New Chicago OEMC Public Safety - 800 MHz P25

[Chicago2210]

Sounds like CFD is switching back over to the conventional P25 UHF channels

 

[werinshades]

Sounds like CFD is switching back over to the conventional P25 UHF channels

This happened for about 12-14 hours, then Fire-Englewood and EMS-Englewood had to switch back yesterday late night/early morning to the "800 Trunking" as it's now being referred to. They remained on the 800 Trunking for 24 hours, until this morning when Fire-Englewood and EMS-Englewood went back to the P25 Conventional system. It's getting so bad, a firehouse has a pool now as to when they'll be back on the "Trunking system" In 48 hours, they've switched twice on the southside.

 

[werinshades]

Soooo.....today.....all Fire Operations (Main & Englewood) are on the "800 Trunking system" as of early this morning.

 

[llzel]

Question, in following this thread, I see that CPD and FD frequently switch between systems, 800 trunking and P25 conventional UHF. Do they use the same radios? If so what are they using?

 

[INDaviation]

Question, in following this thread, I see that CPD and FD frequently switch between systems, 800 trunking and P25 conventional UHF. Do they use the same radios? If so what are they using?

CPD is still on UHF, it's just going P25 and encrypted. Last I heard CPD was using APX8000s and CFD was using APX8000HXEs.

 

[KB9WUV]

Why not just simulcast cast the UHF with the 800 system like they do with VHF Fire and Starcom?

 

[werinshades]

Why not just simulcast cast the UHF with the 800 system like they do with VHF Fire and Starcom?

CFD VHF?

 

[FFPM571]

CFD VHF?

I am sure he is talking abuout DuComm

 

[werinshades]

I am sure he is talking abuout DuComm

Ok. I'm sure it's because they never planned on that since they were abandoning their UHF-T frequencies due to the FCC mandate.

 

[Chicago2210]

Ok. I'm sure it's because they never planned on that since they were abandoning their UHF-T frequencies due to the FCC mandate.

Which was repelled

 

[werinshades]

Which was repelled

Yes, it was repealed, but I'm sure the plan was in place before it was. If your primary system is "malfunctioning", why would you patch another working system to that system? I understand this might interrupt some of the feeds and those with Phase 1 only scanners, but they aren't concerned about that, just that the portables are able to be heard.

Some testing was done on the UHF Conventional system yesterday morning, and it apparently didn't go well enough that the concern was alleviated. Since last Thursday, all Fire Operations have been on the P25 800 system, since Saturday all EMS Operations went over and all CFD is on 800 Trunking. More companies are coming up with apparatus radios on the new system, including some ambulances and EMS Field Chiefs. We'll see what happens, and if they switch back, how long it lasts.

 

[Chicago2210]

Yes, it was repealed, but I'm sure the plan was in place before it was. If your primary system is "malfunctioning", why would you patch another working system to that system? I understand this might interrupt some of the feeds and those with Phase 1 only scanners, but they aren't concerned about that, just that the portables are able to be heard.

Some testing was done on the UHF Conventional system yesterday morning, and it apparently didn't go well enough that the concern was alleviated. Since last Thursday, all Fire Operations have been on the P25 800 system, since Saturday all EMS Operations went over and all CFD is on 800 Trunking. More companies are coming up with apparatus radios on the new system, including some ambulances and EMS Field Chiefs. We'll see what happens, and if they switch back, how long it lasts.

Expect for Lolla which was on citywide fire

 

[werinshades]

Expect for Lolla which was on citywide fire

Yes, but that's not Main & Englewood Fire & EMS. Have you been listening to the 800 system?

 

[Chicago2210]

Yes, but that's not Main & Englewood Fire & EMS. Have you been listening to the 800 system?

Yes using my handheld whistler scanner, hoping to get a desktop one soon.

 

[werinshades]

Yes using my handheld whistler scanner, hoping to get a desktop one soon.

Is it Phase 2 capable?

 

[Chicago2210]

Is it Phase 2 capable?

Yes

 

[Luckyluck]

Does anyone know if cfd / ems south engelwood is staying on 800mhz? If so how do i get ahold of scanner capable of 800mhz. Also what is the channel?? Is it just 800mhz - P25 ? How do i program the radio to listen?

 

[p25man123]

Does anyone know if cfd / ems south engelwood is staying on 800mhz? If so how do i get ahold of scanner capable of 800mhz. Also what is the channel?? Is it just 800mhz - P25 ? How do i program the radio to listen?

I believe they are still staying on the system if I’m correct. Since the Citywide site is Simulcast (Except for Midway & O’hare), you will need a scanner that can handle simulcast distortion thats involved within the site itself. If you are on the go, I prefer a SDS100 or a Unication G4/G5. If you want scanner like in your household or install in your car, go with the SDS200.

Programming the SDS100 & 200 is easy to program by putting in your zip code in which the scanner will pull and add all of the frequencies, systems and talkgroups in your area from the database. If you want to go more in depth with programming, install Uniden’s sentinel software.

For the Unication G4 and 5, you will need to program it through their PPS software. There are plenty of tutorials on how to add the zones, sites, including the frequencies and adding talkgroups to each knob position but it is more complicated rather than the SDS which does the job very well.

 

[Luckyluck]

I believe they are still staying on the system if I’m correct. Since the Citywide site is Simulcast (Except for Midway & O’hare), you will need a scanner that can handle simulcast distortion thats involved within the site itself. If you are on the go, I prefer a SDS100 or a Unication G4/G5. If you want scanner like in your household or install in your car, go with the SDS200.

Programming the SDS100 & 200 is easy to program by putting in your zip code in which the scanner will pull and add all of the frequencies, systems and talkgroups in your area from the database. If you want to go more in depth with programming, install Uniden’s sentinel software.

For the Unication G4 and 5, you will need to program it through their PPS software. There are plenty of tutorials on how to add the zones, sites, including the frequencies and adding talkgroups to each knob position but it is more complicated rather than the SDS which does the job very well.

Thank! Yes im in a tow truck so im always on the move.

Thank! Yes im in a tow truck so im always on the move.

Also as of now i have 2 bcd436hp scanners and no one can come up with the 800mhz. But im going to order the sds100 now! Lol

Also as of now i have 2 bcd436hp scanners and no one can come up with the 800mhz. But im going to order the sds100 now! Lol

Also is there a special code to program the frequency? Or is it just CHICAGO OEMC PUBLIC SAFETY 800Mhz? Thanks again

 

[p25man123]

Also is there a special code to program the frequency? Or is it just CHICAGO OEMC PUBLIC SAFETY 800Mhz? Thanks again

There is no "special code" to enter in the frequency as it is already built into the unit software itself along with grabbing the information from the database especially site frequencies. The OMEC 800MHz Trunking System is phase 2 which is compliant with the unit and is capable to receive transmissions for those using the system which is perfect!

Other than that, you are welcome.