Norwich

[imonitorit]

I have been monitoring the Norwich Police now for about 3 days. I do hear some radio traffic but very little.



However, these days there is little if any radio traffic at all. An hour or two can go by before ANYTHING is heard and I live in Norwich, about 300 feet above sea level with an outside roof mounted antenna.

Whether they are putting the calls out some other way such as MDTs, cellphones, etc I don't know.

I do know this. When the coronavirus first kicked in I called the NPD on their routine number regarding a bicycle that was found in my front yard. I assumed it stolen and was just dropped off there. With the coronavirus in full swing, I was told that the police are limiting their responses to emergencies only. I had no problem with that and I understood the concern for the officers safety.

But could things these days be that quite ?



Thank you for all those who have offered their assistance involving this issue.

I would check if they have changed and or added frequencies at the sites. It sounds like this may be the problem. If you find someone running a software defined radio (SDR) the program usually maps out the system. This is something a scanner won't do. That would explain the problem your having. I don't think Norwich dispatches by MDT.

 

[darkness975]

Can anyone else near the area confirm if they are hearing them still ?

 

[georged4997]

Not to often, there seldom talking. They must be using a different channel or something else.

 

[MrAntiDigital]

I recently purchased a NEW Uniden BCD996P2 for ONE Purpose ONLY. That purpose being that the Norwich Police would be changing their radio frequency from the old, out dated Low Band of 39.90 MHz to it's new modern digital system. I was encouraged to learn of this much needed change, particularly after a Norwich Police Officer came upon an armed robbery taking place in one section of the city and his request for back up could NOT be heard. As he was chasing that suspect on foot, shots were exchanged. Whoever was that police dispatcher that day did one outstanding job in trying to get that lone officer assistance.

So along comes a new radio system - FINALLY. But for this old scanner buff guy, it would mean replacement of THREE NEW SCANNERS. So the current budget plan was to buy ONE first, then save up to buy two others.

My new scanner was programmed, updated and ready to go. With an outside roof mounted antenna, being about 350 feet above sea level, and living right within the city borders of Norwich I was all set to hear it "when it happens" - "as it happens". BUT, that has NOT HAPPENED.

While operating on the high band, I would regularly pick up Providence FD (50 miles away), Hartford FD (40 miles away), even Springfield, Mass FD about 75 miles away.

After days of listening, STILL very little results on hearing NPD Dispatch. I have heard a few routine messages like "unit 10-?? a 10-58". Another unit calling saying he is on Lake St. So I do know that scanner is working. BUT nothing otherwise.

I do know that when COVID19 began the Norwich Police were NOT responding to other than emergency calls because I called them on their routine line to report what I thought might a stolen bicycle I found in my front yard. They advised me that because of the COVID 19 they were only responding to emergency calls. I could fully understand that and had no problem with it.
So as it stands, I can understand less radio traffic on their dispatch channel.

So what I would like to ask the members here; "Is there anyone on this forum that has regularly monitored the Norwich Police and has had similar issues". I know that "georged4997" who lives only about two miles from me is also having the same issues, although he has reported to me that at times, prior to getting my scanner, he was receiving that with no problem. These days - no luck for him either.

Have the residents and visitors of this city suddenly become "Angels" and nobody is causing any trouble. Or is it that the police incidents that regularly go on are being dispatched in some other way.

Does anybody have the answer ? Are myself and "georged4997" the ONLY TWO that regularly monitor the Norwich Police that are having problems ?

Do you monitor the Norwich Police on a regular basis and how's it working for you ?

I hope you can help out.

P.S. - As I wrote this, I just heard a few words mumbled over the NPD at approximately 8:20 am. Couldn't make it out though. Although it's been just updated.

 

[Dan6071]

I live in groton and when they went to the new radio system the same thing happen here i be live they are using the computer system in there cars as well.

 

[Dan6071]

I just programed norwich pd in to my scanner and i am hearing them fine just off my stock antenna

 

[MrAntiDigital]

THANK YOU "Dan6071". I guess it's time to bring that scanner to an authorized dealer who knows a lot more about it than I do.

I'll be on my way shortly and will report my results to the guys here.

 

[thom]

THANK YOU "Dan6071". I guess it's time to bring that scanner to an authorized dealer who knows a lot more about it than I do.

I'll be on my way shortly and will report my results to the guys here.

