KSICS Anchor Thread

[Redneck0410]

General reception question

Since we're discussing all manner of topics in this thread, I have a simple enough question that I would like clarification on. Living in my little "slice of heaven", as it were (Reno County), I am in reasonable range of numerous KSICS towers. I feel I should be picking up more radio traffic than I am, but yet, I just seem to get the local stuff for the most part. I understand the whole deal of if a radio ain't affiliated with a tower you won't hear traffic. Theoretically speaking, however, since most of the towers share control channels, wouldn't it be a fair guess to say I should be essentially be picking up traffic from other counties on a regular basis or am I living in a pipe dream here? I sporadically pick up whispers of traffic from other counties, but nowhere near as frequently as I thought I would. Insight, folks?

-Shawn

 

[nosig55]

I have the same pipe dream in Leavenworth. Last night I was hearing Marshall County. I think that is a ways from LV, can't say I heard them before. I agree with you but don't have an answer. With all the towers around it seems you would hear from all over.

 

[Redneck0410]

There was one time I was picking up KHP troop A (only a couple transmissions) and I was getting JOCO Sheriff. Other than that, nothing major to report. I have had it hooked to Pro96com to check affiliations and such but nothing of note pops up.

Edit- I did just get a sniff of traffic from Pottowatomie County SO off the Hutch tower as I'm typing this.


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[joeuser]

Since we're discussing all manner of topics in this thread, I have a simple enough question that I would like clarification on. Living in my little "slice of heaven", as it were (Reno County), I am in reasonable range of numerous KSICS towers. I feel I should be picking up more radio traffic than I am, but yet, I just seem to get the local stuff for the most part. I understand the whole deal of if a radio ain't affiliated with a tower you won't hear traffic. Theoretically speaking, however, since most of the towers share control channels, wouldn't it be a fair guess to say I should be essentially be picking up traffic from other counties on a regular basis or am I living in a pipe dream here? I sporadically pick up whispers of traffic from other counties, but nowhere near as frequently as I thought I would. Insight, folks?

-Shawn

Assuming you have all nearby towers programmed & the likely TG's to be used & found on those towers it could be your antenna. You shouldn't have two different towers CC's using the same frequency in range. This would cause a conflict. This is why the comm vans use the 700's, so they can operate anywhere & not interfere with towers in place. I'm nearby Russell county (off 70) & I have a good, external 800 antenna up. I get my county & all surrounding counties. Sometimes I may get a tower just outside those but it is rare.

 

[joeuser]

There was one time I was picking up KHP troop A (only a couple transmissions) and I was getting JOCO Sheriff. Other than that, nothing major to report. I have had it hooked to Pro96com to check affiliations and such but nothing of note pops up.

Edit- I did just get a sniff of traffic from Pottowatomie County SO off the Hutch tower as I'm typing this.


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I had the same traffic from Pottawatomie today. Remember, if a radio from Russell is left on & travels to Wichita, all that Russell traffic will go with it. Units can drag traffic all over the state now.

 

[Redneck0410]

Gotcha, I'm new to this digital deal


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[joeuser]

Gotcha, I'm new to this digital deal


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So, what kind of antenna(s) are you using & on what unit(s)?

 

[Redneck0410]

Just a simple 800 RatShack antenna on a Pro-652. I've tried that one, a center-load whip, and the stock antenna and the 800 is about the best in the bunch. Outdoor antennas are out of the question for the time being. I'd like a different antenna that'll give me some decent gain toward Wichita, but striking out so far.


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[Redneck0410]

I have some vhf channels in the surrounding counties (namely Harvey and Rice) that I'd like to tune in as well, but given my location (smack dab in the middle of Hutchinson) I am unable to catch except during the nighttime hours and usually it's scratchy at best, so I'm thinking an amp wouldn't help me on that count, with a mess of power lines surrounding me.


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[joeuser]

Just a simple 800 RatShack antenna on a Pro-652. I've tried that one, a center-load whip, and the stock antenna and the 800 is about the best in the bunch. Outdoor antennas are out of the question for the time being. I'd like a different antenna that'll give me some decent gain toward Wichita, but striking out so far.


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While that's a great whip, with nice gain - its still the limiting factor. I don't know that you could do much better unless you go external. Even an antenna in your attic or outside a window, maybe magnetic on a window AC. Heck, even something like that on your refrigerator can help. It depends on so many factors, your elevation, surrounding terrain, etc. We had a guy here lived in a trailer, couldn't figure out why he wasn't getting good reception... The home is surrounded in metal... Might as well had been in a Faraday cage...

 

[joeuser]

I have some vhf channels in the surrounding counties (namely Harvey and Rice) that I'd like to tune in as well, but given my location (smack dab in the middle of Hutchinson) I am unable to catch except during the nighttime hours and usually it's scratchy at best, so I'm thinking an amp wouldn't help me on that count, with a mess of power lines surrounding me.


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You could try an amp but it'd probably only amplify the surrounding crap. Your best bet, before you do anything else is to figure out how to get an antenna outside.

 

[KAA951]

I have had it hooked to Pro96com to check affiliations and such but nothing of note pops up.

It will be interesting to see what you find if you monitor those sites during the state fair. You likely will have talkgroups dragged in from across the whole state.

 

[Redneck0410]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.


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[Redneck0410]

Is there any legitimate reason for one to program in the alternate control channels for this system, or do most sites just use the primary control channel?

 

[LeeBarnes]

I've mostly just heard sites using the primary cc but on the rare occasion the secondary was in use. You could probably get by just fine only having the primary programmed in, but it isn't going to hurt anything having the secondary programmed too and then you're covered.

Personally, I just program all the site's frequencies, but I'm anal like that. lol

 

[Redneck0410]

I am in the midst of an experiment, if you will. I have gotten all the sites in the KSICS system programmed in by just using the primary channels. So far everything is still coming in pretty good. I took the Partridge site out because for the most part I am not noticing much in the way of voice traffic there


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[retiredmich]

Hope you dont mind me jumping in, i been reading what's been posted & i see some of you have Pottawatomy Co programed in, have you also got Wabaunsee Co ? I have it programed in my 106 & it covers a big chunk from Topeka west to Manhattan & South on i-335 from Topeka to Salina, just FYI

 

[Redneck0410]

I have the entire KSICS System imported. I haven't heard wabaunsee yet. Also have a wildcard tg in there in case I miss something and it's a no-go.


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[retiredmich]

Must be one of those dead spots during the evening ? when i go to Manhattan Ks i get some traffic, not
a lot. Same with Manhattan when i'm there. Iguess every one is behaving ?

 

[Redneck0410]

I've never heard traffic from out that way. I heard probably 3 transmissions each from KHP Troop A and JOCO SO and that's about it. And that was like three weeks ago. May be possible I had someone from that area affiliates to a nearby tower but I don't know. I am not able to mount an antenna outside due to the terms of the lease on my apartment, so I am looking for suggestions on a suitable indoor type tri-band antenna with decent gain that I might be able to suck in some more traffic.


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