Mono and Inyo Counties

[K6GBW]

I frequently drive up to Bishop and Mammoth for hiking, fishing and playing with my manpack HF radio. If I'm understanding correctly, Inyo County has gone over to a NXDN system run by MRA. Is there anything on VHF/UHF in Inyo County worth programming into a radio? Also, has Mono County also gone to MRA?

Thanks so much for any information!

 

[B]

That's a bummer if that's the case, but there is always US Forest Service, Cal-Fire, CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife...I kind of like Cal-Trans too, when it's snowing.

 

[mcjones2013]

Mono is supposed to switchover to CRIS at some point if they haven’t already. I wouldn’t be surprised if Caltrans switched to CRIS eventually.

 

[ladn]

When I was last up to the area about a month ago, I didn't hear anything on the Inyo SO VHF channels. I'll still keep them in the mix as back up for awhile. I'd also keep the VHF NATSAR channels (155.160, etc.) too. I haven't been up as far as Mono Co. for a couple of years.

 

[K6GBW]

Thanks for all the replies. I put the Mono Co. stuff in just to listen to when I'm bored. I guess Inyo is all up on MRA's system and encrypted so no joy there.

Should be getting a dipole up in a tree somewhere around Mammoth Lakes and using a Codan 2110M to see who I can reach! Should be a lotta fun.

 

[ladn]

Thanks for all the replies. I put the Mono Co. stuff in just to listen to when I'm bored. I guess Inyo is all up on MRA's system and encrypted so no joy there.

Should be getting a dipole up in a tree somewhere around Mammoth Lakes and using a Codan 2110M to see who I can reach! Should be a lotta fun.

You might try going up Old Mammoth Rd. by one of the lakes or Coldwater Campground.
If you're up there on a Sunday morning, remember the Bishop Amateur Radio Club has their 80m net.

While there's nothing around to support an HF wire antenna, I bet the shoreline at Mono Lake would be an interesting experiment in HF because of the highly conductive alkali water and soil.

This is one of my favorite times to visit Eastern California. Fewer tourists, cooler temps and (sometimes) fall color.

 

[HighDesertRadio]

I frequently drive up to Bishop and Mammoth for hiking, fishing and playing with my manpack HF radio. If I'm understanding correctly, Inyo County has gone over to a NXDN system run by MRA. Is there anything on VHF/UHF in Inyo County worth programming into a radio? Also, has Mono County also gone to MRA?

Thanks so much for any information!

Inyo SO still uses the analog dispatch channel they kept it as a backup sometimes they have problems with the digital fire is still on analog as well

 

[K6GBW]

Inyo SO still uses the analog dispatch channel they kept it as a backup sometimes they have problems with the digital fire is still on analog as well

Copy that, thanks for the update!

 

[es93546]

As a long time easten Sierra local I should be an expert on all the systems here, but sadly, due to age and some major traumas, my cognitive functions have decreased. I haven't tried to figure out Inyo County's MRA system at all. The rumor is that CRIS is coming to Mono County and will include everthing from the S.O. to school busses. Mammoth PD will generate most of the traffic.

Rather than the 700 Mhz systems that CRIS is on in most of the rest of the state, it will use VHF-High. Rumor also includes the CHP being encrypted on CRIS and I assume they will be using VHF High as well. Some of the electronic sites are spitting out the data channels already. Given the distances and topography CRIS will be an improvement, as it will tie all areas of the county together. No more having dispatch announcing that southern units needing to hold traffic for higher priority traffic in north county. I haven't heard anything about encryption, but I won't be surprised if it arrives.

 

[es93546]

The Mono County database is still accurate.

 

[officer_415]

Mono is supposed to switchover to CRIS at some point if they haven’t already. I wouldn’t be surprised if Caltrans switched to CRIS eventually.

Mono County is still waiting on the Antelope Mountain (Benton) and Antelope Valley FS1 (Coleville) sites to be built out. They were aiming for cutover in October, but that will likely be pushed back.

In the meantime they have been doing testing, so I would encourage folks in the area to monitor CRIS for new talkgroups.

 

[HighDesertRadio]

As a long time easten Sierra local I should be an expert on all the systems here, but sadly, due to age and some major traumas, my cognitive functions have decreased. I haven't tried to figure out Inyo County's MRA system at all. The rumor is that CRIS is coming to Mono County and will include everthing from the S.O. to school busses. Mammoth PD will generate most of the traffic.

Rather than the 700 Mhz systems that CRIS is on in most of the rest of the state, it will use VHF-High. Rumor also includes the CHP being encrypted on CRIS and I assume they will be using VHF High as well. Some of the electronic sites are spitting out the data channels already. Given the distances and topography CRIS will be an improvement, as it will tie all areas of the county together. No more having dispatch announcing that southern units needing to hold traffic for higher priority traffic in north county. I haven't heard anything about encryption, but I won't be surprised if it arrives.

Do you think Inyo will go to this system the the current one is not really that old