McLennan County Announces Digital Migration

[uber27]

I was told that the city radio shop **may** be submitting the info directly to RR themselves, the data might already be in RR just waiting for an admin to approve.

From listening to the scanners today, 258 is definitely ETMC Dispatch and 48 is definitely Waco Fire 5A. I am pretty sure 3 is WPD 1A, and 4 is 1B, which would make sense if 5 is 1C as kc5qih pointed out.

 

[kc5qih]

well it looks like MCSO dispatch is going to be TG 33

 

[kc5qih]

Waco PD dispatch Ch B is 4

So WPD Ch A (Primary Dispatch) 3
Waco PD Dispatch Ch B 4
Waco PD Records (TCIC/NCIC) 5
Waco SO Dispatch 33

 

[kc5qih]

Well, sir, you seem to know much more than I regarding the structure & activities of WFD & ETMC. I find it very confusing. What is your opinion on TG 48 & the tones? I thought this was WFD dispatch, but tones seem to be associated with this TG.

I'm going to stick with the LE side of this little puzzle. I just heard TG 48 talking about an aerial vehicle.

My knowledge comes mainly from working in the "business" for a while and having a lot of friends and family who also do. As far as the Waco system, everyone is in the same comm center. The same dispatchers rotate from WPD to MCSO so essentially MCSO dispatchers are just Waco PD dispatchers working that channel. The Sheriff's office dispatches for the actual SO Deputies as well as the smaller agencies who do not have their own etc..Mart PD. You will only hear the actual SO Deputies on the trunk frequencies and they all have numbers in the 100's. The Waco call numbers are by shift/beat and not so much badge numbers.

 

[Jay911]

Yeah, League City and Friendswood used to do that all the time. It was funny because unless you listened to both VHF and the TRS you could only hear dispatcher side because they (the field units) would grab which ever radio was at hand to talk. Didn't matter to them since there were so many of the radios right there next to each other either in the rig / truck or hanging on everyone's belt. :lol:

Not sure if they are still doing that, I'm talking 2007/08.

I know all too well of which you guys speak... I don't know how it is with other consoles, but my experience with Motorola Centracom Gold Elite consoles is that something similar can happen with a patch, too. If the dispatcher calls (or answers) on the patched channel itself instead of using the patch transmit button (the same place as the MSEL button when the radio is in msel mode), only the participants on that channel hear the dispatcher; the other channel(s) in the patch don't. Had I been designing the product, I would've made console audio come out on all channels in a patch no matter where the console user transmitted from, but that's just me.

Good to see you guys are getting more and more info from this system. I finally had time to go through my HP recordings today and found I hadn't submitted TG 3, but it appears I got here too late.

 

[uber27]

Where did the entry for EMS on TG600 come from? I have not heard any activity on this channel. I am almost positive TG258 is ETMC Prim Disp. ETMC does not have a "Talk-around" channel. Any objections to me submitting TG600 deletion and TG258 rename and recategorization?

I also think that as this new Waco database is built, it should include alpha tags and descriptions that mirror as closely to the old system as possible. For instance, channel 1A, Waco PD Dispatch is listed with "WPD Disp 1 Waco PD Ch 1A - Dispatch" in the old system but "Waco PD Disp Waco PD A Dispatch" in the new system. Any objections to requesting these changes?

 

[Ensnared]

Wow, Home Run!

I was told that the city radio shop **may** be submitting the info directly to RR themselves, the data might already be in RR just waiting for an admin to approve.

From listening to the scanners today, 258 is definitely ETMC Dispatch and 48 is definitely Waco Fire 5A. I am pretty sure 3 is WPD 1A, and 4 is 1B, which would make sense if 5 is 1C as kc5qih pointed out.

It seems as thought they are following the same talk group plan as before. As I previously indicated, TG 6 has been encrypted every time I hear it key up.

Today, I was monitoring and heard TG18. Well, I was hearing mainly building locations since they were checking building penetration, into stair wells, elevators, etc. During these transmissions, I heard them talking about the various departments within a hospital setting, but which one?

When they mentioned Oncology, I went to Providence to see if they had an inpatient or outpatient Oncology department. The denied having such in their hospital complex.

So, next, I drove out to Hillcrest and the testing stopped. How annoying! When I drove to the ER area, I noticed a Hillcrest Security vehicle sitting outside the front door of the ER. There was a very small little antenna on this vehicle.

So, I'm guessing TG18 is going to be Hillcrest building security. More monitoring will need to be done; however, if the radio shop submits the information directly to RR, I won't have to do all this leg work.

My hat goes off to the person responsible for fostering this relationship with the radio shop. This is the best way to have the RR DB, accurate information from the horse's mouth.

