Scott EDACS

[fmon]

Darn if I can find it but thought a thread was running on Scott county EDACS. None the less, I went west on 64 last Wed and east today.

With following setup in my Pro-2096 the system worked well.

Bank 5 Ch 00       0.00000       FM      0.0              
Scott CO  01     856.71250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  02     857.71250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  03     858.71250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  04     859.71250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  05     860.71250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  06     857.96250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  07     858.96250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  08     859.96250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  09     860.96250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  10     858.46250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  11     859.46250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  12     860.98750    EDACS      0.0

However, with Georgetown site set as follows in the Pro-96 on the eastbound return trip, I heaed very little traffic compaired to the 2096 with above setup at the same time.

Bank 5 Ch 00       0.00000       FM      0.0              
Scott CO  01     856.71250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  02     857.71250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  03     858.71250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  04     859.71250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  05     860.71250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  06     858.46250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  07     859.46250    EDACS      0.0               
Scott CO  08     860.98750    EDACS      0.0

Both scanners were set to Scott county only and started while waiting for my bride to come out of the head at the rest stop between Frankfort and Midway.

 

[unitcharlie]

Hi Frank:
You should have yelled from the rest stop--I am not very far from there... and sometimes hearing the Scott TRS is a bear even that close! Here are the threads: SCOTT TRS and SCOTT TRS this is a perplexing system.... unfortunately, without the VHF freqs plugged in you might miss something....

Try this next time you pass thru the Bluegrass:
scott*trs c1 856.712500 EDACS 0.0
scott*trs c2 857.712500 EDACS 0.0
scott*trs c3 858.712500 EDACS 0.0
scott*trs c4 859.712500 EDACS 0.0
scott*trs c5 860.712500 EDACS 0.0
scott trs 858.462500 EDACS 0.0
scott trs 859.462500 EDACS 0.0
scott trs 860.987500 EDACS 0.0
scott fd 154.340000 CT 127.3 D
scott*trsc1a 857.962500 EDACS 0.0
scott*trsc2a 858.962500 EDACS 0.0
scott*trsc3a 859.962500 EDACS 0.0
scott*trsc4a 860.962500 EDACS 0.0
scott trs 858.462500 EDACS 0.0
scott trs 859.462500 EDACS 0.0
scott trs 860.987500 EDACS 0.0
scott ems 151.025000 CT 156.7 D
gtown fd 154.160000 CT 156.7 D
scott so #1 154.755000 CT 156.7 D

I don't know why it works, but having the conventional freq between the two sites allows the thing to catch the "new" control channel if it is stronger than the other.... it tracks well like this (when it is working) in my 96, 97 and 396..... If you'd like it I will send you my .p96 for Scott County (or along the Parkway or I-64 to Louisville) for your next trip thru the area....

The Scott TRS is perplexing....

 

[kyparamedic]

All the public safety agencies are on the TRS except for county and city fire, which switched back to VHF although they still have TRS radios in all their apparatus and the command stuff carry portables so that they can communicate with EMS. A few months ago dispatch was simulcasting fire on the TRS but not anymore. However, they still do multi-agency dispatch over the TRS and VHF channels simultaneously. The VHF channels are still in operation for the other agencies but as backup only which actually had to be used about 2 months ago when the dispatch center was hit by lightning, knocking out the TRS portion of their radio consoles. It continued to work but dispatch was only able to use it by operating off portable radios.

 

[jerk]

How come all the frequncies are not listed in the RR database. The FCC lists 15 frequencies
this could be part of the problem in monitoring.

I'll try and do some more searching. Again I am limited because I cannot receive this system on a daily.
AL

 

[fmon]

Thanks guys. Steve, your second link is what I was looking for. Please send the p96 file to fmon at charter.net. Getting ready to depart Beckley for the last leg to Eclipse.

 

[unitcharlie]

Sorry, there are new entries on the FCC info I haven't read/updated... will look and fix today...

How come all the frequncies are not listed in the RR database. The FCC lists 15 frequencies
this could be part of the problem in monitoring.

I'll try and do some more searching. Again I am limited because I cannot receive this system on a daily.
AL

 

[jerk]

Sorry, there are new entries on the FCC info I haven't read/updated... will look and fix today...

I know how it is, just doing some looking around, I was thinking maybe Toyota and Scott County has some kind of joint system.

