MPD channel plan

[OregonJourno]

I work in news media in the Medford area. Our newsroom PRO-197 was programmed by one of our tech guys with MPD's primary channel (156.210) and TAC 2 (156.090), but not TAC 3. The frequency I've found for TAC 3 in older listings is 156.570, but neither the RR database or a ULS search currently shows that frequency registered to the department — or anyone in the state, for that matter.

Older budget proposal documents filed around 2008 show the department planning for digital stations for the primary and TAC 2 frequencies, but only a digital backup for TAC 3, so I'm wondering if it's analog? A reporter at a competing outlet mentioned they had 156.570 programmed into one of their portables but had never heard anything when units "go to 3," even when the call in question was only six or seven blocks from their office. Most of the news outlets in town are on the rougher west side of town.

Is this an outdated frequency, or just confronting the limitations of monitoring simplex car-to-car traffic? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[WA0CBW]

Looking at their FCC license (KYQ323) 156.570 is not listed. There are several other frequencies on the license that might be their "channel 3". Maybe someone familiar with the area can give you better information.
BB

 

[mikepdx]

If that frequency has been programmed into MPD's radios,
someone has made a grave error.

156.57 is - 5 kHz off of VHF Marine Channel 71 (156.575).
It can't be a valid public safety frequency.

 

[SCPD]

In a empty bank on the scanner I would reccomend putting frequencies you suspect may be it plus include any of the repeater input tx freqs. You'd be surprised how often a repeater input is used as simplex with p25 or different pl. Anytime they go to 3 scan the suspected channels. Keep in mind if it's portables snd set low you'd have to be pretty close.

 

[SCPD]

I forgot to mention you may run search in the fcc database under high profile names or the radio techs names. There are times tac channels are filed under a individuals name in a agency rather the agencies name itself or city. But like I said allot of places use the input freqs as low key low power portable tacs or alts. One give away sometimes used is the input will show how many portables they intend to use by listing it as number of mobile units across the tab on right. Some don't list anything but do it anyway. Have you tried 154.5700 you never know someone may have threw murs on there. Seen it done with murs used on department 2 ways even though it's illegal to do so.

 

[OregonJourno]

mikepdx,

Figures as much. Searching the FCC ULS I couldn't find it registered to anyone in the state. A lot of older frequency lists floating around the web for Jackson County — that are otherwise accurate — have it listed as 3, though. Wonder why?

ptolemy9200,

I'll try that when I get back to the office — I just have analog scanners at home right now. I've wondered if it could be hidden on an input frequency. I've also noticed though that dispatch seems to have the capability to talk on 3, because you'll often hear them on one of the two other channels telling units to switch to 3 for details. It also could be one of dozens of freqs licensed to the countywide dispatch center (ESCO).

Looking at the FCC license for TAC 2 (WPBM598), there are also few other frequencies on the license that aren't repeater inputs for Primary or TAC 2:

154.95000000
153.91250000
155.07750000
155.89500000

 

[OregonScanner]

The last time I was in Medford a couple of years ago I heard a unit on MPD 1 tell another unit to go to "Tac Repeat" and they showed up on 153.9125 with 293 NAC digital in the clear. But I don't know if its the repeater input or output.

 

[OregonJourno]

The last time I was in Medford a couple of years ago I heard a unit on MPD 1 tell another unit to go to "Tac Repeat" and they showed up on 153.9125 with 293 NAC digital in the clear. But I don't know if its the repeater input or output.

Great, thanks! I'll give it a try when I get back to the office in a couple of days. I don't hear them switching to it much until the late evening, but it seems to get quite a bit of use when it's up. I'll try those other freqs to sort out the input/output.

 

[DickH]

The last time I was in Medford a couple of years ago I heard a unit on MPD 1 tell another unit to go to "Tac Repeat" and they showed up on 153.9125 with 293 NAC digital in the clear. But I don't know if its the repeater input or output.

I doubt they use a repeater input for "3" or unit to unit talk because it would be re-transmitted (repeated) over the repeater output.

 

[ScanRite]

Sorry, I could have sworn I added this to the RR database quite some time ago.

MEDFORD PD DISP 156.2100 154.7100 IN (PL 123.0 in analog)
MEDFORD PD RECS 156.0900 154.8900 IN (DCS 031 in analog)
MEDFORD PD TAC 3 155.0775 153.9125 IN (DCS 125 in analog)

Traffic team likes to use TAC 3 quite a bit.

Normal mode for all 3 is P25, although you will occasionally hear analog.

And yes, 156.5700 was used years ago (covertly) as TAC 3.
Also, 155.8500 was used at one time as the tac channel for Traffic. Haven't heard anything on it in ages though.

 

[SCPD]

Not true on the input. If it uses a different tx pl or nac the the repeater does it will not rebroadcast over. To the output.

 

[OregonScanner]

I doubt they use a repeater input for "3" or unit to unit talk because it would be re-transmitted (repeated) over the repeater output.

I meant that when I heard it I wasn't sure if it was the mobile transmit or mobile receive because it was a new find. There wasn't enough traffic to check the other MPD licensed freqs that I had in my scanner to determine if it was coming across stronger on another freq which would be the receive.

 

[mikepdx]

And yes, 156.5700 was used years ago (covertly) as TAC 3.

Not to mention illegally. LOL.

There is actually a rule in Part 90 to permit
law enforcement agencies to use ANY frequency
allocated to public safety at 2 watts max on a secondary,
intermittent basis for surveillance. No FCC license required.

156.57 would not apply, as it is in the VHF marine band.

 

[ScanRite]

Yeah, that's what I was meaning Mike, but trying not to come right out and say that a law enforcement agency was being illegal. LOL

 

[DickH]

Not true on the input. If it uses a different tx pl or nac the the repeater does it will not rebroadcast over. To the output.

That's right, but no one mentioned it until now.