Deschutes County P25 System Testing

[ScanRite]

What I really don't get is the fact they're rolling this out before the eclipse. Central Oregon isn't equipped to handle the amount of people they're expecting. And then throw a new system in the mix just days before. Talk about stupidity.

 

[OregonScanner]

I Haven't seem any info on this system. anyone know if this radio system is part of the Oregon state wide system?

Yes, their new P25 system is actually the Oregon State Radio Project. Deschutes County has a couple of sites licensed to them (Site 110 Cline Butte) and Site 111 which should be a two site-simulcast in the Bend area. The rest of the sites are state sites. Deschutes County talkgroups will be limited to OSRP radio sites in and around Deschutes County but they won't have full-blown system-wide access like OSP and ODOT. But they will be allowed to use inter-op TGs on sites further out.


Link to a post of mine from another thread with the Harris/State/Deschutes County agreement:
https://forums.radioreference.com/o...deschutes-county-p25-license.html#post2677452

Looks like they also have a license for Hoodoo and Bachelor:
https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?fccCallsign=WQZD354

 

[vansigint98661]

"Will" your discussions on other threads/boards sure sounded as if you were doom and gloom about encryption and you absolutely sounded as if you were in favor of it as most LEOs appear to be that don't look at the big picture. It is absolutely understandable, but that is how you sounded to me at least. If not, sorry. I would point to our discussions on WSP on the IWN system for example.

Right, wasn't pointing to Katrina on encyption. Incompatable systems I believe is what I said. Seems like each parish had a different vendor and type, and i think at least one either pro-voice or open sky wasn't there, things which could not be used with any of the then existing drops of radio caches or even monitored. There were complaints about delays going through dispatchers to communicate, which is what would happen today with encrypted dispatch channels/TGs. Yes there are various frequencies set aside for interop. In WA as you know the primary use of NLEC these days is broadcasting statewide alerts and ties to media. LERN on the West side has always been a joke and I haven't heard it used in my area in probably 20 years. The TG on the old analog TRS was horrid to listen to because it seemed to be a magnet for interference. I had visions of dispatchers switching it off. They had TGs set aside for neighboring counties but they just carried traffic and were rarely used as well. Obviously the four counties in the Portland Metro area have capabilities built in, but as I said help will come from outside when major disasters hit. Those Cache frequencies within our new system appear to be only a single VTAC TG and I have not figured if it is a RX only or two way. I have heard no corresponding FB2 on the VHF side. I hear nearby counties with them test frequently, but it appears each county has a different one instead of a common. Other than Fire units, I am unaware of local LE having VHF in their vehicles. There are of course listings for all bands in the Caches, but in any disaster there will be massive confusion and locations of techs and so forth might be an issue to get encryption keys. Again, having to work through dispatchers to communicate unit-to-unit can be deadly. They had interop channels available at 9/11, but according to the reports, no one knew how to use or coordinate with them. Better trained now I'm sure, but the point is why put massive impediments into a system. Limit the encryption channels/TGs to where it is valid and necessary, leave dispatch and routine Car=to-car alone.

 

[Cryptd]

Well at 12:15pm today "all units switch to the new radios"...and the sweet sound of silence.
Killed Bend/Redmond/DCSO noise.
Good thing I just bought a new BCD996P2 last Friday. Pfffft!

I started listening to air traffic/fire about 15 years ago. Eventually the local heli school mostly over ran the air around here.
Started listening to law talk about 7-8 years ago.

About 2 months ago the local law talk started to get terrible sound, like your listening to digital on an analog scanner, that 'frying bacon' thing.
Never have I heard so many missed calls, unintelligible comms and complaints from users about their radios as in the last 2 months.

Prompted me to head over here to RR and see what the hell is going on.
This $6,500,000 for encrypted radios!? and that was half price? WTH

I am not happy about this move, it was nice to have some form of information that's not controlled by the powers that BE/local media. To be able to hear if there is some threat to you or your loved ones gave me a slight bit more feeling of security.
I mean there is so much crap going on around Bend all the time its ridiculous. Stuff you don't see in the news.

