

472.9875 Security
470.9875 Rail Emergency
471.0375 Blue Line/Pink Line
471.0625 Green Line/Orange Line
471.0875 Brown Line/Purple Line/Yellow Line
471.1125 Red Line

So, this all poses several interesting questions. The CTA is (as of today) still using these frequencies for their operations. Once A-Beep starts using them to their potential it will all but render the CTA communications unusable. Will the CTA go with A-Beep for their daily operations? I believe there are base stations/repeaters (leaky coax) in the subway tunnels to rebroadcast the audio to and from the surface. If they went with A-Beep not sure how this would work. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Anybody on the list have any contacts at the CTA?

Nice catch, Rich! FWIW, the Radio Reference database shows the CTA "Security" (CPD detail) frequency as 472.9375.

The "new" A Beep license for these former CTA freqs is WPSR730. It is a trunked license, with DMR and NXDN emissions and sites at Willis Tower (Chicago), Naperville, Green Garden (Lockport) and Lake Zurich.

Any chance that this was a planned transition and that the CTA has plans to move to another system, like the Chicago OEMC 800 MHz P25 trunked system?

 

[ChicagoRadio736]

I cant wait to see what comes out of this. I wonder if the folks in charge of the CTA radio system is even aware of this. I don't see them going to the OEMC system anytime soon as this may cost them money they don't have especially with adding sites to the tunnels. If they are still using the freqs after exp date they are technically violating FCC rules and can be fined accordingly.

 

[werinshades]

I cant wait to see what comes out of this. I wonder if the folks in charge of the CTA radio system is even aware of this. I don't see them going to the OEMC system anytime soon as this may cost them money they don't have especially with adding sites to the tunnels. If they are still using the freqs after exp date they are technically violating FCC rules and can be fined accordingly.

The "best" option would be the city's 800 system since the system is built out and coverage throughout the city. Adding receiver sites to the tunnels wouldn't be as difficult since the UHF-T sites can be replaced or added to until the system goes live. Most users have portables, and building out a new system from ground up would take years to complete. Talkgroups are in TDMA (P25/Phase 2), and the city has 800 mhz. frequencies they can add for capacity.

 

[Radio99]

Reviving an old thread...

A Beep just obtained a new license (copy attached) for FB2's on the Hancock Building and the AON Center covering the six former CTA T Band frequencies. Just speculating if CTA cut some kind of deal with them to provide communications services.

 

[werinshades]

TX-8 (RID 9150008) heard testing with the OEMC in the north suburbs (Evanston/Northbrook area) this afternoon. Possible that the CTA L trains will be using this system shortly since the UHF-T band frequencies license lapsed and A-Beep jumped on them? Purple and Yellow Lines are in that area.

Reviving an old thread...

A Beep just obtained a new license (copy attached) for FB2's on the Hancock Building and the AON Center covering the six former CTA T Band frequencies. Just speculating if CTA cut some kind of deal with them to provide communications services.

I suspect they're leasing until they transition over. The 800 mhz. system can be used at any time as long as they have coverage in the underground portion downtown, which from what I heard, seems to be.

First time I heard CTA Power Control talking to CFD on CFD Main 800 in regards to a power shut down for a "person on the tracks response". This traffic used to be on the old UHF conventional system's CTA Fire channel. Radio ID was 5213128.

This made me go and why I speculate this is the direction they're heading, even though only heard once.

 

[Premises2972]

Reviving an old thread...

A Beep just obtained a new license (copy attached) for FB2's on the Hancock Building and the AON Center covering the six former CTA T Band frequencies. Just speculating if CTA cut some kind of deal with them to provide communications services.

I saw this license grant earlier. If they were leasing it, the license type is still a trunked digital system last I checked. So even if they were leasing this, wouldn't it technically be the wrong emission designator and license type?

 

[Premises2972]

So after doing a public records request on this issue, CTA purchased about 400 handheld radios during the summer/fall of 2023. These were replacements for broken and older units. These are Kenwood NK3300K2 UHF handhelds. They can do FM, LTR, DMR (conventional and trunked), along with NXDN. They support encryption. If they plan to keep these radios (seems likely since they were only bought a year ago), this would eliminate the possibility of them joining OEMC 800. If they will use A-Beep's services, they could join the A-Beep UHF DMR system. They did not provide me with any documents or communications with A-Beep saying that they can't release information about a current or ongoing bid on a service or product until it is finalized. Anyone get any new info from any CTA contacts?

 

[Paul-W]

Interesting that they’re using Kenwood radios. I did notice this as well when I rode the line out to O Hare that rail supervisors are also using Kenwood radios. Has the CTA switched to Kenwood full time?

 

[Premises2972]

Interesting that they’re using Kenwood radios. I did notice this as well when I rode the line out to O Hare that rail supervisors are also using Kenwood radios. Has the CTA switched to Kenwood full time?

I think most, if not all, of CTA is a Kenwood shop and has been for a while.