McLennan County Announces Digital Migration

[Ensnared]

Anafranil Needed?

I know I have a tendency to obsess about things, but I feel this is important to include. Although it will likely not make any difference at all, I have made a PDF showing the Pro96Com readings for Waco Public Safety, P25. Not all of the system frequencies are present in the RR DB for this system. As indicated, there are a total of 12 frequencies. I have made two charts, one showing the way the frequencies were loaded with Pro96Com and the other with the ac's and CC at the top of the list.

Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-XdyiJvLa1oR1hvWjBPRkh2Vjg/edit?usp=sharing

 

[loumaag]

I know I have a tendency to obsess about things, but I feel this is important to include. Although it will likely not make any difference at all, I have made a PDF showing the Pro96Com readings for Waco Public Safety, P25. Not all of the system frequencies are present in the RR DB for this system. As indicated, there are a total of 12 frequencies. I have made two charts, one showing the way the frequencies were loaded with Pro96Com and the other with the ac's and CC at the top of the list.

Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-XdyiJvLa1oR1hvWjBPRkh2Vjg/edit?usp=sharing

Why have you not submitted the frequencies to the DB? That is the quickest way to get them changed, but please, don't sort them in any order other than the way Pro96Com does.

 

[Ensnared]

Busy Day

Why have you not submitted the frequencies to the DB? That is the quickest way to get them changed, but please, don't sort them in any order other than the way Pro96Com does.

The reason I have not submitted such is because I did not have time after putting these in the PDF. I was late for an appointment.

Now, I see they've been changed. Typically, I do submit these changes. I will keep this in mind when I make future submissions, keeping them in the Pro96Com order.

I will add that I learned something today about which frequencies to submit from Pro96Com analysis.

For example, when I re-submitted the system frequencies for Woodway, I was sitting on the fence about whether to include the frequency showing "i." Since this was not a "ac" or 'c" frequency, it was not necessary for others to download & operate the system.

I know that all of these frequencies can be used for all functions in a P25 trunking system.

 

[Russell]

...

For example, when I re-submitted the system frequencies for Woodway, I was sitting on the fence about whether to include the frequency showing "i." Since this was not a "ac" or 'c" frequency, it was not necessary for others to download & operate the system.
...

Include the "i" freq. This is the channel that the callsign is transmitted on and can be used for a voice channel.

 

[Ensnared]

Include "i" & Why

Include the "i" freq. This is the channel that the callsign is transmitted on and can be used for a voice channel.

Roger. This is precisely why I asked since I'm hearing the call sign in Morse code on my Pro 2042, but it is in analog. So, within a P25 trunking system, the various system frequencies can also transmit in analog mode as well as digital? I thought a P25 trunking was pure digital transmissions. I am chalking this off as a new learning experience, thanks!

 

[loumaag]

Roger. This is precisely why I asked since I'm hearing the call sign in Morse code on my Pro 2042, but it is in analog. So, within a P25 trunking system, the various system frequencies can also transmit in analog mode as well as digital? I thought a P25 trunking was pure digital transmissions. I am chalking this off as a new learning experience, thanks!

Um, only the voice transmissions are in P25 mode. You have to really define what you mean by "digital". Morse code is digital too. Your 2042 can hear the voice transmissions also, it just can't decode them, just like it can't decode the morse or the CCh either. There is nothing magical about a P25 scanner (or radio) they just have a chip/software to decode the mode.

 

[larrybl58]

DPS and other updates

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?

There have been a few DPS Helo radios added, so far they have not requested their own talkgroups.
Beverly Hills, Baylor, and WISD has been moved to the 572.
Other than the Siren System and a few rouge radios, all has been moved to the 572.
The Siren system will be moved to it's own dedicated 800 conventional channel soon.

Still working the audio bugs out. Re-tuning the older radios and fixing the transmit audio gains seems to be helping. It will take a while to cycle through 1500 + units.

Stay tuned for the next project, those following Council Agenda's will know what that is.

Have a good day.

Larry

 

[Ensnared]

Baylor?

There have been a few DPS Helo radios added, so far they have not requested their own talkgroups.
Beverly Hills, Baylor, and WISD has been moved to the 572.
Other than the Siren System and a few rouge radios, all has been moved to the 572.
The Siren system will be moved to it's own dedicated 800 conventional channel soon.

Still working the audio bugs out. Re-tuning the older radios and fixing the transmit audio gains seems to be helping. It will take a while to cycle through 1500 + units.

Stay tuned for the next project, those following Council Agenda's will know what that is.

Have a good day.

Larry

Well, after reading your 172 post I was starting to wonder if Baylor was going to join the 572.

Yes, there are some audio issues for sure, as expected. That must be tedious work. If I had your position I would have already trashed several radios. I have absolutely no patience for things like that. Oddly enough, I love program my scanner unless it involves half of the U.S.

Will Waco PD and other LE agencies be given a workshop to teach them how to transmit? I've been hearing the first part of transmissions being cut off. I don't think they realize there is a slight delay.

Hopefully, the Sheriff's Office will get their new digital radios soon. I am assuming the money they secured will be used for equipment. I suppose they will continue to be patched over. I've not heard anyone talk about the Sheriff's Office migrating to P25 conventional frequencies like what happened with Coryell County. Yes, they are on 572, but some units are a bit hard to understand, but I know this is what you're working on at present.

I suppose I could monitor one of the Waco City Council meetings to see what happens. It would likely do wonders for my regularity.

Right now, I am bored to death at the edge of the universe, Big Spring, Texas.

