Jefferson County Antenna Question

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dave911

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I have an outdoor antenna hooked up to both my 996T and 996XT scanners. Sometimes, I have full bars when I receive Birmingham PD on the TRS and other times I have 1 bar. It doesn't matter which precinct it is. Should I have all the frequencies in my scanner or just certain ones that are in my area? Or, do I have a setting wrong? I downloaded the system into my ARC XT Pro software straight from here.

Thanks for any help or tips!
 

puzzleriddle

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I have an outdoor antenna hooked up to both my 996T and 996XT scanners. Sometimes, I have full bars when I receive Birmingham PD on the TRS and other times I have 1 bar. It doesn't matter which precinct it is. Should I have all the frequencies in my scanner or just certain ones that are in my area? Or, do I have a setting wrong? I downloaded the system into my ARC XT Pro software straight from here.

Thanks for any help or tips!
your first mistake is DO NOT trust the RR DB. send me a pm & will send the simulcast site frequencies to you, NOT just the CC 's & ALT CC's
also I double check & make sure the rbanding tables are being applied :)
 

Avery93

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Does anyone know exactly how the Jefferson County TRS is configured? The database says it is a single cell simulcast system. That means that all sites in the system should use the exact same frequencies, and only one control channel (at a time).

However, during a band opening a couple weeks ago, I heard numerous control channels in use. This would indicate that the system is split up into multiple simulcast cells, or possibly multicast, although not likely. I also found a couple of sites using 851/852 MHz frequencies, which aren't listed in the database.

Unfortunately, the band opening only lasted for a couple minutes, so I wasn't able to get a lot of useful information on the system. If possible, someone in that area needs to run Unitrunker on all receivable control channels.
 

puzzleriddle

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Does anyone know exactly how the Jefferson County TRS is configured? The database says it is a single cell simulcast system. That means that all sites in the system should use the exact same frequencies, and only one control channel (at a time).

However, during a band opening a couple weeks ago, I heard numerous control channels in use. This would indicate that the system is split up into multiple simulcast cells, or possibly multicast, although not likely. I also found a couple of sites using 851/852 MHz frequencies, which aren't listed in the database.

Unfortunately, the band opening only lasted for a couple minutes, so I wasn't able to get a lot of useful information on the system. If possible, someone in that area needs to run Unitrunker on all receivable control channels.

it is or maybe was now. a 10 site simulcast.. I have printouts etc of about 6 of sites. never could grab the other 4 using unitrunker.. right now am only picking the MAIN site 10. been using using unitrunker almost all day today.
 

WB4CS

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your first mistake is DO NOT trust the RR DB. send me a pm & will send the simulcast site frequencies to you, NOT just the CC 's & ALT CC's
also I double check & make sure the rbanding tables are being applied :)


Why not submit an update to the database with the correct information so that everyone can benefit from the information without having to contact you directly?

Just an idea :)
 

Avery93

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Why not submit an update to the database with the correct information so that everyone can benefit from the information without having to contact you directly?

Just an idea :)

Or at least post the logs from Unitrunker...


Dave, I'm pretty sure this system is divided into multiple simulcast cells. Since the database has several control channels flagged under a single site, that is probably your issue.

If you scroll through all of the system frequencies programmed into your scanner, find the strongest/cleanest sounding CC, and then lockout all other active CCs, I believe that will solve your issue at least temporarily. You may have to do this several times if the system rolls control channels often.
 

dave911

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Dave, I'm pretty sure this system is divided into multiple simulcast cells. Since the database has several control channels flagged under a single site, that is probably your issue.

If you scroll through all of the system frequencies programmed into your scanner, find the strongest/cleanest sounding CC, and then lockout all other active CCs, I believe that will solve your issue at least temporarily. You may have to do this several times if the system rolls control channels often.

Thank you so much! I'll try that. That makes perfect sense.
 

puzzleriddle

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Why not submit an update to the database with the correct information so that everyone can benefit from the information without having to contact you directly?

Just an idea :)

and since you are so nice here they are for you.. saves me typing :)

SITE 10 SIMULCAST


851.1125
851.1375
851,3625
851.6125
851.6375
851.6375
851.8875
852.6125 cc
853.1125
854.1375
854.2625
854.3875
854.5125
854.6375 CC
854.7375
854.9375
855.1875
855.4375
855.6875 CC
856.2125
856.2375
856.2875
856.4625
856.8375
857.2375 CC
857.3375
857.4625
863,6375


peers for SITE 10

site 1 name not known control Channel 853.750
site 2 PILOT 852.6125
site 3 WENONAH 853.275
SITE 4 PALMED 855.6375
SITE 5 name not Known 853.0625
SITE 6 LINNS 853.725
SITE 7 name not known 856.3125
SITE 8 name not known
site 9 Name not known

name not known = unable to pickup & decode from my location. ONLY SITE ableto recsieve is simulcast 10 at this time. everyone run unitrunker & see what ya get:)
take care
JPH . also remember to apply the rebanding trunking table to the frequencies
 

Avery93

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That fixed it! Thank you so much!

