PA Turnpike

[KB7MIB]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux i686; U; en-US) Gecko/20081217 Vision-Browser/8.1 301x200 LG VN530)

Ok, if that radio also has an "Audio Boost" option as my GRE PSR-500 does, set it to On.

 

[One13Truck]

Have to love that "audio boost" feature. On my 396XT it's "volume offset" but same difference. It works wonders in both directions. Some channels around here are so loud I need to use the decrease setting while adding some to others. Minor things like that being able to set everything to an almost standard level makes these newer scanners so much better than the older ones that had no controls like that.

 

[rjm022222]

Let's just say I have intimate knowledge of Turnpike Maintenance Trucks. They have six analog channels. Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 is PTC M/M. Districts 1, 3 and 5 use the same frequency. Districts 2 and 4 use the same frequency (different from 1,3,5) and PTC M/M is different from the others.

 

[jiminpgh]

A reference was made to Everett . I only heard the last part of the conversation regarding the "800" system. Sounded like a Trooper to me but I have no way of knowing for sure. There was no mention of a Safety designator or service # (8XXX) .

I suspect that PSP troop T may be using Open Sky, patched to the VHF system.
I heard a trooper log on last night, he sounded digital, and there was no identifier ring that was on VHF.

Perhaps PSP turnpike goes OS, and everyone else stays VHF.
The VHF channel can easily overload during a large crash.

Jim in Pittsburgh

 

[kirkwoodcr]

I suspect that PSP troop T may be using Open Sky, patched to the VHF system.
I heard a trooper log on last night, he sounded digital, and there was no identifier ring that was on VHF.

Perhaps PSP turnpike goes OS, and everyone else stays VHF.
The VHF channel can easily overload during a large crash.

Jim in Pittsburgh

Their radios are just awful sounding. Half the time, Highspire always asks to them to repeat.

 

[rjm022222]

There is an Everett Maintenance Shed and Everett PSP.. PSP is located at the Everett Maintenance Shed at MP 154.2 East bound. As far as I know PTC is still using analog in all vehicles including PSP Troop T cars. It is possible the Troop T cars have digital in their cars to communicate with PSP outside the turnpike. However, I don't think they can communicate with Highspire using digital.

 

[rjm022222]

Their radios are just awful sounding. Half the time, Highspire always asks to them to repeat.

I have the same problem. Either I have to ask Highspire to repeat or they ask me to repeat. It also depends on where I'm at on the turnpike. I know where there "dead" spots are in my district. If I'm close to an interchange or maintenance shed or PSP barracks it comes in fine. If I'm in the middle between interchanges, sometimes no reception at all.

 

[HM1529]

I suspect that PSP troop T may be using Open Sky, patched to the VHF system.
I heard a trooper log on last night, he sounded digital, and there was no identifier ring that was on VHF.

Perhaps PSP turnpike goes OS, and everyone else stays VHF.
The VHF channel can easily overload during a large crash.

Jim in Pittsburgh

I would agree that at least some PSP units are now talking on the STARNET equipment through a gateway to the VHF. Out this way, I have been hearing King of Prussia PSP cars for a while now that have that distinct digital patched to analog warble in their voice. Documentation from the turnpike's website (a radio maintenance RFP) indicates that PTC has gateways in service between VHF and STARNET.

 

[mlmummert]

The other day I thought I heard someone calling Highspire asking how they sounded on the "800".


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[rjm022222]

Some PSP cars do have that digital patch sound. The maint. vehicles and interchanges are still on analog.

 

[fire42man]

The other day I thought I heard someone calling Highspire asking how they sounded on the "800".


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I also heard a transmission about 800 on the District 5 channel earlier today. And signal-wise, I am picking up everything from Highspire and mobiles from my base without issues.

 

[mlmummert]

Btw I think the answer was that they sounded fine on the 800. It would have been District 3 or 4, forget which one.


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[druhe]

This just popped up on the FCC database. Anyone have any ideas what these maybe used for ?

ULS Application - Public Safety Pool, Conventional - 0005969295 - PENNA. TURNPIKE COMM.

 

[Drachen_Fire]

PTC has been using some UHF links and repeaters for their tunnels for many years. All of the frequencies listed were 460MHz, with no repeater inputs.

Links, I'm guessing.

 

[cdavisjr]

If they were for added capabilities on tunnels why not add them to the only turnpike licenses that reference them as control points. This is a brand new license only granted on 9/19/13. Perhaps it is something new and special. I get district 4 pretty good between home and my folks. May have to plug these in very generally in search mode and see what I hear. Will report findings.

 

[cdavisjr]

There's actually been another even newer license added since you posted druhe
ULS License - Public Safety Pool, Conventional License - WQSK823 - PENNA. TURNPIKE COMM.

 

[druhe]

There's actually been another even newer license added since you posted druhe
ULS License - Public Safety Pool, Conventional License - WQSK823 - PENNA. TURNPIKE COMM.

Interesting, these are licensed for 2 watts. Must be a link, control channel or portables only.

 

[The_B_Chief]

Could they be for wireless call boxes?

 

[HM1529]

Could they be for wireless call boxes?

The callboxes work (or worked) on a 72MHz RF link into the turnpike microwave backbone.

UHF uses in the past have included the tunnel repeaters for crews working inside the tunnels and Pyramid vehicular repeaters using UHF portables and the VHF mobiles. The UHF portables were used by troopers and safety patrols. Not sure if the troopers are getting OpenSky portables along with their new mobiles.

Not sure what these new licenses are for, exactly.

 

[talviar]

Read the licenses carefully folks. . . . Station Class FBT is for a fixed portable station they can deploy anywhere. . . . . It would be worthy of punching the freqs into a scanner and listening. . . . . never know what you might hear on those.