S.E. Wisconsin area Listening Kenosha County Milwaukee to Chicago?

[MikeyBeeUSA]

Greetings all,

Having recently relocated to Kenosha County, I'm needing to upgrade from my analog setup that worked well for me me "up north" to an SDS. I'm leaning towards the 200 for inside the home with direct LAN hookup. I'm looking for specific recommendations from folks in/around my area based on local system(s) knowledge and terrain, plus anticipated listening frequencies.

My primary interest is public safety comms, and occasionally ATC. Not really interested in anything railroad or marine. I have a dedicated weather/HAM radio (listening only as not yet licensed).

Theoretically, with an SDS200, property configured, and an appropriate roof mounted antenna setup, say, about 15 to 20 feet from ground level with no serious obstruction (such as the house, for example) any guesses on what the reception range may be? I'm in the northeastern part of the county, but slightly west of the interstate.

I've heard of folks on the other side of Lake Michigan (in Michigan) being able to regularly receive signals out of Milwaukee or Chicago with not overly complex setups.

I'm learning that there isn't much coming out of Chicagoland and/or Northern Illinois for public safety that isn't encrypted these days. But maybe I could hear Chicago citywides from my location? Milwaukee also the same story, most if not all but encrypted at this point. What is still open up there? Wondering if the SDS200 could even pickup Milwaukee or Chicago from Kenosha County.

I also have no real prior experience with ATC - this is something new I'd be interested in listening to. I'm essentially equidistant from both MKE and ORD. Looking for anyone suggestions and/or insight.

Lastly, I'd also be interested in monitoring storm spotters in the spring once the severe weather begins and I'm wondering what networks they may be using in Southern Wisconsin and/or Northern Illinois.

Thanks everyone, I know this is a lot!

And before anyone says it, yes, I know the more you listen to, the less you hear! My mood on any given day in conjunction with current events will determine what I'm interested in monitoring on that day.

 

[autovon]

Kenosha County and city are all unencrytped for now. So plenty of listening there. Racine sheriff too, but not for much longer. You can also listen to the statewide WISCOM system which is active in the area with state patrol, some hospitals, medical helicopters etc. You might be able to pick up one of the Illinois STARCOM sites and there's still a lot of unencrypted traffic there. Depending on your location you might get the unencrypted Chicago CW channels. If you look at a map you can see the Chicago lakeshore is a bit east of Kenosha's, so the rf can travel somewhat obstacle free up your direction. Plenty to listen to on the airband side. You might be able to hear the Milwaukee ground side of the airport. Likely Kenosha airport. O'Hare arrivals and departures will provide a lot of traffic too. There is a fair amount of military air traffic too on the UHF side with the ranges in the central part of the state.

Reception range is likely the immediate surrounding counties. Hearing anything from across the lake is typically based on atmospheric conditions. During the summer, hearing VHF ham repeaters from Michigan is common. Sometimes UHF too. For storm spotting, the KR9RK repeaters have skywarn. Easily heard as the machine is on the county Ken/Rac county line.

 

[N9JCQ]

As Autovon has said, Illinois State Police Troop three on Starcom through the Lake County Simulcast sites is always fascinating. MCHenry County Sheriff is also available as well as most Fire/EMS in the border counties. I'd also suggest The US Coast Guard as well. Plenty of interesting coms in the Marine Channels in the summer.