Keep up the good work!

 

[Ensnared]

Thanks For Your Help!

I know all too well of which you guys speak... I don't know how it is with other consoles, but my experience with Motorola Centracom Gold Elite consoles is that something similar can happen with a patch, too. If the dispatcher calls (or answers) on the patched channel itself instead of using the patch transmit button (the same place as the MSEL button when the radio is in msel mode), only the participants on that channel hear the dispatcher; the other channel(s) in the patch don't. Had I been designing the product, I would've made console audio come out on all channels in a patch no matter where the console user transmitted from, but that's just me.

Good to see you guys are getting more and more info from this system. I finally had time to go through my HP recordings today and found I hadn't submitted TG 3, but it appears I got here too late.

Eventually, the citizens of Waco would have discovered this new radio system because of newspaper articles about such. However, your diligence in finding this system & differentiating between TxWarn P25 was spot-on. It helped clear the confusion.

 

[uber27]

It seems as thought they are following the same talk group plan as before. As I previously indicated, TG 6 has been encrypted every time I hear it key up.

Which TG plan are you referring to? The old MOTO Analog TRS or TxWARN?

Since 3-5, 33, and 48 are known channels, I guess some assumptions could be made:

3 Waco PD Ch 1A Dispatch
4 Waco PD Ch 1B Alternate
5 Waco PD Ch 1C NCICInformation
6 Waco PD Ch 1D Drug Enforcement
7 Waco PD Ch 1E Detectives
8 Waco PD Ch 1F Talkaround
9 Waco PD Ch 1G Auto Theft Squad
10 Waco PD Ch 1H Police to EOC Special Ops
11 Waco PD Ch 1I Administration 1
12 Waco PD Ch 1J Administration 2
13 Waco PD Ch 1K Unidentified Talk
14 Waco PD Ch 1L Crime Scene
15 Waco PD Ch 1M Tactical 1
16 Waco PD Ch 1N Tactical 2
33 McLennan SO Ch 3A Dispatch
34 McLennan SO Ch 3B Investigators
35 McLennan SO Ch 3C Special Ops
36 McLennan SO Ch 3D Administration
37 McLennan SO Ch 3E Patrol 1
38 McLennan SO Ch 3F Tactical
48 Waco FD Ch 5A Dispatch Tone Alert
49 Waco FD Ch 5B Primay TAC for General Alarms
50 Waco FD Ch 5C Secondary TAC for General Alarms
51 Waco FD Ch 5D Fire Marshal
52 Waco FD Ch 5E Fire ground TAC

BUT, the pattern falls apart when comparing the channel structure of the Public Works side of the new system to the old system (assuming the TG's on RR for PW on the new system are correct).

They may have taken the opportunity with a new system to add needed channels and restructure.

 

[uber27]

And BTW, this whole thing about having the first 4 posts moderated is super frustrating today!

 

[loumaag]

And BTW, this whole thing about having the first 4 posts moderated is super frustrating today!

I just overrode that for you.

 

[uber27]

I just overrode that for you.

Thanks Lou!

 

[Ensnared]

Waco/McLennan Analog Vs Waco Public Safety P25

In my humble opinion, I believe the talk groups for Waco Public Safety are following the old analog trunking system.

For instance, I heard them say, "go to F." If TG3 represents WPD channel 1A, then channel would likely be TG8 or "1F." Looking at the old talk group plan, if you go up to WPD channel 1D, then you would be sitting on the DEU channel which was previously encrypted (previously TG 144). As expected, it seems as though TG6 is DEU encrypted.

I am going to go on & program my radio this way to see what surfaces.

 

[Ensnared]

Waco McLennan County Analog Trunking

Which TG plan are you referring to? The old MOTO Analog TRS or TxWARN?

Since 3-5, 33, and 48 are known channels, I guess some assumptions could be made:

3 Waco PD Ch 1A Dispatch
4 Waco PD Ch 1B Alternate
5 Waco PD Ch 1C NCICInformation
6 Waco PD Ch 1D Drug Enforcement
7 Waco PD Ch 1E Detectives
8 Waco PD Ch 1F Talkaround
9 Waco PD Ch 1G Auto Theft Squad
10 Waco PD Ch 1H Police to EOC Special Ops
11 Waco PD Ch 1I Administration 1
12 Waco PD Ch 1J Administration 2
13 Waco PD Ch 1K Unidentified Talk
14 Waco PD Ch 1L Crime Scene
15 Waco PD Ch 1M Tactical 1
16 Waco PD Ch 1N Tactical 2
33 McLennan SO Ch 3A Dispatch
34 McLennan SO Ch 3B Investigators
35 McLennan SO Ch 3C Special Ops
36 McLennan SO Ch 3D Administration
37 McLennan SO Ch 3E Patrol 1
38 McLennan SO Ch 3F Tactical
48 Waco FD Ch 5A Dispatch Tone Alert
49 Waco FD Ch 5B Primay TAC for General Alarms
50 Waco FD Ch 5C Secondary TAC for General Alarms
51 Waco FD Ch 5D Fire Marshal
52 Waco FD Ch 5E Fire ground TAC

BUT, the pattern falls apart when comparing the channel structure of the Public Works side of the new system to the old system (assuming the TG's on RR for PW on the new system are correct).