I'm glad that worked for you.

Would you mind posting the control channel frequency you ended up using, and the general area where you are receiving it?

and since you are so nice here they are for you.. saves me typing :)

SITE 10 SIMULCAST


851.1125
851.1375
851,3625
851.6125
851.6375
851.6375
851.8875
852.6125 cc
853.1125
854.1375
854.2625
854.3875
854.5125
854.6375 CC
854.7375
854.9375
855.1875
855.4375
855.6875 CC
856.2125
856.2375
856.2875
856.4625
856.8375
857.2375 CC
857.3375
857.4625
863,6375


peers for SITE 10

site 1 name not known control Channel 853.750
site 2 PILOT 852.6125
site 3 WENONAH 853.275
SITE 4 PALMED 855.6375
SITE 5 name not Known 853.0625
SITE 6 LINNS 853.725
SITE 7 name not known 856.3125
SITE 8 name not known
site 9 Name not known

name not known = unable to pickup & decode from my location. ONLY SITE ableto recsieve is simulcast 10 at this time. everyone run unitrunker & see what ya get:)
take care
JPH . also remember to apply the rebanding trunking table to the frequencies

It's almost speculation at this point, given the limited info we have, but it almost looks like there is one simulcast cell, and then the rest of the sites are multicast.
 

dave911

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I'm near the Mountain Brook Tennis Club. I logged into my computer from work and 854.6375 was the CC that worked so great. Now, I'm home and it has moved to 855.6875. That one works good, but it's not as strong as the first one was. I guess tomorrow it will move again. I'm going to have to keep up with the ones that are working the best until they start repeating, I guess.

I'm also picking up CC 852.6125 but it's real weak. 1 to no bars. I locked it out.
 

puzzleriddle

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I'm glad that worked for you.

Would you mind posting the control channel frequency you ended up using, and the general area where you are receiving it?



It's almost speculation at this point, given the limited info we have, but it almost looks like there is one simulcast cell, and then the rest of the sites are multicast.

added by unitrunker overnight 864.2625 CC ... I use what I posted & have been so for over 3 years . I am in South Highlands. what do you mean "limited" info"?
 
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Avery93

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I'm near the Mountain Brook Tennis Club. I logged into my computer from work and 854.6375 was the CC that worked so great. Now, I'm home and it has moved to 855.6875. That one works good, but it's not as strong as the first one was. I guess tomorrow it will move again. I'm going to have to keep up with the ones that are working the best until they start repeating, I guess.

I'm also picking up CC 852.6125 but it's real weak. 1 to no bars. I locked it out.

Thanks for that info. Looks like you and puzzleriddle are fairly close to each other, and you both receive the simulcast cell the best. Jefferson County is licensed for a site on Ruffner mountain, which is very close by, so I'm assuming it is one of the simulcast sites.

From what I can gather, the simulcast cell uses at least the following frequencies for the control channel, maybe more:
*854.6375 (Primary?)
*855.6875
*857.2375

Maybe that will get you started in the right direction.

added by unitrunker overnight 864.2625 CC ... I use what I posted & have been so for over 3 years . I am in South Highlands. what do you mean "limited" info"?

You need to recheck your data for the simulcast cell ("Site 10"). 852.6125 is the control channel for another site (PILOT, this is one of the sites I briefly heard), and 863.6375 and 864.2625 aren't valid LMR frequencies. You may have to try deleting your sites in Unitrunker, and then letting it run on them again to get fresh data. This won't delete any of your radio IDs or TGIDs.

I said limited data because we only have some (slightly questionable) data on the simulcast cell. There appears to be much more to the system than just this cell. We really need someone closer to the north and west sides of the county to do a search for control channels, and then run Unitrunker on them to at least find their primary and alternate CC frequencies.
 

puzzleriddle

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Thanks for that info. Looks like you and puzzleriddle are fairly close to each other, and you both receive the simulcast cell the best. Jefferson County is licensed for a site on Ruffner mountain, which is very close by, so I'm assuming it is one of the simulcast sites.

