MECA changes coming

[SCPD]

Looks like MECA is moving forward on there Licensing read the letters kind of interesting

ULS Application - PubSafty/SpecEmer/PubSaftyNtlPlan,806-817/851-862MHz,Trunked - 0004026432 - METROPOLITAN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY - Administration

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/...tachmentKey=18487773&attachmentInd=applAttach

ULS License - PubSafty/SpecEmer/PubSaftyNtlPlan,806-817/851-862MHz,Trunked License - WQIP866 - METROPOLITAN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=1301101

 

[Dispatch2323]

IFD Ops Channels

This may be old info but I noticed that IFD never uses even numbered ops channels. Yesterday during several working incidents they used ops 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9. Does anyone know why?

 

[zerobleu]

This may be old info but I noticed that IFD never uses even numbered ops channels. Yesterday during several working incidents they used ops 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9. Does anyone know why?

My thought on that would be they are trying to have some seperation between incidents incase they need another talk group for another level of operations. My agency automatically recommends at least 2 talk groups on any working structure fire for this exact reason. You wont want to have Operations on OPS 1 and then Water Supply or another branch of the ICS on OPS 5 because 3 other runs came out between the time the run was dropped and the time they requested an additional talk group.

 

[FD_1226]

My thought on that would be they are trying to have some seperation between incidents incase they need another talk group for another level of operations. My agency automatically recommends at least 2 talk groups on any working structure fire for this exact reason. You wont want to have Operations on OPS 1 and then Water Supply or another branch of the ICS on OPS 5 because 3 other runs came out between the time the run was dropped and the time they requested an additional talk group.

zerobleu you are correct. They skip odd ops channels in case they need to separate radio traffic/operations/sectors. That way they use the even for that 2nd ops for the other operations/sector.

 

[Ayrow]

OPS channels not working

I am confused.

I am still hearing dispatch just fine, but none of the OPS channels are coming through at all on ANY of my radios.

Is there, or was there some change to the MECA system that I am not aware of?

 

[FD_1226]

I am confused.

I am still hearing dispatch just fine, but none of the OPS channels are coming through at all on ANY of my radios.

Is there, or was there some change to the MECA system that I am not aware of?

No issues on my departmental issued radio. Nor have i heard any issues discussed

 

[Ayrow]

No issues on my departmental issued radio. Nor have i heard any issues discussed

Yes, my department-issued radio has been working fine as well.

The problem seems to have gone away, anyway. i can only assume it was something in the atmosphere that was causing the problem.

Thanks for the reply

 

[Viper43]

I'm not in Indy but 3 miles from the city limits and weather greatly affects reception of MECA. overcast days I recieve it better, but f it's windy forget it...unless I lay the 396XT or T on their sides... no joke, found that one night accidently when I bumped one and it fell and suddenly MECA came i n loud and clear, stood it back up and MECA was gone! Even the 30' high antenna doesn't get them a lot of the time, so I'd say they still have issues, ones the old system didn't have. But then again I can be on the far side of Hancock Co and pick them at times, if it's overcast.

 

[W9NES]

Gre psr-500 /meca

Gentleman,* A fellow Ham Radio Operator has a problem with a GRE-PSR500. He lives to the west of me around the Marion/Hendricks County line and is having a problem with MECA System 1. He is having the same issues at hand that I am having on the Northwest Side of Indianapolis in the area of 79Th and Michigan Road.His talkgroups are"Garbled" and are not clear.His Safe-t is *Excellent* with no problems.He sent his PSR-500 back to GRE and they sent him another one to repalce it.He also received a e-mail from Mr.Nori Taniguchi with GRE and here is his reply about the problem.The MECA system is a CQPSK LSM system and there are "No" known scanners on the market that will decode the system well.All the ideas have been followed in the WIKI section for having problems hearing MECA and nothing has worked.There is a problem and the problem is that is is because the MECA system is fine on the East side of Indianapolis at 38Th and Post with a GRE(Radio Shack Pro-2096).MECA is fine in the downtown area of Indy.Southside of Indy Fine.West side of Indy there is the same problem as the NW side of Indianapolis.Yes I have tried all the ideas along with borrowing a GRE PSR-500 and still have the same problems.My friend said with the "New Radio GRE sent him" he is having the same problems and that is the reason why he is selling his radio.

 

[scannerfreak]

Gentleman,* A fellow Ham Radio Operator has a problem with a GRE-PSR500. He lives to the west of me around the Marion/Hendricks County line and is having a problem with MECA System 1. He is having the same issues at hand that I am having on the Northwest Side of Indianapolis in the area of 79Th and Michigan Road.His talkgroups are"Garbled" and are not clear.His Safe-t is *Excellent* with no problems.He sent his PSR-500 back to GRE and they sent him another one to repalce it.He also received a e-mail from Mr.Nori Taniguchi with GRE and here is his reply about the problem.The MECA system is a CQPSK LSM system and there are "No" known scanners on the market that will decode the system well.All the ideas have been followed in the WIKI section for having problems hearing MECA and nothing has worked.There is a problem and the problem is that is is because the MECA system is fine on the East side of Indianapolis at 38Th and Post with a GRE(Radio Shack Pro-2096).MECA is fine in the downtown area of Indy.Southside of Indy Fine.West side of Indy there is the same problem as the NW side of Indianapolis.Yes I have tried all the ideas along with borrowing a GRE PSR-500 and still have the same problems.My friend said with the "New Radio GRE sent him" he is having the same problems and that is the reason why he is selling his radio.

