MSP - Do their freqs still work?

[Kumba]

So I programmed in all the conventional frequencies for MSP into its own systems -- at least all of the listed barracks, most of the Statewide, and a couple of others. Set the scanner to scan, and just sat and listened. Heard nothing, not from my local barracks or anything.

So I'm wondering, does MSP still use conventional frequencies, or are they mostly found on the radio system of the resident county police/sheriffs? Cause I hear MSP all the time on their one talkgroup in the Charles County trunking system, but I wasn't sure if MSP used its own frequencies as well.

Also, does anyone know if MSP will ever build its own state-wide trunking system ala STARS over in VA for the VSP?


Slightly off-topic, but rather than create another thread for it, The trunking systems for PG County -- are they used at all? North at least looks like it has a few TGIDs in it, but the South trunking system is totally void. I tune it in sometimes for a few minutes, but usually don't hear anything coming across it. No idea how far along that TDMA/P25 Phase 2 system PG's supposedly employing is, so I figured they'd have jumped to these over the conventional radios by now.

 

[ka3jjz]

At least here in central Maryland they still work, in most cases. However I understand that in some barracks where 800 mhz portables (which are used to let the troopers get access to their respective county's system) are available, they tend to get used more when they're in range of their respective county systems, and the low band freqs are used when they are out of range. However I do tend to hear the Howard county barracks on the Howard trunk more than on their nominal 39 mhz frequency. Hearing the 39 mhz freqs isn't easy unless you've got a good antenna - being primarily simplex, it's a must. It's possible that in Charles county, they are using their 800 system more. I understand that on the Eastern shore, that's quite common.

There's been many rumors - all vapourware at this point - that MSP would join a statewide 700 mhz system. With the budget crisis in the state (we're $1 billion or so in the hole) I wouldn't hold my breath.

Re the PG county trunking - I can just hear the Northern system, I'm out of range of the south system. All I can say here is that you should listen to these during the weekends in the eve and early AM - that's when the traffic is heaviest. It's best not to openly discuss the usage of this trunk for obvious reasons; if you look in the database, you will see why. Last I had heard, the funding for the new trunked system was in danger of being cut (or was cut), so I would think it's going to be awhile before you see anything on it. Perhaps a couple of new towers will be built, but beyond that, I seriously doubt it, at least for a couple of years. Perhaps President-elect Obama will restore the funding.

73 Mike

 

[Dispatcher308]

I recently posted to the update section the updated MSP Channel Plan and it has yet to make it to posting.

Most all of the Barracks in one way or another have a patch from there trunked system to their 39mhz low band system, some may only be the dispatcher but alot of them are both sides of the conversation. Kumba as Mike said MSP Low band is simplex (not repeated unless trunked) and will be hard to hear with just a rubber duck antenna on a scanner, if you have an outside antenna that would be best.

I hope to see the new list posted shortly.

Nathan

 

[ka8ypy]

At last note, all of the towers in PG for the new system are up and populated with antennas and hardline. I believe they are awaiting the infrustructure equipment (repeaters, etc.) to be installed and wired up. They are still on track to start system testing 2nd quarter of 2009.

 

[Kumba]

At last note, all of the towers in PG for the new system are up and populated with antennas and hardline. I believe they are awaiting the infrustructure equipment (repeaters, etc.) to be installed and wired up. They are still on track to start system testing 2nd quarter of 2009.

So I guess we need to start bugging UPMan for a BCD396T firmware to support the system they're implementing? :]

 

[Dispatcher308]

Just so everyone know the MSP Information that I submitted has not made it to the MSP Board. I dont know what the delay is, but it has not made it and there are updates to what the current list shows.


Sorry Fellas

Nathan

 

[doctordave]

Nathan,

You've got me curious. Since a week has elapsed, I sent a note to the DB admin folks - just to ensure that your submission did not get lost in the system. Forrestville barrack will be closing in 2010 (and merging with College Park)....so there will likely be yet another frequency vacated and ? re-assigned.

 

[Kumba]

Nathan,

You've got me curious. Since a week has elapsed, I sent a note to the DB admin folks - just to ensure that your submission did not get lost in the system. Forrestville barrack will be closing in 2010 (and merging with College Park)....so there will likely be yet another frequency vacated and ? re-assigned.

The Forestville barracks is closing and they're going to try and manage patrolling the entire Beltway from the College Park Barracks? Or will the La Plata Barracks assume some authority for the lower sections of PG County that Forestville currently handles? That's a lot of territory for them to cover, unless another barracks is opening in PG to handle the stuff above Charles.

