Does anyone know if Dallas Layers 1 & 2 carry the interop talkgroups? (Specifically, TG5495 Law IO Call and TG34051 GMRS Law Call patch). I am able to listen to those talkgroups on broadcastify calls platform, but I have yet to hear them at home on my actual scanners. I would imagine they do carry them as I have heard Dallas SO and Dallas PD on the calls platform.
Dallas Fire - Trunked System Rollout 2022
- Thread starter CodeYeti77
- Start date
Yes for NTIRN Law IO Call. I don't have any recent hits for GMRS Law Call. I think that would have to be patched in on demand.
As for the other NTIRN IO talk groups(I.C. 1 & 2, and 1-13, I think at least one radio would have to be affiliated(on the channel) and on Dallas Layer 1 or 2, for example to hear Law IO 7 if it was being used in say, Johnson County.
rpowell9973
Newbie
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2019
- Messages
- 2
Does anyone know if my BCD996P2 scanner has become obsolete or "old technology" for monitoring the Dallas FD/PD and Kaufman County SO in the North Texas Interoperable Radio Network? I have owned it since 2017 and have never figured out how to monitor the P25 Phase II systems since the county I worked in (and monitored) is still VHF.
I am also considering a handheld for the same systems but don't know where to start. Do you have any thoughts about both?
I am also considering a handheld for the same systems but don't know where to start. Do you have any thoughts about both?
BCD 996P2 is totally capable of monitoring anything on the NTIRN system, it is a Phase II scanner, hence the P2 in the model number. That said it is highly susceptible to Simulcast Distortion. Depending on your location between antenna sites and with the right antenna set up it would be possible to monitor the Dallas Public Safety on NTIRN with this scanner. Cannot speak to Kaufman Co, they are well out of my monitoring range and not part of NTIRN.
As Harold has already noted, the 996P2 is capable of monitoring both NTIRN and Kaufman's system. Both of these systems are classified as P25 Phase II, but both the Kaufman County site, as well as the Dallas Layers 1 & 2 sites, are noted as simulcast.
Simulcast can be extremely location specific. If you are far enough from the system (but still able to get a usable signal), then it might not be an issue. Various factors, such as hills and clusters of taller buildings might result in the signal you can receive is only one of the transmit sites.
In some cases, you can move the scanner around in your house. A move of the scanner of only a foot or two might be the difference between hearing the system, and only gearing garbled transmissions due to simulcast.
The best scanners, when dealing with simulcast problems, are Uniden's SDS100 handheld, and the SDS200 base mobile. While not as effective as the SDS scanners, the x36HP scanners may do the job in some cases; the portable is the 436HP, with the 536HP being the base/mobile. The 996P2, and it's handheld sibling the 325P2, are much ,ore susceptible to simulcast problems than the other models. If, because of the cost difference, you decide to try a scanner other than one of the SDS models for use on a system that has one or more simulcast sites, be sure to purchase from a dealer that does not hit you with a large restocking fee if you have to return it because it is ineffective.When returning because the model had issues with simulcast, remember that you must return the unit with all original packaging and other items shipped with it (like antenna and the power supply), and you would need to pay the freight to return it. That could be $20 or more, to return via UPS or FedEx ground, so that you have a tracking number.
I can hear the Kaufman system from my residence in S/W Dallas without and external (rooftop) antenna.
Has anyone heard anything about Wilmer PD/FD moving to NTIRN ?
I have not heard of a change for them as yet. Even though I am in Oak Cliff, Wilmer’s PD channel is weak and full of static. The listed FD frequency’s license expired a couple of years ago. Looks like FD may be using 151.4975 (comments on the license specify fire). However, signal is very weak and almost impossible to get a clear voice reception.
I have my SDS200 running in ID Search mode, looking for new TGIDs on the two Dallas layers and recording transmissions. . So far, nothing indicating Wilmer. I did run across the Dallas College PD using a new TGID. Got a couple other unidentified talk groups that I have not nailed down yet, but nothing I’ve heard on any of them even remotely suggest Wilmer. I went through Wilber City Council meeting minutes for the last year or so, and found no reference to a change brewing for Wilmer, in any department.
I can attest to them watching the cameras. I was in an ambulance that was rear ended onhe DNTthanks to a dog running loose, When I called it in the dispatcher asked if I was in the amolance, She watched the whole incident on the camera,
It makes the shift go by quick, also helps the Troopers on their crash reports. The craziest things I've seen in life all come from what those cameras show, I wish more dispatch centers had access to cameras in their own jurisdictions, helps put ease to what may sound like an insane situation when it's nothing crazy at all, or sometimes it really does show how traumatic things can get. Either way, a great tool to have.
I absolutely agree. Most DFW area cities have traffic control centers with tons of cameras. The PDs should have full access to those cameras. TxDoT has their cameras on line and can be very interesting during chases, traffic issues and weather events. I've even used them to view fires all across DFW. The tollway authority, however, does not provide online access to their numerous cameras ... that would be very helpful.
Last edited:
We've had other law enforcement agencies ask for permission, the closest we got to sharing them was with Plano, but that fell out. I think the two major concerns were 1) they would have access to control the PTZ cameras. 2) the amount of bandwidth it would take to stream it to an external location. All of the cameras are at least 1080p, I forget the exact FPS but it's close to 30, lots of data.
I know TxDOT does share their live feeds with agencies that request it, I'm almost certain they allow them to control them too but of course they have to follow strict rules since it's all still publicly accessible with snapshots every x often. Something like no zooming in on license plates, etc.
One time we had a Trooper involved shooting in Mesquite, of course off the tollway where we don't have view of it, but being resourceful I saw 80 ran right next to the location of the shooting, I called TxDOT and asked them to aim a camera over there so we could watch and so they could keep an eye on the Troop until backup arrives. We only had access to the snapshots but it was still a little comforting to us to get a better view of the scene, even from a distance.
I know all of that is off track of the original thread, my bad - For a while now there has been a plan to build a tower near DNT/Main St in Frisco, to increase NTIRN coverage up there for DPS on the northern end of DNT and SRT. I want to say it would be about 300ft and paid for by NTTA, but that could change. Not sure on any timeline, it was in the talks before NTTA joined NTIRN.
