STARS Status?

[John]

Has anyone heard any testing on STARS? I would think they would have something on the air by now but I am in the western part of the state and we will be among the last to get STARS.

Does anyone know anything about the freq and channel line up? There seem to be a whole bunch of 154 and 155 freqs licensed and much less 158-159. I would have thought there would be about an equal number if these were going to be used in a standard repeater trunking setup.

Just curious what the status is at this point......

John

 

[N4VKF]

STARS

Division 1 will start rollout in 2006..

Ken Fowler

 

[fmon]

Appears we have more than 3 years in Div 5. All are 158/159.

 

[fmon]

This is the Div 5 STARS freqs. I have them plugged in as conventional FM to check for activity.
158.7825 158.8275 159.0975 159.1575 159.2475 159.3075 159.3300 159.3975 159.4500 159.4575

The Chesapeake dispatcher is apparently simalcasting (at times) on 159.1575 though I only heard the trooper (Unit 688) in the Gloucester Pt on 159.135. I also heard the call sign for 158.8275 broadcast at 2114 this eve.

 

[N4VKF]

Stars Division 2

I guess I will have to plug in the frequencies for Division 2 to check to see if they may be simulcasting... Are you hearing them in analog mode?

 

[fmon]

Re: Stars Division 2

I guess I will have to plug in the frequencies for Division 2 to check to see if they may be simulcasting... Are you hearing them in analog mode?

Yes analog only, and after posting above, I heard the dispatcher on the other output for Chesapeake (159.165) simulcast with the 159.1575 STARS freq. She is using ID KIA36 in all broadcast so far. I'm monitoring 159.1575 and all Division 5 STARS freqs on a 785D and the current Div 5 VSPD on a Pro-2020. On some broadcast on the 2020, with the 785D manually on 159.1575, the signal strength meter would go to full strength during her broadcast but nothing heard.

I've heard nothing so far this AM but will run a freq logger all day and see if I pick up anything.

 

[MOTORHEAD3902]

Verrry Interesting,

Caught Div V, Channel 10 simulcating on the "VCALL" Mutual Aid freq tonight in analog...was mobile in the Isle Of Wight area. Quite neat. The exact frq escapes me at this time, something like 155.7225...i'm probably wrong on the exact freq,but I was definitely copying it on VCALL.

keep listening
/BA/

 

[SCPD]

I guess I will have to buy ANOTHER scanner. The BC-898T & BC-246T wont let me put the freq's in. It just rounds them off. What radio's are you Gentlemen using?

 

[BoxAlarm187]

Although I'm one of the few people on the face of the earth that has not purchased a 246T yet (saving pennies for my beloved Pro-2096), I'm sure that there is an option to set the bandwidth/spacing on those scanners to allow you to put these freq's in. If you have the ARC software, this ought to be able to do it for you, too.

 

[ericcarlson]

I guess I will have to buy ANOTHER scanner. The BC-898T & BC-246T wont let me put the freq's in. It just rounds them off.

More importantly, you will need a digital scanner capable of tracking Project 25 trunked systems (aka 9600 baud systems). For analog monitoring, even if the scanner rounds the frequency you can usually monitor it without a problem using the rounded frequency. I don't believe the BC898T will do the 7.5 kHz step size that you need for the STARS frequencies. The BC246T should allow you to do 7.5 kHz steps, see the manual for instructions on setting this.

Keep in mind that most/all of the STARS freqs are narrowband splinter frequencies created from existing Virginia state channels and will probably remain in use until they are vacated for transition to STARS.

-Eric

 

[SCPD]

I will check the steps again, but I think it was 6,10,12 and 20. the system will not be here in area 5 for a few years. I just wanted to see if any of the freqs were active. THANKS gentlemen....

 

[fmon]

I guess I will have to buy ANOTHER scanner. The BC-898T & BC-246T wont let me put the freq's in. It just rounds them off. What radio's are you Gentlemen using?

I listen most of the time on a 785D, which set them to 7.5. Of course the Pro-96 rounds them out.

By Eric: More importantly, you will need a digital scanner capable of tracking Project 25 trunked systems (aka 9600 baud systems).

Thats the way it looks.

By investigator16:I will check the steps again, but I think it was 6,10,12 and 20. the system will not be here in area 5 for a few years. I just wanted to see if any of the freqs were active.

159.1575 frequently broadcast with 159.1350 or 159.1650 and 158.8275 at times auto sends the station ID KIA36 every 15 min. At this moment there is a dead carrier on 159.3300.

By Eric: Keep in mind that most/all of the STARS freqs are narrowband splinter frequencies created from existing Virginia state channels and will probably remain in use until they are vacated for transition to STARS.

Ya think the current freqs will not be used?

BTW Eric, thanks for the prompt updates in RRDatabase. The York/James City County's data was listed within an hour after submission. Lindsay ought to put a little extra in your next pay envelope. :wink: I mean, what the heck, holidays and everything :!: :lol:

 

[SCPD]

THANK YOU Gentlemen.. 246T has 5.0 6.25 7.5 10.0 and a few more. you have been a BIG help. Happy New Year to you.

 

[SCPD]

I broke out the 898T since I am still using the 895 for now and it also will do the steps. Channel 10 is coming across 159.1275. take a listen and let me know. It shows that it is in zone 11.

 

[fmon]

I broke out the 898T since I am still using the 895 for now and it also will do the steps. Channel 10 is coming across 159.1275. take a listen and let me know. It shows that it is in zone 11.

You're correct, it's listed for Salam. Got it plugged in and hearing Chesapeake Div 5 units, thanks for the info.

BTW, my 785D in auto step, changed the freq to 159.3000, but forcing 7.5 step in the menu holds the splinter at 159.1275. Amazing though, I used Auto Step when programming the Zone 10 (Div 5) STARS, and they held at 7.5 Step.

 

[SCPD]

BTW..turned on the CTCSS while scanning the new freq's and the PL Tones for channel 9 & 10 are the same as they are now in the data base.

 

[tglendye]

More importantly, you will need a digital scanner capable of tracking Project 25 trunked systems (aka 9600 baud systems).

Quick (maybe stupid) question... The STARS system is going to be trunked isn't it? Will the current scanners do VHF-hi trunking?

 

[Starion]

Re: Stars Division 2

I think some of the newer trunk tracking scanners can track VHF trunked radio systems.

I guess I will have to plug in the frequencies for Division 2 to check to see if they may be simulcasting... Are you hearing them in analog mode?

I thought the Virginia Statewide Agencies Radio System is using APCO-25 Common Air Interface Exclusive? I'm confused.

I might be able to hear an analog transmission with my old scanners. I live in Division 7.

Thanks for the info everyone.

Later

 

[fmon]

Re: Stars Division 2

I thought the Virginia Statewide Agencies Radio System is using APCO-25 Common Air Interface Exclusive? I'm confused.

The 250/785, 296/796, Pro-96 and soon to be Pro-2096 will track vhf trunked. But the 250/785 will likely be out of luck.

I might be able to hear an analog transmission with my old scanners. I live in Division 7.

Thanks for the info everyone.

Later

You can plug the Zone 13 freqs in and likely hear two or three in use, but they will be simulcast with 159.135 and 159.000.