McLennan County Announces Digital Migration

[Ensnared]

Adjustments

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.

Since you're installing this system, I'm quite certain you're going to have to adjust settings for optimal performance. So, why does TG33, which I think is McLennan County SO Dispatch, sound so muffled in comparison to the others? Waco PD comes in loud & clear, but SO is not as bright in sound quality.

 

[larrybl58]

MCSO

Since you're installing this system, I'm quite certain you're going to have to adjust settings for optimal performance. So, why does TG33, which I think is McLennan County SO Dispatch, sound so muffled in comparison to the others? Waco PD comes in loud & clear, but SO is not as bright in sound quality.

TG 33 is a "Multi Select" group with their VHF Primary channel. I will need to look in to if it is affecting the audio. Thanks for catching this.

 

[larrybl58]

ETMC

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?QUOTE]

We let ETMC program their own radios, They mistakenly entered the "decimal" numbers, where the radio requires "hexdecimal" Thus pushing their TG's into the 600 range. I had programed many Waco radios with their Dispatch Talkgroup (was 600) but they had to change theirs back to 258. I wasn't about to reprogram all my radios. I converted their remaining TG's to the 600 range so they didn't have to reprogram all their TG's.

 

[Russell]

...

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.

...

We don't generally delete sites from an old system that has been upgraded. Rather, we mark the entire system as deprecated and leave it as it was when it was shut down. This way we can refer back to old system to see things like the old channel lineup. Much like you're doing with Waco MOT getting clues to Waco P25. However, ETMC is still alive in Ellis County - though I am not sure why. The plan was to mark it deprecated when the last site shutdown. We didn't expect them to keep that site alive for such a long time.

Russell

 

[Ensnared]

TG 33 Cotton In Mouth Sound, Dispatch

To me, talk group 33 is coming in very muffled for one radio operator, dispatch. The mobile units come in loud and clear, but the dispatch end sounds like they are talking with cotton balls in their mouth coming out of dental surgery.

A little bird told me that a submission for the Waco Public Safety trunking system would be forthcoming. This is great.

Since I now have a sample letter to submit for open records, I am going to direct my attention to obtaining a fleet map & TG list for Woodway.

Onward Through The Fog

 

[Russell]

To me, talk group 33 is coming in very muffled for one radio operator, dispatch. The mobile units come in loud and clear, but the dispatch end sounds like they are talking with cotton balls in their mouth coming out of dental surgery.

...

It's most likely a patch from McLennan's Ch 1 and no users are actually on the Waco P25 side, yet. Still, the patch can be adjusted for better quality.

 

[larrybl58]

I guess my question would be, is the audio feed provider going to upgrade? Looks like my fleet map has posted. I expected this, I just didn't want to be the one providing it, I like my job too much. McLennan County Live Audio Feeds
I used this link to save on my portable radio battery.

 

[KevinC]

I guess my question would be, is the audio feed provider going to upgrade? Looks like my fleet map has posted. I expected this, I just didn't want to be the one providing it, I like my job too much. McLennan County Live Audio Feeds
I used this link to save on my portable radio battery.

Noticed your "Shack Photos", looks good. Maybe you'll get a Big Boy M3 Core some day.

 

[uber27]

Looks like my fleet map has posted.

Larry, what is the reason for the additional Waco Fire channels, specifically 32, 61, and 77? What does "Still Call" mean?

Also, who is going to use 3K-3N?

 

[kc5qih]

I guess my question would be, is the audio feed provider going to upgrade? Looks like my fleet map has posted. I expected this, I just didn't want to be the one providing it, I like my job too much. McLennan County Live Audio Feeds
I used this link to save on my portable radio battery.

Well the good news that at least we know it's accurate.

 

[larrybl58]

Alert Tones

Larry, what is the reason for the additional Waco Fire channels, specifically 32, 61, and 77? What does "Still Call" mean?

Also, who is going to use 3K-3N?

TG 32 was tried as a Multi Group for the "Still Call" tones to go over 5A and 5N, but would not work as those talkgroups are also included in the "General" tone Multigroup 77. (A talkgroup can only be included in a multigroup once) TG 32 is not being used, we are using the Console Multi Select for the Still Call tones.
Talkgroup 48 (5A) and 61 (5N) are multi selected. We have to have the FD Base radios on their own talkgroup due to how we alert them.

