Please help with Placer, CA Fire freqs listed on RR.

[P226]

Ok, I have racked my brain and still cant get them right. I just want to listen to the Placer County fire freqs (Placer and Grass Valley) and certain radio transmissions wont come up. I leave the smartphone scanner on and am hearing dispatches, but not on my handheld Uniden Bearcat scanner.

Are not all of the freqs listed or am I missing some? Or do I need to enter in the Cal Fire standard freqs in to hear Grass Valley dispatch?

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[gmclam]

I see this is only your second post on the site. Welcome. For those for which this is not their normal hobby (or profession), the learning curve can be steep as to how things work. People should become familiar with their area long before an incident.

Grass Valley is in Nevada county. The River Fire is burning in both Placer and Nevada counties. Yeah there's a ton of channels for Placer county as it's not a little county. You're going to find activity on Cal Fire frequencies (look under the State of California) and it's highly likely their using "national channels" such as Vfire 21 & 22.

What specifically are you reting to hear? If only dispatch channels there are several. Nevada and Placer counties are "wide" and exist on both sides of the Sierras. You'll find "East" and "West" channels. A lot of dispatching happens on Cal Fire Grass Valley, but you'll also find calls on Placer and Nevada channels.

When it comes to "command" channels, they'll have good range. When it comes to "tac" channels, you'll need to be close or at least have a high antenna to pick up the signals.

 

[P226]

I see this is only your second post on the site. Welcome. For those for which this is not their normal hobby (or profession), the learning curve can be steep as to how things work. People should become familiar with their area long before an incident.

Yes, I dont post much and dont see "post count" as a vital issue when it comes to information seeking. As for your condescending post, it really is not needed as I have been a scanner operator since 1985 with my first Realistic 2020. I am also a seasoned fire service professional since 1990 who knows a few things about radio systems within the state of California. I am also very familiar with my area as well, but trying to find additional information while also helping out someone else who is not so versed in the hobby. You snarky comments are not needed here and I am sure I know more about the California Fire Service than you and have more certifications.

Grass Valley is in Nevada county. The River Fire is burning in both Placer and Nevada counties. Yeah there's a ton of channels for Placer county as it's not a little county. You're going to find activity on Cal Fire frequencies (look under the State of California) and it's highly likely their using "national channels" such as Vfire 21 & 22.

Yes, I know where Grass Valley is, I did not ask that information here. Yes, I know about the River Fire, know Placer County is big and also did not ask that question here. Again, with the assumptions and condescending remarks. I also did not ask for any "national channels" as I was specifically looking for some Placer County specific fire frews.

What specifically are you reting to hear? If only dispatch channels there are several. Nevada and Placer counties are "wide" and exist on both sides of the Sierras. You'll find "East" and "West" channels. A lot of dispatching happens on Cal Fire Grass Valley, but you'll also find calls on Placer and Nevada channels.

I thought my OP was pretty clear. I am looking for the Grass Valley dispatch freqs for Placer County as my smartphone scanneris putting out dispatch traffic that my Uniden handheld cant get with the freqs posted on this website.

When it comes to "command" channels, they'll have good range. When it comes to "tac" channels, you'll need to be close or at least have a high antenna to pick up the signals.

Yes, already know this and this was not what I asked for in my OP. But thanks for the snarky post here and not offering any help at all.

 

[gmclam]

Ok, I have racked my brain and still cant get them right. I just want to listen to the Placer County fire freqs (Placer and Grass Valley) and certain radio transmissions wont come up. I leave the smartphone scanner on and am hearing dispatches, but not on my handheld Uniden Bearcat scanner.

Are not all of the freqs listed or am I missing some? Or do I need to enter in the Cal Fire standard freqs in to hear Grass Valley dispatch?

I am sorry to come across improperly, I was just replying to the information you provided; including your post, location and number of posts. That's ALL I had to go on. I listen to a huge area, including Placer & Nevada counties, and it can be daunting for someone new and/or not from the area.

The biggest factor in reception on a receiver is the antenna. If you're using just a portable antenna inside a building, reception won't be great -- especially from lower powered signals.

The frequencies listed here on RR are complete, although there is always something a little new. Often someone will post what's being used for a specific incident, but I haven't seen anything here yet for the River Fire.

and certain radio transmissions wont come up

Can you elaborate?

 

[P226]

I am sorry to come across improperly, I was just replying to the information you provided; including your post, location and number of posts. That's ALL I had to go on. I listen to a huge area, including Placer & Nevada counties, and it can be daunting for someone new and/or not from the area.

I think my OP was pretty clear, I am specifically looking for the dispatch freq's for CDF Grass Valley as my smart phone scanner is putting out dispatches that my handheld scanner isnt picking up. Again, my number of posts means nothing, dont know why youre hung up on that. I am not new and been in my area for along time, still not sure whats up with your snarky answers here.

The biggest factor in reception on a receiver is the antenna. If you're using just a portable antenna inside a building, reception won't be great -- especially from lower powered signals.

Again, not what I asked for in my OP.

