StarCom21 2025 Official Thread

[kevino]

LakeComm is starting up operations on October 28th per the memo posted. Second page lays out the channel/talk group assignments:

Lake Consolidated Emergency Communications (LakeComm) « chicagoareafire.com

chicagoareafire.com

It appears that the only FD dispatch listed in this document that hasn't yet been reported as confirmed is FIRE DISP 1. In looking at the pattern of talkgroups FIRE DISP 2 (33444), FIRE DISP 3 (33448) and FIRE DISP 4 (33452), it would appear that the likely candidate for FIRE DISP 1 would be 33440. Has anyone heard any traffic on that STARCOM21 talkgroup? I went the the OpenMHz.com Lake Co SC21 feed archive and found no recordings for that talkgroup.

 

[RMason]

I logged the following STARCOM21 site while traveling on I55 from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau. This site is not listed in the RRDB.

Site: 3.25 NAC=140

Neighbor: BEE00.140-3.10 ; Chester
Neighbor: BEE00.140-3.16 ; Cora

Channel 0-1001: 857.2625 SCC VOICE DATA
Channel 0-1161: 858.2625 SCC VOICE DATA
Channel 0-1321: 859.2625 SCC
Channel 0-1481: 860.2625 CC


From FCC frequency search, it appears that this is located at Menard Correctional Center at Chester in Randolph County.

FCC Callsign WPLR422 (ILLINOIS, STATE OF)

FCC Callsign WPLR422 (ILLINOIS, STATE OF)

www.radioreference.com

Maybe someone local to the area can confirm this information.

 

[K9KLC]

I logged the following STARCOM21 site while traveling on I55 from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau. This site is not listed in the RRDB.

Site: 3.25 NAC=140

Neighbor: BEE00.140-3.10 ; Chester
Neighbor: BEE00.140-3.16 ; Cora

Channel 0-1001: 857.2625 SCC VOICE DATA
Channel 0-1161: 858.2625 SCC VOICE DATA
Channel 0-1321: 859.2625 SCC
Channel 0-1481: 860.2625 CC


From FCC frequency search, it appears that this is located at Menard Correctional Center at Chester in Randolph County.

FCC Callsign WPLR422 (ILLINOIS, STATE OF)

FCC Callsign WPLR422 (ILLINOIS, STATE OF)

www.radioreference.com

Maybe someone local to the area can confirm this information.

It will likely be a month or so before I can make it down that way, and I only have a Unication pager to see if it gets it. If I go down that way I'll at least put that in there from the above information and see if I can confirm it.

I know of someone across the river in MO, I'll contact him and see if he has anything on it.

Thanks for the info!

 

[kevino]

LakeComm is starting up operations on October 28th per the memo posted. Second page lays out the channel/talk group assignments:

Lake Consolidated Emergency Communications (LakeComm) « chicagoareafire.com

chicagoareafire.com

As outlined in the above-mentioned memo, this morning at 6:00am, LakeComm Dispatch (RID 249959) went live on Lake County Fire Dispatch 3 (SC21 TG 33448) with a brief announcement https://calls.broadcastify.com/70mcnwsq/638/1761649223-33448.mp3 .

They also went live on SC21 LCOM LAW 3 (TG 33292?), but I'm guessing that the audio would likely have been encrypted.

 

[kevino]

As outlined in the above-mentioned memo, this morning at 6:00am, LakeComm Dispatch (RID 249959) went live on Lake County Fire Dispatch 3 (SC21 TG 33448) with a brief announcement https://calls.broadcastify.com/70mcnwsq/638/1761649223-33448.mp3 .

They also went live on SC21 LCOM LAW 3 (TG 33292?), but I'm guessing that the audio would likely have been encrypted.

Wondering if anyone monitoring STARCOM21 Site 115 (Lake County) is able to confirm current use of talkgroup 33292. Traffic is likely encrypted, but this is the legacy Lake Zurich PD dispatch talkgroup for the police agencies (Hawthorne Woods, Island Lake, Kildeer, Lake Zurich and Wauconda) that moved to LakeComm dispatch this morning. The memo from LakeComm stated that these agencies would be dispatched on LCOM LAW 3, and I'd like to confirm that this is talkgroup 33292 (and not a different talkgroup) so I can update the Radio Reference database. Thanks in advance!

 

[kevino]

Palatine Public Works has started using STARCOM21 talkgroup 3151, 2632xx RIDs. They had previously been heard using the IPWMAN (IL Public Works Mutual Aid Network) TG 30339 for snow plowing operations.

 

[kevino]

It appears that the only FD dispatch listed in this document that hasn't yet been reported as confirmed is FIRE DISP 1. In looking at the pattern of talkgroups FIRE DISP 2 (33444), FIRE DISP 3 (33448) and FIRE DISP 4 (33452), it would appear that the likely candidate for FIRE DISP 1 would be 33440. Has anyone heard any traffic on that STARCOM21 talkgroup? I went the the OpenMHz.com Lake Co SC21 feed archive and found no recordings for that talkgroup.

STARCOM21 talkgroup 33440 started seeing some use on Wednesday afternoon. Traffic consisted primarily of a multicast of VHF fire dispatch traffic for Winthrop Harbor FD (originating on 154.325?). I'm guessing that TG 33440 will be FIRE DISP 1.

Dispatch for Winthrop Harbor PD and FD will be moving from Mundelein to the Waukegan consolidated dispatch center today, October 30, 2025. Details can be found here.

 

[kevino]

STARCOM21 talkgroup 33440 started seeing some use on Wednesday afternoon. Traffic consisted primarily of a multicast of VHF fire dispatch traffic for Winthrop Harbor FD (originating on 154.325?). I'm guessing that TG 33440 will be FIRE DISP 1.