One good thing is I don't hear that awful radio anymore!
I hope this move bites them in the *** in the coming eclipse, will be a real good test.

Grouchy, over and out.

 

[ki7fk]

Just an interesting note: I am watching the activity on the new Deschutes control channels, and yes, there is a lot going on that we can no longer hear, but I can only hear the encrypted audio on the Oregon State Radio Project frequencies and absolutely nothing on the new Deschutes County system frequencies. I used to hear all of the testing communications there, but now it is silent. Anyone have a thought on this?

 

[ki7fk]

This is from the Deschutes County 911 web site....

Information for Scanner Listeners

Local law enforcement agencies completed the transition to a new P25 trunked radio system on Thursday, July 27th. The District is working on establishing a "bridge" from to the new system to the old to provide interoperability with the State Police until late August when OSP transitions to the new system. The bridge should be on-line in the next few days.

Note that in late August, the old analog law enforcement radio system will be decommissioned. Please download to the information sheet at the bottom of the page for more information.

https://www.deschutes.org/911

Here is what the info sheet says. Nothing really new:

Deschutes County 9-1-1 Service District

Radio System Fact Sheet

 The Deschutes County 9-1-1 Service District is in the process of replacing its aging
analog-based radio system with a new digital trunked system that fixes gaps in
coverage and helps keep local first responders safe.

 The shift to the new system will impact residents who have previously monitored
scanner traffic with smartphone apps or analog scanners.

 On the new radio system, law enforcement dispatch channels will be encrypted
and will not be able to be monitored over the air. Law enforcement dispatch traffic
will continue to be recorded by 9-1-1 and will be available via a public records
request.

 Starting in late August, unencrypted law enforcement dispatch radio traffic will be
published online, but with a 30-minute delay.

 This transition means people with scanners will not be able to receive law
enforcement radio traffic. Listeners interested in monitoring those channels will
need to use the internet-based stream when it becomes available in late-August.

 There will not be a delay for the radio channels used by local fire service agencies,
nor will those channels be encrypted.

 

[kd7jfv]

Just an interesting note: I am watching the activity on the new Deschutes control channels, and yes, there is a lot going on that we can no longer hear, but I can only hear the encrypted audio on the Oregon State Radio Project frequencies and absolutely nothing on the new Deschutes County system frequencies. I used to hear all of the testing communications there, but now it is silent. Anyone have a thought on this?

Site 110 came back online yesterday and is broadcasting LOTS of encrypted traffic.

TG 9010 is most likely BEND PD and is broadcasting unencrypted dispatch but all other units are encrypted.
TG 9028 most likely DCSO jail units but unconfirmed - they're not encrypted yet...
TG 38151 appeared yesterday and it sounded like a cross patch to the VHF OSP in Central Oregon but unencrypted audio is crappy to say the least.

 

[ki7fk]

Bend Bulletin - July 22

Editorial: Don’t encrypt county radio traffic without proof it is necessary

Editorial: Don

 

[Baker845]

I was talking about alot what the editorial is saying but, People that don't care say would say other wise. Great editorial.

 

[Cryptd]

I have already heard OSP having issues communicating with DCSO.
A pursuit earlier today. Once they switch over I guess that wont be a problem.

Was talking to a friend in Wasilla AK. he seemed to think that they had gone encrypted and it only lasted a year before they switched it to encryption just for the priority traffic. Second hand info, don't know if he actually knows whats what.

Wonder what the new cross talk channels are/will be?

Dusted off an old RTL_SDR dongle. Getting what sounds like local Law talk, not sure what it is. 154.11450
Cant get it on the 996XT or 996P2. Maybe just out of range, really a lot of noise. SDR Console v.3 in use.

Tried to get that unitrunker running...no luck with that.

Seem to be getting Harney Co. better now. Not to sure why that is.

