First fireground will go to A16, second to A6, third to B16, fourth to C16. Rescue assignments directly to C16. Zone A is set up as suppression zone and designed to minimize the need for suppression personnel to change zones. Zone C is set up for as the EMS zone and likewise reduces the need for EMS units to switch from zone C. Third EMS talk group added -- unknown use.
**New Baltimore (City) System Discussion**
- Thread starter skyteam11
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Weird template but hey if it works, good for them.
troymail
Silent Key
Are the TG IDs confirmed?
If so, it's interesting that unlike most systems (newer P25 even the older 3600 baud) I've seen, the TG IDs are consecutive - I kinda always wondered why many systems use "ever other" channel/ID
troymail
Silent Key
Also seems odd that the A6 fireground series (FG2, FG2-1, FG2-2) moves "forward" but all the others seem to go backwards....?????
The reason that three of the sets of fireground talkgroups move "backwards" is to put the primary FG talk groups for each set at the end of the dial. The idea is to minimize changing zones. So if I'm assigned to a fire company and listening to A2 and get dispatched to a box (A16 FG1), I can just spin my knob to the other extreme and lock it in. Since the FG2 set lands in the middle of the zone, there was no reason to run it backwards.
I can only assume that the reason some systems skip TGIDs was to allow for expansion. Our system will likely never be expanded upon, and if it is, who cares is the TGIDs go out of order.
The only thing I can think of for 3600bps systems would be to accommodate for expanded status bit functionality.
The IDs are unofficially confirmed with upgraded equipment.
I can only assume that the reason some systems skip TGIDs was to allow for expansion. Our system will likely never be expanded upon, and if it is, who cares is the TGIDs go out of order.
The only thing I can think of for 3600bps systems would be to accommodate for expanded status bit functionality.
The IDs are unofficially confirmed with upgraded equipment.
troymail
Silent Key
I agree. I think it worked fine the way it was. They also disabled our A-B-C switch, so we have to use the keypad to change zones, which means the radio has to come out of the pocket or holster. I'm not a fan.
ocguard, I didnt think you would be happy, it doesnt make to much sense especially for FG use of ease.
troymail
Silent Key
Just like the issue I'm having with the PG system, the Baltimore system continues to be heard to monitor from my home (even though the current Baltimore City system is easily monitored from my house).
I listened a bit on the way the the HamFest in Timonium last Saturday as I rounded the beltway between I97 and I83. I was getting some pretty good reception for the limited amount of activity the systems seems to have) when I was in the area of I95 and I695.
The PSR800 was rarely showing a [T] indicating it was locked on to the control channel but occasionally pciked up some voice activity.
don333 -- what area are you in (what area were you in when you picked up the traffic?) -- have you noticed a lower power level on this system as well?
Anyone else?
I listened a bit on the way the the HamFest in Timonium last Saturday as I rounded the beltway between I97 and I83. I was getting some pretty good reception for the limited amount of activity the systems seems to have) when I was in the area of I95 and I695.
The PSR800 was rarely showing a [T] indicating it was locked on to the control channel but occasionally pciked up some voice activity.
don333 -- what area are you in (what area were you in when you picked up the traffic?) -- have you noticed a lower power level on this system as well?
Anyone else?
No, actually, oddly enough, it's part of the OLD radio system. You see, when they programmed the new talk groups into our radios (A, B, and C zones), they moved our existing talk groups to K, L, and M zones. So K1 is actually what once was A1 MAIN TG1616. Once we switch to the new system, we'll start using A, B, and C again, and K, L, and M will be inoperable.
As for the reception issues, I imagine that the new signal is not being broadcast from every site, but I can't say with certainty. I'm still curious as to exactly how cutover will occur. Ideally, every system radio should switch at the exact same time, since the frequencies from the current system are being recycled one for one into the new system, meaning that both systems cannot operate at full capacity simultaneously. I personally think it would make more sense to wait until the rebanding transition to negate this issue, but that's why I'm at the bottom of the totem pole.
The biggest problem I have is the disactivation of the A-B-C toggle switch. I actually like the new layout, as, me being assigned to a suppression company, will rarely have to switch from the A zone. I stay on A2 when in service, use A1 for silent alarm, A3 for medic runs, and A16 for a box alarm. Pretty sweet actually.
The other thing I'm not a fan of is that the radio doesn't power up to the position of the dial. For instance, if my radio knob is set to position 2 and I turn it off, spin the knob to position 3, and turn the radio back on, it powers on to the mode in position 2. Then you must "bump" the knob to get to where you want to go. In other words, the radio only takes input from the knob when it's turned on. Not a fan, as usually I will switch the knob to the appropriate talk group upon dispatch, but leave the radio off until we arrive (to avoid feedback between the mobile and my portable).
Troy, I live in the Towson / Parkville area of Baltimore County and haven't noticed any change. I was at home when I heard this. My only problem is that my house was built during the big energy push in the 80's and is wrapped with some type of aluminum sheathing so at times the signal is choppy.
Maybe OC can answer this question; when we do, finally, have to reprogram our scanners do we choose P25 Auto or P25 Manual? Thanks.
Maybe OC can answer this question; when we do, finally, have to reprogram our scanners do we choose P25 Auto or P25 Manual? Thanks.
Auto, almost certainly. I seem to pick up the new system's signal just fine that way. Most newer 9600 P25 systems should be automatic.
I'm going to program my scanner to listen to the new system when I go back to work this weekend and see what I hear.
Beginning tomorrow morning, April 1, at 07:00 hours, the communications bureau will relocate dispatch operations to the alternate center at police headquarters while the dispatch equipment in the primary center is reconfigured for the new system. Then, Monday morning, April 4, at 07:00, FCB will resume operations from the primary center and field communications will cut over to the upgraded system (using the P25 9600 system and new talk groups).
FCB will no longer refer to talk groups by their radio position (A1, C5, etc) but instead by name. I don't think this will go well and will probably be reverted quickly.
I haven't heard if PD will cut over simultaneously. If they don't, the old system will need to remain active to some degree for non-transitioned users. We'll see.
FCB will no longer refer to talk groups by their radio position (A1, C5, etc) but instead by name. I don't think this will go well and will probably be reverted quickly.
I haven't heard if PD will cut over simultaneously. If they don't, the old system will need to remain active to some degree for non-transitioned users. We'll see.
I have officially submitted the list of talk group IDs to the DB using the submit tool. Perhaps if a DB manager is reading this, they can rush it along so people can reprogram their scanners in time using the RR import tool.
troymail
Silent Key
O's open day? Really?
OCGuard,
Thanks a ton for keeping us all informed on the changes. It's great for us scanner enthusiests to have someone on the "inside".
Dispatcher308.... thank you to you as well. Your knowledge and input are really appreciated too !
Regards, Tim
Thanks a ton for keeping us all informed on the changes. It's great for us scanner enthusiests to have someone on the "inside".
Dispatcher308.... thank you to you as well. Your knowledge and input are really appreciated too !
Regards, Tim
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