KS State TRS

[rick521]

It was reported this week in the KC-Scanning Yahoo group that there are 4 new 800 frequencies for Miami County and Lynn County has a request for 4 additional 800 frequencies pending.

Anyone have any additional information?

 

[Thunderbolt]

Recently, several new radio licenses have been issued by the FCC to the state of Kansas. Each of these sites are licensed for Project 25 Trunking, which includes both P-25 data and voice modes. Moreover, each application specifically states that the state of Kansas will use this system for public safety communications, which are essential to protect the lives and the property of the state. That said, the KDOT is the primary contact for each of the licenses. The following sites have been licensed:

1. Paola, Miami County: [size=-1]WQDS579[/size]
2. [size=-1]Severy, Greenwood County: [/size][size=-1]WQDS581[/size]
3. [size=-1]Virgil, Greenwood County: [/size][size=-1]WQDS582[/size]
4. [size=-1]Independence, Montgomery County: [/size][size=-1]WQDT450[/size]
5. [size=-1]Waverly, Coffee County: [/size][size=-1]WQDT453[/size]
6. [size=-1]West Mineral, Cherokee County: [/size][size=-1]WQDV635[/size]
7. [size=-1]Kansas, Wyandotte: [/size][size=-1]WPKL892 (Recently upgraded for digital voice.)[/size]

In addition, the following sites are currently pending before the FCC for final approval:

1. Buffalo, Wilson County.
2. Seldan, Chautauqua County.
3. Parker, Linn County.

If I had to guess what was happening, I would check and see if these radio sites are along the Kansas Turnpike? If this would be the case, then I would suspect that KDOT is implementing a new radio system for use along that highway. If not, then I would strongly believe that this is the first phase of a much larger statewide Project 25 TRS.

73's

Ron

 

[ksmoscanner]

Looks like they are following the previous released plan and starting the statewide TRS in the Southeast portion of the state. Reasons given for that portion being first was because of Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant being in that part of the state. Glad to see quick progress.

Thanks for the additional info

Gregg in KC

 

[DTRS_Master]

Great news! I'm glad to see that another state is making the run at a statewide system. What vendor has Kansas chosen for their infrastructure?

I'd like to see someone bring an EF Johnson P-25 system online to see how well it does and what features are available.

 

[Thunderbolt]

Is anyone hearing any activity on the frequencies assigned to these new sites? Maybe a data channel buzzing away on one of the frequencies?

73's

Ron

 

[rick521]

Frequencies

Can someone post the actual frequencies involved? Thanks.

 

[KAA951]

Great news! I'm glad to see that another state is making the run at a statewide system. What vendor has Kansas chosen for their infrastructure?

I'd like to see someone bring an EF Johnson P-25 system online to see how well it does and what features are available.

Motorola is the vendor for the system and has been since around 1990. Most of the infrastructure has been in place for years as each of the locations mentioned has had an 800 conventional tower in place. Normally, each site had 3 800MHZ conventional analog repeaters (one assigned to KHP, one to KDOT and one to KBEMS- interestingly most the EMS repeaters are being used by KHP as car to car channels as EMS hasn't wanted to move off of its exitsting 400MHZ system.) An exception to this is the Waverly site, where KDOT "split" the tower and added a second KDOT channel as their zone border fell in the area.

This conventional 800 system was built from day 1 with the plan to wide area trunk this as the $$ became available.

 

[rick521]

Non State Agencies

How many non-state public safety agencies are currently on the KS-TRS?

If there are any, do they actually talk to state agencies or are they off on their own frequencies?

 

[Cryptolog]

My listening experience

Rick,
For what it's worth, in my travels through KS in the last couple of years (all of I-70, I-135, I-35) I've only heard KHP and occasionally KDOT on the current 800 system. No one else.

We'll miss you in Denver this weekend. Have a good trip.

 

[rick521]

Rick,
For what it's worth, in my travels through KS in the last couple of years (all of I-70, I-135, I-35) I've only heard KHP and occasionally KDOT on the current 800 system. No one else.

We'll miss you in Denver this weekend. Have a good trip.

This will be the second meeting I have missed because of family. Going to have to plan better in the future.

I know both Ellsworth County and Lincoln County have some public safety on 800. I believe they are on the KS system, but I don't believe they have access to the KHP side.

If anyone can clarify the Ellsworth/Lincoln County radio system please let me know.

 

[Thunderbolt]

Here are the trunking frequencies for each site:

1. Paola, Miami County: WQDS579:

866.9625
867.3625
868.6125
868.9500

2. Severy, Greenwood County: WQDS581

866.9625
867.3125
868.6125
868.9500

3. Virgil, Greenwood County: WQDS582

866.6875
867.1125
867.4500
867.9125

4. Independence, Montgomery County: WQDT450

867.2000
867.6000
867.9375
868.6500

5. Waverly, Coffee County: WQDT453

867.2000
867.6000
867.9375
868.6500

6. West Mineral, Cherokee County: WQDV635

867.2375
867.6375
868.5875
868.9200

7. Kansas City, Wyandotte: WPKL892 (Recently upgraded for digital voice.)

866.0750
866.4125
866.7375
867.2500
868.2500
868.5000
868.8000

8. Buffalo, Wilson County: [size=-1]WQDW487 (issued today)

867.2625
867.6750
868.4000
868.8625
[/size]

In addition, the following sites are currently pending before the FCC for final approval:

1. Seldan, Chautauqua County:

866.1750
866.7125
867.4875
868.4250

2. Parker, Linn County:

866.1750
866.7125
867.4875
868.4250


I hope this helps you out?