 

[ki7fk]

I am guessing that the actual frequency is 154.115 MHz and while researching it, I ran across this rather interesting document. It does answer your question if you search it for this frequency.

http://www.oregon.gov/siec/Document...GIONAL TICFOG _April 07 2017_ Version 2.1.pdf

 

[Cryptd]

I am guessing that the actual frequency is 154.115 MHz and while researching it, I ran across this rather interesting document. It does answer your question if you search it for this frequency.

http://www.oregon.gov/siec/Document...GIONAL TICFOG _April 07 2017_ Version 2.1.pdf

Thanks for that...nice chunk of information.

 

[ScanRite]

154.115 is Prineville PD. It's now conjoined with Crook County's 154.89. Not sure what they did to it but after the switch, it's strength is a lot better. For now CCSO and PPD are heard on both freqs.

 

[ki7fk]

I submitted my letter to The Source but it was not published and covered more of the public's right to listen rather than just the media. It is good to see that attention is still being directed towards this issue.

The Source Weekly
Local media should have access to police radio traffic, in real time
https://www.bendsource.com/bend/loc...adio-traffic-in-real-time/Content?oid=3751590

 

[ScanRite]

Best quote I heard today, on a talk group for court security:

"You sound like you're talking with a mouth full of marbles! God these suck."

 

[ScanRite]

I submitted my letter to The Source but it was not published and covered more of the public's right to listen rather than just the media. It is good to see that attention is still being directed towards this issue.

The Source Weekly
Local media should have access to police radio traffic, in real time
https://www.bendsource.com/bend/loc...adio-traffic-in-real-time/Content?oid=3751590

Well if the agencies are letting media outlets lose keys, they're idiots for letting them have them in the first place. Eugene PD and Lane SO lease radios to the media, that are receive only and programmed by their technicians. The keys, as far as I know, cannot be extracted from the radio. I just found a huge document today outlining how the keys are to be stored, who has access, etc., etc. Giving them to any third party is a huge break of security.

Oh and Springfield PD doesn't let the media monitor them. They like to keep their stuff super secret.

 

[ki7fk]

I was curious as to how the decision to encrypt all channels was made so emailed Deschutes County 911 asking for names and contact information. The director responded very promptly. I was surprised that our local government doesn't appear to have been involved in the decision, and I do not recall any opportunity for public input. Enough said I guess.


The decision to encrypt law enforcement dispatch radio traffic was made jointly by the department heads of the five law enforcement agencies dispatched by Deschutes 911. Those individuals are:

Shane Nelson, Deschutes County Sheriff

Jim Porter, Chief, Bend Police Department

Dave Tarbet, Chief, Redmond Police Department

Denney Kelley, Chief, Black Butte Ranch Police Department

Marc Mills, Chief, Sunriver Police Department

I believe you'll be able to find contact methods for each on their individual agency websites. Some provide direct emails and others have generic emails, phone numbers or a web based form.

Please advise if I may be of further assistance.

Steve Reinke
Director

 

[Baker845]

Not at all shocked by that info. But being that sheriff is elected he, is more likely to listen to the public. But those department heads of the five law enforcement agencies there, clearly don't understand the effects of encrypting a radio system or they don't care. Like i said in my post before Portland has a lot more People and crime ect, and they didn't encrypt all of there system. ki7fk if you do get email back from then would be great to see it.

 

[Cryptd]

There was a couple "test, test" on the dead bend pd channels today.
Redmond had a couple 5 counts on the dead channel. Never heard the dispatch respond.
I was pretty good friends with Shane Nelson back in elementary school, his mom was crazy strict, would whack him on the knuckles with a ruler if he was 5min late getting home. Not that that means much...was just remembering.

Something about the scanner is it makes the cops a little more human. I mean, they can still joke about some of the crazy things they see, would make me just just plain nutty.

 

[ki7fk]

Oh, and I did a search for the number of law enforcement agencies in the state of Oregon and found that there are 174 of them. Until now, only Springfield, Eugene, Lane County and the U of O were using encryption on everything, including dispatch.