 

[doctordave]

No other barracks will open in that county. There certainly may be some agreements with barracks in adjacent counties. This is simply part of the current governor's plan to trim spending on public safety, so as to preserve funding for critical frivolous projects elsewhere

 

[Kumba]

No other barracks will open in that county. There certainly may be some agreements with barracks in adjacent counties. This is simply part of the current governor's plan to trim spending on public safety, so as to preserve funding for critical frivolous projects elsewhere

Hah, yeah, doesn't surprise me. That's still a pretty huge chunk of territory, so I'd assume from a logical standpoint that the La Plata Barracks will probably cover some of southern PG, probably up to Brandywine and Accokeek at minimum.

Although, it could explain the few times why I've dialed #77 to call something in to them, that I get routed to the College Park barracks, even though I'm about 3mi outside of Charles.

 

[ka3jjz]

Nathan, I think I spotted one error in the new listing. The Annapolis barracks no longer exists, but there it is in Radio Zone B. Unless MSP is holding that frequency as a spare, to supplement coverage in the area where 39.04 won't reach? In which case, that's probably how it should be listed.

73 Mike

 

[doctordave]

A few other things that might need to be cleaned up in this particular database:

Is MSP Berlin (39.6) truly changing from a PL of 179.9 over to 110.9 ?

In the "Statewide" freq listing, the STATE Team 39.24 freq is still listed as "B4"...presume this is no longer the case. Since B2/B3 are blank in the standard radio plan....are B2/B3 the two slots for the STATE TEAM freqs...perhaps programmed in only for appropriate units?

Is "Helimed" 47.66 truly no longer "A16" ? ...if so, we should adjust the "statewide" section listing.

The old MARNIS (now TAC) freq of 39.26 is listed as "A2" in the statewide section....this should be corrected if "B1" is truly the designation.


I have not submitted these specific corrections to the DB folks yet.....will await Nathan or others to weigh in with any info they may have.

 

[Dispatcher308]

Folks this is the information I have received from a source and it has been verified with a MSP Vehicle Radio. This is the new template with Annapolis still in it, as for Forrestville I have no clue, I have not heard anything.

Just to clarify if I did have anything that may have to deal with MSP State/Tac Team (which I dont), I wouldn't post it as it is sensitive information.

 

[doctordave]

Good. I'll suggest that the DB admins clear out the conflicting info from the "statewide" portion of the MSP database. We already have the valid 2 lowband and the VHF-highband STATE TEAM freqs in the database - the question was whether the alphanumeric channel designation was known - and apparently it is not.

 

[pratzert]

Folks this is the information I have received from a source and it has been verified with a MSP Vehicle Radio. This is the new template with Annapolis still in it, as for Forrestville I have no clue, I have not heard anything.

Just to clarify if I did have anything that may have to deal with MSP State/Tac Team (which I dont), I wouldn't post it as it is sensitive information.

Nathan,

THANKS A BUNCH for your inout and contributions..... I want to say that your efforts are truly appreciated.

Regards, Tim

 

[Dispatcher308]

Hey Guys,

I try to provide you with information that I obtain here and there, it may not be much and I am sorry for that. I want to help out with scanning as I have been doing it for 14 years and I just want people to have the current and correct info, please be advised I do not have any sensitive information and if I did I would not post it as it is sensitive to that agency, I have learned my lesson.

I will try to help where I can. Thanks for your understanding.

 

[pratzert]

Hey Guys,

I try to provide you with information that I obtain here and there, it may not be much and I am sorry for that. I want to help out with scanning as I have been doing it for 14 years and I just want people to have the current and correct info, please be advised I do not have any sensitive information and if I did I would not post it as it is sensitive to that agency, I have learned my lesson.

I will try to help where I can. Thanks for your understanding.

Hi Nathan,

I would hope that nobody here would urge you, or expect you, to disclose any sort of information which could jeopordize your job or the integrety of any law enforcement agency.... especially now-a-days.

I am greatful for any info you pass along as it always seems to be accurate.

Tim

 

[ka3jjz]

It's not Nathan's fault that the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. That's not uncommon for state (or federal) governments in general (I work for the Feds...). Re the Annapolis barracks still being in the template - I'm willing to bet that no one has fixed the templates yet, and the local shop is still distributing it as if nothing has happened, or no one has had the time to update all the templates in the radios as yet. If memory serves, the barracks closed last spring.

I would echo the previous poster that we would never expect you to reveal something sensitive, Nathan. Use your best judgement 73 Mike

 

[doctordave]

The FCC database now shows 39.9 as a freq listed to all barracks....I'm quite certain that this was not present when I scanned the ULS listings back in the Fall of 08. Worth plugging in. If memory serves me, that was an old Cecil Co Sheriff freq, before the changeover to the digital system. The remainder of the freqs that are cross-listed to all barracks are already well established in our RR database.

Additionally, 39.12 & 39.7 are FCC listed to MSP....but they are not specifically listed to the barracks . Worth plugging those in, as well.

 

[doctordave]

Also, could someone on the lower Shore confirm that MSP Berlin has truly changed the PL tone for 39.6 from 179.9 over to 110.9, as has been reported?