Monitoring DPS on AZWINS

[radiochuck]

I haven't done a side-by-side test yet, but I feel like I missing a lot of calls while monitoring DPS Metro E/C/W on AZWINS. Anyone have any input with this that they'd be willing to share? When I get the traffic, it comes in very clearly, much better than analog, but I feel like I'm not getting everything. Thanks!

 

[rpgaun]

I agree, I believe it’s do to the fact that the scanner has to look at the TGs for each site you have programmed in the radio. Personally, I use the UHF for Metro W/C/E, Globe and the tactical channels. Since I’m in the west valley I use AWINS for Metro S, Prescott, Yuma, Casa Grande & Tucson. I also have DOT ALERT in my AWINS.

 

[cfsimmont]

I only monitor DPS on the UHF channels and although there can be the normal reception issues as with UHF I feel its more reliable. Not sure why but I get interference or something on East Tac 460.175 tone 100.0 sounds like an open carrier with no voice. I have had the same issues in multiple points in the valley, so I know its just not a scanner location area.

 

[radiochuck]

I have that same issue with East Tac. Monitoring with tone and still get that open carrier. So unfortunately, I have to avoid that one.

 

[KB7MIB]

I don't think that the UHF side is patched 24/7 to AZWINS, at least not in the Phoenix Metro.

Secondly, Metro West probably isn't carried on Thompson Peak. Metro East and Metro South probably aren't carried on the White Tanks. So if you're scanning all 4 Phoenix area sites for AZWINS (like I do) you may miss transmissions while your scanner is sampling each site for a transmission.

John
Peoria

 

[DanRollman]

I don't think that the UHF side is patched 24/7 to AZWINS, at least not in the Phoenix Metro.

Secondly, Metro West probably isn't carried on Thompson Peak. Metro East and Metro South probably aren't carried on the White Tanks. So if you're scanning all 4 Phoenix area sites for AZWINS (like I do) you may miss transmissions while your scanner is sampling each site for a transmission.

John
Peoria

Right. I would think the success of monitoring the AZWINS patch on any particular site would depend on an AZWINS user monitoring or scanning the same talkgroup you are interested in, while affiliated with the same AZWINS site you're monitoring. In other words, a particular AZWINS site may not be carrying a particular DPS channel if no AZWINS system user is affiliated with that site and actually trying to hear that DPS channel at that moment. Since the AZWINS users - and the channels they are on and scanning - come and go frequently, the activity might too.

Of course, this should all get better when there is a higher concentration of DPS users on AZWINS.

 

[radiochuck]

Working from home today and doing some side-by-side monitoring. Seems I'm getting all traffic from D5, D13 and D14 off of South Mountain, but haven't heard a peep out of D18, so either they're not broadcasting from that site, or well I don't know. Assuming they're on a more southern site, I guess I'll probably be out of luck here in Peoria.

Honestly, though, I'm pretty happy with what I'm getting here. It would be cool to know which site(s) carries the Metro South traffic, but I'm really not that concerned with that right now.

 

[Ravenfalls]

As radios move around sites they register & de register. De register South & move White Tanks, so does all the traffic unless another radio on South. Being new system, u have monitor every site. No way make it easier since it's how systems work. AZ Wins doesn't want static like RWC has. Want radios move & so do talkgroup.

 

[KB7MIB]

At 1:13pm I'm getting them off of the AZWINS Shaw Butte site. At least the dispatcher side.

Make sure you have all 4 Phoenix area sites programmed in. White Tanks, Thompson Peak, Shaw Butte, South Mtn.

John
Peoria

 

[KB7MIB]

At 3:30pm, I was also getting them off of Thompson Peak.

John
Peoria