MBTA EDACS

[lmattuchio]

Hi

I'm still trying to Program the MBTA EDACS System on my BCD996P2. The Site is set to wide and I have all to frequencies with corresponding LCN. I have tried setting the base to search for channels and I get no activity. I have also gone to my local T station to test with same results. I don't know what i am doing wrong. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[JackTheWebDev]

Do you have the ProVoice upgrade for your scanner? Pretty sure you need that activated on your scanner in order to listen to that system

 

[W1KNE]

I agree with Jack. It sounds like you don't have the upgrade activated. I just monitored the system on Saturday with no issues.

 

[garys]

By no activity do you mean that the scanner doesn't stop on any Talk Groups or that it does, but there is no audio?

 

[StoliRaz]

The MBTA is planning to retire the Provoice system and switch to a P25 phase 2 system from what we've heard. Who knows when though. Given that it is the only Provoice system in eastern Ma, you may or may not want to spend the money to upgrade your scanner.

If you already have it, are you manually programming it or using software? Software will make it 100 times easier.

 

[garys]

It took over a decade from when the MBTA awarded that contract until the system was fully built out. At the time no one could figure out why they would go with EDACS when everyone else in eastern MA was going with Motorola. That's why the T Police never adopted EDACS for their communications.

If I can find it, I have a x36HP file somewhere on my computer for that system. I listened to it until I sold the 536HP I had and didn't bother to get the upgrade for my SDS. If anyone is interested and I can find it I'll send it along.

The MBTA is planning to retire the Provoice system and switch to a P25 phase 2 system from what we've heard. Who knows when though. Given that it is the only Provoice system in eastern Ma, you may or may not want to spend the money to upgrade your scanner.

If you already have it, are you manually programming it or using software? Software will make it 100 times easier.

 

[StoliRaz]

It took over a decade from when the MBTA awarded that contract until the system was fully built out. At the time no one could figure out why they would go with EDACS when everyone else in eastern MA was going with Motorola. That's why the T Police never adopted EDACS for their communications.

If I can find it, I have a x36HP file somewhere on my computer for that system. I listened to it until I sold the 536HP I had and didn't bother to get the upgrade for my SDS. If anyone is interested and I can find it I'll send it along.

I miss when they were UHF. 470.6625 was one of them...the red line if I remember right. Listened to them a lot back in the 90s. It's been a long time.

Given the way everything gets wrapped in red tape in this state, it might be yet another 10 year wait before they migrate. Just a heads-up for the OP

 

[nikronzo]

The MBTA is planning to retire the Provoice system and switch to a P25 phase 2 system from what we've heard. Who knows when though. Given that it is the only Provoice system in eastern Ma, you may or may not want to spend the money to upgrade your scanner.

If you already have it, are you manually programming it or using software? Software will make it 100 times easier.

Do not be surprised if it ends up being a L3 Harris only capable system, meaning that they use Two47 Base stations and broadcast a TDMA CC. It's a option that L3 is pushing with non PS agencies that don't necessarily need interop with other agencies.