Michaux State Forest Fire

[W3DMV]

Large Michaux State Forrest fire providing heavy radio traffic:
151.400 Fire Tac-1
151.175 Tac-10 167.9
154.8225 Fuller Lake DCNR

South Central Interop Network (Adams Co 800Mhz Trunked)
TG 9005 Tac 5
TG 20011 Fire Ops 12

No Fire related activity heard on PA Star Net.....

 

[kb3ouk]

I'm assuming this is the Cumberland Co fire at Shippensburg Rd and Baltimore Rd, Thompson Hollow? Traffic for that is also on TG 23015 on the Franklin Co system, I believe patched from Cumberland's Opensky system? Those talkgroups are also relayed on 453.7375 pl 91.5 in the Shippensburg area.

 

[kb3ouk]

Sounds like some admin type traffic on Starnet TG 12611 on the Franklin co site. 151.175 pl 167.9 is the Big Flat repeater, I'm hearing that here in Fulton Co.

 

[W3DMV]

There is do much traffic that I lost track of some. Sounds like
the fire has jumped to line and homes are being evacuated...

 

[kb3ouk]

That's what I heard, 3 turn Rd evacuated plus talk of an air drop. Cumberland apparently has multiple wildfires according to their webcad page, Franklin has at least 1 more happening right now, plus several good intent calls due to smoke from the Michaux fire.

 

[kb3ouk]

Hearing air to ground comms on Compact, 159.285 csq.

 

[jtwalker]

Hearing air to ground comms on Compact, 159.285 csq.

You hear the air tractors and helicopters dumping water?

 

[kb3ouk]

They're in the air, not sure exactly what they're doing. Some time before that i heard someone on 151.175 say the air tankers were going for fuel and would be back. They are pretty weak here on 159.285.

 

[KB3DSR]

Lots of action on 453.4625 pl 156.7 "Base camp" ops. Labeled as UTAC41 in the NIFOG.

 

[druhe]

Lots of action on 453.4625 pl 156.7 "Base camp" ops. Labeled as UTAC41 in the NIFOG.

Was this simplex or through a repeater ?

 

[KB3DSR]

Was this simplex or through a repeater ?

It was/is a repeater.

 

[kb3ouk]

Adams county and the state both hold licenses for repeaters on the UTACs in that area, I can faintly hear it here but it is very noisy.

 

[kb3ouk]

Also, hear several mentions on 151.175 of switching over to Tac 4, which would be 151.460. Probably have to be real close to hear that.

 

[KB3DSR]

Last night I was in the area. It seems that they are using 151.175 as a talk around simplex frequency. I was able to hear units on the ground working. The units on the fire line seemed to not be utilizing the repeater. There signals were weak at times. Also, seems like when someone uses the repeater they announce "on Big Flat". The "on Big Flat" comms are strong and of equal signal strength. I know some of the old police and fire units had a "talk around" feature that allowed the end user to transmit and receive on the output of the repeater. Any thoughts?

 

[VIGILANT_HOSE_CO_52]

For what its worth mentioning. Because of the unique location of this area (atop Mountain and surrounding areas) is called : BIG FLAT. The (3) Counites of Franklin / Cumberland / Adams all merge within this area; however, radio communications (regarding from each County) is "spotty" / non-existent / and-or Poor depending on which County trying to communicate on. Furthermore; specifically where trying to communicate from (where standing at that moment).
The only Tower that does provide the "best" coverage for that entire area is the (Franklin County) Methodist Hill Tower Site (located on Ridge Road); which is just a few miles straight across the top-of-the-ridge-line.

Anytime there is any sort of emergency response to the BIG FLAT area (or even on the opposite lower sides); a "Multi-County Patch" is requested and setup. Known as the Big Flat Patch. Franklin / Adams / Cumberland all setup a multi-cast simulcast Patch for units to be able to communicate.
For instance; Cumberland units can use their Franklin County radios and still have direct communications with Cumberland, etc.

Hope this makes sense.