Monitoring Police in Kona

[Jags]

HiloScanners,

Thanks for all that great info!! Yes this old Bearcat may not be working as good as it used to. Although it does pick up the Fire call outs and responses from the fire vehicles on 154.310. It also picks up the hospital and vehicles on Medicom 453.400.

All those other police frequencies are all new to me and are not listed on any of the websites I've looked at. I will try to program some of those in to see what happens. This Bearcat has only 10 channels to program so I will have to pick and choose to see if any of them work.

Yes the Captain Cook Police and Firer station are right next to each other and I am less than a mile away. I will definitely try 154.445 again although I wasn't getting anything there before.

If you want to come to visit me in Kona I own and operate the Halemalu Vacation Villa (Halemalu - Vacation Rental Retreat Center Kona Big Island Hawaii B&B Bed and Breakfast) and if you want to bring over another scanner for me to try I'll give you a free night here!!

Thanks for all the great info and I will try some of those other frequencies.

Aloha!!

 

[Jags]

HiloScanners,

I programed in some of the frequencies off your list. Your list definitely has some better working frequencies that are not in any other lists I have seen. I am getting some police talk on 155.970 "Kona2". What frequency would be considered "Kona 1"?

Also what is "6in" and "5&6in"? Haven't tried those yet.

I have about half of your list programed in now as I only have 10 slots. In a few days I'll try some of the other frequencies on your list.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks again!

 

[HiloScanners]

Hi,
That's great news!! That means that your scanner is working okay (at least enough to pick up strong local signals) and that the squelch is maybe not an issue. YAY!!!

Kona "1" is probably 155.415.

In looking at different web sites with all the frequency lists it seems like the lists need to be updated. Like I mentioned prior, I think HPD have changed the way they are using their assigned frequencies. I know for sure they are doing that in Hilo so I'm guessing they are doing that in Kona too.

The "6in" & "5&6in" refer to repeater frequencies. For HPD and for HFD they use a series of repeaters to increase coverage of their signals. I won't go too heavy into repeaters here cause there is a ton of information on the web regarding repeater usage, but basically repeaters take an input frequency, then re-transmit ("repeat") whatever is received on the input frequency onto an output frequency. So 6in refers to the input frequency for channel 6. 5&6in refer to the input frequency for channels 5 and 6. 6out would refer to the output frequency for channel 6 that the repeater is re-transmitting on. Normally the outputs are the frequencies that you want to monitor as the signals are normally stronger and you will normally hear both parties involved in the conversation. If you monitor only the input frequency, then you may only hear the party that is within the range of your scanner. Car radios and handheld radios are fairly low power as opposed to the repeaters which would be significantly higher power transmitters.


Output - Input - Repeater Site - Area Served
155.415-155.970 - Hualalai - Kona Primary
154.830-156.150 - Moa Nui - Kona Secondary
155.415-155.970 - Ohia Mill (Papa) - South Kona


So in the listing above, the input frequency for Kona Primary and South Kona is 155.970. That is the frequency you are receiving traffic on. Is it mainly one sided traffic, as in you can only hear one side of the conversation? If yes, then that is probably still the input frequency. According to all the lists, you should be getting a lot of traffic on 155.415 so the fact that you are not leads me to believe that either they are using a different output frequency or there is some reason why your scanner is unable to receive the signal. FM signals are very "line of sight" so it could be that the signal is being blocked somehow (e.g. mountain, valley). So another frequency to try is 154.830 as that is listed as an output frequency for Kona Secondary. Also that is the frequency that Hilo switched to as their primary output so maybe, just maybe Kona did the same. That's my third guess!

So assuming your scanner is working okay, then the next best suggestion to increase reception is to improve the antenna. So either make a scanner antenna for the band(s) that you want to monitor (in this case 154 - 155 Mhz or what is called the 2 meter band) or buy a used one or a new one. An antenna mounted outside as high up as possible and keeping in mind the line of site concept should help significantly. Even one just set outside a window will probably perform better than one inside attached to the radio. Personally I use and really like the Radio Shack Ground Plane 1/4 wave antenna. I have one "mounted" on a pvc pipe and kinda standing straight up attached to the outside laundry pole and that works kinda okay for my feeds. I also use one for the Honolulu airport feed listed below. It is installed on the South Ramp on the airport grounds itself.

Here is the link to the RS antenna.
Outdoor VHF-Hi/UHF Scanner Antenna : Scanner Antennas | RadioShack.com


That's it for now! Happy hunting! Sorry so long...

Aloha,
HiloScanners

 

[Sybex7254]

Some interesting additional frequencies posted. Thanks HiloScanners.

