Pittsfield PD new radios

[ranchboy]

Looks like it's a matter of time until they turn on p25 conventional.
Anybody hear anything in regards to this?

 

[KB1VLA]

They can't change to digital unless they got new repeaters, base stations, consoles, and mobile radios. I don't know if they did or not, but new portables is only one step in the process.

 

[Matt0691]

A lot of departments around the state are switching to the APX edition radios. Just the "next best thing" from Motorola. It's not specifically for P25 usage, but a lot of places will eventually make the switch; matter of funding/grants.

 

[ranchboy]

I've been hearing P25 audio testing since last week on 154.800 Pittsfield PD primary, half of the conversation sounds encrypted. I really hope they aren't going this route, and it's just for testing etc!

 

[HudsonScannerGuy]

Hudson checking in here, we still run XTS series portables. We tried P25 full time and HATED it. I was talking to a lot of HPD officers and they hated fulltime digital. Doesnt look like were going anywhere anytime soon

 

[K1TSL]

I haven't heard anything out of either of the Pittsfield PD frequencies in months. Did they switch to something else or are they just doing more via computers these days?

 

[mrsvensven]

I only drove through Pittsfield quickly today but I did hear at least a couple transmissions on 154.8000 D172.

 

[K1TSL]

I just spent four days there without a single hit. Plenty of traffic on county and Pitts fire. Maybe I'll delete it and re-enter it manually. Not sure what the deal is.

 

[K1TSL]

I only drove through Pittsfield quickly today but I did hear at least a couple transmissions on 154.8000 D172.

Just looked at Sentinel and it's appending a CTCSS of 131.8 rather than D172 which might be what my issue is. I am not sure why this is the case since RR and other databases are showing D172. Guess I will see if that works when I get back that way for Christmas.

 

[K1TSL]

Yep - that was the problem. Over the years, I've kept the same Berkshire database and 131.8 was the tone when 154.800 was the secondary channel. They changed over after I picked up my 436 and I never updated it - which is the same file I imported into the SDS100. If you hadn't mentioned the D172 in your post, I probably would have overlooked it.

 

[W1JJP]

The digital chatter you are hearing on 154.800 is from a P25 station over in NY that shares the same freq. PPD had to convert to a DPL last year to block this signal from interfering with their own traffic.

 

[K1TSL]

Interesting. Yes, it's been about a year since I recall hearing anything. I only get back that way a few times a year. My mother uses a PRO-107 there so I will have to update hers as well. Thanks for the tip.