New Chicago OEMC Public Safety - 800 MHz P25

[Melech17]

Check the database under the city's 800 Trunking system.

Got it, thanks.
I was just thrown off because I didn't realize there was P25 non-trunked as well

 

[werinshades]

"New" radio checks heard today with RID's 48171xx series on the Department of Water Management TGID 4013 which has been frequently used lately in what sounds like filtration and pumping station operations. Others have been used as well (4021, 4024), and appears they're slowly migrating again to usage of this system.

RID's are 415xxxx, 475xxxx, 481xxxx series I've heard so far. With the exception of TGID 4013, all others have been Phase 2.

This is a link to the Department of Water Management Organizational Chart which might help deciphering who/what we're listening to:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/water/OrgChrtDWM20130201.pdf

 

[Premises2972]

There still on Starcom TG 34054 , is that Zone4 on Tower 1-02....

That is zone 7 patch for University of Chicago Police

 

[Premises2972]

TX-8 (RID 9150008) heard testing with the OEMC in the north suburbs (Evanston/Northbrook area) this afternoon. Possible that the CTA L trains will be using this system shortly since the UHF-T band frequencies license lapsed and A-Beep jumped on them? Purple and Yellow Lines are in that area.

I don't think this is happening, buying P25 800mhz radios for the CTA would be a LOT of money, since they only use UHF FM radios for now. If they were making that type of investment, i feel we would've heard something about it by now. I've heard that CTA and A-Beep are negotiating on those licenses, and I think they will use these UHF FM radios.

 

[werinshades]

I don't think this is happening, buying P25 800mhz radios for the CTA would be a LOT of money, since they only use UHF FM radios for now. If they were making that type of investment, i feel we would've heard something about it by now. I've heard that CTA and A-Beep are negotiating on those licenses, and I think they will use these UHF FM radios.

They were testing from the Skokie Yard if that makes any difference. No reason to be testing past Willow Road on I 94 since CFD doesn't transport beyond St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. We usually don't hear much until it happens, so just making an observation. I also previously posted CTA Power Control was using an 800Mhz portable once before too during a "person on the track response".

 

[Premises2972]

They were testing from the Skokie Yard if that makes any difference. No reason to be testing past Willow Road on I 94 since CFD doesn't transport beyond St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. We usually don't hear much until it happens, so just making an observation. I also previously posted CTA Power Control was using an 800Mhz portable once before too during a "person on the track response".

That is quite interesting I must say.... who knows? I just think with a shift this big there would be more info, but thats not definitive either way. Great observation though! I guess we will just have to wait and see

 

[werinshades]

That is quite interesting I must say.... who knows? I just think with a shift this big there would be more info, but thats not definitive either way. Great observation though! I guess we will just have to wait and see

Yes it is. Since this is in the testing phase at this point, I can't say either way. There was a mention of RSSI level being -79 and the OEMC reported the signal was excellent still. The Purple Line goes pretty far north, so this would all make sense. The rest of the system has been in use for quite awhile and is built out, and I know they have coverage in some of the subway tunnels already.

If A-Beep is "leasing" frequencies, I would think that's more expensive than owning the license to the frequencies and might be the reason for a move? It's all unknown and watching and listening for new talk groups is all we can do to confirm anything new.

 

[Premises2972]

Yes it is. Since this is in the testing phase at this point, I can't say either way. There was a mention of RSSI level being -79 and the OEMC reported the signal was excellent still. The Purple Line goes pretty far north, so this would all make sense. The rest of the system has been in use for quite awhile and is built out, and I know they have coverage in some of the subway tunnels already.

If A-Beep is "leasing" frequencies, I would think that's more expensive than owning the license to the frequencies and might be the reason for a move? It's all unknown and watching and listening for new talk groups is all we can do to confirm anything new.

So Wilmette and Skokie would need to be covered, but how far west does the OEMC system go, like by Harlem/Green Line (Oak Park) or out by Cicero for the other lines? Would they need to build any new towers or do you think it would be covered?

