some newbie questions

[ml73]

Hi. I have been a novice scanner user for several years but really have little idea what I am doing. I was hoping someone here could help a newbie out...

Now that I live in Bucks County and I cannot pick up Philly here, I have become interested in monitoring Bucks...

The Scanner already has frequencies pre programmed and I can monitor them fine... so my questions are:

1) Is there a map that identifies the various PD zones for Bucks?
2) Same question but for Fire department zones.
3) Can I just delete the ID's of the zones I do not want to hear or will that mess up the trunk? (Should I just lock them out instead)
4) In the most recent addition of Police Call, I see three frequencies for Levittown, Bristol township (155.1300,3700,5500) which I presume to be non-trunked. I have not heard anything coming across these frequencies, are they no longer used?
5) What is the purpose of the PD Data Request channel (if it is for things like running a plate is this the only line used for this purpose across the entire county?)
6) Besides the information that was in the V-channel of the scanner, are there any other police or fire frequencies (or anything else for that matter) that would be worthwhile listening too?

I appreciate any help and I am glad I came across this site as there is lot of great info here... Thanks again.

 

[scanjunkie]

Check out the RR database on this site...that will give you some good info.

 

[ml73]

Hey Mark, thanks for the reply...

I did check out the database before posting. I donated to the site and use the data there in conjunction with Win96 and I don't believe the questions I asked are really covered there. If they are I do apologize. While I am new, I am not the kind of person that doesn't try to find out an answer for myself... I actually hate asking questions.


For questions 1 & 2, I did a google search for maps of the coverage areas for both fire and police and could not find anything. (i.e. where is the demarcation line between Fire North and Fire South.)

For question 3, I read a trunking tutorial but confused myself after reading it. I figure that if I can get a few pointed questions answered I will be able to actually comprehend this stuff.

For question 4, I think the answer is that the 2005 edition of Police Call is already out of date and left the old analog frequencies in the book but just wanted to confirm this.

For question 5, I read several forums, here and elsewhere and could not find the answer.

For question 6, just asking the question for somebody may have a few cool frequencies to share that may not be in the database.

Again thanks.

 

[koleary]

Here are some great links"

http://www.phillyscanner.com/ (This site is by Joe C. He has a book, accessed through internet) that gives great details for Bucks County and surrounding areas. This book is a must have, it is totally great.
Look at the link Philly Guide (this is to order the book)
Look at the link yahoo group.

Site that has answers to question 1 and 2

http://fordyce.org/scanboard/viewtopic.php?t=1778
http://fordyce.org/scanboard/viewtopic.php?t=1779

Kevin

 

[ml73]

Thanks Kevin, that info was very helpful.

 

[koleary]

Send me a email if you have any more questions

kfoleary@comcast.net (Have Blackberry, so I will be able to answer quickly.)

Enjoy

 

[scanjunkie]

Yeah, what Kevin said...the philly Guide is a must have and will ahve all of the frequency and department info you will need.

Sorry, I can't help you on the other Q's!

Enjoy!
Mark

 

[ml73]

So I bought the book from phillyscanner. Pretty good. Thanks.
I put in the New Jersey State Police trunks and all the associated talk groups...
I was in Burlington County and with my straight out of the box Pro-96 I noticed alot of static from those frequencies. Is this normal or is this my scanner. I have no other trunking scanners to compare it with.

Also, I remember that I used to be able to monitor television news crews... I haven't had much luck picking anything like that up anymore... are these still around?

Thanks.