MrAntiDigital, With a 325p2 and attic antenna, I'm hearing NPD fine on the Troop E system here on the coast. I think your 996p2 could be revolting against your "AntiDigital" name. Simple solution, change your handle and the problem might be solved. LOL.

 

[Dan6071]

I can look at it for you if you want me to

 

[cg]

I still suspect the programming. George might be a bit out of range unless they are on K Simulcast but you should be fine hearing the E Simulcast.
If you want, I can do a quick temp test system step by step for you to try to enter by hand. 2 minute max entry, nothing fancy.

chris

 

[paradee58]

Yesterday I had 240 hits 33 min. of audio from 7:00am to 6 pm with the sds200 852.16250 tg 20401 I live in greenville useing proscan

 

[cg]

That is one of the Phase 2 frequencies in the Troop E Simulcast. When there is no voice, you are certainly sitting on the Troop E Simulcast Control Channel, 773.93125.

 

[MrAntiDigital]

I appreciate all the help.

I do pick up the NPD but it is so quit. It just doesn't seem to be normal.

There's got to be more incidents going on than what is being broadcasted.

 

[cg]

When you look at the scanner, is there a frequency displayed when it is quiet? It should say 773.93125

chris

 

[cg]

Here is a fast entry for the Troop E Simulcast. (If I know the frequency for the control channel on an unknown system, I can program the 996 series scanner with a single control channel in search mode in about a minute)
Anyway, here is the sequence for manually entering the Troop E Simulcast, Quick Key of 99, default of ID Search
Menu
Program System
ENTER
New System
ENTER
Select Sys Type
P25
ENTER
Standard Trunk
ENTER
Confirm?
ENTER
It will show the system number rather than a name, doesn't matter for now
Edit Site
ENTER
New Site
ENTER
Set Quick Key
ENTER
Scroll to 99 (I use this for test system as it is quick to recall)
ENTER
Scroll to "Set Frequencies"
ENTER
New Frequency
ENTER
773.93125
ENTER
Hit Scan

 

[55engine]

I would also like to put out there 700 MHz does not work that well in scanners that’s why I wish it all stayed and 800 MHz I have the same problem with Connecticut transit if you’re standing next to a bus you will not receive it if you’re couple miles away from the bus you receive itSome reason scanners are not designed for 700 MHz their designs for UHF or VHF an 800 MHzI was in Norwich one day at a small apartment fire never heard the police channel I heard the fire department channel once I got into Waterford I started picking it a lot more So I think if they just took out all the 700 MHz and keep the 800 I bet you it would work fantastic Just like the Connecticut state police and their old system that worked on my radios pretty good once they started messing around with the 700 that’s when my radios were starting to have a hard time

 

[Dan6071]

I had the same problem then i put in new firmware and threshold and now i get every thing fine .

 

[MrAntiDigital]

I certainly appreciate all the thoughts on this topic.

Maybe "tomm" is right in his reply # 68 here. It's all in the name - "MrAntiDigital". If I was a scanner, "I'd be upset too". lol

As it stands, I know the scanner is working and it seems to be programmed correctly. Because there are times when I can hear a few words but nothing of what the usual police activity would be.

I have tried using both my outside roof antenna as well as the inside telescoping antenna with the same results.

Both myself and "georged4997" are getting the same results only a few miles apart. Now I see "55engine" mention that at times he has a problem listening as well.

In addition to this, both myself and "georged4997" (my brother George) seem to agree that the NPD is dispatching calls in some other way. The amount of radio traffic just can NOT be this quiet day after day. Neither of us have "no inside scoop into that but there must be some other way".

Yesterday, I stopped to talk to TWO of The Rose City's Finest, aka Norwich Police Officers to "THANK THEM FOR THE JOB THRY DO". It's certainly been tough lately. God Bless them for the job they do. We talked for about 15 minutes and I did hear the radio talk very briefly. But I never got into any discussion with them about the radio traffic.

I sure appreciate all you guys thoughts and comments on this. In my own selfish way, I know they just couldn't stay on that old low band channel of 39.90 mhz. But I sure wish they had changed over to the high band with a repeater system just like the Norwich Fire Dept did (154.205 MHz). As far as I know there's been very little problems since it was first installed back in the early 1990s. There's also a low power fireground channel and members can switch to channel 2 (?) which is "direct to direct" without going through the dispatch channel - while still hearing the main dispatch.
I'm sure our members who might live 15 miles or so outside of Norwich can hear them okay.

