LA County Fire - Simplex channel

[xilix]

This may not be news to most of you, but it was news to me:

I had the opportunity to go on a ride along a few weeks ago. This is in the battalion 4 area of the San Gabriel Valley. The rig had two radios. One was on Blue-5, as expected. The other was on V-6 Direct (153.83 / PL 151.4). Basically, when approaching the scene, the engine would call the other fire units on this freq.

This was not part of a major incident where a comm plan would be generated. But it happened several times so it appears most/all of the battalion 4 units maintain a monitor on this channel when getting close to the scene.

I just never saw this listed anywhere other than being a generic tac channel.

Does anyone know if this tac channel is Battalion 4 specific, or do other battalion's have their own channel ?

 

[LZJSR]

Battalion 5/6/22 also use V-6-D for routine unit-to-unit radio traffic when a comm plan is not issued

 

[markclark]

Go about a third down this page: Los Angeles County, California (CA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

"VHF - Fire Ground Tac Configuration"​

​

 

[LAflyer]

Each Battalion assignment has a designated simplex VHF. I can't find my list at the moment, but they have been posted here before.

 

[XTSJunior]

Each Battalion assignment has a designated simplex VHF. I can't find my list at the moment, but they have been posted here before.

Not anymore. Everyone is issued V-6D.

 

[f40ph]

Thank you for bringing up the subject. I was thinking each Batt still had a separate one. Thanks XTSJunior for updating us!

 

[Eng74]

I am guessing when LACoFD switches to their new UHF radio plan they are keeping the VHF radios also? Being able to communicate with Kern, USFS and everyone else on VHF and for the state VFire channels.

 

[avascan522]

I am guessing when LACoFD switches to their new UHF radio plan they are keeping the VHF radios also? Being able to communicate with Kern, USFS and everyone else on VHF and for the state VFire channels.

I don't know for certain, but it seems like a logical plan. UHF for non-wildfire incidents and VHF for wildfire (command/tacs). Since they'll mostly be carrying the tri-band (or at least dualband) radios, they can easily switch between VHF and UHF. The mobile radio situation will take more time to sort out, as I don't know if they have touched any of the mobiles, yet. I'm not even sure if any of the APX radios out there have he new UHF configuration in them, and if they do, why no one with insider info hasn't spoken up to share.

 

[LAflyer]

The first phase to transition to a few of the new UHF pairs is scheduled for the week of 6/12-16.

 

[f40ph]

I am guessing when LACoFD switches to their new UHF radio plan they are keeping the VHF radios also? Being able to communicate with Kern, USFS and everyone else on VHF and for the state VFire channels.

Yes, they'll continue to use VHF for fireground tactics even after the switch to the new UHF plan. Not an issue since they have APX multi-band portables now.

 

[KG7PBS]

Yes, they'll continue to use VHF for fireground tactics even after the switch to the new UHF plan. Not an issue since they have APX multi-band portables now.

Or the BRK90000 uhf VHF

 

[f40ph]

Or the BRK90000 uhf VHF

Are the BKR9000 FCC certified yet? I hadn't heard they're available on the open market, nor did I hear that LACo purchased any...inquiring minds want to know LOL

 

[KG7PBS]

Are the BKR9000 FCC certified yet? I hadn't heard they're available on the open market, nor did I hear that LACo purchased any...inquiring minds want to know LOL

Yes just not on 700

 

[Kingscup]

I don’t follow LACoFD too closely. Why are they wanting/needing to move UHF frequencies?

 

[monitor142]

I don’t follow LACoFD too closely. Why are they wanting/needing to move UHF frequencies?

Long story short, with the implementation of the LA-RICS trunking system, a conventional simulcast sub-system has been built out for LACFD adding numerous repeated tacs for different geographic areas of the County. Spectrum refarming is the best description and this will provide them with double if not triple the channels including new direct tacs in UHF.

Check out the db and you'll see the future channel line up. LACFD will not be using the trunking system for day-to-day operations. Trunked traffic will be admin and other special ops.

 

[EMTJD]

Long story short, with the implementation of the LA-RICS trunking system, a conventional simulcast sub-system has been built out for LACFD adding numerous repeated tacs for different geographic areas of the County. Spectrum refarming is the best description and this will provide them with double if not triple the channels including new direct tacs in UHF.

Check out the db and you'll see the future channel line up. LACFD will not be using the trunking system for day-to-day operations. Trunked traffic will be admin and other special ops.

Maybe I don't have LA-RICS configured properly in my 536, but whenever I've scanned it, I never hear anything.

 

[EMTJD]

I am guessing when LACoFD switches to their new UHF radio plan they are keeping the VHF radios also? Being able to communicate with Kern, USFS and everyone else on VHF and for the state VFire channels.

What "new UHF radio plan"? I presume this is in the RR database? When does this go into operation?

 

[f40ph]

What "new UHF radio plan"? I presume this is in the RR database? When does this go into operation?

1. The new UHF plan are the new conventional frequencies that LACoFD will be using.
2. Yep it's in the database under "Future use".
3. Later this year.

 

[EMTJD]

1. The new UHF plan are the new conventional frequencies that LACoFD will be using.
2. Yep it's in the database under "Future use".
3. Later this year.

I’ll check it out.

 

[E5911]

This may help some with the system. apparently you cant play the video directly

This is a LAcofd trainingvideo