They may have taken the opportunity with a new system to add needed channels and restructure.

I expect there will be some variations in this, but it is only experimental in nature. As I stated, two of these TG slots fit like a glove. I heard them talking on 1F today.

Regarding the MCSO, I stopped at TG38 or 3F Tactical.

I'm not dealing with fire or EMS right now. I just want to see if this works for LE, my main focus.

 

[uber27]

The TG's I've logged so far today that are not in the RRDB are 8, 34, 49, 61, & 77. The first three are taken care of if they are 1F, 3B & 5B, respectively. I'm curious about 61 & 77. I believe I heard fire tones on 61...but I didn't hear any dispatch information.

 

[Larrybl]

0572 and 2b33 Administrator

I am the Admistrator for the 2b33 and new 0572 systems.
I have NOT been contacted by any RR Folks!
I have been contacted by Channel 10 and others (Open Records) and provided my management with a fleet map of 0572 that they can deciminate as they see fit. (be adivised that I send the fleet map through Legal)

I have been following this thread closely. Lots of fun..... So I will describe what we did.
A lot of preliminary suscriber programing took place prior to this (almost a year ago, and covers 1800 radios).

First Prior to 2009 everyone was on 2b33
We got a Grant to add a digital site in Waco in 2009 off the 1a7 (12 channels (2 seperate 6 packs) GTR's) Zone 2, Site 30.
We installed this site and moved ETMC and Public Servise on to it (Guinney pig testing Digital)

2012, Waco went for a new PDGQ and I was funded to install a new Core (0572) with the Waco Dispatch Center.

A couple weeks ago We / Motorola split the 12 Channel GTR's leaving the ODD channels on TxWARN and connected the EVEN channels to our 0572. I was ROTF laugfing with the posts. (Hence the two Control Channels).

As of June 3, Txwarn no longer exists in Waco, All have moved to Waco 0572 and now a full 12 channels.
We abandoned the ETMC frequiencys due to interference and used 6 channels from our SmartNet system (I made sure to modify WNSW338 to include the Digital designator).

All of this is on the same tower, and APCO is modifying Waco Licenses.

Now I want to say, I have transfered Waco Dispatch Centers (From Centracom Plus to Gold Elite) and moved the 2b33 Trunked system from one County Tower to another 3" away) each time without a dropped call.

This move was more focused on the suscribers and City IT. It went over well.

The 2b33 will remain active untill I can move those suscribers (Beverly hills, WISD, TABC etc)

Don't ask me for a Fleet map, I am not authorized.

Anyone want my job? Just curious.

 

[larrybl58]

Update

Oh, This system is all City of Waco, We are working with other agencies such as MCSO to migrate on to it. We made conessions to be able to TX and page MCSO VHF Fire and MCSO. There are talks going on about connecting the Woodway TSY to our core, not sure as the benifits to this.

 

[Ensnared]

Rumination

I am the Admistrator for the 2b33 and new 0572 systems.
I have NOT been contacted by any RR Folks!
I have been contacted by Channel 10 and others (Open Records) and provided my management with a fleet map of 0572 that they can deciminate as they see fit. (be adivised that I send the fleet map through Legal)

I have been following this thread closely. Lots of fun..... So I will describe what we did.
A lot of preliminary suscriber programing took place prior to this (almost a year ago, and covers 1800 radios).

First Prior to 2009 everyone was on 2b33
We got a Grant to add a digital site in Waco in 2009 off the 1a7 (12 channels (2 seperate 6 packs) GTR's) Zone 2, Site 30.
We installed this site and moved ETMC and Public Servise on to it (Guinney pig testing Digital)

2012, Waco went for a new PDGQ and I was funded to install a new Core (0572) with the Waco Dispatch Center.

A couple weeks ago We / Motorola split the 12 Channel GTR's leaving the ODD channels on TxWARN and connected the EVEN channels to our 0572. I was ROTF laugfing with the posts. (Hence the two Control Channels).