Will be returning to monitor on Sunday.

Cheers

 

[uber27]

Stay tuned for the next project, those following Council Agenda's will know what that is.

Hint: Waco RES-2013-341

 

[larrybl58]

Audio Issues

Well, after reading your 172 post I was starting to wonder if Baylor was going to join the 572.

Yes, there are some audio issues for sure, as expected. That must be tedious work. If I had your position I would have already trashed several radios. I have absolutely no patience for things like that. Oddly enough, I love program my scanner unless it involves half of the U.S.

Will Waco PD and other LE agencies be given a workshop to teach them how to transmit? I've been hearing the first part of transmissions being cut off. I don't think they realize there is a slight delay.

Hopefully, the Sheriff's Office will get their new digital radios soon. I am assuming the money they secured will be used for equipment. I suppose they will continue to be patched over. I've not heard anyone talk about the Sheriff's Office migrating to P25 conventional frequencies like what happened with Coryell County. Yes, they are on 572, but some units are a bit hard to understand, but I know this is what you're working on at present.

I suppose I could monitor one of the Waco City Council meetings to see what happens. It would likely do wonders for my regularity.

Right now, I am bored to death at the edge of the universe, Big Spring, Texas.

Will be returning to monitor on Sunday.

Cheers

Good luck trying to give a WPD a class on radio usage. If it dosn't spit out lead, or burn rubber there is little interest . 1/2 of the ones that I have tuneed and adjust jokeingly ask that I block dispatch transmissions. I have had good reports that some of the Officers say their equipment sounds and works better after I adjusted it. We have a different issue in WFD, that involves their in cab intercom system known as David Clark. As for the County, they did get new 800 MHz radios, but the small agencies are still using the Analog VHF which requires the multiselect. I have requested that they have a optimization and line sweep performed on the MCSO, MCFD and MCEM vhf repeaters, but I don't think there is funds for this, It probally wouldn't hurt them to have the individual VHF radios looked at also. I just don't have the time or man power to take on that task.

 

[M_T]

Good luck trying to give a WPD a class on radio usage. If it dosn't spit out lead, or burn rubber there is little interest . 1/2 of the ones that I have tuneed and adjust jokeingly ask that I block dispatch transmissions. I have had good reports that some of the Officers say their equipment sounds and works better after I adjusted it. We have a different issue in WFD, that involves their in cab intercom system known as David Clark. As for the County, they did get new 800 MHz radios, but the small agencies are still using the Analog VHF which requires the multiselect. I have requested that they have a optimization and line sweep performed on the MCSO, MCFD and MCEM vhf repeaters, but I don't think there is funds for this, It probally wouldn't hurt them to have the individual VHF radios looked at also. I just don't have the time or man power to take on that task.

Larry, I sent you a PM a while back with some questions and comments, if you could check it.

For the money issue on the VHF I could probably recommend something for that issue.

 

[larrybl58]

Larry, I sent you a PM a while back with some questions and comments, if you could check it.

For the money issue on the VHF I could probably recommend something for that issue.

I checked my PM's, only 3 from Ensnared in there. Re send and I'll watch for it.

 

[M_T]

I checked my PM's, only 3 from Ensnared in there. Re send and I'll watch for it.

Just resent everything.

 

[larrybl58]

PM's not working

Larry, I sent you a PM a while back with some questions and comments, if you could check it.

For the money issue on the VHF I could probably recommend something for that issue.

I got your PM and replied twice. Neither is showing up in my sent folder. Let me know if you got them.

 

[larrybl58]

PM Sent folder

I got your PM and replied twice. Neither is showing up in my sent folder. Let me know if you got them.

I got the pm from M_T and responded twice. I am not seeing any sent items in my PM reply folder.

 

[Ensnared]

"Things Have Changed"

Quoting a line from Raising Arizona, "things have changed."

For those listeners to the Waco P25 system, I strongly urge you to load all of the system frequencies.

At present, the RR DB for this system shows 858.2125 as the CC. However, today, I am seeing Pro96Com showing the CC to be 859.2125 & 858.2125 as an alternate.

 

[Ensnared]

MCSO Encryption TG35

Lately, I've been hearing encryption being used on MCSO talk group 35, Special Ops. I realize that each radio can activate encryption. I was not expecting this on MSCO. I will keep tabs on the frequency of use & determine if it full or part time encryption.

 

[Larrybl]

Yep, they purchased encryption for around 18 radios, Only allowed on 3C-SPOPS and to work with Waco SWAT and DEU on 1D-DEU1 and 1E-DEU2.

 

[Ensnared]

Full Time?

Yep, they purchased encryption for around 18 radios, Only allowed on 3C-SPOPS and to work with Waco SWAT and DEU on 1D-DEU1 and 1E-DEU2.

I was under the assumption that all radios were capable of flipping the switch for encryption in this system. So, is this a full time encryption for this TG? If so, I will submit an update to the RR DB.

 

[Larrybl]

Encryption

There are two main types of encryption, Advanced Digital Privacy, and AES Hardware. The ADP is a Motorola only encryption that now comes standard with all APX radios. We use AES Hardware as it is a P-25 National standard which allows secure communications with other agencies. I assign specific Talkgroups to use encryption so when that talkgroup is selected the encryption is automately turned on. Just to let you know, I dis-like encryption as it is difficult to manage, and program. This is expecially true when another agency is involved like US Marshals. I don't see them using ADP for several reasons. You can only select one or the other, can't have both types turned on, and ADP still has to be programmed and they don't have this capability.

Larry