Key West

[Scanner-geek]

Just returned from a trip and wanted to post some loggings.

Key West Police, Fire, and EMS are each active with digital (NOT encrypted) talk groups on the Monroe County trunk.

36016 Police Dispatch
36048 Police Channel 2
36112 Police Tactical
36592 Police Surveillance

36176 Fire Dispatch

36179 EMS Dispatch

Notes:
Key West Fire does not appear to be simulcast on the UHF system. The remainder of Monroe County Fire is on UHF, and simulcast on the "public safety" talk group (33488) on the County trunk. A helicopter was heard on this talk group stating "on the ground in Boca Chica available for calls (presumably Monroe County Sheriff who I believe provide all air coverage other than coast guard). Coast Guard ops were digital encrypted on Lant 6. My recommendation for Key West is to program the control channel only for the Key West site listed in the RRDB using the control channel only function, as it seems to scan the system much more efficiently this way. Happy Scanning.

Scannergeek

 

[radiomanNJ1]

Nothing new. Submit new info to the database so everyone has access. Posting it here does nothing.

 

[Scanner-geek]

Actually, it is "new." First, the EMS talkgroup in the database is incorrect. Second, the police surveillance TG is also "new." Also, there have been several posts from people unclear on use of the UHF system vs. the trunked system for Key West fire coverage because the database is ambiguous and was wrong for two years.

http://www.radioreference.com/forum...sion-forum/121211-key-west-ft-lauderdale.html
http://www.radioreference.com/forum...orum/116537-monroe-county-trunked-system.html
http://www.radioreference.com/forums/florida-radio-discussion-forum/70688-key-west.html
http://www.radioreference.com/forum.../40527-monroe-county-florida-fire-rescue.html

I will keep the "new" federal frequencies I found to myself.

In addition, I wanted to suggest to visitors that monitoring with the control channel only function markedly improves reception of the system.

This forum is designed exactly for that purpose--clarification. I recommend searching the forums before programming any unfamiliar system. I'll bet some visitors will feel this post does "something" and not "nothing" to help them.

Scanning can be really fun. Lighten up Francis

Scannergeek

 

[sflmonitor]

Scanner-geek,

I haven't been to the Keys in a few months. I noticed that the RRDB added a new site called "Tea Table Key" but no control channel is noted. Did you happen to notice if this site is up and running? And if so, did you get the cc? Thanks for the update on the TG's.

 

[Bolt21]

Geek, I have just four words of advice for you: Don't feed the troll. It's just more nonsense from a pot-stirrer that doesn't even live here.

 

[Scanner-geek]

I can't say that I tested the other sites, so I can't help you with that control channel. Sorry.

Initially I programmed all of the frequencies listed in the database for the Key West site and searched/scanned in the non-control channel only mode. For some reason my 396t had a hard time following the trunk. It worked, albeit poorly. The system audio volume was poor (mobile units mostly), and transmissions were frequently interrupted by loud static resembling data bursts. In an effort to improve this, I programmed the single control channel for Key West and scanned in control channel only. The difference was dramatic. The mobiles became clearly audible and the data noises were virtually (although not completely) eliminated. I don't know how to explain this, except that it seemed to be tracking the system much more efficiently. I was located in the marina side of the island. I found the signal to be somewhat weak, which may have contributed to my troubles.

Overall, fun scanning especially at night on Duval. Marine transmissions were interesting, although I expected to hear more coast guard activity other than the usual safety broadcasts. I guess enforcement ops have gone encrypted in most places, as they have here in Boston (but not in New York, interestingly).

--geek

 

[Scanner-geek]

It just occurred to me that the noise I was hearing may be because I have and early release 396t whose softeare does not have a DIGITAL end code function. I have not done a scanware update and I bet that would have solved the problem.

 

[radiomanNJ1]

Since I travel to the Keys for business probably more often then most of you I have them in a bank on my scanner.

Fire has been on UHF up and down the keys and they use an amateur radio controller on them.

Monroe Co. has the SO, their version of Mini Trans and the water Dept on the smartzone system. It's true I don't get all the way down to Key West often so I can't comment on that directly other than to say I have heard them and they are only on the South end sites as they should be. This is a well designed system by a professional who formerly resided in the area and is now pretty far away.

I have never figured out if the City of Key Colony Beach is on the system as they still have the VHF antennas on their cars and suv.

Geek, I have just four words of advice for you: Don't feed the troll. It's just more nonsense from a pot-stirrer that doesn't even live here.

 

[sflmonitor]

I have never figured out if the City of Key Colony Beach is on the system as they still have the VHF antennas on their cars and suv.

Looking at the photographs on their website ( Key Colony Beach Police Department ), it appears that their officers have 800 MHz portable radios.

 

[tampabaynews]

Since I travel to the Keys for business probably more often then most of you I have them in a bank on my scanner.

Then any good businessman knows how to make a suggestion with tact instead of being jerk about it. You're always starting things. Go away.

 

[radiomanNJ1]

Good eyes to see that one. They may also use their VHF for local stuff.

Looking at the photographs on their website ( Key Colony Beach Police Department ), it appears that their officers have 800 MHz portable radios.

 

[radiomanNJ1]

I feel really sorry for some of you who either have no sense of humor, think scanning is a right, and I am not going away.

When is the last time you were in the keys BTW? I was there last month. I get to Key West at least once a year and that is what I said. The other fire depts. some career and some volunteer still appear to be on the UHF channels, I did last month hear some 800mhz operation but tone outs and general traffic seem to be UHF. There are a mixture or career and volunteer depts. The 800 mhz system is a smartzone system with multiple sites and has been rebanded. You never need anything but control channels in a Motorola system. That is how the Motorola radios are programmed

I don't understand the reluctance to share information. I personally think the send me a PM and I will give you the frequencies is as bad as encryption.

Then any good businessman knows how to make a suggestion with tact instead of being jerk about it. You're always starting things. Go away.

 

[tampabaynews]

I don't understand the reluctance to share information. I personally think the send me a PM and I will give you the frequencies is as bad as encryption.

That I do agree with. That's what this website is for after all.

 

[sflmonitor]

Good eyes to see that one. They may also use their VHF for local stuff.

I've driven past this area many times and never realized that they actually had their own police department. I'll pay attention next time I am down there to see if I hear them on the county's 800 MHz system. Didn't find any licensing information for them on the FCC site. Maybe they still have the old county VHF channels in their cars for simplex use?