Phoenix: what more will I hear with APCO-25 & trunking?

[NZ7C]

I am debating about buying a Pro-96. I currently listen to the Phoenix metropolitan area on the public service frequencies of my Yaesu FT-8800 - primarily a Ham UHF/VHF radio. Often while listening referals are made such as: "Go to A-dec channel 8" and the like. Iam wondring if Iwill I be able to hear those "A-dec" conversations and when you setup trunking can the original freq of such a call be linked to the "a-dec" frequency so that you can follow the whole sequence of events? As you can tell I am a Ham operater and not at all scanner literate - so any responses (starting at Scanner 101) would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance. Tim NZ7C

 

[W2SJW]

Tim,

From what I've read here on the forums, all current day-to-day operations are on the new P25 system. I was out there last year on vacation, and the city was on it's last season of the old systems. I am planning another trip next summer for vacation again, and I can't wait to try my 96 on a 9600 baud P25 system (nothing even close to that here in NJ)

I'd say go ahead and get the scanner. You won't be able to here much anymore without it out there. I'm not sure if Scottsdale has gone ASTRO on the MCSD system yet, or if they're still analog.

 

[AZScanner]

Re: Phoenix: what more will I hear with APCO-25 & trunki

I am debating about buying a Pro-96. I currently listen to the Phoenix metropolitan area on the public service frequencies of my Yaesu FT-8800 - primarily a Ham UHF/VHF radio. Often while listening referals are made such as: "Go to A-dec channel 8" and the like. Iam wondring if Iwill I be able to hear those "A-dec" conversations and when you setup trunking can the original freq of such a call be linked to the "a-dec" frequency so that you can follow the whole sequence of events? As you can tell I am a Ham operater and not at all scanner literate - so any responses (starting at Scanner 101) would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance. Tim NZ7C

Here's the skinny on the P25 system. My apologies if I cover something you already know:

The old system uses "channels" for operations. Here's a breakdown of their use:

1-North Chase (primarily pct's 6 and 9)
2-Central Chase (pct's 5 and 7)
3-South Chase (pct's 8 and 4)
4-South Mtn Pct
5-Central City
6-Desert Horizon (northeast)
7-Squaw Peak (east)
8-Maryvale (west)
9-Cactus Park (northwest)
10- car to car
11- car to car
12- info

The system also uses some UHF frequencies, called the 450's. 450-1 thru 3 are simulcasts of the chase channels, and 4 thru 7 are mainly used by detectives.

The new system is a totally different concept. Each precinct is now on "decks" A thru E. Due to the encryption in use on the tactical channels it's hard to determine their use right now, but here's what we've learned so far:

A Deck - Dispatch
B Deck - Alternate
C Deck - Tactical*
D Deck - Unknown (Info?)*
E Deck - Unknown (Detectives?)*

* talkgroups are encrypted.

Using this system, "A deck 8" is Maryvale Dispatch. The good news is, using the PRO96 or similar digital trunktracker, yes you can follow these comm's. The bad news is, you're already listening to them! And your Yaesu is tuned in on the more reliable VHF frequencies that can be heard everywhere. There are plenty of places around the valley where my PRO96 goes deaf. Never had that problem with the old system.

Bottom line here is for Phoenix, you actually hear LESS on the new system, due to the encryption being used. So you're really not missing anything. Until the old system is taken offline, I'd stick with what you've got, for Phoenix anyway.

-AZ

 

[hulka]

NJ State PD will be ALL ASTRO (digital) in 2005 some time. So you will be able to listen to a P-25 system in the near future.

 

[W2SJW]

The system will be 3600 ASTRO, and not the ENTIRE system by next year (probably just Troop-B here in the north)

I honestly don't see 9600 anywhere in the near future for ANY system here in NJ...

 

[hulka]

AZ, What TG's do you hear the west vally on? I have the phoenix system in the "open mode" and alls I get is Digital garble. I am gathering that is secure.

 

[AZScanner]

AZ, What TG's do you hear the west vally on? I have the phoenix system in the "open mode" and alls I get is Digital garble. I am gathering that is secure.

Right you are - those are the encrypted channels (and there is a BUNCH of them).

If you're in Glendale, you'll be interested in mainly these:
2992 - A-Deck 8
2976 - B-Deck 8
2991 - A-Deck 9
2975 - B Deck 9

That will give you the west Phoenix precincts. The one cool thing about the system however is that you can hear units across the whole city, not just the area you are in. For a complete list of PPD's open talkgroups (so far), check out this thread: http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=12630

-AZ

 

[918Dave]

Hulka,

Try these talk groups. This past week I've noticed that TG 2984 has alternated between encryption and non-encryption. ...
Dave,
Glendale, AZ

PHOENIX TG I.D.’S (in the clear)

B9 - B Deck 9 - 2975
B8 - B Deck 8 - 2976
B7 - B Deck 7 - 2977
B6 - B Deck 6 - 2978
B5 - B Deck 5 - 2979
B4 - B Deck 4 - 2980
Traffic - 1589
Unknown - 0231

A9 - A Deck 9 - 2991
A8 - A Deck 8 - 2992
A7 - A Deck 7 - 2993
A6 - A Deck 6 - 2994
A5 - A Deck 5 - 2995
A4 - A Deck 4 - 2996

 

[hulka]

OK I have seen that same TG come up and just get a digital noise when I see it. I am guessing it is secure. I have seen one other one come up to. I will write it down next time. Does glendale have secure (encryption)? I hear it sometimes on there patrol TG too. Not sure if it is the scanner or secure.

Kevin
Glendale too.

 

[AZScanner]

OK I have seen that same TG come up and just get a digital noise when I see it. I am guessing it is secure. I have seen one other one come up to. I will write it down next time. Does glendale have secure (encryption)? I hear it sometimes on there patrol TG too. Not sure if it is the scanner or secure.

I have yet to hear encryption on Glendale. I now live and work too far away from them to monitor their system regularly. You'll know encryption when you hit it - there's no mistaking it. It sounds like R2D2 having an epileptic seizure. :wink:

If you haven't already, swing into RS and pick up the 800MHz duck that everyone is raving about. It really is all that and a bag of Fritos - I've noticed a big difference on the digital systems with it.

-AZ

 

[hulka]

OK thanks. I guess I am going to have to get and 800 MHz for the car too then. Does the 800 still receive good on the 450 MHz and weather stuff on VHF?

 

[AZScanner]

OK thanks. I guess I am going to have to get and 800 MHz for the car too then. Does the 800 still receive good on the 450 MHz and weather stuff on VHF?

UHF works fine, VHF is "OK" - not as good as the original duck, but that's to be expected on an antenna that is designed for 800MHz. It's a worthwhile investment, since most PD and Fire will be on 800Mhz within the next year or so.

-AZ