 

[werinshades]

So Wilmette and Skokie would need to be covered, but how far west does the OEMC system go, like by Harlem/Green Line (Oak Park) or out by Cicero for the other lines? Would they need to build any new towers or do you think it would be covered?

I'm pretty sure it's covered. CFD transports to Loyola in Maywood, MacNeal in Berwyn, West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park frequently and haven't heard anyone mentioning losing coverage. Based on many here with scanners, the system has extensive range. I picked up CFD from the Lake Forest Oasis on I 94, Tinley Park/Orland Park area and this is with an SDS100 in my cupholder using the stock antenna.

 

[Premises2972]

I'm pretty sure it's covered. CFD transports to Loyola in Maywood, MacNeal in Berwyn, West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park frequently and haven't heard anyone mentioning losing coverage. Based on many here with scanners, the system has extensive range. I picked up CFD from the Lake Forest Oasis on I 94, Tinley Park/Orland Park area and this is with an SDS100 in my cupholder using the stock antenna.

yes, the receive range on the system is great! I can receive their signals from quite far from the city. But I was asking about the transmit range. Since CFD transports to these hospitals, all the CTA would need to do is purchase these radios right? I honestly hope they don't switch, as I would hate for yet one less thing to listen to on an analog scanner. And I honestly don't know if the investment in radios is really worth it, considering the other improvements that can be made to the CTA. I also really haven't heard the CTA having persistent radio issues with their current system. I mean there is the occasional transmission that needs to be repeated because operators are in a moving train underground with lots of background noise. Besides that, is CTA having issues with their UHF system?

 

[werinshades]

yes, the receive range on the system is great! I can receive their signals from quite far from the city. But I was asking about the transmit range. Since CFD transports to these hospitals, all the CTA would need to do is purchase these radios right? I honestly hope they don't switch, as I would hate for yet one less thing to listen to on an analog scanner. And I honestly don't know if the investment in radios is really worth it, considering the other improvements that can be made to the CTA. I also really haven't heard the CTA having persistent radio issues with their current system. I mean there is the occasional transmission that needs to be repeated because operators are in a moving train underground with lots of background noise. Besides that, is CTA having issues with their UHF system?

The radios were probably already purchased a while ago when the UHF-T mandate was in effect. The system is built out, and if "we" can hear it on scanners, no doubt a commercial grade radio will be able to transmit. The original buildout plan was to move everyone to the 800 mhz system, so I hope you have an SDS 100/200 or Unication since they primarily are on a simulcast site. Water Management "appears" to be making the transition, and since A-Beep is now the licensee of the CTA Rail Control frequencies and I'm sure it's coming at a cost, this is why I "suspect" the range testing was in the north burbs. I don't always listen to the CTA unless someone is on the tracks, but the UHF radios might be near end of life and have to be replaced. They could easily function on all portables (I think they do that now?), so installing APX radios might not be a priority. We had a couple contributors that worked for the CTA over the years, but I believe they happily retired. So, everything I post is purely speculation and is why I always use question marks...LOL! We have quite a few people here that monitor this system, some use Unitrunker to log it, and with what I heard and if anything new comes up, you'll probably read it here.

This system has plenty of room for expansion to accommodate additional users. They recently moved 5 frequencies from O'Hare's stand alone site to the simulcast site is an example. Since the system operates primarily in Phase 2 (TDMA) talk groups, this adds 10 voice paths, and since the CTA operates on 5-6 max analog UHF frequencies, they won't cause any stress on the system I'm sure.

There's also this trunking system: ULS License - PubSafty/SpecEmer/PubSaftyNtlPlan,806-817/851-862MHz,Trunked License - WRAL921 - City of Chicago - Office of Public Safety Administration

that hasn't been put to use yet either. 15 frequencies/30 voice paths could be added to site-1 if need be too.

Wait and see is what I do, since I've been monitoring when it went on line. Nothing confirmed at this time.