The frequencies listed here on RR are complete, although there is always something a little new. Often someone will post what's being used for a specific incident, but I haven't seen anything here yet for the River Fire.

Again, NOT asking about the River Fire or any specific incident or tactical freqs. I am just trying to get Grass Valley's dispatches.

 

[es93546]

I think my OP was pretty clear, I am specifically looking for the dispatch freq's for CDF Grass Valley as my smart phone scanner is putting out dispatches that my handheld scanner isnt picking up. Again, my number of posts means nothing, dont know why youre hung up on that. I am not new and been in my area for along time, still not sure whats up with your snarky answers here.


Again, not what I asked for in my OP.


Again, NOT asking about the River Fire or any specific incident or tactical freqs. I am just trying to get Grass Valley's dispatches.

Your smart phone is streaming a scanner that might be in a location where reception of some repeater sites is possible and your handheld scanner may be in a location where it can't pick up the same repeaters. Grass Valley is a Cal Fire ECC that dispatches for many agencies, including the Tahoe National Forest. I hear Cal Fire Grass Valley east dispatches from Conway Summit on U.S. 395 between Bridgeport and Mono Lake. I think they are on 154.1300 and dispatch for all the local fire departments on the east side of the Cal Fire unit they are in. They also dispatch for all the local fire departments from Meeks Bay up to the state line on the north shore. The database has all the frequencies, which you probably have. I think the locations of the scanner being streamed and your own scanner is causing the difficulty you are having. I say that without knowing the specifics of your location, where the scanner being streamed is located and the repeater sites involved. I have a nephew who lives on the west shore of Lake Tahoe and have spent a little time in the Truckee area. I also have quite a bit of information about Cal Fire repeater locations and the frequencies used at them.

I hope I'm not sounding condescending as I've made every effort to not do so. When I read gmclam's responses I didn't think he was being condescending, he was trying to help and without knowing anything about you, like your location, it is difficult to respond. Sometimes responding to people the first time is a bit of a shot in the dark, so not hitting the center of the target is understandable.

 

[gmclam]

I think this is what you're looking for:

154.13000	159.49500	WPMF290	RM	131.8 PL	CDF NEU East	Fire Dispatch East - Truckee/N. Tahoe	FMN	Fire Dispatch
151.32500	159.36000	KXZ36	RM	131.8 PL	CDF NEU West	Fire Dispatch West - Western Nevada/Placer/Yuba Co's	FMN	Fire Dispatch
152.81000	158.07000		RM	131.8 PL	PCF Command	Placer County Fire Command	FMN	Fire-Tac

 

[norcalscan]

Don't forget Placer County Fire 154.355, although I don't think CalFire resources are on there as much, but I recall Grass Valley dispatch sometimes simulcasts on local net and county fire? When I visit family in Placer, I always scan NEU West 151.325. Any wildland fire west of the sierra crest will be dispatched there - can't miss anything. Placer County Fire and Command I have if things get busy.

 

[P226]

Your smart phone is streaming a scanner that might be in a location where reception of some repeater sites is possible and your handheld scanner may be in a location where it can't pick up the same repeaters. Grass Valley is a Cal Fire ECC that dispatches for many agencies, including the Tahoe National Forest. I hear Cal Fire Grass Valley east dispatches from Conway Summit on U.S. 395 between Bridgeport and Mono Lake. I think they are on 154.1300 and dispatch for all the local fire departments on the east side of the Cal Fire unit they are in. They also dispatch for all the local fire departments from Meeks Bay up to the state line on the north shore. The database has all the frequencies, which you probably have. I think the locations of the scanner being streamed and your own scanner is causing the difficulty you are having. I say that without knowing the specifics of your location, where the scanner being streamed is located and the repeater sites involved. I have a nephew who lives on the west shore of Lake Tahoe and have spent a little time in the Truckee area. I also have quite a bit of information about Cal Fire repeater locations and the frequencies used at them.

Thank you for this information, I think "range" might be an issue for me in South Auburn.

I hope I'm not sounding condescending as I've made every effort to not do so. When I read gmclam's responses I didn't think he was being condescending, he was trying to help and without knowing anything about you, like your location, it is difficult to respond. Sometimes responding to people the first time is a bit of a shot in the dark, so not hitting the center of the target is understandable.

Thank you for the help. Yes, gmclam was being condescending and I did not appreciate it. I have been in public safety for a long time, have a good sense of radios, but dont know this county so well. I will add that I was a career fire captain for Cal Fire, so I know the radios well, just not the Placer County so much.

 

[P226]

Don't forget Placer County Fire 154.355, although I don't think CalFire resources are on there as much, but I recall Grass Valley dispatch sometimes simulcasts on local net and county fire? When I visit family in Placer, I always scan NEU West 151.325. Any wildland fire west of the sierra crest will be dispatched there - can't miss anything. Placer County Fire and Command I have if things get busy.

Thank you, been using these so far with some results.