As of June 3, Txwarn no longer exists in Waco, All have moved to Waco 0572 and now a full 12 channels.
We abandoned the ETMC frequiencys due to interference and used 6 channels from our SmartNet system (I made sure to modify WNSW338 to include the Digital designator).

All of this is on the same tower, and APCO is modifying Waco Licenses.

Now I want to say, I have transfered Waco Dispatch Centers (From Centracom Plus to Gold Elite) and moved the 2b33 Trunked system from one County Tower to another 3" away) each time without a dropped call.

This move was more focused on the suscribers and City IT. It went over well.

The 2b33 will remain active untill I can move those suscribers (Beverly hills, WISD, TABC etc)

Don't ask me for a Fleet map, I am not authorized.

Anyone want my job? Just curious.

Speaking as a member of RR, I did not know you could be approached about this sort of thing.

So, you've been rolling on the floor, eh? I can surely see why. I know very little about what I'm doing regarding the structure & function of most trunking systems. I only know the basics. I seriously doubt I could program unless my radio functioned off the CC and AC (GRE PSR 500). But, this does not mean there aren't some heavy hitters in this forum regarding their level of expertise. They are way out of my league.

This has been the most exciting thing to hit this city in quite some time for a hobbyist like me. I think I properly analyzed another system in town, the Woodway VHF P25. Since you like to read entertaining things, perhaps you can find my thread on Woodway. See how it all started. At times, I was loose as a goose regarding my targeted approach to figuring this system out.

I will never ever forget the look on that officers face when he told me about their new digital system & I told him to key his mike after he asked if I was toting a scanner on my belt loop while riding my bicycle. His eyes bugged out. LMAO.

Since I don't own a GRE PSR 800, one that decodes VHF P25, it was even more hilarious seeing all I wrote. I'm kind of embarrassed. But, I can surely laugh at myself. Enough of Woodway since I want stay on this thread.

When I looked at the Waco PD FB page, I found where the Waco P.I.O. officer is wanting me to call him back about getting what we need, the lineup of talk groups. Wow, now that is a forward-thinking police department. Waco PD seems to be quite talented at bringing in the community instead of pushing them away (Fort Worth, Texas).

Oh, yes, buddy, I'll be there with bells on my toes, if invited to get the new channels. He said he would get us what we need. Hopefully, he is referring to the talk group lineup.

I will be giving him a call as soon as my brain engages tomorrow.

 

[rattlerbb01]

This thread delivers! You guys crack me up, that is for sure.

 

[Ensnared]

RR Spokesperson for McLennan County?

This thread delivers! You guys crack me up, that is for sure.

After posting comments to the Waco PD FB page, I was encouraged to call the Waco PD P.I.O. officer & talk about the new radio system.

Today, when he returned my phone call, he was very cordial, polite & engaging. I know this is his job, but he does a great job at it. I was quite impressed in the way he handled questions at the West, Texas press conference. He did not get rattled. He is even-tempered, factual, & hyper-focused on the issue at hand.

Today, during our conversation, he said, something similar to this, "We want people to listen to us. We like them to hear what we deal with on a daily basis, the good, the funny, the sad and the scary things we see." He proceeded to tell me there will be some encrypted talk groups, as I expected, such as SWAT & DEU.

He sent me an open records request form & even provided the wording needed for this to go through the process of obtaining the information in question.

So, this is what I'm doing today.

By the way, my trick worked regarding following the old Waco/McLennan County analog TSYS. I went ahead & programmed my radio starting with TG3 being Channel 1A. I continued down until I reached TG16. Early in the morning, I heard talk group 14 come alive. It sounded like the folks who used to work on 1L which was previously labeled "Crime Scene."

If and when I receive the talk group lineup as promised, I will see if my guess-based talk group listing is correct.

So, here I go. When I do receive this, I will submit such in its entirety to the DB administrator. I will be using a PDF format.

Yes, Rattler, we are a colorful bunch of folks doing what we love best, scanning!

One more thing. Since this is part of the migration process, Beverly Hills will be hooked into the system.

Last night, once again, I attempted to download and listen to Beverly Hills on their stand-alone TSYS; however, nothing surfaced. I know this is a custom system, but why won't it download & work right? There are two talk groups (Wear Radio), that correspond to BH PD. I've never ever heard BH Fire.

I'm also curious as to why the ETMC MOT analog TSYS is still in the RR DB for this county. Does this system still work? I'm going to have to review the FCC records to see if this system is still active.

That is about it for today. I'm going to start drafting this open records request like the local media already did. By the way, if the RR DB administrator has already received this listing, I would appreciate a heads up so I won't be duplicating efforts.