MadSpleen85
Member
I have not seen much talk about Douglas County so, I figured I would open something up and see who else monitors?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Douglas County
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I haven't heard anything either. Are they still simulcasting on the State tower? I haven't heard that lately.
rankin39
Member
I get to Lawrence every day, but I've yet to hear them on the state system. Most of their stuff is on their usual state/KU trunk.
Bob, WoNXN
Bob, WoNXN
Best I can say is I sort of do.
The scanner is not on all the time, nor every night. However it is kept handy to be turned on when sirens are in the area, or when weather conditions warrant, or other times on sort of random basis.
Back in the late '70;s and on through the 80's it was on most every night, now just not so much.
Bob
The scanner is not on all the time, nor every night. However it is kept handy to be turned on when sirens are in the area, or when weather conditions warrant, or other times on sort of random basis.
Back in the late '70;s and on through the 80's it was on most every night, now just not so much.
Bob
SKINNY1
Member
I monitor the Douglas County trucking system everyday. They haven't dual broadcast on the state P25 in about three weeks. There for a while they were dual broadcasting everyday.
I was told, by a member of the committee, that Douglas County is exploring the possibility linking a P25 system onto the Johnson County system controller. We will see where that idea goes- a change like that would be expensive and would involve quite a few new tower sites.
MadSpleen85
Member
That would be interesting. Cheaper than bringing in a completely new system or simply work with JoCo for the experience with the system? There do not seem to be many times that DgCo and JoCo are working together on something that this would be necessary.
The capability for increased interoperability is always a plus though. Better to have the ability to do something instead of relying on phone calls between dispatchers when seconds matter.
factorone
Member
I could see the link-up with JoCo's system being a reality, since Lawrence Memorial Hospital is on the MARCER system, and that's primarily for the metro area east of Douglas County. With as much stuff that happens on or along K-10, there's certainly justification for it.
MadSpleen85
Member
Is anyone monitoring from outside of Douglas County and using any external antenna?
I am in Johnson County and just outside of range to be able to monitor all the time. Sometimes I can hear it and other times I can't. I run the online feed most of the time but, that does not scan the secondary channels and obviously, I have no control over it to hold on an active TG.
If anyone has any suggestions on antenna that work well from outside the county, let me know. For reference on my distance from the transmitter, I am just south of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Pflumm Road in Shawnee.
I am in Johnson County and just outside of range to be able to monitor all the time. Sometimes I can hear it and other times I can't. I run the online feed most of the time but, that does not scan the secondary channels and obviously, I have no control over it to hold on an active TG.
If anyone has any suggestions on antenna that work well from outside the county, let me know. For reference on my distance from the transmitter, I am just south of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Pflumm Road in Shawnee.
Can you get the 853.050 conventional simulcast repeater? That carries 90% of anything good.
MadSpleen85
Member
Yes I can. That seems to carry the primary dispatch channel. Same as what I currently get with the online scanner. My issue is I would like to be receiving the secondary talk groups.
Looking at possibly adding a second antenna to my roof or replacing the discone with something different for better distance monitoring. Found one that is directional +10dBi UHF and omni-directional +2.3dBi VHF. That should fulfill my current monitoring needs if it performs as advertised. Most of my setup is monitoring 700-800mhz analog/digital with a few 150's scattered in the mix.
You might check your coax first. The weakest link in most monitor radio systems is usually the coax. If you have more than 40 feet of feedline, consider putting in some 9913 or RG-8X with good silver connectors on the ends. Each connection/joint in a feedline adds about 1 to 2 db of loss. If your coax is more than 7 or 8 years old, replace it.
Changing up from "mini-foam" to 9913 can add 5 to 7 db in signal, especially in the 800 MHz range. That's almost like putting a pre-amp on the antenna....
MadSpleen85
Member
My coax is just shy of a year old RG-6, only one connection in that. It is about a 70 foot run of coax and that is stretched as tight as possible to get it from the antenna to the point in the house where the scanners are.
My current antenna Centerfire Deluxe Discone has peak receive performance of 137-470 MHz. Hence why I am blaming my issue on the current antenna.
SKINNY1
Member
Looks like they changed all the Douglas County-Lawrence P-25 freqs over the weekend. Maybe they are rebanding??
It might be cheaper, but they are going to have to be very careful and ensure they have enough repeater channels. Just last weekend at the Full Scale Disaster exercise I was running, we were running on NE5 Zone on Channels EMGT and FIRE. Just our added traffic, which was not very much, the tower was busy out 56 times in a three hour period. It might be great to piggyback on to save money, but there is not going to be enough room for both those counties traffic unless they put up a 15 channel or more repeater.
Nelson
MadSpleen85
Member
That's something I had not thought of. I'm still learning all of the workings of the new digital systems.
At the same time I am hoping to add another antenna or possibly replace my current discone antenna. I don't want to shoot myself in the foot, antenna wise, by purchasing something that in the long run will not work with whatever Douglas County decides to do. My primary focus is Douglas & Johnson Counties. KSICS, for Leavenworth County is another thing I would like to remain capable of monitoring. Still going back and forth between a directional Yagi or Omni Directional fiberglass beam.
MadSpleen85
Member
From the Lawrence Journal-World Lawrence, Douglas County emergency dispatch operation needs $7 million in upgrades
firefive76
Member
firefive76
Member
After watching this video, the sheriff says that FCC is making everyone switch to digital from analog. Did I miss something? They have already rebanded their 800 analog system there, and I think they have narrowbanded their VHF freqs too. When was there a mandate to switch to digital?!
There is no such mandate. Sounds like the radio sales people are trying to pitch a load of B.S. at Douglas County. Those guys over there should carefully consider their options.
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