I guess not though. I need to put those in and see if I can hear anything from my elevated listening post. I can hear Frankfort VHF, but I don't think 800MHZ will carry that far.

AL

 

[kyparamedic]

Toyota can communicate with dispatch, not sure exactly what the talkgroup is. A lot of times they get info from them via radio when there is a response to Toyota. Toyota uses the hospital talkgroup to call in reports to the hospital. There are also some talkgroups we have such as Mutual Aid, Common, and a few others but we've never used them and I'm not sure if Toyota has them or not.

 

[unitcharlie]

Here is the scoop so far:
2007/04/10: This system lost three freqs to NEXTEL (860.7125, 860.9625, 860.9875) and gained three replacement freqs (856.1375, 857.1375, 858.1625). The replacement freqs are exchanged in this layout--but no confirmation as to placement in the LCN nor if they are yet active or will become so:

001 Georgetown 01-856.71250 02-857.71250 03-858.71250
04-859.71250 05-856.13750 06-858.46250 07-859.46250 08-58.16250

002 Sadieville 0-857.96250 02-858.96250 03-859.96250
04-860.96250 05-858.46250 06-859.46250 07-860.98750

The changes are arbitrary at this point, I will load the "new" system into a scanner or two and see what comes out....
Here are the FCC File Numbers: 0002986288 and 0002986941
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/ApplicationSearch/applMain.jsp?applID=3928460These changes have NOT been made to the data base page for this system but there is a note in the text block....

 

[jerk]

Here is the scoop so far:
2007/04/10: This system lost three freqs to NEXTEL (860.7125, 860.9625, 860.9875) and gained three replacement freqs (856.1375, 857.1375, 858.1625). The replacement freqs are exchanged in this layout--but no confirmation as to placement in the LCN nor if they are yet active or will become so:

001 Georgetown 01-856.71250 02-857.71250 03-858.71250
04-859.71250 05-856.13750 06-858.46250 07-859.46250 08-58.16250

002 Sadieville 0-857.96250 02-858.96250 03-859.96250
04-860.96250 05-858.46250 06-859.46250 07-860.98750

The changes are arbitrary at this point, I will load the "new" system into a scanner or two and see what comes out....
Here are the FCC File Numbers: 0002986288 and 0002986941
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/ApplicationSearch/applMain.jsp?applID=3928460These changes have NOT been made to the data base page for this system but there is a note in the text block....

I loaded all 15 into my BCD396 by hand twice, once one way (guessing at LCN) and then another way and scanned. But I did not pick up anything. Manually stepping through the channels got some voice traffic, but it could have been Louisville or southern Indiana.

What does the BCD396 show when it is receiving an EDACS system, does it show a control channel frequency like Motorola systems, or does it show anything on the display at all?

AL

 

[unitcharlie]

I loaded all 15 into my BCD396 by hand twice, once one way (guessing at LCN) and then another way and scanned. But I did not pick up anything. Manually stepping through the channels got some voice traffic, but it could have been Louisville or southern Indiana.

What does the BCD396 show when it is receiving an EDACS system, does it show a control channel frequency like Motorola systems, or does it show anything on the display at all?

AL

I'll send you the .usd I have loaded into mine for this system (andpossibly the Uniden fix for the new Lex TRS)... with a modification made by an anon emailer who brought up a good point about the replacement of the Nextelled freqs with the new freqs and a possible better "balance" between the two sites...

here it is:
Site 01: 01-856.7125 02-857.7125 03-858.7125 04-859.7125
05-856.1375 06-858.4625 07-859.4625 08-858.1625
Site 02: 01-857.9625 02-858.9625 03-859.9625 04-857.1375
05-858.4625 06-859.4625 07-858.1625
(I will also amend the Scott TRS text box with this new theory)

 

[jerk]

I'll send you the .usd I have loaded into mine for this system (andpossibly the Uniden fix for the new Lex TRS)... with a modification made by an anon emailer who brought up a good point about the replacement of the Nextelled freqs with the new freqs and a possible better "balance" between the two sites...

here it is:
Site 01: 01-856.7125 02-857.7125 03-858.7125 04-859.7125
05-856.1375 06-858.4625 07-859.4625 08-858.1625
Site 02: 01-857.9625 02-858.9625 03-859.9625 04-857.1375
05-858.4625 06-859.4625 07-858.1625
(I will also amend the Scott TRS text box with this new theory)

thanks, I just sometimes do it the hard way, I could download them directly from RR, but this way I can practice.

