KVE Achieves Interoperability with K.S.P.

[kytnradio]

Kentucky Dept. of Vehicle Enforcement Achieves Interoperability with K.S.P.

Press/Industry SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—12 April 2005— Two-way radio communications for the Kentucky Department of Vehicle Enforcement (KVE) have moved into the 21st century. The agency is replacing its current 1950’s two-way radio system (originally installed in the 1950s) by utilizing the Kentucky State Police (KSP) statewide system.

"Lack of coverage and increased maintenance issues created major problems with our old system," said Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence, secretary of Justice and Public Safety. "Updating KVE communication systems was not only a matter of efficiency; it was a matter of officer and public safety."

In July of 2002, the KSP began using its powerful new public safety tool – a fully operational statewide Motorola ASTRO® Project 25 UHF digital conventional two-way radio communications system. Instead of building its own system, Lt. Governor Pence and Commissioner Greg Howard developed a plan to partner with the Kentucky State Police.

“Joining the statewide system has been a success for Kentucky and the protection of our officers,” said Lt. Glynn Powers, Dept. of Vehicle Enforcement. “It is a morale and confidence builder to know that if a situation develops, this system will perform.”

The system includes more than 200 of the Spectra P25 Mobile and XTS5000 P25 Portable two-way radios, a Vehicle Repeater System, and 17 Spectra P25 control stations located at each weigh station. Additionally, the Elite Dispatch Console System located at the Transportation Emergency Operating Center has been upgraded to accommodate the new system.

”The benefits of merging with the existing KSP system are tremendous,” said Greg Howard, commissioner, Department of Vehicle Enforcement. ”We get quality coverage throughout the entire state, the latest and greatest technology, and a system that gives us interoperability with the state’s leading law enforcement agency as well as local public safety.”

 

[unitcharlie]

Hi KYTN...

Welcome to the forum.... there are a number of us who have been tracking the KVE transition for a long time....the entire thread is here:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=16030

If you can figure out the unit numbering system and how they interact on the radio with the KS{P Post they are operating in your info would be very welcome....

Again, welcome to the forum!

 

[cd]

KVE on KSP System

Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement is using the Kentucky State Police frequency 453.300. This is a frequency that is common at all 16 KSP Post and Hq. radio. It is used very little by KSP units (some aircraft or special ops may use it from time to time.) Now that KVE is using it, probably won't be used much by KSP. All 16 KSP post operate on different frequencies but all post have a 453.300 frequency and dispatchers monitor that frequency at all times. KVE units at any location in the state can now make contacat with KSP post if necessary. When KVE made the change over from the 44.62 freq. very little traffic was heard on 453.300 because only supervisors had radios on the UHF freq. From what I am hearing lately, all KVE units must now have a radio on the 453.300 freq.
Locally I hear all the units calling their HQ. in Frankfort. Ref. Unit numbers. Each KVE Post has a post number. The post in Henderson is Post 8. All units assigned to post 8 have unit numbers starting with 8
Ex: 801, 811, 815, 825 etc. Units will call 815 to TOC (Transportation Operations Center). A KSP dispatcher at the Henderson post will also monitor this call. Should KVE unit need KSP assistance he can call 815 to KSP Henderson and will be answered by a KSP dispatcher.
Listening to 453.300 for a couple of hours this morning there was lots of traffic from KVE units so activity on this channel should be picking up for those wanting to listen .

 

[INDY72]

Question: According to the article, they are on the KSP ASTRO 25 UHF conventional platform with KSP... but according to rr.com data... they are still analog on the single UHF freq.... Is the transition not completed yet?

 

[unitcharlie]

Question: According to the article, they are on the KSP ASTRO 25 UHF conventional platform with KSP... but according to rr.com data... they are still analog on the single UHF freq.... Is the transition not completed yet?

MILF, are you sitting down? The frequency in question, 453.300 is BOTH digital and analog. There are nearly fourty agencies in Kentucky Government operating on that freq, however, Ky Motor Vehicle Enforcement is now the largest single user. For example, KSP aircraft use 453.300 (162.2PL) in analog mode, KVE is using this freq in analog, it is still programmed into the KSP system as Digital as well.

The ASTRO stuff they are on is the current Ky State Police radio system. Each of the the KVE cruisers is now equipped with the appropriate Saber with the KSP freqs programmed, these are housed in vehicle repeaters that operate on the the mobile and vehicle repeater freqs licensed to KSP. This way the KVE officers have reliable contact with nearby law enforcement thru the KSP system, they can also monitor the Post freq in their patrol area in case a Trooper needs help as well--either back-up or D.O.T related. The KVE officers communicate thru their system to their HQ in Frankfort.

As noted in the article, these freqs are spread from one end of the state to the other, top to bottom and have more reliable coverage than the old system they used (low-vhf).

