Orange County CCCS P25 Update

[tsalmrsystemtech]

I was able to obtain a code plug a few months ago and studied it and saw the trunking systems that are still from the old SmartZone Type II system. Then the 45C new Phase I FDMA system was added on top of the older system. You will see on one of the trunking systems that there is OTAP for the 45C system. Now is it up and running who knows. Most likely OTAP and OTAR are running. But if the OTAP was working correctly then most likely we would not see the older trunking systems anymore. These code plugs would have been cleaned up correctly by now 4 years later. So most likely the code plugs were not programmed correctly for future growth. Most likely they will all have to be hand touched and yes the labor cost and the time is a huge cost. So who knows what the future looks like for this system but I would not hold my breath. Just strange at this point that they broadcast to the world but keep the radio's encrypted. So most likely its a hand touch issue now. If fire wanted the encryption to be and locked down then they would not broadcast online then. Its most likely a work around for now.

Just my 2 cents at this point after looking at

 

[tsalmrsystemtech]

 

[abr02]

Here in Ventura County, all public safety will be on a new 700mhz Phase II system within the next year. I was at an event on Saturday at the Camarillo Airport and spoke with Ventura County Sheriff Fryoff about the new radio system. He said he wants the public to be able to know what is going on in their communities, and when the switch to digital happens, the dispatch channels will not be encrypted, but clearance and tacs will be, so that is good news up here. County fire will also no be encrypted, and in fact the Ventura County Fire Deparment operates the Broadcastify feed, again because they want the public to be informed about what is happening in their community. Props to them.

 

[marcotor]

Well OC has provided a feed since shortly after Chief Fennessy said they would look into removing encryption, first as a temporary measure, but has become really all I think is going to happen. Also if any of the various "Encryption removal" bills pass the legislature, they are already ahead of the game. The expense that County Fire would have to hoist, really can't be justified, and it's likely Metronet or the Cities would not join in. Remember, the Cities that operate their own departments weighed in when the cost estimate was presented, and were not interested at the expense. Costa Mesa weighed in LOUDLY, and were adamant about not removing Encryption.

OCFA and Metronet JPA provide feeds, but none of the Cities in the County do, and likely never will.

I don't like it anymore than the next person, but gnashing my teeth won't fix it.

 

[Markb]

Yes, encryption for fire is a bit silly. Seems that HIPAA is the usual excuse. Fortunately for California there is little, if any, fire communications on encrypted or trunked talkgroups and can easily be monitored on VHF.

What I meant to say is that WILDLAND fire communications are on unencrypted VHF.

 

[tsalmrsystemtech]

Well OC has provided a feed since shortly after Chief Fennessy said they would look into removing encryption, first as a temporary measure, but has become really all I think is going to happen. Also if any of the various "Encryption removal" bills pass the legislature, they are already ahead of the game. The expense that County Fire would have to hoist, really can't be justified, and it's likely Metronet or the Cities would not join in. Remember, the Cities that operate their own departments weighed in when the cost estimate was presented, and were not interested at the expense. Costa Mesa weighed in LOUDLY, and were adamant about not removing Encryption.

OCFA and Metronet JPA provide feeds, but none of the Cities in the County do, and likely never will.

I don't like it anymore than the next person, but gnashing my teeth won't fix it.

@marcotor

Yes you are exactly right. Costa Mesa and Laguana were "adamant " about removing encryption. This is why their dispatch feeds were not added to Broadcastify steaming service.

I had lengthy conversations back and forth with the OCFA Fire Chief for months at a time to see the reasons and I also explained that his department has Paid Call Firefighters and lots of various volunteer programs. Also, RACES programs that support The County of Orange. I tried to say in very professional manner it was not a good idea for everything to be encrypted but its a money thing and who knows what else. Most likely he received push back from OCSD or not. Plus, OCFA covers rural parts of OC too. Silverado Canyon - Modjeska Canyon and Holy Jim Canyons too where they have a lot of residents that live back there and nobody can listen and pay attention to their canyons during fire season and flood seasons. Also, the majority of these canyons do not have cell coverage back there either. The county did figure they needed a single site tower back in Silverado Canyon at one of their paid call stations obviously for their 700/800 mhz system for coverage and their own talkgroups for that canyon years ago. Also, the county covers half way up Ortega Highway too. The majority of these calls go on FIRE OC VHF because of coverage issues with their 800 mhz TRS system.

