I'm in Allen. Same here. L1 booming in, L2 strength is defn weaker.
Dallas Fire - Trunked System Rollout 2022
- Thread starter CodeYeti77
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I'm wondering if, after the system has been fully in use, if we might see some changes to the sites, such as adjustment of the antenna, or even adding a site. The initial discussions when this system was in the planning stage, stated that there would be many more sites (in the simulcasts) than what we are seeing. There was s couple of posts (I don't recall the exact date or thread), but it was a couple of years ago, when the system was first discussed that intimated 20 to 30 'sites' (Here's one similar comment, but there were others previous to this.)
Looking at the current site map for Dallas Layer 2, it appears to be a bit 'thin' compared to simulcast system sites in other areas.
Of course, since Dallas Layer 1 is using frequencies from the state license, we can't easily verify any location for those transmit sites.
Looking at the current site map for Dallas Layer 2, it appears to be a bit 'thin' compared to simulcast system sites in other areas.
Of course, since Dallas Layer 1 is using frequencies from the state license, we can't easily verify any location for those transmit sites.
Layer 1 currently has just under 20 sites with more being added.
When Collin County was building out their layer on PAWMCo, they did coverage testing from all logical locations before they went live, covering the county like a grid, including inside facilities, going into the basement of the courthouse and jail, and even a boat out on Lake Lavon. I wouldn't be surprised if the Motorola engineers implementing the Dallas Layer 1/2 have not done the same thing already, tweaking the system as need be for better coverage. I remember listening for days to teams doing their best "can you hear me now?" routines utilizing grid numbers for their locations.
I remember one instance where a radio shop tech was talking to someone at the dispatch center with one of the new PAWMCo radios from the West side of DFW Airport.
There likewise may be Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) located in many city and county facilities to boost the coverage in those buildings. In those cases they would not show as a distinct site on simulcast (they are repeaters that either have their input from the controller over IP or are relying on an external antenna to transmit/receive to one of the simulcast sites).
I'm aware of the fact that the DAS (or voter) sites would be receive only, and thus would not show on the licensing. There are numerous such sites on the conventional channels, including antennas on most, if not all, of the DWU water towers.
I presume that you are referring to the receive only sites, not actual transmit sites.
A true DAS solution, as found in buildings is typically bi-directional, so it can transmit and receive. They are very low power output, with the internal antennas at 1-2 watts max output power (so you typically won't pick it up outside the building/grounds), and the external antenna (if they aren't on an IP link directly to the controller) at just enough to reach an "official" simulcast site (thus acting like a radio).
I've dealt with some of these systems for mobile phones, and they work on the same principal. A good example of a public place that is equipped with such a system would be AT&T stadium in Arlington.
I imagine that for the NTIRN network, Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, City Hall, Police Headquarters, the Jail and other locations are probably equipped with this type of system. In Houston, the County Courthouse downtown is equipped with one for TXWarn, even to the point they say there's a "leaky" coax in the elevator shafts for coverage as well.
I think we also need to keep in mind who is using this system.
Dallas County Sheriff and Constables are on it which means they need wider area coverage.
It makes sense the 700mhz layer 1 has wider coverage and more talk paths for public safety and the layter 2 800mhz stuff has good city of dallas coverage and less talk paths. So city services on layer 2 and public safety on layer 1. Just my guess.
Dallas County Sheriff and Constables are on it which means they need wider area coverage.
It makes sense the 700mhz layer 1 has wider coverage and more talk paths for public safety and the layter 2 800mhz stuff has good city of dallas coverage and less talk paths. So city services on layer 2 and public safety on layer 1. Just my guess.
Unitrunker shows a lot more affiliations on the DFR 1/2 talkgroups when they key. Definitely looks like more affiliations on the radios on the rescues than any other apparatus right now. Have a list of UIDs I’ve identified so far. DFR dispatch looks to be using the new system most of the time.
Still waiting for them to move the locution dispatch to the new system so call dispatches can actually be heard. Can’t hear the frequency it is in from my QTH in NRH.
DPD dispatch keeps going back and forth between using the UHF system and using the new system.
Still waiting for them to move the locution dispatch to the new system so call dispatches can actually be heard. Can’t hear the frequency it is in from my QTH in NRH.
DPD dispatch keeps going back and forth between using the UHF system and using the new system.
I have a theory that the various tones they’ve been playing on fire 1 and 2 will become the new locution tones. According to a FY2023 financial plan from city of Dallas, they are supposed to get a major CAD upgrade, wondering if that will cover locution as well.
