Louisville Metrosafe

[ofd8001]

I believe they have moto-bridged Police suburban F2, EMS 10 (I think) and County fire one. I haven't heard why, some time I get the chance I'll contact a guy I know.

I think it is being done on already created talkgroups, as I haven't seen any new numbers come up when I'm searching.

The audio on the bridged channels ain't what you'd call great, but lousy audio is better than no audio. The "digitizing" of the audio adds a little delay. I imagine the bridging might also add a wee bit more. It's really wierd hearing it on two scanners - one set up for MetroSafe and another set up for conventional. At least if you miss something the first time, you get a chance to hear it the second.

 

[jerk]

I believe they have moto-bridged Police suburban F2, EMS 10 (I think) and County fire one. I haven't heard why, some time I get the chance I'll contact a guy I know.

I think it is being done on already created talkgroups, as I haven't seen any new numbers come up when I'm searching.

The audio on the bridged channels ain't what you'd call great, but lousy audio is better than no audio. The "digitizing" of the audio adds a little delay. I imagine the bridging might also add a wee bit more. It's really wierd hearing it on two scanners - one set up for MetroSafe and another set up for conventional. At least if you miss something the first time, you get a chance to hear it the second.

I think one of the reasons why is for "instant" communications and that was one of the failures from the interoperability report for emergency communications. I also think the report said some dispatchers were not instantly familiar with setting up a patch. Like the viewers were or could. They have enough to worry about to do a good job, so it's easier left up and ready to go. Plus, I think VHF and UHF and can monitor easier.

I was at the Italian-American dinner Friday, and it looked like the Sheriff deputies had VHF radios not UHF. But didn't get to look to closely nor did I want too. The aptch wuld be idela for those situations.

AL

 

[KI4HAM]

They are simulcasting using a computer called a MotoBridge. Of course it is a Motorola computer system. The front end of the system is a computer monitor that has several banks of radios showing on it. The operator can take any series of radios and bridge them together and get the simulcast that you are hearing.

The Suburban F-3...155.580 pl 146.2 and the Urban Channel 4 460.475 is always up on the system. I think that Suburban Command 155.070 and Urban channel 7 453.575 are also always up.

The computer has the capability to bridge at least 500 channels on the system. The backbone of the system sits in a room in the front of the center separate from the radio room and holds an enormous amount of mobile radios that are controlled through the motobridge.

The top of the 768 building has a crap load of antennas on it and is waiting for a lightning strike...LOL..

The operators on the floor can also bridge channels from their front end radio system which is touch screen in the event of an absolute need it now emergency.

Hope this helps anyone out that wanted to know alittle about the simulcast or bridging of channels at MetroSafe.

D

Doug the only bridge up full time is F3 and Channel 4. That is it. The other is up as a testing tool to figure out if everything is up and running correctly plus it is nice to hear it on the trunked system. I put med 10, fire 1, and Suburban f2 up as a tool. At any given time the others could come down however I have requested they stay up as I am testing.

 

[LouisvilleScanMan]

Hay KI4HAM, Good to see you on here.I chatted with you on 2 meters a while back.Catch ya on the air some time. Chris KI4RDG

 

[BigDog-911]

Thanks Matt, I appreciate the clarification. Obviously I have been out of the loop for about a year now and thought the other bridge was a permanent one.

Have a good one and good to have someone from the inside on here.

D

 

[StinkyB]

Thanks for the info, I have enjoyed monitoring, as for the audio it sounds pretty good to me. Hope to hear more added to the MotoBridge System.

 

[ofd8001]

Well, we pontificated a lot of good reasons why they Motobridged some of the existing radio frequencies to the new system.

I spoke with a "well placed source" who said yet another good reason, and for one all scannists should be appreciative, it was to give foks listening to MetroSafe something to listen to. This is probably good for another reason, as it may give some feedback on how the thing is doing, as far as people being able to listen to it.

So presuming there won't be anything to get in the way of that, we do need to thank this fine fellow for thinking about us.

Also, they have changed the one suburban fire channel to fire two instead of fire one.

 

[BigDog-911]

Also, they have changed the one suburban fire channel to fire two instead of fire one.

This wasn't at the urging of a well known Chief was it? LOL...

D

 

[ofd8001]

Nah, U No Who called me yesterday to tell me why. It was his own initiative.

I got to feeling mushy last night and was thinking how lucky we are to have the radio shop folks that we have. They've been really great to work with, always ready to help and have a smile while they are doing it. The same is true for the biggest chunk of folks at the dispatch center though sadly some of my comrades (the more short sighted ones) may not agree.

These folks all care about what they do, and are interested in how it goes. The number of them that haunt this forum is a good example of that.

 

[BigDog-911]

Nah, U No Who called me yesterday to tell me why. It was his own initiative.

I got to feeling mushy last night and was thinking how lucky we are to have the radio shop folks that we have. They've been really great to work with, always ready to help and have a smile while they are doing it. The same is true for the biggest chunk of folks at the dispatch center though sadly some of my comrades (the more short sighted ones) may not agree.

These folks all care about what they do, and are interested in how it goes. The number of them that haunt this forum is a good example of that.