I also voiced my concerns that his department has various volunteer programs like RACES programs as well as FIRE Watch and also paid positions that help support fulltime employees for OCFA. You have good people that really do care and support the county during tough times and fire season that is coming upon us soon. OCFA has Patrol vehicles that are on call if they live close to a Patrol vehicle station. Those guys and gals need to be-able to listen at all times from home or wherever they are on call. Plus, you have RACES programs too that help support radio comms for The County of Orange and so on. I did leave one of those programs just because of what happened four years ago. Also, I do know more volunteers that did leave these various programs because of locking down radio comms. I also, explained to the OCFA Fire Chief that there is not a single fire department in The State of California that encrypts their whole department including their dispatch talkgroups

I know people do say I am the resident rant here on RR.com but I do what I can to ask the hard questions to some of these officials in a logical way. I can most likely say I am the only one that has made the effort and voice my concerns. I do not just listen to radios for a hobby but I do some commercial Motorola sales and programming on a certain level. Plus, when I have these discussions its for the greater good moving forward. But I guess we will just see how this plays out down the road or the good people that really care will move on with life and move to other states and The County of Orange will stay the course with their decisions.

Also, the people that have made these encryption decisions will keep putting their years in and then retire and move on with life. Once those pension checks come in monthly then their hands will wiped cleaned and vanish into the wind.

 

[marcotor]

OCComms could care less what subscribers want, they will do whatever a subscriber agency wants - as long as the subs are willing to foot the bill. The Sheriff doesn't care, nor do the Assistant Sheriff, The Area Commanders, et. al.

WHY does every decision about encryption have to be some nefarious thing to personally hurt YOU? You stand up and do the right thing and engage the Chiefs in a professional manner, then come here to imply in your postings they are somehow deep actors, purposefully endangering lives with encryption, and your obvious hopefulness of someone being injured or killed so you can blame encrypton, merely to say "I told you so".

That's where everything you write about encryption seems to go off the rails, the never ending "dark state has something to hide" implications.

RACES is mostly useless, with a long list of members with inflated egos - in fact a RACES member offered to come to my home and beat me up when I laughed at him for designating himself a "first responder"

 

[AM909]

If correct, that 22K radios need to be programmed to make E selectable (and presumably turn on OTAP while they're at it), I think it's either going to take a Very Long Time (probably unacceptable) or require an increase in staffing. That's likely part of the cost equation. C-1: My friends and I are available to help for not too much money – do let us know.

 

[tsalmrsystemtech]

Most likely around 10 to 11K radios for Fire. System wide between LE and Pub Wrks and Lifeguards and so on 22K radios.

RACES is mostly useless, with a long list of members with inflated egos - in fact a RACES member offered to come to my home and beat me up when I laughed at him for designating himself a "first responder"

That was the main reason why I left was the program and the people were way too old and two people just died one right after another and so on with other issues. But those days are over and life and the show must go on. There was a mirad of a few reasons why it was best to leave. It just became a waste of time with people I just did not fit in with. Some people were just way too old but I guess this was a group of old people to hang out with and do something besides sitting at home and just laying on the couch until your time on earth was up.

 

[denperss]

Today i heard 2 calls on the Care ambulance frequencies mention 10 foxtrot. I checked the database but see nothing on that frequency. One of the calls an ambulance was told after to switch to 5 echo.

Would you be able to PM me the care ambulances frequencies? i cant seems to find them anywhere

 

[kearthfan101]

Would you be able to PM me the care ambulances frequencies? i cant seems to find them anywhere

National Science and Technology Network (Santiago Peak) Trunking System, Santiago Peak, California

National Science and Technology Network (Santiago Peak) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

National Science and Technology Network (Sierra Peak 1) Trunking System, Sierra Peak, California

National Science and Technology Network (Sierra Peak 1) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

They should still be here. They were using these the last time i checked a few years ago.

 

[marcotor]

My friends and I are available to help for not too much money – do let us know.