 

[W9NES]

Seems funny the Safe-t comes in great from Dist 52 ISP Direct and Boone County Simucast with no problems.With the attenuator turned on it does not block out the interference but does block out the signal from getting thru on MECA..Not only does this happen to my Uniden 396T's and my Uniden 996T's but also my GRE(Radio Shack Pro-2096 and The Radio Shack Pro-96) for MECA system 1 and 2.Do you not believe that I borrowed a GRE-500 to test this out? It also happened on the GRE-PSR500 also along with a Radio Shack Pro-106 that was tested at Radio Shack at 8600North Michigan Road.The scanner was taken outside and did the same thing after I asked the manger of the store to work with me with this project.Simply put no scanners will work in this area that are made to get MECA but they work fine for Safe-t.We also a RR member of this fourm who lives north of me on Michigan Road north of 79Th street and he also has the same problem with MECA sys 1 and Sys 2.There is something going on here on the NW Side and westside of Indianapolis.The items in the WIKI told us to do a couple of things to improve or receive.I have tried everything including pointing a beam antenna at (4) Tower Sites and nothing has improved.

 

[getitfixed]

southwest

i live on the s\w side by airport on ky. ave same problem safe-t is fine i got the r/s pro 106 i wish i new what to do about it

 

[W9NES]

Thank You getifixed for backing me up on this matter at hand.I have updated my firmware that is availble for Uniden and just had the (GRE) Radio Shack Pro-2096 frimware updated by Radio Shack when it was in for service.Still the (GRE) Radio Shack Pro-2096 is not good on MECA but it is great of Safe-t.My Uniden 396T going north on Michigan Road all the way to 96Th Street(9600 North) shows the following"Finding control channel"All of my Uniden scanners have been sent in to Uniden and Uniden has said that there is no problem as MECA told me to send the scanners into Uniden to be fixed.Yes there is a problem and it is not with My scanners!!!!

 

[getitfixed]

Meca

Yes they do have a problem and it is driving me nuts if you come up with a fix W9NES please let me know. thank you

 

[W9NES]

getitfixed,Please contact me at W9nes@Comcast.net Thank You.

 

[ind224]

Like Viper my cloudy and especially wet weather makes MECA nice.
Don't forget to analyze the control channel when you start having
reception issues. With a TG active hit F2 then F3 and scroll to the strongest CC. Watch to see how much the % changes each sweep.
Yes, moving the scanner inches wearing a duck in a house will make
30% or more drop. You'll probably see 50% or less.

My goal is to maintain OVER 90% to experience no breakups on a 106.

Also I need to mention I bought a GRE 600 locally because it would not work on MECA acording to the previous owner. I took the challenge and figured it was just the signal level and MY antenna sytem would do the job. BZZZZT. This thing will NOT work on MECA no where no how.
Two different base set ups, and mobile. Nada.
Until I like GRE enogh to send it in again (might be a while) I use it for SAFE T and HC.
Perhaps there are those radios that work MECA, some that
kinda work MECA and some that just don't give a darn.
Another variable that needed to be in the mix.
Locationally, I have always found the corner of 62nd and Broad Ripple and the Walmart parking lot @ 71st and Keystone to be dead zones.

 

[W9NES]

Also was reportred that MECA is also having problems with the same problems not only on the westside of Marion County near the Hendricks County line.SW side of the airport.79Th and Michigan on the Metro Indianapolis Northwest Side and also I-465 near Mann Road.Thru *getitfixed *Here are (4)Locations where the system is not working right and no signal.

 

[W9NES]

Thanks ind 224 for your input.I have also noticed a big problem in the Broad Ripple are in the area of Broad Ripple Ave and Winthrop Ave in the Parking lot of St.V's office where my wife works.Also 71Street and Meridan all the way west to 71Street and Michigan Road.I travel that way everyday after picking up my son from school.

 

[W9NES]

ind 224 Can you please e-mail me at W9nes@Comcast.net Thank You

 

[bearcat991]

This thread needs about ten more double facepalms. Any time you drive around in any area with a mobile scanner there are literally thousands(or more)areas will there are "problems". Attempting to blame your poor reception and lack of understanding how to operate your scanner on the system you are attempting to receive is absurd to say the least.

My side has been sore for 2 days from reading this. The older T versions of the 396 and 996 were known to have "issues" receiving digital systems. The GRE PSR 500 and 600 work beautifully on digital. Along comes the 396XT and 996XT..."problems" solved. Do yourself a favor get a new scanner...but only if you have the ability to understand and operate it correctly. Do you actually think MECA or any other system is going to make changes in the system because you can't receive it in a certain parking lot...LMAO...I don't think so.

Learn how to operate your radios. I live 34 miles straight east from Marion Co. in Henry co. I can see I-70 from my kitchen window. I receive MECA 100% using an 800MHz beam pointed straight west. Also receive safe-t almost over the entire state using a discone at 35 feet. I have been scanning for 40 years since I was ten. I own over 300 scanners, still have my original Bearcat III that I've had for 40 years. I own the 996T(2), 396T(1) now because I think it had many issues, PSR 500(2),
PSR-600(3)and now amoung all the others 396XT(2) and 996XT(2). The GRE's have NEVER had any "problems" with MECA or SAFE-T and neither have the XT versions of the 396 and 996. For that matter neither has my pro 96 up to this point however I must say it gets little use nowdays.

I am NOT a troll...I haven't posted in so long I forgot my password and have new email anyway...so new account.
73 please do some actually thinking before you post ridiculous things...on the other hand many of us can use the comic relief from time to time lmao...