Can you tell what the screen shows when receiving Lexington and Scott/Georgetown systems. It's been so long since I've seen an Edacs system in operation.

AL

 

[unitcharlie]

Looks like the System and Group Names flash alternately on the top line, the next line is the specific talk grpoup and the freq in use is on the line below that... I'll need to keep a list of the new and old Scott TRS freqs with me so I can keep score....

 

[jerk]

Looks like the System and Group Names flash alternately on the top line, the next line is the specific talk group and the freq in use is on the line below that... I'll need to keep a list of the new and old Scott TRS freqs with me so I can keep score....

Ok need to watch for that, I was getting just FM and zero tracking.

I was at 1,050 feet elevation. And I can go up about another 90 feet. That will be one of my projects next week. Thats why I can get the Ford system built for in-plant use from over 30 miles away. And Switzerland County Safe-t tower. Thats about 50 miles away.

So if luck holds, I might get Lexington or Scott county.

AL

 

[jerk]

I ate lunch in Frankfort today.
From there I was able to pick up both site 1 & 2 of Scott County.
Managed to play around a little with the the BCD396 and Pro-2055. I also picked up Lexington quite well from there also.

The Uniden showed System Id's of 001, 002 for Lexington, and 003 for Lexington and 39 for Lexington.
I found out the Pro-2055 will show the control channel location. You put it in an EDACS bank, set the channel or Edacs, then manual, and it shows Ctrl-xx which is where you place the control channel. That seems to work great.

Now on the Channel numbers, I noticed but not yet 100% sure, if a channel is incorrect, it will stop on that cahnnel and flash, the talkgroup will also be displayed, but no sound will be heard. I did not get the chance to pay around with this as much as I would have liked to test and see if it was accurate or if I was reading something into it that was not there.

The Uniden was great for showing System Id's and the control channel.
UC, your files worked great, the Lexington New file worked, but did not pick up all transmissions. The old Scott file worked perfect. Thanks,
Anyway, the Pro-2055/97 will establish control channels at least, and help you to sort out the others. With the Uniden I would put in several systems like a LTR system and gradually lock out the ones that are in the proper order by process of elimination.

Anybody looking for a listening spot, 127 and I-64 is ideal and close enough for Lexington and Georgetown. I did not get Patterson Tower at UK though.

AL
AL

 

[fmon]

Hey guys, I found the problem with the Pro-96 reception.

While we were loading up in Hutchinson Kansas for the return trip, I dropped the 96. I quickly turned it on and picked up a conventional broadcast with PD, so assumed everything was ok. However, I noticed the CC's for Cabell & Kanawah counties on the WV Inop system were very week compared to what the 2096 was getting. Anyway, figured the 96 was going to need a trip to repair for the drop, though still getting conventional fairly well.

Got home Friday evening and replaced the 800 MHz antenna with one I had laying around and bingo, scanner works like a champ.

The Georgetown site which I tried to scan may have worked much better if not for the drop in Hutch. I do however, have the setup provided by Steve for storing in V-Scanner for next trip and appreciate the help from both of you guys.

Steve and I are old military aircraft buddies, I flying behind and Steve between some supercharged 18 cylinder piston radials. Guess I flew between a pair also in the Neptune. Ah, life was simple!

 

[unitcharlie]

Frank, hate to hear about the rough and tumble scanner... I had to dig into mine and replace the top and the BNC for the antenna (center pin from the antenna broke off inside)... snapped an RS 800 meg antenna in the process of falling... it works so the repairs were good! By the way, we have a static cut-away of an early 3360 at the Aviation Museum... sometimes I miss that sound!

Alan: It appears the Lexington TRS is still Old and New.... I had all three sets of file (the ones for the 396 and the PRO 96) set up and listened to them all--there appear to be agencies that haven't migrated to the new system for what ever reason.... 856.26250 is on both systems... it is confirmed as CC#5 on the old system, haven't figured out how to work it into the new system yet... perhaps that is the reason there appear to be some unaffliated agencies at this point....

It appears the New Scott TRS isn't yet programmed.... I sat under the Georgetown tower and listened to the inputs and didn't hear any of the new freqs, will check again soon.... since this one is simulcast and none of the freqs repeat as controls I guess it will work as it should...