Does that help?

 

[kd4bas]

I just monitored an armed robbery from Evansville, IN yesterday that the suspects came into Henderson, KY. I heard "Kentucky MVE 800" on the KSP APCO system. MVE 800 assisted in the pursuit and arrest of the suspects and when it was over MVE 800 advised Henderson that "all MVE units are going back to their standard system"

No sure if this is much help, but at least we know district 8 (Henderson) now has APCO radios for post 16.


Does anyone have a map or listings of what MVE post are where or where they cover?

 

[unitcharlie]

Hi Eddie....

Thanx for the post.... that is exactly what the dual radio system is to be used for, KSP and MVE being extra eyes for one-another.... at least the way I understand it from the folks in Frankfort. When they return to their standard system they are going back to 453.300....

Somewhere in my digital stuff I have a list with each of the MVE Areas of Operations and a map showing the KSP post areas compared to the MVE areas.... if I remember the MVE AAAO's seemed to be centered on the various weigh stations....

if I find it I will send it to you....

 

[zerg901]

Are the KVE units using UHF portable radios or VHF portables? Peter S Arlington MA

 

[unitcharlie]

The vehicle repeaters and, I would assume, the handhelds are in the mid 150's on tx in analog. The in-car repeaters/mobiles tx in the mid 400's in digital.... there is a a digital/analog freq available for qall state agencies.... 453.30000. They use ASTRO Quantar base stations, ASTRO Spectra mobiles, ASTRO Vehicular Repeater System and ASTRO XTS 3000 digital portables.

 

[KE4ZNR]

Steve-
If you find that KVE map could you send me a copy too? My wife picks on me because besides being a scanner buff I am a map fanatic I would appreciate it bud...

 

[zerg901]

I seem to remember that when the KSP UHF system was implemented, it was reported that each district / post would have multiple repeater (FB2) outputs, but only 1 repeater input freq. Therefore, there could be 1, 2, or 3 or more unused input freqs in each district. That is why I was thinking that maybe the new portables might be on UHF. Peter S

 

[unitcharlie]

Hi Marshall:
If I ever find the thing.... it was on a disk in my file, I will send it to you and even post it here... wish me luck.


Hi Peter:
It is an odd system.... the handhelds are linked to the Vehicular Repeaters andf the TAC freqs (also mid 150's analog).... accordding to the News Releases on the KSP system and the KVE system, the system uses multicast so the folks on the road can tx on one of two digital or one analog freq.... this is a conventional system that uses Vote Scan software to enable the systems mobile and protable radios to automatically talk to and thru the site with the strongest signal.... each sub-area within the post is assigned a digital transmit (B) and talk-around (A) freq plus the 453.300 in analog. It is wild monitoring sometimes....

 

[mastr]

......"there is a a digital/analog freq available for qall state agencies.... 453.30000. They use ASTRO Quantar base stations, ASTRO Spectra mobiles, ASTRO Vehicular Repeater System and ASTRO XTS 3000 digital portables."


The stations on 453.300mhz. are the same ones that have been used since about 1979, they are the General Electric Mastr 2.

 

[kd4bas]

Spent 4 hours last night working a semi-truck overturned and spent a lot of time (after getting the victims out) talking to the local officers with KSP and MVE. :lol:

KSP officer advised that they are trying to get their mobile data terminals set up but he mentioned the same issue as the MVE officer (see below)

KY Motor Vehicle Enforcement – “Sergeant K” advised that the data terminals are having issues since the company that sold and support them advised that they should hit the cell towers 90+% of the time then switch to the satellite uplink when that fails but currently it is the other way around.

KY MVE is having issues with the new radio system (453.300), they keep hearing other units from the other side of the state, but they cannot communicate with units in their own area. Sergeant K advised that he thinks they are having issues with the voter on the Morganfield tower and a few other towers that keeps hanging on transmit and having an open key. Radio technicians are currently going to every tower and relay and checking each radio and also trying to make sure that the data terminal traffic can be received from each unit.

Sergeant K advised that MVE will start being dispatched from the local post areas before too long, (no time frame) but they are afraid that KSP will give KVE the assignments that the KSP units don’t want or too “messy to deal with”

Sergeant K advised that according to KY MVE HQ, all units are supposed to be able to speak to other units from end to end of the state when the system is up and running without be “sectional” like the old KSP “state” system.

Hope this info helps out and is not too confusing.

 

[mastr]

Sergeant K advised that according to KY MVE HQ, all units are supposed to be able to speak to other units from end to end of the state when the system is up and running without be “sectional” like the old KSP “state” system.

I would love to know who was responsible for that statement. Someone has been mis-informed, and is going to be disappointed.


disclaimer- all statements herein are my own and as such do not represent any official KSP position or capacity.