Well 154.415 is our back-up dispatch circuit, and 154.370 is our emergency/subway repeater, so they will stay up. As for .145 and .385, I can't say for sure, but I don't think there's a reason they wouldn't continue as long as the transmitters function.
**New Baltimore (City) System Discussion**
- Thread starter skyteam11
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Well 154.415 is our back-up dispatch circuit, and 154.370 is our emergency/subway repeater, so they will stay up. As for .145 and .385, I can't say for sure, but I don't think there's a reason they wouldn't continue as long as the transmitters function.
I'm perhaps the biggest scanner enthusiast of them all, so it's no trouble keeping everyone else informed while I'm keeping my scanner working.
troymail
Silent Key
Given the change over, unless they boost the power, I think there going to be some frustrated people - first by the change over itself and then by the fact that the system is very hard to receive outside the city (at least that's been my experience so far).
troymail
Silent Key
Fading in and out but -- I'm getting some "testing" hits this morning on several new fire talkgroups (along with the other unknown/probably public works talkgroups that have been there for a while).
troymail
Silent Key
Fire switch appears to have occurred -- looks like they also switched from the CC they had been using (testing) on - 868.7375 to 868.9500. Haven't heard any police units (believe I was still hearing them on the old system).
Reception from my location is still as crappy as it has been for this new system -- if it stays this way it's going to set me back to my pre-GRE PSR500 days when my Unidens couldn't receive the system because it was so weak.
Keeping fingers crossed...something will still be changed/boosted....
Reception from my location is still as crappy as it has been for this new system -- if it stays this way it's going to set me back to my pre-GRE PSR500 days when my Unidens couldn't receive the system because it was so weak.
Keeping fingers crossed...something will still be changed/boosted....
I have to agree with Troymail. I'm in the Parkville/Carney area of Baltimore County and reception is "choppy". I have 3 radios programmed the same; PSR 500, PSR 600 &PRO 106. Only the PSR 600 is receiving a signal. The other 2 are silent. This isn't going to be good!!!
Mirrah
Member
Choppy is a good word for it.
I'm in Catonsville, and it seems the system has it's moments. The signal is great, but the modulation is choppy. More garble than anything.
I'm in Catonsville, and it seems the system has it's moments. The signal is great, but the modulation is choppy. More garble than anything.
gregsto
Member
Has happened in significant part at least. There is now FG 1 as main FG, I can still hear central dist pd on their old talk group and training on A9....but many no longer work. The radio ref feed is basically not there now.
Baltimore city
It is my understanding that the City police will change on the 7th. Does anyone have an idea on the talk group ID's yet. I have the the City fire programed in my 996xt and it seames to be working.
It is my understanding that the City police will change on the 7th. Does anyone have an idea on the talk group ID's yet. I have the the City fire programed in my 996xt and it seames to be working.
I'm out of range for monitoring right now... can anyone tell if there are certain system frequencies being used on the old and new systems? I'm interested as to how police is using the old system and fire is using the new system. Unless the controllers are talking to one another regarding assignment of voice channels.
As for those of you on the "fringes" that are having trouble with the new system, I can imagine that once ALL units are switched over to the new system, the old system will be turned off and the new system will be cranked up.
Non fire units should be using the old system. If they are using old A9, it's because someone hasn't gotten the memo.
As for those of you on the "fringes" that are having trouble with the new system, I can imagine that once ALL units are switched over to the new system, the old system will be turned off and the new system will be cranked up.
Non fire units should be using the old system. If they are using old A9, it's because someone hasn't gotten the memo.
Matt...haven't heard anything on the old system today except the units that didn't switch over when told to do so...mostly medic units. Reception here in the Parkville/Carney area isn't that great. Even took the radio up into the attic and there wasn't much improvement. Hope they crank that power up soon. PD seems to still be on the old system as of now.
It appears that, with regards to the VHF rebroadcasts, 154.415 is broadcasting the DISPATCH talk group, but the MAIN and FIREGROUND talk group rebroadcasts are not currently working. This is not to say that they're discontinued forever, just not working with the new system YET. Does anyone have the same findings?
troymail
Silent Key
I (and others) certainly hope your thinking is correct - on the other hand, I'd be really surprised if the vendor did that kind of compromise - which potentially translates into a compromise on public safety.
I see a trend going on here -- between what's happening in PG County and now BCity with the really weak transmissions that most likely are intentional to keep the signal within the expected areas they are for.
If this turns out to be true, I wonder what will happen with the new BCounty system when it comes on line next year....
I don't think this is what's happening in Baltimore City, honestly. The upgraded system was electronics only; no antennas were re-hung, no sites were added, no directionality was added into transmission patterns, just straight one-for-one upgrading of RF equipment for P25 compliance and rebanding preparation.
In PG, the system is DESIGNED to keep RF in it's designated service area from the get-go.
Baltimore County is doubling their transmission sites, with voice RF antennas hung FAR LOWER than the original 1986 design. They are also using directional antennas at some sites. So I would imagine that you're right -- this system will have significantly less out-of-area reception.
In York County, because of the nature of the T-band exceptions needed to use the 500mhz frequencies, the system was over-engineered with regards to number of RF sites, but RF sites are low, and in many cases directional, again, in a design to keep the signal from splashing too far and interfering with T-band signals being used for TV in nearby towns.
Baltimore City, on the other hand, must still rely in the existing system engineering to provide the coverage. The same RF sites, same antennas, etc. But time will tell.
I'm still curious (even after monitoring for a few hours last night) how fire is using the new system and police are using the old system, when both systems are using the same frequency pairs.
Matt, do you think that since the FD and PD are using the same frequency pairs that his is what may be causing the poor reception on the FD side. I don't consider the Parkville/Carney are the fringes, but reception is terrible and I'm at a higher elevation. I threw the portable in the car today and rode over to Towson. There was no improvement in the reception. HELP!!!
gravenut74
Member
I have a quick question in refernece to Baltimore City. I am running two radios (please dont laugh too hard) a Pro-106 and the Pro-206 scanner from Radio Shack. They both have the updated 1.2 software needed to listen to APCO 25. I added the ID's and I am still not picking up Baltimore City will these radios work or will I have to upgrade to a new radio? Thanks in advance
Give it until the 7th, which is when PD is suppose to transition. We'll see if they turn off the Smartzone system altogether, and crank up the P25 system. Then I'll start asking questions.
They are not using the same frequencies on both systems. They are using half of the original frequencies on each. This is a gradual migration as opposed to a forklift operation. When all is said and done, the same frequencies you have come to know and love since 1998 or so will all be on the air in P25; Just with new hardware. Reprogram your system as P25 with the new talkgroups and all should be well soon. Not all 25 (or so?) channels are at every site, so your coverage may return.
gravenut74
Member
Ok great thanks for the info I appreiciate it. I will wait in see what happens in the coming weeks or so
troymail
Silent Key
I assume this means that eventually all of the frequencies will return to all sites and that will improve the coverage (and range?).... If so - that's the best news so far. Thanks
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