 

[jerk]

SNIP
Alan: It appears the Lexington TRS is still Old and New.... I had all three sets of file (the ones for the 396 and the PRO 96) set up and listened to them all--there appear to be agencies that haven't migrated to the new system for what ever reason.... 856.26250 is on both systems... it is confirmed as CC#5 on the old system, haven't figured out how to work it into the new system yet... perhaps that is the reason there appear to be some unaffliated agencies at this point....

It appears the New Scott TRS isn't yet programmed.... I sat under the Georgetown tower and listened to the inputs and didn't hear any of the new freqs, will check again soon.... since this one is simulcast and none of the freqs repeat as controls I guess it will work as it should...

Ok, I did not receive anything on the new frequencies, that's why then.
Also, 859.5125 Nextel Lexington is still active. And I received 859.0875 Nextel in Frankfort. So that system is active and appears to be simulcast. I do not think I received it from Louisville, but did not really check it closely.

For Lexington I received a Control Channel 1 of 856.4375
And on 855.2625 I recived and System Id of 03 and 39. I'm not sure what the system id indicate on EDACS systems.
And I have in my notes, 856.7125 01 Franklin County. Don't know why I wrote that.
Received Morse ID om 858.9625.

It appears, ( and I only listened for a short time), that 859.43375 is not LCN 05

AL

 

[unitcharlie]

On WCQJ588 (The new LEX FD TRS) I have monitored 856.43750 as Control Channel #1 and 859.43750 as CC #5 on Site 01(Winchester RD, Lexington); 858.26750 as CC #2 on Site 03 (Patterson Office Tower, Lexington) based upon the PRO 97 read-out.... I have yet to receive CC info on 855.26250 but info passed to me has it listed as Site 01/Freq 08, will monitor more often (I scroll thru the freqs at various times during the day/night to see what is happening)...

On WPSV784 ([The almost old] Scott TRS) 856.71250 is Control Channel #1 on Site 01 (Georgetown Site) for the Scott TRS; 858.96250 is CC #2 on Site 02 (Sadieville), again, per the PRO 97 read out.... Quizzically, by the way, twice in the past few days I have heard an automated announcement saying power has been restored to the commercial radio site on Burton Pike (38.30203/-84.59411)--
there are no TRS freqs shown as being there, but all of the Scott Co. VHF freqs are there....

I haven't done much listening lately to the non-government systems in the area whilst trying to conjure the new public safety TRS communities we will be dealing with in the near future....

I'll bite the bullet and ask in the Uniden forum what some of the info
shown means as far as decoding EDACS systems... (I like the 396 as a searching radio, but it isn't what I want when I must listen to something on the fly and figure it out where to go and do it one-handed!)

 

[jerk]

On WCQJ588 (The new LEX FD TRS) I have monitored 856.43750 as Control Channel #1 and 859.43750 as CC #5 on Site 01(Winchester RD, Lexington); 858.26750 as CC #2 on Site 03 (Patterson Office Tower, Lexington) based upon the PRO 97 read-out.... I have yet to receive CC info on 855.26250 but info passed to me has it listed as Site 01/Freq 08, will monitor more often (I scroll thru the freqs at various times during the day/night to see what is happening)...

On WPSV784 ([The almost old] Scott TRS) 856.71250 is Control Channel #1 on Site 01 (Georgetown Site) for the Scott TRS; 858.96250 is CC #2 on Site 02 (Sadieville), again, per the PRO 97 read out.... Quizzically, by the way, twice in the past few days I have heard an automated announcement saying power has been restored to the commercial radio site on Burton Pike (38.30203/-84.59411)--
there are no TRS freqs shown as being there, but all of the Scott Co. VHF freqs are there....

I haven't done much listening lately to the non-government systems in the area whilst trying to conjure the new public safety TRS communities we will be dealing with in the near future....

I'll bite the bullet and ask in the Uniden forum what some of the info
shown means as far as decoding EDACS systems... (I like the 396 as a searching radio, but it isn't what I want when I must listen to something on the fly and figure it out where to go and do it one-handed!)

I agree about the Uniden, driving and using it is a pain. But it does give the talk groups in AFS format. It does give you the CC, but not the control number. It also seems to track ok if the Control channel is in the right position and all the frequncies are entered. Not too sure about that thought. I did not get a change to really play that theory out.

The GE system is very weak at my normal listening point, but I'll try and prove that out with that system one day. I'm beginning to like Motorola more and more. Though a used Pro-92 will give the LCN and Control number. Or eTrunker on a computer.

AL