Quick State Police Question

[dic]

Are the PSP on the Open Sky systen yet, or are they still on VHF?

Thanks
Dic

 

[DELCOLHFC]

Still on VHF around Delaware County (SouthEast corner of PA)

 

[HM1529]

Are the PSP on the Open Sky systen yet, or are they still on VHF?

Thanks
Dic

OpenSky is currently utilized for the PSP mobile data terminals. All voice, as far as I know, is still on the VHF channels statewide.

Current voice users of the system include PEMA, PADOH, and PennDOT.

 

[dic]

Thank you gentlemen.

Dic

 

[ctrabs74]

That may be changing...

http://www.psp.state.pa.us/psp/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=174870

The Lancaster Barracks is Troop J headquarters, which covers Lancaster and Chester Counties. Which means, if the entire troop is already on Open Sky, then I can't hear PSP Embreeville anymore.

 

[brey1234]

I find it interesting that their "test" is 5 years late and is being tried out in an area that primarily is flat.
There is a way to track this---See how many times you hear the Troop go back to VHF. That would indicate the success/failure of Open Sky. Report your results here.

 

[HM1529]

I find it interesting that their "test" is 5 years late and is being tried out in an area that primarily is flat.
There is a way to track this---See how many times you hear the Troop go back to VHF. That would indicate the success/failure of Open Sky. Report your results here.

I would hardly call the area flat. It may not be the ridge and valley or Allegheny Plateau areas of PA, but it ain't Florida or Kansas either.

The rolling hills of that area make radio comms challenging. Plus, once you get out around the Susquehanna, there is some steep terrain out there. If it was so flat, Lancaster wouldn't have had coverage issues with their legacy systems (Hi and Lo VHF).

Do we know whether Troop J will be exclusively using OpenSky or will certain units in the Troop (i.e. Lancaster and Ephrata barracks) just be using it to communicate with Lancaster County while still working off VHF?

 

[Audiodave1]

Today and tonight I heard Lancaster, Embreeville (and Harrisburg base) on the usual VHF systems.
(Did a round trip from Wilm. De for the holiday via the PATP then down thru Avondale on the way back)

Dave

 

[scan-pa]

Most PSP units only have room for one radio instalation. Only a very select few are curently using the OpenSky System for testing. But these units will have VHF-Hi Portables, Nextel, 2 way pager, Signal flare, smoke signal kit for backup use during the shift.

 

[chankel]

PSP still active on VHF

Heard from Chester County, covering several surrounding counties:

PTC district 4 159.075
PSP ch1 mobile and DOJ AGO UHF repeater - antidrug operations last week
PSP ch B, E, and G

Having used VHF simplex and repeaters with BACO RACES, I have learned to love the coverage that you can get with a good antenna and a few watts. In other words, PSP is still active on VHF