I updated my FreeScan file and will see what I can verify when I'm back on Island in July. Will also submit any verified changes to the DB.

 

[inigo88]

Hi all,

I'm staying in Kailua-Kona for the next week, and stumbled across this thread.

The Hawaii Police District 6 (Kona) Primary is most definitely 154.83 MHz, carrier squelch (no PL tone). This is by far the strongest police frequency in the Kailua-Kona area. The license is still KBK610, which shows the transmitter at Moanuiahea on the NW corner of the Big Island: https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?fccCallsign=KBK610

I was originally hearing only the dispatcher side (remote base), but today I'm also hearing mobile units at the same power level as the dispatcher, so I presume it's actually a repeater. Haven't yet found the input, although I've heard some fragmented traffic on 155.97 MHz.

I suspect 155.415 (repeater out) / 155.97 (repeater in) is still at the Ohia Mill site and possibly serving district 7 (Ka'u district) and/or south Kona. Traffic on 155.415 is very faint from the Kailua-Kona area, but I did hear an officer talking on 155.415, then switch to 154.83 and say "Central, back on 6." Unfortunately I can't tell if the unit identifiers on 155.415 are 600 or 700 units, but 154.83 is definitely Kona 600 units.

I'll keep you guys updated as I find out more.

 

[inigo88]

Whoops, I spoke too soon!

The HCPD Kona district 6 primary is still 155.415 (Rx) / 155.97 (Tx), with a transmitter at the Ohia Mill site at the very south end of the district. I haven't heard the channel number yet, as most units just tell central they're "back on primary", but the database shows it as HCPD Ch 10. The license is KBK610:
https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?fccCallsign=KBK610

The HCPD Kona district 6 secondary is HCPD "Channel 6" 154.83 (Rx), and I still haven't confirmed the repeater input (although the Ch 6 input is 156.15 according to the database). This channel comes in much stronger along Ali'i Dr in Kona, which made me initially think it was the primary.

I did some research into the FCC licenses for the VHF frequencies, and discovered that the database is mostly correct (with the exception of what HiloScanners found with 154.83 being used as primary there). Here are some of the frequencies and transmitter sites, as far as I can tell.

Area I:

District 1: South Hilo (Hilo Station - 100 units)

D-1 Primary - Supposed to be Ch 1 155.31 on Kulani Cone? (KUA505), actually 154.83 (Rx) / 158.79? near Hilo airport? (KUA505 / WPBP886).

D-1 Secondary is supposed to be either 155.25 (can't find license so I think this is a typo) or 154.83 per the database.


District 2: North Hilo (Laupahoehoe station - 200 units) -and-
District 3: Hamakua (Honoka'a station - 300 units)

D-2 / D-3 primary is Ch 10 155.415 (Rx) / 155.79 (Tx) from Iolehaehal Cone (KNAR879).


Area II:

District 4: South Kohala (Waimea station - 400 units)

D-4 primary is Ch 8 155.64 (Rx) / 154.905 (Tx) on the slope of Mt Hualalai (KZR682).
There doesn't appear to be any secondary channel for D-4 in the database.


District 5: North Kohala (Kapa'au station - 500 units)

D-5 primary is HCPD Ch 9 155.25 (Rx) / 155.73 (Tx) at Kahua Ranch (KNAR878).

The D-5 and D-2 secondary (and I wouldn't be surprised if D-3 as well) is Ch 2 155.31 (Rx) / 156.21 (Tx). I believe it uses this license on Mt Haleakala on Maui, because it has line of site with most of the north shore of the Big Island (KAW853).


District 6: Kona (Kealakehe station - 600 units)

D-6 primary Ch 10 155.415 (Rx) / 155.97 (Tx), Ohia Mill site (KBK610).

D-6 secondary Ch 6 154.83 (Rx) / 156.15? (Tx), Moanuiahea site (KBK610).


District 7: Ka'u (Na'alehu station - 700 units)

D-7 primary is Ch 10 155.415 (Rx) / 155.97 (Tx), Na'alehu pasture site (KUA500).

D-7 secondary is Ch 8 155.64 (Rx) / 154.905 (Tx), South Point site (KUA500).


District 8: Puna (Pahoa station - 800 units)

D-8 primary is Ch 7 154.695 (Rx) / 156.15 (Tx), Kulani Cone site (KUA505).

There doesn't appear to be a D-8 secondary in the database, but I believe it's Ch 9 155.25 (Rx) / 155.73 (Tx) (and the Hilo proper section is a typo? The fact that HiloScanners doesn't feed it leads me to believe this is so). Ch 9 is licensed to a site on Kapoho Crater on the SE corner of the island, within the district 8 boundaries (KUA505).