 

[P226]

I think this is what you're looking for:

154.13000	159.49500	WPMF290	RM	131.8 PL	CDF NEU East	Fire Dispatch East - Truckee/N. Tahoe	FMN	Fire Dispatch
151.32500	159.36000	KXZ36	RM	131.8 PL	CDF NEU West	Fire Dispatch West - Western Nevada/Placer/Yuba Co's	FMN	Fire Dispatch
152.81000	158.07000		RM	131.8 PL	PCF Command	Placer County Fire Command	FMN	Fire-Tac

Thank you, I did not have the bottom two freqs. This information was all I was asking for.

 

[gmclam]

Thank you, I did not have the bottom two freqs. This information was all I was asking for.

Glad I could help.

 

[es93546]

Yes, gmclam was being condescending and I did not appreciate it. I have been in public safety for a long time, have a good sense of radios, but dont know this county so well. I will add that I was a career fire captain for Cal Fire, so I know the radios well, just not the Placer County so much.

I've observed gmclam's posts over the years as I've been a RR member since 2002, minus 4 years at one point. I lurked on the site during that time. He has always tried to help people by offering whatever he can. None of us knew your background or experience so gmclam was taking a shot in the dark with his first post and missed the center of the target. I hope you can accept that. It was also tough to figure out just exactly what you were asking.

When I rejoined RR about a year ago, complete with less than a few messages, no one knew who I was and did not realize my experience in wildland firefighting, my experience with and knowledge of ICS, my long scanning history (since 1969), my ham radio license or my former avatar member name. People were not being condescending to me when I first posted under my current name, they just didn't realize I wasn't a complete newbie. I just brushed aside what I could have interpreted as condescending and explained my experience without any hard feelings. That eliminated the darkness and people knew enough about me so that they didn't have to be shooting in the dark.

Like any website some people can be rude at times, including those who administer this site, all the way up to the top. Overall though, most people are very helpful and spend time to write posts that thoroughly answer nearly every question asked here.

 

[P226]

I've observed gmclam's posts over the years as I've been a RR member since 2002, minus 4 years at one point. I lurked on the site during that time. He has always tried to help people by offering whatever he can. None of us knew your background or experience so gmclam was taking a shot in the dark with his first post and missed the center of the target. I hope you can accept that. It was also tough to figure out just exactly what you were asking.

I feel my OP was pretty clear and he very much came off assuming and condescending. If the conversation was in real life, trust me, my inintial response to him would not have been nice. Again, long time in public safety and rather old and salty now.

When I rejoined RR about a year ago, complete with less than a few messages, no one knew who I was and did not realize my experience in wildland firefighting, my experience with and knowledge of ICS, my long scanning history (since 1969), my ham radio license or my former avatar member name. People were not being condescending to me when I first posted under my current name, they just didn't realize I wasn't a complete newbie. I just brushed aside what I could have interpreted as condescending and explained my experience without any hard feelings. That eliminated the darkness and people knew enough about me so that they didn't have to be shooting in the dark.

Col story bro.,

Like any website some people can be rude at times, including those who administer this site, all the way up to the top. Overall though, most people are very helpful and spend time to write posts that thoroughly answer nearly every question asked here.

Just follow the golden rule and treat others as you want to be treated and you'll find much success in life and online.

 

[Tower5153]

I feel my OP was pretty clear and he very much came off assuming and condescending. If the conversation was in real life, trust me, my inintial response to him would not have been nice. Again, long time in public safety and rather old and salty now.


Col story bro.,


Just follow the golden rule and treat others as you want to be treated and you'll find much success in life and online.

Check your PM’s

 

[P226]

Got them, thank you so much.

 

[brumey]

@P226 - To be brutally honest, I would have stopped trying to help you after your first reply. I read and reread every sentence and the original reply was helpful and in no way condescending. I think you should look within and think twice before posting. You may have a public service background and be radio/scanner familiar but, you still needed help. Appreciate what you got and, perhaps a little reading and study might help you understand the regions radio plan.

 

[Duster]

And to build upon Brumey's post, if you truly have as much CDF experience as you say, you would likely be very aware of our department's DISPATCH NET's in your primary area. You and I apparently come from the generation where we understood how to use a CDF radio.

You were being a jerk, repeatedly, and you're giving CALFIRE/CDF people a bad rep with your behavior. I'm old and salty too, but I don't treat people like that. Kindly do better, for all of us who get painted with the same brush.

 

[hardware1197]

That escalated quickly. I should add that having had to spend time in Kings Beach and Nevada City and having the same issues receiving CalFire traffic from each location, even though it’s served by the same dispatch relatively, knowing the OP’s receiver location and antenna equipment is exceptionally relevant to answering his question.

 

[P226]

@P226 - To be brutally honest, I would have stopped trying to help you after your first reply. I read and reread every sentence and the original reply was helpful and in no way condescending. I think you should look within and think twice before posting. You may have a public service background and be radio/scanner familiar but, you still needed help. Appreciate what you got and, perhaps a little reading and study might help you understand the regions radio plan.

I think you got it backwards, my OP was fine until the first response came in nasty and was condescending. I also did not ask for your opinion and dont care for your condescending remarks here either. Please just worry about you, thanks.