Newbe (Sorta) Needs Gainesville advice

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darkhorse

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Sep 17, 2004
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Gainesville, FL
Hello All

I've been a member of this forum for some time, but I haven't been active at all (Long story).

I have long had an interest in most things radio with an emphasis on on the listening side of things. However I do hold a technician class amateur license.
I used to be fairly active, if thats the right word, in the scanning hobby, but due to circumstances beyond my control I had to put that interest aside 8 or 9 years ago. I still have most of my old scanner stuff including a Pro2006 with an Optoscan interface, an AOR1000, and a Drake R8 reciever. Also I still have most of my antennas still up. The only reason I mention this is to say that I have basic idea of scanning. However things have changed a LOT since I was last involved.

I have been researching the current state of the scanning hobby for about a week or so and I think I now have a basic understanding of PS communications systems and the equipment required to monitor them. I am in the Gainesville, Alachua County area and as you probably know here they use a trunked, digital APCO-25 system. I have pretty much decided on purchasing a GRE PSR600 scanner.

I have a really basic question... I would like to get back into the scanning hobby, but I fear my timing may not be so hot. What do you all think are the chances of this area going the next step to an encrypted system in the near future ?
I realize that no one probably knows for sure, but I'm just trying to get a sense of whether I should spring for the new equipment or not.

Thanks in advance for your help, and if I do get back in I'm quite sure I'll have many tech questions. Once again... Thanks!

Darkhorse
 

whooey

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Gainesville, FL
Greetings,

I dont think you have to worry about it, for awhile anyways. The system is run by GRU, so the SLERS threat is minimal. With the county in such economic stress, I personally feel that encrypted radios are near the bottom of the list. (But most likely on the list?)

For now, I would go for it. If they go encrypted, you could sell the 600 and gain 70-80% of your money back. Man that is gonna be a sad day in my life if they go encrypted. :(

Cheers,
Brandon G.
 

Rover

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Feb 4, 2006
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Location
Seminole County, Florida
D.H...

I am not from your area (Orlando area) but the gent who runs this scanner site might be able to answer your question as he is form the same area..

http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/index.html

Check the whole web site I think in the past I saw stuff on your county.

Also do a real good search on yahoo-groups for (scanners + Florida). You will groups dedicated too different areas of Fla. You should find a listners group near you that I am sure will help. Your grear might be considered by some as "Dated" but I think they would be great rigs too explore lots on conventional scanning in your area and even some military coms. They are all great radios...If I had them I would be putting too plenty of use even with 800 mhz + TRS systems here...Just my 2 cents...Good Luck..

73 Rover
 

darkhorse

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Joined
Sep 17, 2004
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Location
Gainesville, FL
I'll probably go for it!

Thanks for the responses all!

That's pretty much what I was thinking, but I just wanted a second opinion from you guys that are more current on things.

I really don't plan on selling my old equipment (I'm listening to my PRO-2006 as I type). In fact I just found a new freq... 453.050 UF Police/security maybe. Anyway, it's all reliable as dirt, not quirky and I know how to use it.

Actuallly I like the challenge of learning new technology, and perhaps after I get going again I can contribute something of a local nature to the hobby via this site.

Thanks
 

UFEMTFF

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May 24, 2005
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I lived in gainesville for 6 years (up until a year ago) and i think they're pretty happy with their system. Encryption is always a possibility, but like others have mentioned, County and City Fire Rescue are all trying to build new stations and apparatus, and I doubt GRU would be able to squeeze any more money out of them to radio features.
 

whooey

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Gainesville, FL
DH, until then you can listen to ACFR dispatch on 154.325, shandscair on 461.625, Mall security (LOL) 463.325, and Alachua PD on 460.05.
 

UFEMTFF

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whooey said:
DH, until then you can listen to ACFR dispatch on 154.325, shandscair on 461.625, Mall security (LOL) 463.325, and Alachua PD on 460.05.
Add to that all of the med channels rescues from other counties use to talk to gainesville hospitals. And while your at it, most of the surrounding counties are on VHF hi, so you can pick most of them up pretty well while driving around Gainesville.
 

whooey

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Feb 2, 2005
Messages
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Location
Gainesville, FL
Also Shands security has some good stuff every then and now: 464.2000 & 467.9750

Va police used to be on 453.0500, not sure if its still active, give it a try.

Heres some surrounding freqs you may pick up with Ham antennas:

Gilchrist Co.:

EMS FIRE CH 1 154.2050
EMS FIRE CH 2 158.9400
Sheriff 1 DIS 155.9550
Sheriff 2 TACTIC 154.7250
Sheriff 3 154.7850
Sheriff 4 154.9500
SHERRIF INTERCIT 155.3700

Bradford Co:

FIRE TAC 1 153.9200
FIRE TAC 4 151.3250
EMS 1 155.3400
SHERIFF PRIMARY 154.7400
SHERIFF NCIC 155.8350
STARKE PD CH 1 153.9800
STARKE PD CH 2 155.5500
{ 155.7300MHz} 155.7300
{ 156.0300MHz} 156.0300
{ 154.9500MHz} 154.9500
{ 155.3700MHz} 155.3700
{ 151.1900MHz} 151.1900
{ 155.8800MHz} 155.8800
 
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