Pawtucket fire

[KB18]

Does anyone know if Pawtucket fire is still operating on the RISCON system I only hear them on their conventional frequencies. Thank you

 

[wa1lad]

The receiver site that was down has finally been reinstalled at a different location and Pawtucket FD is back on UHF.

 

[KB18]

Thank you for replying To be honest I can't understand why there are departments still using the antiquated UHF when RISCON is so much better and more modern and reliable

 

[mrsvensven]

Thank you for replying To be honest I can't understand why there are departments still using the antiquated UHF when RISCON is so much better and more modern and reliable

I hope this is sarcasm.

The city of Pawtucket has about half a dozen UHF radio sites in the city while RISCON has zero or one (I don't know for sure). The UHF works way better for them.

 

[wa1lad]

Pawtucket's UHF system is horrible. It is antiquated, poorly maintained and there is no plan is in place for upgrade of any of the equipment. It sounds crappy, even IN the city. Pawtucket FD should have migrated to RISCON years ago but the city leaders decided to build a soccer stadium instead.....

Here is some relevant info:

Fact: PFD has 2 transmitter sites. 1 each for channels 1 and 2. 1 at 175 Broad St, 1 at 214 Roosevelt Ave., about 45 watts EIRP transmitter power.
Fact: The 3 other " UHF sites" in the city are receiver sites only. They DO NOT transmit (Grotto Ave incinerator, FD Stations 4 and 6)
Fact: The recently reinstalled receiver is on a lower structure and does not cover a large portion of the city where it is located.

RISCON provides more reliable coverage in the city than the current 20 year old city UHF system does.
And here's why:
Pawtucket is covered by no less than 5 RISCON sites, including one at 175 Broad St (sound familiar?)
Those sites have an transmitter EIRP between 175-300 watts.
Those sites transmit simultaneously (at the same time) to provide better coverage, due to the fact that the RF energy is entering the city from multiple directions. This drastically reduces the issues of buildings, terrain or other blockages affecting how well the radios transmit to and receive the system.

mrsvensven, spend some time learning about how digital trunking works and maybe invest in an scanner that can monitor RISCON so you can hear the difference.

 

[sgblais]

I hope this is sarcasm.

The city of Pawtucket has about half a dozen UHF radio sites in the city while RISCON has zero or one (I don't know for sure). The UHF works way better for them.

You might want to listen to WA1LAD’s post above. He might know something about it. 🤣

 

[mrsvensven]

mrsvensven, spend some time learning about how digital trunking works and maybe invest in an scanner that can monitor RISCON so you can hear the difference.

Thanks for the suggestion.

The post that I replied to implied that no agency should be on their own radio system in this day and age. I probably should have worded my post better to be more generic instead of specific to Pawtucket or any specific city. You're on a hobbist forum, it should be assumed that I don't actually know the specifics of Pawtucket's system (and even if I was "in the know", I wouldn't admit it). Even though Pawtucket may have superior coverage from the large shared radio system, there are certainly other agencies in RI and other states that do not, and should continue to use their own systems.

 

[KB18]

When Pawtucket fire was using the RISCON system they sounded crystal clear on the north tower no static no distortion at all Then they returned to an antiquated UHF it is like listening to 8 track tape instead of CD's If it ain't broken don't fix it

 

[mrsvensven]

I looked up this 175 Broad Street location as suggested. I'm curious about one thing. I remember reading that the RISCON north system has 10 channels. But The FCC license for the Pawtucket RISCON site only has 8 channels on it. Does this mean that some RISCON north sites have 10 channels while this one only has 8?

 

[KB18]

You obviously don't know anything about P25 digital trunking systems because you are confusing control channels with digital voice channels there is a big difference If you are so good at doing research go to Radio Reference and learn more about RISCON look at the four sites and their frequencies the frequencies in red are control channels and the others in blue are voice channels Get rid of your very old scanner that is using crystals and get yourself a new digital trunking scanner I suggest a Uniden sds100 or sds200 they're the best then download Uniden Sentinel software and program it with RISCON and your local conventional frequencies and once you hear how good RISCON sounds on a real scanner you'll never want to listen to UHF and VHF high again

 

[W1KNE]

Calm down there big guy. Both Sven and WA1LAD are radio guys. They know radio systems, I'd bet a lot more than you do.
So the next time you feel the need to send such a condescending and snarky reply, close your browser instead. You've added literally nothing to this thread and need to calm down.

 

[wa1lad]

175 Broad St has all 10 RISCON north zone channels.

 

[frankie811]

I'm thinking of buying an old Bearcat 210 scanner, which in my opinion, was one of the best scanners ever made. An extremely sensitive unit. Can I assume that the police & fire departments in Cranston, Warwick & Pawtucket are all still using their UHF systems?

 

[wa1lad]

Nope. Pawtucket FD/PD are still on UHF. Warwick and Cranston PD's are still on UHF. Warwick and Cranston FD's are on RISCON.

 

[frankie811]

Nope. Pawtucket FD/PD are still on UHF. Warwick and Cranston PD's are still on UHF. Warwick and Cranston FD's are on RISCON.

Thanks!

 

[W1KNE]

I wish Cranston PD was on RISCON. I swear their UHF has a coverage area of about 10 feet.
(And yes, before anyone says, I am sure it is optimized for in city coverage...)

 

[ecps92]

I wish Cranston PD was on RISCON. I swear their UHF has a coverage area of about 10 feet.
(And yes, before anyone says, I am sure it is optimized for in city coverage...)

OT comment - "Knock it off Cranston" from the old 158.9700 Intercity days