Finally, 155.31 appears to be licensed as a simplex remote-base (base station) at every police station and substation on the island, leading me to believe Ch 1 is some time of countywide all district mutual aid channel (and NOT dispatch for south Hilo district 1, as HiloScanners says).

That's all I could glean from the FCC data for now. Finally, here's a link to a district map to help visualize where all the areas are: http://hawaii-kau.com/images/hcpddist.jpg

 

[Jags]

Thanks for all the great info!! I've been a bit busy the last few days so haven't had much time to listen. I have programed those main frequencies into my Bearcat but I'm still only picking up the Fire and Medicom channels and occasionally a little on 155.970. I definitely think I have a lack of good antenna problem. Next time I'm down in town I will see if Radio Shack has anything.

A friend of mine also confirmed that 155.415 should be the primary police channel but I just don't pick anything up on that channel. Probably with a not so good antenna the repeaters are just too far away.

Does anyone know where the fire 154.310 repeater is located? How about 453.400 Medicom? Those are coming in good for me.

Thanks again for everyone's help and suggestions!

 

[Sybex7254]

Great update by inigo88!
I'll be back on the Island next Friday and will see if I can verify any more.

@Jags 154.31 has multiple repeater locations around the Island KVC491 (HAWAII, COUNTY OF) FCC Callsign Details

As does 453.400 FCC Licenses and Scanner Frequencies for Hawaii County, Hawaii (HI)

 

[inigo88]

Just a quick update on HCPD:

I had my scanner with me for a drive down the SW corner of the island from Kailua all the way through Ka'u, past Na'alehu station and into the Puna district to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

I can confirm that Ch 10 155.415 MHz is at the Ohia Mill site (drove right past it full quieting) which is why reception in parts of north Kona can be so scratchy (or non-existent without the right antenna).

I can also confirm that 155.415 is used in Ka'u (District 7), as is 155.64 Ch 8.

Puna (District 8) was very active on 154.695 MHz Ch 7.

NPS appears to have two P25 repeaters at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: The one already in the database on 173.825 MHz NAC 526, and an additional one on 170.3625 MHz NAC 526. Like other national parks, dispatch and mobile traffic was simulcast on both frequencies. It was also a mix of digital and analog, with the digital being on NAC 526 and the analog transmissions with PL 131.8 Hz.

I also caught two brief conversations inside the park on 167.175 MHz and 168.425 MHz, both digital NAC 294. Couldn't tell if simplex or repeater. A lot of lists seem to show NAC 294 being associated with the Federal Protective Service, but I think that is unlikely. My guess is it was from the Hawaii Volcano Observatory (HVO) and the frequencies belong to USGS.

 

[Sybex7254]

Regarding the NPS, has anyone ever heard them on the Kona side? Specifically for Kaloko-Honokōhau, Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau and Pu`ukoholā Heiau? I've seen the NPS SUV's at all three and the NPS Rangers there do carry radios.

I'm sure the traffic is less due to them not being as busy as Volcanoes Park, but always wondered what frequency they were on. I'll have to see if I can catch a close call or search when I'm back there in a few days.

 

[Jags]

Thanks for the continuing input. Lots of great information. Still no luck with any of the additional frequencies programed into my Bearcat. Most definitely an antenna issue I feel.

Went to Radio Shack here in Kona but they don't carry any scanner antennas. So now I'm looking at ebay to see what I can find. I see a bunch of scanner antennas on ebay that are built into a piece of PVC pipe. Anyone ever use one of those and are they any good?

MAXX-TENNA in/outdoor Air, Police, Fire, EMS, Marine Scanner Antenna

The Original Snoop Scanner Antenna

Also found this dipole antenna that looks interesting. Any comments on this one?

Indoor Dipole Scanner Antenna 25 1300 MHz w RCA Plug | eBay

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks again!!.

 

[Sybex7254]

Hello there!
I visited Maui last December for a relative's wedding and had plenty of time to figure out what I could do to listen to Maui Fire and Police.
I can confirm they are using a LTR Multinet II system and using EF Johnson radios.(I got that from visiting a few fire stations)

To sum up: Maui PS is(was) using the frequencies listed in the RR database for their P25 system in LTR Multinet II mode.

Hope this can help someone. I was looking for this kind of info before I left, then had to figure it out myself.

So I'm sitting here listening to Maui County Police (Fire & EMS too) from my house on the Big Island using only a back-of -set antenna and can clearly (3x5 - 5x5) hear their LTR Multinet system in conventional mode (no delay set).