I agree, the Radio Shop guys have always been willing to assist, teach and jump in when needed.

One of these days the shortsighted white helmets will awaken to see that the people behind the radio do not go to work everyday to mess something up. There are very few white helmets that do not call to complain but call to get clarification and to make sure that it wasn't something entered incorrectly on their end. You are one of them and the other starts with a 26.

I know off topic, but sorry. Off my soapbox now...lol

 

[jerk]

Nah, U No Who called me yesterday to tell me why. It was his own initiative.

I got to feeling mushy last night and was thinking how lucky we are to have the radio shop folks that we have. They've been really great to work with, always ready to help and have a smile while they are doing it. The same is true for the biggest chunk of folks at the dispatch center though sadly some of my comrades (the more short sighted ones) may not agree.

These folks all care about what they do, and are interested in how it goes. The number of them that haunt this forum is a good example of that.

Years ago, before the big merger, the Jeff Co. radio shop used to have an excellent web page, not really technical information, but useful and informative. I wish something like that could be brought back.

AL

 

[StinkyB]

Thanks

Well, we pontificated a lot of good reasons why they Motobridged some of the existing radio frequencies to the new system.

I spoke with a "well placed source" who said yet another good reason, and for one all scannists should be appreciative, it was to give foks listening to MetroSafe something to listen to. This is probably good for another reason, as it may give some feedback on how the thing is doing, as far as people being able to listen to it.

So presuming there won't be anything to get in the way of that, we do need to thank this fine fellow for thinking about us.

Also, they have changed the one suburban fire channel to fire two instead of fire one.

I want to express my thanks! Been lots of fun listening to the MetroSafe System.

 

[LouisvilleScanMan]

Yeah I remember that, they had a nice site with lots of photos of the shop and the tower site. I would like the metro radio shop to do something like that. Right now there is a small description and one pic on the MetroSafe site.

 

[unitcharlie]

Does anyone have MetroSafe mapped to the point that something could be placed in the database-even if only a stopgap-to allow folks from outside the Metro area to download the system and monitor it for a day trip....

 

[BigDog-911]

Does anyone have MetroSafe mapped to the point that something could be placed in the database-even if only a stopgap-to allow folks from outside the Metro area to download the system and monitor it for a day trip....

I think the bad thing about the MetroSafe system right now is that there are no definite simulcasts set up. At least that is what I believe to be correct anyway. They can change them at anytime and in the case of the ULPD, can add them as well.

D

 

[StinkyB]

Agreed

I think the bad thing about the MetroSafe system right now is that there are no definite simulcasts set up. At least that is what I believe to be correct anyway. They can change them at anytime and in the case of the ULPD, can add them as well.

D

I agree with BigDog-911, They are changing what they are simulcasting day by day, I am at work today, and I haven't heard anything at all. Only thing they have been simulcasting consistently is LMPD F-2 Suburban.

 

[unitcharlie]

Trying to get a handle on MetroSafe--for future trips to the Derby City--according to ULS there are eight sites: five towers, two mobile and the 6.1 metre rule....
The ULS sites are:
Site#1: 101 SOUTH FIFTH STREET LOUISVILLE, KY (15 freqs)
(Site#4 is 113 km radius around Site#1 for mobiles)
Site#2: 2400 ARCEE WAY JEFFERSONTOWN, KY (5 freqs)
(Site#5 is 113 km radius around Site#2 for mobiles)
(Site#3 is 6.1 Metre)
Site#6: 9901 LINN STATION ROAD LOUISVILLE, KY (5 freqs)
Site#7: 420 MEIDINGER TOWER LOUSIVILLE, KY (5 freqs)
Site#8: 472 M SSW OF ARNOLDTOWN ROAD LOUISVILLE, KY (5 freqs)

I understand that anything can happen and the final system isn't set until the time for build-out has expired.... Has anyone run Unitrunker on this system since the simulcasting has begun? The freqs listed in the database are those listed for sites #2, #6, #7 & #8, are the other freqs in use at all?

I am going to program Site #1 into one of my scanners and see if I can listen from a-far....

 

[ofd8001]

In my Uniden 996, I have programmed the frequencies shown in the RR database and I receive the system, pretty much any place I go within Jefferson County.

The are only 3 sites in operation at present: site 6 which is the old Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Delta Dental) building at I-64 and Hurstbourne Lane, site 7 which is the Meidinger Tower, and site 8 which is called Waverly Hills. The other sites 1-5 are not in operation (and from what I know, probably won't be included when it's all said and done).

I heard from reliable sources today, that final details are being worked out for tower space on which MetroSafe will co-locate with cellular service providers of which there are three. After those details are worked out, they will begin construction at those sites (generators and ground equipment). There are two towers (now being used for the VHF/UHF equipment) and installing MetroSafe equipment at those locations will be the easiest.

For the four other sites where new towers will be built, this will probably be the slowest going as there is much more stuff to do.

 

[StinkyB]

System 1A6

UnitCharlie,

I ran Pro96Com on one of the first days that I started hearing the simulcasting, Here is what I got, I can run it again, because it has been more active lately.

 

[unitcharlie]

Thanx Danny... looks like I will need to visit and just listen.