73's

Ron

 

[ksmoscanner]

7. Kansas City, Wyandotte: WPKL892 (Recently upgraded for digital voice.)

This is the KU Med Center TRS. Been online for quite a few years now but has never carried anything other than hospital traffic. Wonder if its going to be part of te new system or if its getting its own separate upgrade???

No control channels yet on Miami County.....


Gregg in KC

 

[rick521]

New Frequencies

Look through the info I have on KSTRS and compared frequencies listed byThunderbolt and find 3 new frequencies. The others are either currently in use of listed as future use and assigned a color code. The new freguencies are 867.3125, 867.3625, 868.9200.

 

[Thunderbolt]

Look through the info I have on KSTRS and compared frequencies listed byThunderbolt and find 3 new frequencies. The others are either currently in use of listed as future use and assigned a color code. The new freguencies are 867.3125, 867.3625, 868.9200.

I wonder when state officials will start rolling-out the trunking technology? With the surge in new licenses they might be thinking within the next several months to a year. Ironically, this will mean a big sale on new digital scanners at the local Radio Shack stores.

73's

Ron

 

[KAA951]

Since KDOT has licensed 4 trunked pairs at each of the southeast KS tower sites will they have to abandon the current conventional channels they have there when the system is activated? Interesting that they only have 4 channels per tower- in looking at other statewide systems the number of channels is set by the potential number of users in each area.

Also see that they posted the "Kansas Interoperability Statewide System" (KISS) as a statewide TRS in the database. I hadn't heard that acronym used for the system and hope it is a joke- maybe it really stands for keep it simple stupid...

***Noticed today the name of the TRS as been changed on the website to KASIS.

 

[KAA951]

Was told today that "Phase I" of the wide-area digital system should be active Spring-Summer 2006 (knowing how these things go I would lean towards summer).

"Phase II" will be either be South-central (Wichita) or Northeast (KC/Lawrence/Topeka). Will be interesting to see where the $$ flows to (and from). The Governor's 2007 budget, released this morning, only has an allocation of $4.3 million for interoperability communications- down from the 2006 allocation of $18.4 million.

"Interoperability. The Governor recommends $18.4
million in FY 2006 to improve the statewide radio
communication system, which is a step toward
interoperability. Interoperability, one of the state’s
communication priorities, will allow law enforcement,
fire departments, and other first responders to
communicate simultaneously. KDOT will purchase
controllers and auxiliary equipment for the statewide
trucking system. Additionally, funds will be utilized
to upgrade all Highway Patrol and KDOT dispatch
consoles to operate in the new digital environment. Of
the recommendation, $5.3 million is from the Office of
Domestic Preparedness, $10.4 million is from the
Federal Highway Administration, and $2.7 million is
from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). For
FY 2007, the Governor recommends $1.5 million from
the ODP and $2.8 million from the FTA for the same
purpose." (Pg 58)

 

[rick521]

Thanks for the update. Do you think that will be "late summer?"

 

[KAA951]

More big updates in today....

The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) has committed to moving its operations to the State 800 TRS. Work will start this July and will take 18-24 months before the project is complete.

Phase II of the project is officially Northeast Kansas (including Topeka, Lawrence and KC areas). Should take 2 years to complete the buildout of all the tower sites.

Phase III will be in south central Kansas including Wichita- forecast for completion around 2010- Though areas along the KTA will be operational much sooner as the KTA finishes their buildout.

KHP will implement mobile data in areas as the radio construction phase is completed. Local agencies are being given the opportunity to lease mobile and portable radios from the state and be given talk-groups on the system. It will be interesting to see how many agencies in the Phase I areas jump on board.

There was major concerns raised at the meeting I was in about how this will effect the existing 800 systems that the state currently shares or "piggybacks" onto in Johnson, Wyandotte, Douglas and Shawnee County. Most local agencies already on 800 do not have $$ to upgrade to P-25 digital but the state system will be digital. It is likely that the state will leave the Johnson and Wyandotte systems all together for their new infrastructure. Douglas and Shawnee are the real kickers as the state holds the system licenses and "shares" them with the local units of government.

For those of you in KC- KHP reported they are pleased with the results of flying patrol in the KC area. Apparently Lenexa even offered $$ to increase the amount of time they fly- which the KHP turned down as they don't want to be tied down to any locality and 90% of their calls have been in KCK. The new KHP Bell 407 helo is supposed to be delivered in February and will most likely be dedicated to these KC flights.

 

[mancow]

I have to say that KHP copter is a godsend to the smaller agencies.


So, am I reading it correctly that Phase I is still the Coffey, Osage, Franklin, Miami area? I'm in Franklin so I hope so! I've been waiting for this thing to start up so I can finally use my 396 on digital system.
I've noticed all of the Troopers around here have XTS5000 portables and XTL5000 mobiles already issued.
Also, has there been any talk of encryption capabilites?


I wonder where all those MCS2000's and analog spectras will go? State Surplus maybe?


mancow

 

[KAA951]

Also, has there been any talk of encryption capabilites?

mancow

All the 5000 series mobile and portable radios issued to KHP so far have been purchased with the encrytion hardware and software installed.

From what I have heard the KHP dispatch channels will remain "in the clear" (P-25 digital) with secure channels set aside for special use.