I sure hope so or I'm in big trouble
Yes, Phase 2 and in the clear.
StarCom21 2025 Official Thread
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Yes, Phase 2 and in the clear.
I sure hope so or I'm in big trouble
I'm in northern cook county and I think I can tune into that 5-2 SC21 site. I'll give it a shot later today. Thanks!
Yes, both sites have excellent coverage, unfortunately most traffic is encrypted. The good news is the Cook County Dispatch Center is starting to dispatch fire departments I've read, and some of the suburban departments (out south so far) are using the Cook County sites.
This was probably a test run for a changeover to Starcom in the near future. Just heard Tinley Park dispatch returned to the the VHF patch (RID 5776103).
Few notes from Bloomington:
- BFD is currently working a fire and command told units to switch to operations. This appears to be TG 4997, phase 2, encrypted.
- BFD uses very limited encryption on their other talkgroups, to the tune of about once per day, and usually it's a random mobile or portable on the paging talkgroup with a random keyup. It's so infrequent it probably doesn't even warrant the little e, but it is there.
- The Bloomington water department uses TG 5836. They also likely have TGs 5837, 5838, 5840, and 5841, but 5836 is the one they're usually on. All phase 1, clear.
- TG 4977 (BPD Alternate) is in the database as DE, but the dispatcher is in the clear and it is phase 2 capable. It appears dispatcher consoles are also clear on 4976 (Details) but they are very rarely active there. It is also phase 2 capable. Neither TG is very active.
- TG 30387 is used by McLean County EMA units and is all encrypted, phase 1. Usually only in use for big events.
- TGs 30394-30398 are I believe secure versions of the county tac TGs. 30393 and 30397 are the most commonly used of these, and I think both phase 2.
- Slightly outside McLean County, but south of the border it appears TG 6104 is used by Lincoln FD and 6105 is used by Lincoln Rural FPD. Not close enough to tell whether these are in full time use or not.
Great notes!
I added these updates to the database.
Was wondering why my family didn't hear anything on Starcom21 during the IHSA State Finals at Hancock Stadium over Thanksgiving. Looks like they migrated those Tacs over to Encryption.
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apparently the FDs dispatched by County might go ENC, Des Plaines is looking at encryption and leaving RED, per an article i read a while back
They do still use the “old” tacs; it’s odd they weren’t for state. Granted, usually what I hear on the clear tacs are units working the tailgating lots at ISU games, although one was in use last week when a truck got stuck on the railroad tracks between Shirley and Funks Grove.
None of the tacs see a ton of use in general anymore from what I’ve seen. Usually only for the “big” events like Tailgates & Tallboys or ISU football games. I suspect they’ve switched a lot of this type of traffic over to cell phones, although I obviously can’t prove it.
The only thing I've heard about the Cook County Dispatch Center taking over fire dispatching was for a couple of Norcom departments in the near future. Do you have a link to the article?
ChicagoRadio736
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I just read the article in Journal and Topics Media Group. Des Plaines approved encryption software for the Fire Department moving to Cook County Sheriff Dispatch. They are using safety to personnel due to the possibility of online scanners falling into the wrong hands (LOL) But they are definitely going dark in the fall of 2026. Just Google Des Plaines Fire leaving RED and the article will come up. Decision To Encrypt Leaves 13 Area Towns In Dark About Fire Calls - Journal & Topics Media Group
8th paragraph down.
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I was just about to link it, then you edited it:
Decision To Encrypt Leaves 13 Area Towns In Dark About Fire Calls - Journal & Topics Media Group
Wednesday was a dark day in the newsroom. Online scanners that we’ve come to rely on to monitor local fire department calls, in order to bring timely information to our readers, went silent.
www.journal-topics.com
ChicagoRadio736
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Hopefully they keep VHF like Oak Park but from the article I doubt it.I was just about to link it, then you edited it:
Decision To Encrypt Leaves 13 Area Towns In Dark About Fire Calls - Journal & Topics Media Group
Wednesday was a dark day in the newsroom. Online scanners that we’ve come to rely on to monitor local fire department calls, in order to bring timely information to our readers, went silent.
It'll be a hot topic in the Starcom 2026 threads!
The third paragraph summed up why... interesting.
Happy holidays everyone!
I am currently trying to program a Uniden BCD436HP for my father who is an avid scanner hobbyist. He used to enjoy listening to EMS, Fire, and Police comms on his old analog scanner. Since most cities switched to SC21, is it still possible to pick up any of these comms today? He is interested in listening to the DuPage and Cook counties more specifically Chicago, Hanover Park, Roselle, Bartlett, and Streamwood areas. I am hoping there is still a chance today but if everything went encrypted, is it (I hate to say it) a lost cause? Your insights would be greatly appreciated as I am a newbie to all of this.
I am currently trying to program a Uniden BCD436HP for my father who is an avid scanner hobbyist. He used to enjoy listening to EMS, Fire, and Police comms on his old analog scanner. Since most cities switched to SC21, is it still possible to pick up any of these comms today? He is interested in listening to the DuPage and Cook counties more specifically Chicago, Hanover Park, Roselle, Bartlett, and Streamwood areas. I am hoping there is still a chance today but if everything went encrypted, is it (I hate to say it) a lost cause? Your insights would be greatly appreciated as I am a newbie to all of this.
ChicagoRadio736
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As far as DuPage County goes, he's good to go for now. Police Dispatch in DuPage is in the clear with Fire. The challenge would be how well that model picks up the simulcast sites. The SDS100 would be a better option if finances allow. On the 436 I can get about 90% decode from the DuPage tower only in my bedroom in all other rooms it falls to about 80%. With the SDS100 its 100% decode everywhere!!
I appreciate the quick response ChicagoRadio. Do I need to add simulcast channels/frequencies/TGIDs to the scanner? The below screenshot is what i have currently programmed to the scanner. So far, I am not picking up anything on my scanner. My scanner display shows 26th and California and then ID Scanning... below it. I can confirm I have the service types configured.
ChicagoRadio736
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You would have to add the simulcast sites first. Just the control channels for each site. Then you have to create a department POLICE FIRE ECT........then add the TGID into the department you want to hear. Check YouTube there are many videos that can walk you through the steps. Just remember most of the COOK County police are encrypted and all of Cook County Sheriff and County operations are encrypted even DOT.
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Chicago is mostly encrypted PD with delayed broadcasts and some citywide channels on FM. DuPage is all in the clear for now,
As for simulcast, you may or may not have issues. Whenever I've been in DuPage, I've had really good results with the 436HP, YMMV. SDS would be the better option, if you have $500+.
Dispatcher (only) transmissions from DuPage County's ACDC Fire 1 (TG 2712) are currently being multicast on TG 2711, which is shown in the Radio Reference database as the future ACDC Fire 3. It is believed that TG 2711 will be multicast with 155.010. Unknown if today's TG 2711 transmissions are also being heard on 155.010, as I'm currently at work and unable to listen.
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