As I have been writing this, I did hear the Norwich Police Dispatch talk but very briefly and difficult to understand. I heard 10-43 call in a license check and dispatch came back "no 20s, nothing in house" - BUT very garbled.

Since the start of 2020 we have all been through some very difficult times. Coronavirus first, now a country being torn apart by some because of the way somebody looks. Caught up in the middle of this has been our police officers. I know they've been there when I needed them.

The first time I heard a police call over a police radio at home was when I was 16 years old. It was a fatal stabbing in Bridgeport where I had lived. It was at Harding High school. My father had gotten an old police radio from a police car and was able to convert it to A/C for home us. "I was hooked". I am now 71 years old. I saw crystal controlled scanners operate by using a small plug in crystal purchased separately for each channel required, using maybe an eight channel radio. Then came programable scanners that offered unlimited channels putting in or taking out what ever you wanted. No computer programming necessary, in fact there were no computers.

We had high, low and ultrahigh band of up to 100 or 200 channels. I drove from Ct to Fla one time and had every major city FD and sometimes PD programmed into it along the way. It was great.

Once again, thank you for your help and comments and THANK YOU for taking the time to read my story.

This is Willy D, aka "MrAntiDigital", signing off

 

[squeegeeman0]

Have been listening to norwich PD on heldheld for years now.
always heard at the very least, dispatch.
suddenly they have gone silent, nothing

 

[Dan6071]

I certainly appreciate all the thoughts on this topic.

Maybe "tomm" is right in his reply # 68 here. It's all in the name - "MrAntiDigital". If I was a scanner, "I'd be upset too". lol

As it stands, I know the scanner is working and it seems to be programmed correctly. Because there are times when I can hear a few words but nothing of what the usual police activity would be.

I have tried using both my outside roof antenna as well as the inside telescoping antenna with the same results.

Both myself and "georged4997" are getting the same results only a few miles apart. Now I see "55engine" mention that at times he has a problem listening as well.

In addition to this, both myself and "georged4997" (my brother George) seem to agree that the NPD is dispatching calls in some other way. The amount of radio traffic just can NOT be this quiet day after day. Neither of us have "no inside scoop into that but there must be some other way".

Yesterday, I stopped to talk to TWO of The Rose City's Finest, aka Norwich Police Officers to "THANK THEM FOR THE JOB THRY DO". It's certainly been tough lately. God Bless them for the job they do. We talked for about 15 minutes and I did hear the radio talk very briefly. But I never got into any discussion with them about the radio traffic.

I sure appreciate all you guys thoughts and comments on this. In my own selfish way, I know they just couldn't stay on that old low band channel of 39.90 mhz. But I sure wish they had changed over to the high band with a repeater system just like the Norwich Fire Dept did (154.205 MHz). As far as I know there's been very little problems since it was first installed back in the early 1990s. There's also a low power fireground channel and members can switch to channel 2 (?) which is "direct to direct" without going through the dispatch channel - while still hearing the main dispatch.
I'm sure our members who might live 15 miles or so outside of Norwich can hear them okay.

As I have been writing this, I did hear the Norwich Police Dispatch talk but very briefly and difficult to understand. I heard 10-43 call in a license check and dispatch came back "no 20s, nothing in house" - BUT very garbled.

Since the start of 2020 we have all been through some very difficult times. Coronavirus first, now a country being torn apart by some because of the way somebody looks. Caught up in the middle of this has been our police officers. I know they've been there when I needed them.

The first time I heard a police call over a police radio at home was when I was 16 years old. It was a fatal stabbing in Bridgeport where I had lived. It was at Harding High school. My father had gotten an old police radio from a police car and was able to convert it to A/C for home us. "I was hooked". I am now 71 years old. I saw crystal controlled scanners operate by using a small plug in crystal purchased separately for each channel required, using maybe an eight channel radio. Then came programable scanners that offered unlimited channels putting in or taking out what ever you wanted. No computer programming necessary, in fact there were no computers.

We had high, low and ultrahigh band of up to 100 or 200 channels. I drove from Ct to Fla one time and had every major city FD and sometimes PD programmed into it along the way. It was great.

Once again, thank you for your help and comments and THANK YOU for taking the time to read my story.

This is Willy D, aka "MrAntiDigital", signing off

Willy if you ever need some one to help you out on your scanner just let me know.you don't remember me i am friends with gunner and dan keough .