 

[Premises2972]

The radios were probably already purchased a while ago when the UHF-T mandate was in effect. The system is built out, and if "we" can hear it on scanners, no doubt a commercial grade radio will be able to transmit. The original buildout plan was to move everyone to the 800 mhz system, so I hope you have an SDS 100/200 or Unication since they primarily are on a simulcast site. Water Management "appears" to be making the transition, and since A-Beep is now the licensee of the CTA Rail Control frequencies and I'm sure it's coming at a cost, this is why I "suspect" the range testing was in the north burbs. I don't always listen to the CTA unless someone is on the tracks, but the UHF radios might be near end of life and have to be replaced. They could easily function on all portables (I think they do that now?), so installing APX radios might not be a priority. We had a couple contributors that worked for the CTA over the years, but I believe they happily retired. So, everything I post is purely speculation and is why I always use question marks...LOL! We have quite a few people here that monitor this system, some use Unitrunker to log it, and with what I heard and if anything new comes up, you'll probably read it here.

This system has plenty of room for expansion to accommodate additional users. They recently moved 5 frequencies from O'Hare's stand alone site to the simulcast site is an example. Since the system operates primarily in Phase 2 (TDMA) talk groups, this adds 10 voice paths, and since the CTA operates on 5-6 max analog UHF frequencies, they won't cause any stress on the system I'm sure.

There's also this trunking system: ULS License - PubSafty/SpecEmer/PubSaftyNtlPlan,806-817/851-862MHz,Trunked License - WRAL921 - City of Chicago - Office of Public Safety Administration

that hasn't been put to use yet either. 15 frequencies/30 voice paths could be added to site-1 if need be too.

Wait and see is what I do, since I've been monitoring when it went on line. Nothing confirmed at this time.

Interesting. I don't have any digital capable scanners, only SDRs which I use for federal monitoring. I use OpenMHZ for everything digital. I just like analog . I hope they stay on their current system. Other than that we just have to wait and see.Thanks for the info!

 

[werinshades]

Interesting. I don't have any digital capable scanners, only SDRs which I use for federal monitoring. I use OpenMHZ for everything digital. I just like analog . I hope they stay on their current system. Other than that we just have to wait and see.Thanks for the

Since A-Beep is now the licensee holder of the current UHF-T frequencies, I would expect they won't be there much longer.

Your monitoring gear explains your concerns, and your questions but I'm the opposite and love digital since it was first introduced.

 

[Paul-W]

I'm pretty sure it's covered. CFD transports to Loyola in Maywood, MacNeal in Berwyn, West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park frequently and haven't heard anyone mentioning losing coverage. Based on many here with scanners, the system has extensive range. I picked up CFD from the Lake Forest Oasis on I 94, Tinley Park/Orland Park area and this is with an SDS100 in my cupholder using the stock antenna.

I can confirm that this system does get pretty good range. I was driving up to Milwaukee and I was still able to receive it just over the illinois Wisconsin border using a Uniden BC 246T using its supplied stock antenna. I was at least 2-3 miles into Kenosha county. This was in the middle of the afternoon four years ago.

 

[ChicagoRadio736]

The radios were probably already purchased a while ago when the UHF-T mandate was in effect. The system is built out, and if "we" can hear it on scanners, no doubt a commercial grade radio will be able to transmit. The original buildout plan was to move everyone to the 800 mhz system, so I hope you have an SDS 100/200 or Unication since they primarily are on a simulcast site. Water Management "appears" to be making the transition, and since A-Beep is now the licensee of the CTA Rail Control frequencies and I'm sure it's coming at a cost, this is why I "suspect" the range testing was in the north burbs. I don't always listen to the CTA unless someone is on the tracks, but the UHF radios might be near end of life and have to be replaced. They could easily function on all portables (I think they do that now?), so installing APX radios might not be a priority. We had a couple contributors that worked for the CTA over the years, but I believe they happily retired. So, everything I post is purely speculation and is why I always use question marks...LOL! We have quite a few people here that monitor this system, some use Unitrunker to log it, and with what I heard and if anything new comes up, you'll probably read it here.

