Entergy in Arkansas

[jyams]

I am trying to EXCLUDE scanning Entergy utility sites in Arkansas and Mississippi from a "Select Lists/Full Database" scanning scenario (both with and without a GPS attached). I have turned OFF all Service Types except "Law Dispatch" in Service Types. I have turned OFF all "Nationwide Systems". Yet, on all of my scanners (436, 536, SDS100, SDS200), I cannot achieve any settings that exclude Entergy in any scan scenario where I am utilizing the Full Database.

As a test, I have actually turned all lists, service types, and national systems to "off". Obviously, I get "nothing to scan" which is correct. I then turn on "Service Types / Law Dispatch". And Entergy scans along with my various local Public Safety sites.

What am I doing wrong? How can I get rid of Entergy, utilizing a "Full Database" with "Service Types / Law Dispatch (only)" scan, especially when traveling and using my GPS based scanning utilizing a 15 mile range. The Public Safety sites change as I travel which is what I want. However, the Entergy sites do too. There are so many Entergy sites, that it takes half my scanning cycle.

Seems like the RR Database has Entergy Service Type as "Law". It's very frustrating.

Any ideas?

 

[INDY72]

Entergy is UTILITIES, NOT Law/Fire/Ems etc. Entergy is an electric Utility provider for MS, AR, LA, parts of TN, and TX. They have a n massive multi state P25 Phase II TRS. So if the TG's are listed in the DB as Law, then submit an update to the DB with corrections. Oh, you mean this 1 TG:

1128

468

T

Huntsville PD 1

Huntsville Police 1 (patch from TxWARN)

Note that it is an patch from the TxWARN TRS, and is not actual Entergy Texas ops. All others other than the Security TG, are actually correctly listed as Utilities.

To prevent hearing anything on the Entergy system, just set it to AVOID, or turn OFF the utilities service type. Or to better make use of your scanner, build an actual favorites list.

 

[jyams]

I know what Entergy is as a life-long Arkansas resident. I have full knowledge of the RR Entergy setup / wiki. I verified that the RR Data for Entergy is properly stated as "Utility". I have setup and use many favorites lists for many other scanning tasks, all of which have "Utilities" service types disabled. I have been using Uniden scanners proficiently (handheld and base units) since the 1980's. I have a full knowledge of P25 I and II systems, DMR, etc etc setups for Uniden scanners (I have 6).

I would really like someone else to test this scenario in Arkansas on a Uniden scanner, or point me to a solution. I cannot determine in the documentation utilizing a Full Database Scan how to get rid of a system, or set that system as "avoid", except with "Service Types" and "National Systems" set to off (none of which work for Entergy). If someone would just do a "Select Scan Selection / Full Database" scan option, set "Service Type/Utilities" to OFF, set range to something for your location, and see if Entergy appears in your scan.

Let me be clear. This is a Full Database Scan (Scan List Option 1), "Service Types / Utilities" set OFF, all other Service Types except "Law" set to OFF, All National Systems set to OFF except Public Safety, GPS engaged, and range 15 miles. All public safety systems are scanning properly within the set range. GPS works properly turning systems on and off within the range as I drive across the state. HOWEVER, the Entergy System is always present no matter what setting. This happens for both my SDS100 and SDS200 and my 536 while traveling.

I have submitted a request to RR to look into this. I've worked with software databases, and I think there has to be a database field that isn't set properly.

 

[RMason]

I believe this is compounded by the fact that the Texas Talkgroup Category (which contains the Huntsville PD 1 talkgroup (1128)) is centered NW of Jackson MS and has a 300mile range which covers the entire footprint of the Entergy system. As a result, enabling Law Dispatch anywhere within the Entergy service area will cause the Entergy sites to be enabled - unless avoided.

Entergy TG Category: Texas

Entergy TG Category: Texas Details

www.radioreference.com

 

[jyams]

I can verify this to be true in my problem. So how do you "avoid" a SYSTEM in a Full Database scan? Only way i can see how is to push "Hold" on an Entergy TG, use the avoid button and then scroll through the system and avoid every TG.. However, Entergy has dozens and dozens of talkgroups. I'm not even sure what I just described will work.

 

[jyams]

Thank you RMason! I have tested this and yes, this is, in fact the problem. So, someone at RR is going to have to fix this Texas Talkgroup Category that causes this to happen. And, thank you for helping me see that I am NOT losing my mind!!!!

Still hoping someone can help me understand how to Avoid a whole SYSTEM in a Full Database scan operation?

 

[RMason]

On SDS200, you should be able to:

From: Easier to Read SDS100/200 Digital Scanner Manual

System Avoid

When the System is in the display or in System Hold Mode: To Temporary Avoid press System then quickly press Avoid. To Permanent Avoid press System then quickly press Avoid twice.

 

[INDY72]

The current DB Admin who is over the system will have to go in and geotag the TG's properly. This will take a bit of time. First thing needing done is an submission made requesting geotagging be done. Entergy is one of the systems that I never got around to completing when I was still an admin. It was a monster to just get set up, then redone when they upgraded to P25 from SmartZone OmniLink (Hybrid OmnilLink as it was not a true OL in the purest sense of how Motorola SZOL was properly done.)

 

[jyams]

Thank you RMason, I will give that a try.
73

 

[jyams]

FYI, I have already received emails from the DB Admin who is already working on the problem. He's already fixed the lat/long issue for the Texas Entergy TG, but said he has found many more issues as INDY72 indicated above. But he is working on them. Makes me appreciate my paid subscription to RR. Thank you DB Admin!

 

[nd5y]

This is totally screwed up. They have it showing as statewide in every county in Texas even though it only has sites in a few counties in east Texas.

 

[INDY72]

This is totally screwed up. They have it showing as statewide in every county in Texas even though it only has sites in a few counties in east Texas.

I didn't have TX part when it initially got set up, and didn't realize it was set to statewide there. It is as far as I know correct in AR, LA, TN, MS. The tg's do have access at all sites in each state for the state they are in, with several that are system wide. The APXes used also can be loaded quickly with other systems so Entergy guys can help in other areas for disaster relief for hurricane etc. (Loaner radios for systems that are not p25 or analog.)

 

[RMason]

This is totally screwed up. They have it showing as statewide in every county in Texas even though it only has sites in a few counties in east Texas.

It is now showing a 110 mile radius centered near Huntsville TX rather than the whole state. It looks like this is moving in the right direction. As jyams indicated, this may be a work-in-progress.

Entergy TG Category: Texas

Entergy TG Category: Texas Details

www.radioreference.com

 

[Echo4Thirty]

That TG does not exist in the system anymore anyway since huntsville went encrypted. You can delete it.