OCComms has many open positions. All you need to do is be warm to the touch, and pass the background check.

And there is NO WAY that E will be "selectable". It's strapped on or off.

 

[denperss]

National Science and Technology Network (Santiago Peak) Trunking System, Santiago Peak, California

National Science and Technology Network (Santiago Peak) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

National Science and Technology Network (Sierra Peak 1) Trunking System, Sierra Peak, California

National Science and Technology Network (Sierra Peak 1) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

They should still be here. They were using these the last time i checked a few years ago.

Thank you, yes i see the freq now.
but how do i tell witch one are used for that ch. ?
Sorry for the questions im still learning

 

[monitor142]

National Science and Technology Network (Santiago Peak) Trunking System, Santiago Peak, California

National Science and Technology Network (Santiago Peak) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

National Science and Technology Network (Sierra Peak 1) Trunking System, Sierra Peak, California

National Science and Technology Network (Sierra Peak 1) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

They should still be here. They were using these the last time i checked a few years ago.

FYI, I believe that the Santiago system is offline. The new owner of the NSTN system has been standing up a new iDAS network which is also in the DB. Maybe they are working on converting those channels over to digital. Falck (formerly Care) seems to be using the Sierra site for OC North and South operations. Not the best for South OC areas but they are getting by.

0-03-117-Falck OC Fire North
0-03-118-Falck OC Fire South

 

[Z_DEO5]

FYI, I believe that the Santiago system is offline. The new owner of the NSTN system has been standing up a new iDAS network which is also in the DB. Maybe they are working on converting those channels over to digital. Falck (formerly Care) seems to be using the Sierra site for OC North and South operations. Not the best for South OC areas but they are getting by.

0-03-117-Falck OC Fire North
0-03-118-Falck OC Fire South

Hey Falck employee here! You are correct we are currently using the Sierra site and those talk groups. We also have some top groups on the 800 MHz system for talking with all of our managers and tactical channels. Our company in Orange County will be switching over to a newer trunk Radio system starting in November, and the switchover will happen most likely in January unknown if this will be encrypted or in the clear. We also use an NSTN for all of our LA County operations. LA County operations Will be switching over to a 5GLTE PTT System in the coming months. We are currently doing a lot of trials with a lot of different radio systems because of our poor coverage in South Orange County. .So listen to our channels while you can because they may not be around too much longer.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me.

 

[radiochuck]

Here in Ventura County, all public safety will be on a new 700mhz Phase II system within the next year. I was at an event on Saturday at the Camarillo Airport and spoke with Ventura County Sheriff Fryoff about the new radio system. He said he wants the public to be able to know what is going on in their communities, and when the switch to digital happens, the dispatch channels will not be encrypted, but clearance and tacs will be, so that is good news up here. County fire will also no be encrypted, and in fact the Ventura County Fire Deparment operates the Broadcastify feed, again because they want the public to be informed about what is happening in their community. Props to them.

That's how you build trust. Good for them for being transparent with those who live in, work in and visit their community.

 

[brendan3]

is "5B" still the TGID for OCFA dispatch and if so is it still "E" and why isn't it in the DB?

OCFA Dispatch 5B Live Audio Feed

OCFA Dispatch 5B Live Audio Feed on Broadcastify.com

m.broadcastify.com

 

[MEDIC135]

is "5B" still the TGID for OCFA dispatch and if so is it still "E" and why isn't it in the DB?

OCFA Dispatch 5B Live Audio Feed

OCFA Dispatch 5B Live Audio Feed on Broadcastify.com

m.broadcastify.com

Yes it is, whoever submitted the TGIDs into the DB just submitted 4B instead of 5B. They’re both the same thing. Yes it is still E with the exception of the live feed the dept feeds out online

 

[brendan3]

Ok I’ll make a data submission so that can be noted in the DB.

 

[smichaelhenny]

is "5B" still the TGID for OCFA dispatch and if so is it still "E" and why isn't it in the DB?

OCFA Dispatch 5B Live Audio Feed

OCFA Dispatch 5B Live Audio Feed on Broadcastify.com

m.broadcastify.com

Without a doubt still encrypted and is the overall dispatch for the OCFA. Happy streaming….☹️