This system has plenty of room for expansion to accommodate additional users. They recently moved 5 frequencies from O'Hare's stand alone site to the simulcast site is an example. Since the system operates primarily in Phase 2 (TDMA) talk groups, this adds 10 voice paths, and since the CTA operates on 5-6 max analog UHF frequencies, they won't cause any stress on the system I'm sure.

There's also this trunking system: ULS License - PubSafty/SpecEmer/PubSaftyNtlPlan,806-817/851-862MHz,Trunked License - WRAL921 - City of Chicago - Office of Public Safety Administration

that hasn't been put to use yet either. 15 frequencies/30 voice paths could be added to site-1 if need be too.

Wait and see is what I do, since I've been monitoring when it went on line. Nothing confirmed at this time.

Is that new trunked system online yet? I don't understand why they would even need it.

 

[werinshades]

Is that new trunked system online yet? I don't understand why they would even need it.

No it's not, and I'm sure when the license was acquired, they probably had another plan.

 

[werinshades]

CPD Citywide-1 analog is now being patched to TGID 5927 (Phase 2) as of 1400 Hrs. today. Radio shop self-identified TGID 5928 (Phase 2) as Citywide 6 with a RID 9112921 around the same time. P25 UHF TGID's coincide with the Zones: (Ex 5901/Zone 1...5902/Zone 2 etc.) Not sure how 5927 comes into play, but it's within the 59xx series.

Might be related to the earlier report of testing in the northern burbs or CTA coming over to the 800 system? This is unknown and just speculating.

Another thing heard, CPD Traffic units (3200 series) have been heard on Citywide-1 analog going to 91st Harbor Drive (They install brackets, and apparently program radios too) to have their radios reprogrammed: "3211/3213 hold me down going to 91st Harbor Drive to have our radio reprogrammed" has been heard starting this week.

This could be used by all assigned Citywide 1 units in the future while they encrypt the current Citywide 1 frequency is possible too. I've also noticed them telling units if they're looking to switch over to a Zone they are told to use the A-Bank followed by the Zone. This would lead me to believe the analog zones have been removed from the CPD radios and "possibly" the citywides will be using the 800 trunking system? Speculating again...LOL!

One thing to watch for is radio ID's showing. None show while being patched, but if they do, that means they're using the trunking system.

 

[Premises2972]

CPD Citywide-1 analog is now being patched to TGID 5927 (Phase 2) as of 1400 Hrs. today. Radio shop self-identified TGID 5928 (Phase 2) as Citywide 6 with a RID 9112921 around the same time. P25 UHF TGID's coincide with the Zones: (Ex 5901/Zone 1...5902/Zone 2 etc.) Not sure how 5927 comes into play, but it's within the 59xx series.

Might be related to the earlier report of testing in the northern burbs or CTA coming over to the 800 system? This is unknown and just speculating.

Another thing heard, CPD Traffic units (3200 series) have been heard on Citywide-1 analog going to 91st Harbor Drive (They install brackets, and apparently program radios too) to have their radios reprogrammed: "3211/3213 hold me down going to 91st Harbor Drive to have our radio reprogrammed" has been heard starting this week.

This could be used by all assigned Citywide 1 units in the future while they encrypt the current Citywide 1 frequency is possible too. I've also noticed them telling units if they're looking to switch over to a Zone they are told to use the A-Bank followed by the Zone. This would lead me to believe the analog zones have been removed from the CPD radios and "possibly" the citywides will be using the 800 trunking system? Speculating again...LOL!

One thing to watch for is radio ID's showing. None show while being patched, but if they do, that means they're using the trunking system.

Was the chatter on this TG encrypted?

 

[werinshades]

Was the chatter on this TG encrypted?

If it was, I'm in a world of trouble 😂

 

[Premises2972]

If it was, I'm in a world of trouble 😂

Well its not encrypted, which is good. But I really find the voice quality better on analog, but maybe thats just me. Hopefully they leave it open, which I think they will because of interop purposes.