Seems the following frequencies carry the majority of the traffic and basically simulcast the same traffic. I believe that's how Multinet works...majority of the traffic is carried on the home frequency and only changes to another when it is in use. So you can monitor the majority of the transmissions unless it just happens to be very busy:

"Home" frequencies are (there may be others I haven't heard used yet):
854.2375
851.7625
851.9625
852.2375

Hope this helps add to what you can monitor from the Big Island.

 

[Sybex7254]

District 6: Kona (Kealakehe station - 600 units)

D-6 primary Ch 10 155.415 (Rx) / 155.97 (Tx), Ohia Mill site (KBK610).

D-6 secondary Ch 6 154.83 (Rx) / 156.15? (Tx), Moanuiahea site (KBK610).

After about a week of listening, I am not receiving anything on 155.415 up in the Waikoloa area and only receive transmissions on 154.8300. Are these channels simulcast with each other? 154.8300 sounds like primary dispatch transmission so perhaps North Kona and South Kona channels that match up with the District names?

155.6400 is confirmed as District 4 (400 Units) for South Kohala - Waimea & Waikoloa area.

155.2500 is confirmed as District 5 (500 Units) for North Kohala - Hawi & Kapa'au areas.

Will have to bring my BCD436HP when I'm back in a few months for some more mobile verifications.

 

[Jags]

So no one has any comments on those antennas available on ebay? I still haven't picked up an antenna as I don't want to spend $50 and then find out it doesn't work. Anyone here on the big island have an extra antenna they could loan me so I can find out if it would work to better the reception on my vintage Bearcat 210?

Please help!!

Thanks!

 

[Sybex7254]

Sorry no experience with those antennas. I myself need to be careful with any up in Waikoloa due to the strength of the wind so have been using a back of set one for now.

 

[activescan]

I have no problem catching all the police channels here in Hilo using a old Pro-89. I want a new scanner, can someone suggest a better one? $100-$250 budget

 

[HiloScanners]

Hi Jags,
Sorry but I too don’t have any experience with those antennas so I can’t comment on them. However, I definitely would stay away from the last one with the RCA plug as I have not seen a scanner with an RCA plug. So that alone would limit its usefulness. Scanners mostly have BNC connectors I think.

What type of antenna are you currently using? Maybe a description and a pic of your antenna and setup would be helpful to us? I have a bunch of extra rubber duckys but I am not sure if those will be helpful to you.

I’m not too knowledgeable about frequency steps, but is it possible that this may be causing the problem? The manual for the BC210 list the steps as “15, 20, 25 Khz” for the 148 to 174 Mhz band. The manual is old and does not break down the steps into the individual frequency ranges. But I think the frequency steps for the police frequency range of 154.650 to 156.255 is 7.5 Khz. Can someone lend their expertise in this matter?

When you program the frequencies, are you able to stop or hold on each of the frequencies and are the correct numbers listed?

Or does someone have a BD210 sitting around that they can try to input the police frequencies above to see if the 210 even takes the frequencies or errors out?

And never mind about scanning the air frequencies like we mentioned above cause looking at the manual the BC210 cannot receive in the air band.

Aloha,
HiloScanners

 

[HiloScanners]

Hi @activescan,
Thanks for opening another thread with your question. I have posted my reply on your new thread.

Aloha,
HiloScanners

 

[Jags]

Hi Jags,
Sorry but I too don’t have any experience with those antennas so I can’t comment on them. However, I definitely would stay away from the last one with the RCA plug as I have not seen a scanner with an RCA plug. So that alone would limit its usefulness. Scanners mostly have BNC connectors I think.

My BC210 has a Motorola antenna connector, not a BNC. The RCA plug would work for that. However I did pick up the Maxx-Tenna from eBay. It hasn't made any difference in reception. I'm going to try to get it mounted up a bit higher to see if I get an improvement.

What type of antenna are you currently using? Maybe a description and a pic of your antenna and setup would be helpful to us? I have a bunch of extra rubber duckys but I am not sure if those will be helpful to you.

I was using a simple back of unit telescoping antenna. Don't think a Rubber Ducky would be much better.

When you program the frequencies, are you able to stop or hold on each of the frequencies and are the correct numbers listed?

Yes the frequencies program correctly and I can hold them so that it will stay on just that one frequency and not scan others. I have done that, turned the squelch down so that the band is wide open and not squelched, and I still don't get anything.

I think it's simply a matter of this radio being very old and may be having some problems. Considering picking up a new scanner but if the Police are going to change to a new system at the end of the year there is no sense to spend the money. Do you know if they will also be changing the fire and MedCom systems?

Thanks for the help and suggestions!

 

[HiloScanners]

Hi Jags,
Yes the fire and ems would be switching to digital too.

Are you doing your scanning at the Halemalu B&B? Yes, I kinda agree that the age of the BC210 is a factor.

Aloha,
HiloScanners