Still Call just refers to the tone sent to alert single stations for something like car accidents.
General tone is sent when All stations are alerted to a big event like a house fire.

Thanks for asking. Larry

 

[larrybl58]

3K - 3N are for Constables in their respective Precincts.

 

[rattlerbb01]

3K - 3N are for Constables in their respective Precincts.

Okay, I will fix that. I guess Road and Bridge has one channel then. I will also finish the fleet map to include public works, ISD's, and other municipalities. It was a pretty large submission, and I had to do a presentation at work yesterday afternoon, so I had to postpone finishing it. It should all be up there tomorrow, all who are concerned.

 

[larrybl58]

Talkgroup Adjustments

Okay, I will fix that. I guess Road and Bridge has one channel then. I will also finish the fleet map to include public works, ISD's, and other municipalities. It was a pretty large submission, and I had to do a presentation at work yesterday afternoon, so I had to postpone finishing it. It should all be up there tomorrow, all who are concerned.

The orginal Fleet Map that was posted was an April version. After June 3 some changes had to be made to adjust for changes. TG 32 "Still Call" wont work for us, so it won't be used. I was also contacted by TABC and they declined having their own TG "63". They have their own system and only need to interop on the existing Waco FD TG's. so TG 63 may be another TG that I need to remove. Still adjusting my fleetmap.

 

[Ensnared]

Thanks To All Involved

Since I started this thread & requested assistance in finding the radio parameters of all LE agencies migrating to digital communication in McLennan county, I was quite suprised & pleased to see all of the interest & effort shown. Bravo, nice job.

For those of us who live in this county, I believe we are lucky to have escaped the dreaded "E" column in the RR DB. Wow, I am really impressed with the way Sgt. Swanton from the Waco PD stepped up to help. Although someone beat me to it, I did receive the talk group listing for emergency services in this area. He even helped me with the wording & ushered the product through the red tape.

Most of all, the attitude is what impressed me the most. I've not always had wonderful experiences from LE officers given my horrible heavy-foot, but I can surely say, "spot-on" Waco PD. I've not met the new Sheriff in town, but I suppose he supported the radio setup as well. He brought the SO into this century. LOL.

Again, much thanks to all. In time, we will get this just like we want it.

Now, I'm going to submit a similar Freedom of Information form to Woodway PD. Unlike Waco, their trunking system is under two different call signs, an AC or CC in each set of frequencies.

Onward Through the Fog-Oat Willies

 

[Ensnared]

Thanks To All Involved

Since I started this thread & requested assistance in finding the radio parameters of all LE agencies migrating to digital communication in McLennan county, I was quite suprised & pleased to see all of the interest & effort shown. Bravo, nice job.

For those of us who live in this county, I believe we are lucky to have escaped the dreaded "E" column in the RR DB. Wow, I am really impressed with the way Sgt. Swanton from the Waco PD stepped up to help. Although someone beat me to it, I did receive the talk group listing for emergency services in this area. He even helped me with the wording & ushered the product through the red tape.

Most of all, the attitude is what impressed me the most. I've not always had wonderful experiences from LE officers given my horrible heavy-foot, but I can surely say, "spot-on" Waco PD. I've not met the new Sheriff in town, but I suppose he supported the radio setup as well. He brought the SO into this century. LOL.

Again, much thanks to all. In time, we will get this just like we want it.

Now, I'm going to submit a similar Freedom of Information form to Woodway PD. Unlike Waco, their trunking system is under two different call signs, an AC or CC in each set of frequencies.

Onward Through the Fog-Oat Willies

 

[Russell]

Also, thanks to Larry for your invaluable input provided so far and hope you stay with us for the terrific info and insight moving forward.

Russell

 

[uber27]

Also, thanks to Larry for your invaluable input provided so far and hope you stay with us for the terrific info and insight moving forward.

Russell

+1

Thank you!

 

[rattlerbb01]

Everything that has been submitted to us is posted in the database now. I have updated a few things on the McLennan County page, but I would like to know what agencies remain on the analog Type II system, if anyone could relay that here. Also, is Beverly Hills still on the Wear Radio Service system? Looks pretty good now!

 

[Russell]

Tx DPS had a few talkgroups on TxWARN (2-30). Do they have any groups on this system or did they go back to VHF?