SDS100/SDS200: Finding Channels on SDS100

[CD411]

I'm trying to find some channels that aren't listed in the database for my SDS100 and I was hoping someone would be able to help.

I'll warn you, I don't have much experience using scanners -- which I'm sure you'll notice as you read on!

To my question -- I want to listen to one of the local fire departments on my SDS100. Two of their channels are listed in the RadioReference database -- the dispatch channel and a secondary channel they use to go back and forth with the comm center. They have at least 10 tactical channels they use to talk to each other, but these aren't listed in the database. How would I be able to find these other channels? Is it possible on the SDS100 to set a scanning channel range to search channels close to the two that I have when they're using the tactical channels to find the frequencies?

 

[mrlindstrom]

You should be able to look up the license for the department and see what the other frequencies are. Would also help if you posted a link to the rr database page of the department so we know who you are trying to monitor.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Hi & welcome to the RR forums! Can you please provide specifics on what department(s) you're trying to listen to? (City, County, State preferably) Are they conventional or part of a trunked radio system? If the latter, just enable ID Search on the SDS100 to track unknown talkgroups.

Is it possible on the SDS100 to set a scanning channel range to search channels close to the two that I have when they're using the tactical channels to find the frequencies?

If conventional & you know what range they operate, consider discovery mode or "custom search"

 

[doctordialtone]

Also check to see that the proper "Service Types" are enabled.

If they are not enabled, you won't hear them.

 

[CD411]

Thanks everyone for the incredibly fast replies.

I clicked on the license, there are one or two other channels but lots of the same channels repeated. I have no idea on the specifics of what type of system they're using unfortunately.

FCC Callsign KNBT899 (SCRANTON, CITY OF)

FCC Callsign KNBT899 (SCRANTON, CITY OF)

www.radioreference.com

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

If they're tac channels there's a good chance they're simplex (mobile to mobile) identified as Class "MO" on an FCC license meaning you wouldn't be able to monitor them if you're further than a few hundred yards from the transmitting units on an incident scene. Other possible licenses (the MO's listed here appear to me to be input channels to the already known repeaters)
WNKT936
WPGS290 (nothing identified in the DB here?)

 

[natedawg1604]

When you have some free time, get a mag mount antenna and stick it on top of your car. Then monitor the main fire dispatch channel. If/when you hear a significant call (highway accident, structure fire or even training), drive to an area AWAY from the actual scene, but close enough to hear simplex traffic. Maybe a park, store parking lot etc a couple miles away.

Then put your scanner in search mode for the band the units are using, I believe in your case it would be 450-469. Sooner or later you should find the simplex frequencies.

For monitoring simplex it's best to park somewhere above the scene with a good line of site, and like I said an external mag mount antenna always helps (my car has 3 NMO mounts drilled into the roof, but not everyone can do that). It also helps to have 2 scanners, one parked on known channels (i.e dispatch) and the other to use in search mode. In your case it's analog, so you could get a second analog scanner for dirt cheap.

Also depending on how crazy you are about this hobby, you could schedule a ride-along with a fire crew. I've done this type of thing before, you may end up getting a station tour and detailed explanations of how they use radio channels. I've also gotten tours of dispatch centers, and they'll show you all the channels available on the consoles, how they take and dispatch calls, how they decide which units to send, mutual aid protocols etc. It can be very educational.

 

[omlbed]

As doctordialtone mentioned checked your Service Types. That's a common gotcha. It looks like Scranton and Lackawanna County use the following fire and EMS service types: Fire Dispatch, Fire-Tac, Fire-Talk, EMS Dispatch, EMS-Tac, and EMS-Talk
Good luck!