Maryland's statewide network

[TOP2]

I traveled up RT 95 to Wilmington Delaware this passed weekend. I programmed Maryland's first network in my TRX 1. I only heard maybe one or two transmissions and that was around the Baltimore area. I would have thought I would have heard more traffic. Does anyone have a Whistler TRX 1 programmed for this area?
Thanks
Mike

 

[boatbod]

I traveled up RT 95 to Wilmington Delaware this passed weekend. I programmed Maryland's first network in my TRX 1. I only heard maybe one or two transmissions and that was around the Baltimore area. I would have thought I would have heard more traffic. Does anyone have a Whistler TRX 1 programmed for this area?
Thanks
Mike

The MD FiRST system is in extensive use in many counties on the Eastern Shore, but many of the urban areas are still using their legacy radios due to the up-front cost of the new hardware required. MdTA makes extensive use of FiRST, so I wouldn't be surprised if you heard them around the Baltimore area.

Suggest you post in the dedicated FiRST thread and you may get more responses.

 

[maus92]

Yea TRX-1 does not play well with FIRST. SDSx00 work much better. FIRST is very active in that area.

 

[josephdurnal]

The trouble isn't really FIRST, its simulcast. In Frederick County the TRX-1 works great on FIRST, but that is because we have all ASR sites. In other areas I have better luck with FIRST mobile if I keep the antenna as low as possible, laying the scanner down in the center console actually seems to improve things, not that it is ideal, but the radio was bought before the SDS-100 was a thing, so that's what I've got.

 

[maus92]

The trouble isn't really FIRST, its simulcast. In Frederick County the TRX-1 works great on FIRST, but that is because we have all ASR sites. In other areas I have better luck with FIRST mobile if I keep the antenna as low as possible, laying the scanner down in the center console actually seems to improve things, not that it is ideal, but the radio was bought before the SDS-100 was a thing, so that's what I've got.

Technically, you are correct. FIRST is a hybrid simulcast / multicast system, with a heavy reliance on simulcast sites. There are limited areas where the TRX-1 works OK with FIRST, but the OP was not transiting through one. Simulcast is the reason why the OP's TRX did not receive well, but in practical terms the TRX-1 has very limited useability when trying to monitor FIRST in most areas of the state.

 

[josephdurnal]

Technically, you are correct. FIRST is a hybrid simulcast / multicast system, with a heavy reliance on simulcast sites. There are limited areas where the TRX-1 works OK with FIRST, but the OP was not transiting through one. Simulcast is the reason why the OP's TRX did not receive well, but in practical terms the TRX-1 has very limited useability when trying to monitor FIRST in most areas of the state.

How is the SDS100?

 

[maus92]

How is the SDS100?

It is close to perfect.

 

[TOP2]

Thanks for the reply's. I do have the SDS100 but didn't bring it on the trip. Also because I travel the I95 route when I go that way I mostly like to l to listen to the Law Enforcement that patrol that part of the I95 corridor. I also understand that some of those talkgroups are encrypted is that a true statement? Does anyone on here have some good talkgroups that I can check to make sure I have the correct ones programmed in.
I'm familiar with the TRX1 problems with dealing with Simulcast/multicast system problems I have that same problem here in Va with a local Simulcast system.
Thanks for you help
Mike

 

[maus92]

Thanks for the reply's. I do have the SDS100 but didn't bring it on the trip. Also because I travel the I95 route when I go that way I mostly like to l to listen to the Law Enforcement that patrol that part of the I95 corridor. I also understand that some of those talkgroups are encrypted is that a true statement? Does anyone on here have some good talkgroups that I can check to make sure I have the correct ones programmed in.
I'm familiar with the TRX1 problems with dealing with Simulcast/multicast system problems I have that same problem here in Va with a local Simulcast system.
Thanks for you help
Mike

The Maryland State Police are primary on I-95 north of the Baltimore City line to the border with Delaware. The Maryland Transportation Authority Police are primary on I-95 within the city of Baltimore, and all of I-895, plus the tunnels. The Maryland State Police are primary once again south of the city to Virginia. The main operating / dispatch channels of both these agencies are not encrypted, and are hosted on FIRST starting around Laurel northward. The Cecil County Sheriff's Department does encrypt their operations on FIRST, but they are not the primary law enforcement agency for I-95. For the MSP, you will want to program the Golden Ring, Bel Air and JFK Barracks, and for the MdTAP, program the Tunnel Command. Baltimore City and Baltimore County, and the Harford County Sheriff are also unencrypted for operations, but they are not primary on I-95.