I have the 'old' Phase 1 800 mhz digital system programmed in my radio. I see where they have switched to Phase 2, but I thought I read where they haven't switched over. Will I be able to monitor them on the old Phase 1 system? My scanner cannot be programmed for Phase 2. Than you.
Philadelphia Fire Dept.
- Thread starter don333
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marksmith
Member
If they are on a Phase 2 system but using phase 1 radios, you should be able to monitor in that mode.
Phase 2 automatically reverts to phase 1 when that equipment is used, unless it is strapped to only use phase 2.
As phase 2 radios get used, you will not hear this activity.
Mark
536/436/HP1/HP2/996XT/996P2/396XT/325P2/PSR800
Phase 2 automatically reverts to phase 1 when that equipment is used, unless it is strapped to only use phase 2.
As phase 2 radios get used, you will not hear this activity.
Mark
536/436/HP1/HP2/996XT/996P2/396XT/325P2/PSR800
No phase 2 radios on the system right now. You can still monitor PFD.
Septa3371CSX1
Member
They actually do have Phase 2 radios on the system (APX's) but the system is still operating as Phase 1. There are still many XTS and XTL radios that need to be replaced before they could go to Phase 2.
Thank you for your replies. I want to understand this correctly. They are still operating as Phase 1, but are the still utilizing the old Phase 1 frequencies and talk groups or the new Phase 2 frequencies and talk groups as Phase 1. Thank you again.
Septa3371CSX1
Member
Let me break it down for you.
- The Philadelphia Radio System is a P25 9600 Baud Trunking system that is Phase 2 capable.
- There are currently no Phase 2 talkgroups in use on the system nor has this mode been tested.
- All communications on the system are P25 Phase 1. Many of the radios in use on the system are XTS/XTL models which do not support P25 Phase 2. The portables used by the fire department are APX6000XE which can do Phase 2 but they currently just use them with P25 Phase 1.
- The old 3600 baud Motorola Smart Zone system was shut down in 2013 when the current 9600 baud P25 system was fully switched over to. The new system operates on the rebanded frequencies (851-854 MHz). The old system operated on the original 800 frequency range (866-869 MHz).
- Long term plans call for eventually going P25 Phase 2 and adding 700 MHz frequencies to the system. The system will also go from 2 citywide simulcasts to 4 geographic simulcasts.
Hope all that helps.
marksmith
Member
The frequencies don't change when going phase 1 to phase 2, just the transmission mode. When they are ready to do phase 2, they just need to set the system defaults to phase 2. Radios capable of phase 2 can use it, and older phase 1 radios can also use it in phase 1 mode.
As long as a Phase 1 radio is associated with a talkgroup, the entire talkgroup will remain phase 1. Once only phase 2 radios are associated, then the talkgroup reverts back to phase 2.
Mark
536/436/HP1/HP2/996XT/996P2/396XT/325P2/PSR800
As long as a Phase 1 radio is associated with a talkgroup, the entire talkgroup will remain phase 1. Once only phase 2 radios are associated, then the talkgroup reverts back to phase 2.
Mark
536/436/HP1/HP2/996XT/996P2/396XT/325P2/PSR800
Septa3371CSX1
Member
Yes some of the police did get new APX's that were used during the DNC last year as loaner units. I'd say still a few years out from the system going all Phase 2. City services are largely using XTS radios. In fact some of those agencies received radios shortly after the switch to the current 9600 baud setup that were handed down from the fire department.
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