It’s a possibility. They probably will have to reprogram the Locution software to announce the talkgroup assignments like FWFD does and that’ll take time and money, especially if Locution has to send a tech out to help.
Hearing Lancaster PD and FD active on NTIRN. Best as I can tell it's real, and not training. Wonder if they've switched or are running the old system along side it. I can't hear the NDXN system to check.
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Ben,
They may be making the 'official' switch today. I have Lancaster's P25 TGIDs programmed on the scanner I'm using to log activity on the new system. Their NXDN system is programmed on a different scanner.
The last log I show (on NXDN) for PD Dispatch was just before 2pm today. I've seen hits, on the P25 log, as recently as 20 minutes ago,
The last NXDN log on Fire Dispatch was about 1:30 this afternoon, though there were fireground hits (on NXDN) as late as 6pm. But I'm seeing logs within the last few minutes on the P25 side, but nothing on NXDN to correspond with that. The NXDN system is programmed on my SDS200, along with a number of other agencies, so it might have missed some NXDN calls, but I am seeing a gap between the two that implies the switch is in progress.
Since the last note, I've heard several dispatches for Lancaster FD. Only heard on the P25 system. Two other scanners (my 325P2 & SDS100) both have the Lancaster NXDN system programmed. Neither stopped on the old system, and while the dispatch was live on the new system, neither of them were, at that time, receiving any other systems. It appears that they have 'thrown the switch' to move. However, the control channel is still up on the NXDN side.
So far, nothing that relates to the three cities on SWRCC is coming across on the new system. Only hearing them on their current NXDN system.
So far, nothing that relates to the three cities on SWRCC is coming across on the new system. Only hearing them on their current NXDN system.
So did Lancaster's NXDN system expire ?
According to what I found on the FCC database it shows it expired 2022 ?
Am I seeing this right ?
According to what I found on the FCC database it shows it expired 2022 ?
Am I seeing this right ?
I believe you are correct. License did expire last October. But. I checked just now, and the control channel for the system is still up,
Noticed the other day that probably 98% of the units on the DFR talkgroups are coming through showing UIDs on NTIRN, indicating they are affiliating with the system and not talking on the analog side. It appears that they are likely most of the way through their transition to the new system.
Also heard a new tone that sounds like the fire alarm tone Plano uses for structure fires used on DFR 1 tonight for them dispatching an illegal burn. Still no sign of DFR Locution yet on NTIRN.
I’ve also noticed an increase in unit logins and grants with UIDs on DPD dispatch talkgroups and district secure talkgroups on NTIRN this week. Dispatch still using the analog side for the most part. So we may be seeing the beginning of DPDs transition. Unitrunker shows that there are also several additional ENC talkgroups that have not been listed in the database yet that I have found with UIDs I logged on DPD patrol talkgroups using.
Also heard a new tone that sounds like the fire alarm tone Plano uses for structure fires used on DFR 1 tonight for them dispatching an illegal burn. Still no sign of DFR Locution yet on NTIRN.
I’ve also noticed an increase in unit logins and grants with UIDs on DPD dispatch talkgroups and district secure talkgroups on NTIRN this week. Dispatch still using the analog side for the most part. So we may be seeing the beginning of DPDs transition. Unitrunker shows that there are also several additional ENC talkgroups that have not been listed in the database yet that I have found with UIDs I logged on DPD patrol talkgroups using.
Fire Event 1 has also been active
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Saturday DFR had activity on Fire Dispatch 1 & 2, EMS Dispatch 1 & 2 and TAC-1. 660 didn't have a radio ID but from what I could glance down and see several apparatus were displaying ID's.
Some DPD elements on Northeast were also displaying RID's.
I am wondering if the radio shop was waiting until after the St. Paddy's day fest to transfer over to the 700 fulltime. You don't want to do that before a major citywide celebration but by having everyone mixed during gives them a better idea of problems and fixes before its critical.
I listened to the event on DPD-12 from the Richland College area, was anything ever done on the trunk? I'm wondering what TG will become DPD-12?
Some DPD elements on Northeast were also displaying RID's.
I am wondering if the radio shop was waiting until after the St. Paddy's day fest to transfer over to the 700 fulltime. You don't want to do that before a major citywide celebration but by having everyone mixed during gives them a better idea of problems and fixes before its critical.
I listened to the event on DPD-12 from the Richland College area, was anything ever done on the trunk? I'm wondering what TG will become DPD-12?
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