P25?

[Chris0516]

I can get several counties Why do some counties use the Control Channels listed on the VIPER page. While others use the Control Channels on their own page?

 

[RaleighGuy]

Would you like to give examples so we know which systems/pages you are referring to?

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Why do some counties use the Control Channels listed on the VIPER page. While others use the Control Channels on their own page?

So you're asking why certain counties maintain trunked systems of their own versus joining a statewide system?

 

[Chris0516]

Would you like to give examples so we know which systems/pages you are referring to?

For Chatham County(home). I use their Chatham Mountain listing, on the VIPER page. But, For Wake County(neighbor). I use their simulcast site on their county page.

 

[Chris0516]

So you're asking why certain counties maintain trunked systems of their own versus joining a statewide system?

Not exactly that. But why, those counties, that maintain trunked systems of own. Also have tower listings on VIPER?

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Wake County has exclusive control of their own system, it's licensed to the county and not the state. One main advantage to this is not having to share frequencies on the trunked site with other surrounding agencies

But why, those counties, that maintain trunked systems of own. Also have tower listings on VIPER?

Probably for interop and continuing coverage with surrounding counties who do operate on the state's system but provide mutual aide to Chathan County

 

[Chris0516]

Wake County has exclusive control of their own system, it's licensed to the county and not the state. One main advantage to this is not having to share frequencies on the trunked site with other surrounding agencies

Probably for interop and continuing coverage with surrounding counties who do operate on the state's system

Okeydokey

 

[RaleighGuy]

Not exactly that. But why, those counties, that maintain trunked systems of own. Also have tower listings on VIPER?

The Wake County towers (on county system) carry county traffic not on Viper, the Viper towers in Wake County do not carry county radios, only Viper traffic. So, if you want to hear EMS to Ambulance you need to listen to the Viper towers (as the TG is not on county system) and if you want to hear Raleigh Police you listen to Wake County system, but if you want to hear Cary/Morrisville/Apex in Wake County you need to listen to the Cary towers in Wake County. It is like that in a number of places around the state.

 

[Chris0516]

The Wake County towers (on county system) carry county traffic not on Viper, the Viper towers in Wake County do not carry county radios, only Viper traffic. So, if you want to hear EMS to Ambulance you need to listen to the Viper towers (as the TG is not on county system) and if you want to hear Raleigh Police you listen to Wake County system, but if you want to hear Cary/Morrisville/Apex in Wake County you need to listen to the Cary towers in Wake County. It is like that in a number of places around the state.

Gotcha

 

[brian]

A different way to think about this - VIPER is a state-run system, specifically by the NCSHP. There's an obvious need for NCSHP and other state agencies to have state-wide radio coverage. So VIPER needs to have coverage "everywhere" in NC.

Counties that operate their own "proprietary" systems don't always like to share capacity with state agencies. And programming radios for multiple systems, or counties granting programming access to their own systems, becomes problematic.

There are many reasons counties choose to operate their own systems - some logistical, some political, some "we've always done it this way." Many don't want to trust others with their mission-critical systems and essential services. Clearly, VIPER works well for other counties that don't have these same issues. Perhaps some counties think they can operate their own system for less cost than paying VIPER service costs?

So, VIPER is a state system that has more or less statewide coverage for state agencies. Some counties have chosen this as their primary communication platform, and the state seems to welcome this. Other counties choose to do their own thing, perhaps having VIPER access for interoperability and back-up use. Hence, multiple separate systems exist in some counties.

South Carolina has some "hybrid" situations of this same model. Some SC counties (Charleston and Beaufort, specifically) run their own radio systems, but they share the "core" of the statewide system. This provides the best of both worlds for these counties - local control, but seamless interoperability with other agencies on the state system. In these counties. there are multiple, overlapping sites of the statewide system - one set of towers only support county communications, while the other set of towers supports state agencies and other adjacent counties. It's a very interesting relationship and requires some tricky programming on the part of scanner users.

I think it's interesting that this hobby is aided by the hobbyist not only understanding the technical aspects of the systems we monitor, but also understanding the governmental and political reasoning for why agencies make the choices they make.

 

[Chris0516]

A different way to think about this - VIPER is a state-run system, specifically by the NCSHP. There's an obvious need for NCSHP and other state agencies to have state-wide radio coverage. So VIPER needs to have coverage "everywhere" in NC.

Counties that operate their own "proprietary" systems don't always like to share capacity with state agencies. And programming radios for multiple systems, or counties granting programming access to their own systems, becomes problematic.

There are many reasons counties choose to operate their own systems - some logistical, some political, some "we've always done it this way." Many don't want to trust others with their mission-critical systems and essential services. Clearly, VIPER works well for other counties that don't have these same issues. Perhaps some counties think they can operate their own system for less cost than paying VIPER service costs?

So, VIPER is a state system that has more or less statewide coverage for state agencies. Some counties have chosen this as their primary communication platform, and the state seems to welcome this. Other counties choose to do their own thing, perhaps having VIPER access for interoperability and back-up use. Hence, multiple separate systems exist in some counties.

South Carolina has some "hybrid" situations of this same model. Some SC counties (Charleston and Beaufort, specifically) run their own radio systems, but they share the "core" of the statewide system. This provides the best of both worlds for these counties - local control, but seamless interoperability with other agencies on the state system. In these counties. there are multiple, overlapping sites of the statewide system - one set of towers only support county communications, while the other set of towers supports state agencies and other adjacent counties. It's a very interesting relationship and requires some tricky programming on the part of scanner users.

I think it's interesting that this hobby is aided by the hobbyist not only understanding the technical aspects of the systems we monitor, but also understanding the governmental and political reasoning for why agencies make the choices they make.

Thanks bunches n' bunches, for that explanation!!!!!