Dispatch for Winthrop Harbor PD and FD will be moving from Mundelein to the Waukegan consolidated dispatch center today, October 30, 2025. Details can be found here.

North Chicago FD is now being dispatched by LakeComm on STARCOM21 TG 33440 (Fire Disp 1). They are scheduled to be joined by Beach Park FPD, Gurnee FD and Zion FD on Thursday 11/6. The LakeComm memo said that Newport FPD would also be moving to that same talkgroup on 11/6, but via a patch to their VHF channel.

 

[kevino]

Mundelein (RIDs 243375-243438) and Vernon Hills (RIDs 243790-243875) PDs are now being dispatched by LakeComm on STARCOM21 talkgroup LCOM LAW 5. Can anyone confirm what talkgroup number these RIDs are showing up on? TG 33272? I'd like to be certain before updating the Radio Reference database.

Thanks!

 

[kevino]

Mundelein (RIDs 243375-243438) and Vernon Hills (RIDs 243790-243875) PDs are now being dispatched by LakeComm on STARCOM21 talkgroup LCOM LAW 5. Can anyone confirm what talkgroup number these RIDs are showing up on? TG 33272? I'd like to be certain before updating the Radio Reference database.

Thanks!

Database updated, please disregard.

 

[FireAlarmExpert25]

Does anyone know what the TGs are for DUCOMMs "Fireground White"? I've been hearing this fireground every time they have a bigger call, but can't seem to find it. One day, when I was searching for TGs that were around the range of what Starcom21 says, "A number of new talkgroups (35280-35290, so far)" and found a 1 TG but it was fully encrypted. That TG was 35291. If anyone knows, it'll be nice to get these new Dupage fireground updated.

 

[Bri112233445]

Fireground white is a MABAS analog channel

Subcategory: Common/Shared/MABAS - Mutual Aid Box Alert System (Statewide Fire Mutual Aid) ( Statewide / Common / Shared)

Subcategory: Common/Shared/MABAS - Mutual Aid Box Alert System (Statewide Fire Mutual Aid) Details ( Statewide / Common / Shared)

www.radioreference.com

Does anyone know what the TGs are for DUCOMMs "Fireground White"? I've been hearing this fireground every time they have a bigger call, but can't seem to find it. One day, when I was searching for TGs that were around the range of what Starcom21 says, "A number of new talkgroups (35280-35290, so far)" and found a 1 TG but it was fully encrypted. That TG was 35291. If anyone knows, it'll be nice to get these new Dupage fireground updated.

 

[FireAlarmExpert25]

Perfect thank you. do you know how much power they use?

 

[Bri112233445]

Perfect thank you. do you know how much power they use?

Those channels are mobile to mobile only have to be close to the scene to pick it up.

 

[ChicagoRadio736]

Perfect thank you. do you know how much power they use?.

Usually, 5 watts on the portable the mobiles can be high medium low depending on the model can be up to 100 watts

 

[FireAlarmExpert25]

Alright definitely won’t be hearing much from my house in cook.

Usually, 5 watts on the portable the mobiles can be high medium low depending on the model can be up to 100 watts

 

[kevino]

LakeComm is starting up operations on October 28th per the memo posted. Second page lays out the channel/talk group assignments:

Lake Consolidated Emergency Communications (LakeComm) « chicagoareafire.com

chicagoareafire.com

LakeComm has completed their consolidation plan. At 6am today, they announced on Fire Dispatch 1 (SC21 TG 33440) that Gurnee PD would be on LakeComm Law 1 (TG 33322?), Zion PD would be on LakeComm Law 6 (SC21 TG 33310?, this is a change from the original LakeComm memo showing that they would be on LakeComm Law 4) and Beach Park FPD, Gurnee FD, Zion FD and Newport FPD would be on Fire Dispatch 1 (SC21 TG 33440).

 

[kevino]

LakeComm has completed their consolidation plan. At 6am today, they announced on Fire Dispatch 1 (SC21 TG 33440) that Gurnee PD would be on LakeComm Law 1 (TG 33322?), Zion PD would be on LakeComm Law 6 (SC21 TG 33310?, this is a change from the original LakeComm memo showing that they would be on LakeComm Law 4) and Beach Park FPD, Gurnee FD, Zion FD and Newport FPD would be on Fire Dispatch 1 (SC21 TG 33440).

While listening to STARCOM21 Site 115 (Lake County) tonite, I noticed that Zion PD RIDs were popping up on TG 33508 (their legacy dispatch talkgroup). I'm guessing this is what LakeComm was calling LakeComm Law 4 in their memo, because I didn't see their RIDs popping up on LakeComm Law 6 (TG 33310).

 

[That_Radio_Geek]

I have an idea....can someone maybe strip out all of the encrypted TG listings for Starcom so when people program their radios for the system, they don't have to constantly put those TGs on permanent ignore? Encrypted TGs DO clutter up one's radio quite a bit, and then causes delays in the radio finding transmissions "in the clear" on non-encrypted TGs.

 

[K9KLC]

I have an idea....can someone maybe strip out all of the encrypted TG listings for Starcom so when people program their radios for the system, they don't have to constantly put those TGs on permanent ignore? Encrypted TGs DO clutter up one's radio quite a bit, and then causes delays in the radio finding transmissions "in the clear" on non-encrypted TGs.

I just don't load them to my scanners or Unication pagers. I know some like to scan those "just in case". Personally it's easier for me to decide what I want vs someone deciding for me.