From what I can gather, the simulcast cell uses at least the following frequencies for the control channel, maybe more:
*854.6375 (Primary?)
*855.6875
*857.2375

Maybe that will get you started in the right direction.
also was pdecoding 5 other sites ( -6) at the time so that would make sense with e the 5 CC's at that time. as I said not am not getting anything the 1 site 10


You need to recheck your data for the simulcast cell ("Site 10"). 852.6125 is the control channel for another site (PILOT, this is one of the sites I briefly heard), and 863.6375 and 864.2625 aren't valid LMR frequencies. You may have to try deleting your sites in Unitrunker, and then letting it run on them again to get fresh data. This won't delete any of your radio IDs or TGIDs.

I said limited data because we only have some (slightly questionable) data on the simulcast cell. There appears to be much more to the system than just this cell. We really need someone closer to the north and west sides of the county to do a search for control channels, and then run Unitrunker on them to at least find their primary and alternate CC frequencies.

would data from 7/011 be of any help I have some from sites 2-6 . that were in use then.. I just got tired of running UT , was getting same thing all the time. basically all is like I just posted, can find more info in my written notes perhaps/ what if any thing will be of any help??:)
I was under thethat Simulcast shoed the CC & AC FOR all the other sites that were "online" at that time? . Also I grabbed that off an older because it was A CC on another at that time. there es 5 CC list at that timr I have a screen shot of ya care to see it?. I did shots of 5-6 but lost some files somewhere :(
Thank for joining in & helping!!:)
 
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Avery93

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would data from 7/011 be of any help I have some from sites 2-6 . that were in use then.. I just got tired of running UT , was getting same thing all the time. basically all is like I just posted, can find more info in my written notes perhaps/ what if any thing will be of any help??:)
I was under thethat Simulcast shoed the CC & AC FOR all the other sites that were "online" at that time? . Also I grabbed that off an older because it was A CC on another at that time. there es 5 CC list at that timr I have a screen shot of ya care to see it?. I did shots of 5-6 but lost some files somewhere :(
Thank for joining in & helping!!:)

That info could still be useful. Basically we just need primary and alternate control channel frequencies, and any clues as to the location of each site. Maybe nothing has changed in that time and the info can be used as a good starting point.

Reference your second question, are you asking if a site will show its neighbor sites' control channel information? If so, then the answer is yes. A SmartZone site has the capability of showing the status of up to 7 of its adjacent sites, and this includes the LCN of the currently active CC. It doesn't however show the alternate CCs, and that is problematic since this system seems to roll the CC often.

As for the screenshot, yes any additional info could help, especially data from Unitrunker.

Thanks for helping with this. I'm hoping the database hasn't been as wrong as I think it is, for as long as it has, but it sure looks like it. :)
 

puzzleriddle

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hmm ok, all I have now is an old screenshot of Site 10parts of were accumulated back in 201. I will clean th files out & start over. which files do I need to delete?
Thanks for your help & expertise :)
 

Avery93

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hmm ok, all I have now is an old screenshot of Site 10parts of were accumulated back in 201. I will clean th files out & start over. which files do I need to delete?
Thanks for your help & expertise :)

Open Unitrunker, go to the Systems tab, and open the Jefferson County system. Then, go to the Sites tab in the new window that opens, click on a site you want to delete, and then click the - button at the top of the window.

Do this for as many sites as you want to delete. I would only delete the ones you are currently capable of receiving.
 

Avery93

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During a band opening this morning, I was able to run Unitrunker on sites 1 and 7. Here is the site information that I confirmed, with the primary and alternate control channels noted. Since the info from post #9 still appears to be correct, I also added the other sites aliases, although I wasn't able to confirm them.


  • Site 1, GILMORE: 852.1625, 853.3625(a), 851.2000, 852.7250, 853.7500(p)
    [*]Site 2, PILOT: 852.6125(p)
    [*]Site 3, WENONAH: 853.2750(p)
    [*]Site 4, PALMED: 855.6375(p)
    [*]Site 5, ?: 853.0625(p)
    [*]Site 6, LINNS: 853.7250(p)
    [*]Site 7, PROVIDE: 854.0875, 855.6125(a), 856.3125(p), 856.7625
    [*]Site 10, SIMULCAST: 855.6875(p)

After a little googling, I believe I also found the location of a few of the sites:


Anyone have a clue as to the location of the others? So far they appear to be named after communities and/or landmarks they are near. Not being very familiar with Jefferson County, the above are all I could figure out, although I suspect PILOT may be the site near the Pilot Travel Center in McCalla.

Puzzleriddle: Did you ever get fresh data for site 10? If so, post the site frequencies, noting the primary and alternate CCs, and I'll go ahead and submit a database update. Again, it would help a lot if someone in the area could run Unitrunker on the other sites as well.
 
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