Not a STARS Radio Tech
John, I know that out-of-area affliation occurs but based on my experience with a scanner similar to the PSR-800, I tend to believe that TroyMail's explanation may fit this situation. With all of the towers in the state programmed in a playlist in my PRO-18, I often see site names that are very far away pop up on my screen when local division units are talking. I believe this is due to the duplicated use of the same frequencies and the scanner just displaying the first site it finds associated with the frequency currently in use. The only way I know to prevent this is to just program in a few sites that are in the local area, then the site from which I'm actually receiving the transmission is the site that is displayed.
If a trooper's transmission originated on the Pott's Mtn site, how would that information get passed through the system to a local tower and to Lynn's radio? Is there a "I'm originating from ...." message passed through the system to a local tower that a PSR-800 can read and display accordingly?
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fredva:
FYI to repeat, I never claimed infer to possessing the detailed technical knowledge regarding STARS to respond to the poster's theory regarding affiliations. However there are other members of this forum who are much more technically knowledgeable and qualified who can discuss the subject at more length and detail with whomever. After discussing my limited understanding of the technical process, all I can do is reflect upon some earlier STARS pre and post installation monitoring site experiences which may or may contribute to anything helpful.
STARS was Motorola's latest state of the art digital trs when STARS was selected by VA in the early 2000 period. It was Motorola's second multi-data digital stream data packet trs sold. Alaska was the first state to use it. It also was a new scanner OS baseline nightmare especially for Uniden and to a lesser degree GRE (RS). Needlessly to say STARS monitoring problems lasted for some years until resolution, if ever. The various initial STARS sites installed statewide were the previously analog sites using 2 Ghz. PTP links, fiber, cable and other comm resources statewide. New STARS sites subsequently were installed as necessary within the state for the goal of seamless comms. A few remaining lower power STARS "filler" sites currently are in the process of installation as mentioned earlier mostly now confined to Div 4
Every STARS user's radio is not authorized for out of area STARS "home" division(s) comms. Each STARS user's radio is pre-programed at the Network Operations Center (NOC) Richmond or possibly some at the Roanoke (NOC) for appropriate STARS site affiliations (authorizations). These site authorizations are software programed and embedded until changed by the NOC. During the unit's radio "handshaking" validation process every time the mobile's mic is pressed, that data first is transmitted to the affiliated STARS site regardless of that particular location. Again over simplified, as I understand, each STARS Division's site's computer OS software (i.e., system controller/executable programs,files, etc.) is constantly inter-system updated to include any "affiliation" authorization(s) for each appropriate STARS radio for access/use of each STARS particular site regardless of location.
Again some STARS user's radios were programed with "out of division" affiliations as appropriate for their "home" or "out of area" or "out of division" STARS site(s) operations. Some STARS radio users are affiliated with different STARS sites because of geographic considerations.
For example a few VSP Div 1, 7 and possibly Div 2 radios additionally were programed for interop comms with MD SP via selected MD site locations. VSP units which are not affiliated with other divisions have the option of selecting 1 of 40 frequency configured zones in their 16 ch. radios if desired or required when traveling out of his home Division. Occasionally, a VSP mobile can be heard informing his dispatcher he is changing to specific division so he can talk to their dispatcher(s). .
Affiliations will vary with different STARS radio users. For example, most Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Police radio were pre-programed for affiliations only with the Hampton, Williamsburg, Chesapeake, Accomack and although unlikely, possibly Rumford, Div 5 STARS sites. I know CCBP comms aren't heard on the Emporia or Waverly Div 5 sites as I additionally can monitor those two sites.
STARS radio techs in past years have been heard via Div 1 and other Divs for comms sourced in Div 4. For 4 or 5 months within the past 2 years the Grundy City PD and Buchanan Co. SO, then new users on the STARS system were heard loud and clear 24/7 on STARS Div 1 Richmond and other Divisions. Subsequently the STARS radio techs made the necessary changes to restrict their comms only to a few neighboring SW VA STARS repeater sites.
I heard a rumor years ago that the capability exists in the STARS system Richmond dispatch to do an affiliate "overide" for all VSP, DGIF, DCR, DOH, DOF DMME, etc,. and other selected non-state selected STARS users (Division COMLINC) to affiliate either selectively or globally STARS sites statewide. I believe a certain amount of it has credibility. For example, all DGIF units still are dispatched as far as I know statewide from a DGIF employee at the Div 1 Richmond STARS site. I'm sure other enhanced comm capabilities exist in STARS which we never have heard tested and probably never will expect possibly during a state or national emergency.
Regarding frequency reuse, in my opinion, for the past 15+ years it has causes reception problems for me as a monitor. It did not have to be used in some later STARS site installations but was used. A little STARS history.... as a long time STARS monitor with a good reception situation, my recollections may explain in part why it happened so much. Previously, the multi-thousand dollar paid consultant contracted by the state to develop the STARS installation plan, etc., completed it. It was disseminated for "in house" and other appropriate reviews to the appropriate organizational entities including concurrence(VITA was one of the action offices) and final accepted by the state's contracting representatives after a few changes. As initial site installation dates became closer an "OMG" problem appeared. It seems the consultant and VITA office had not given enough consideration as to the total number of vhf frequencies required for a statewide radio network.
That lack of foresight soon evolved to a fact. VITA realized there were not enough available state licensed vhf frequencies to use for all projected 37 STARS sites statewide or even for initial scheduled new installations. It's just my guess that probably urgent phone calls were made to the FCC HQ concurrent with a VITA emergency letter or FCC application request for immediate action requesting more vhf frequencies. But there was another problem. It seems already there were thousands of active FCC licensed VA vhf radio users. The FCC's response was to license VA a few of the 151 and 152 mhz. licenses possibly previously unlicensed for Paging only or to other state LMR users. There maybe were a couple of 158-159 mhz. frequencies also authorized by the letter. These frequencies did not appear in a General Menu search because they were a special letter licensed authorization. Time passd and immediate problem solved. Well, not exactly Those few letter authorized frequencies still were not enough for future soon upcoming STARS site's installations...hence Solution 2.
Solution number 2 involved having VITA modify existing DOF and/or DGIF FCC licensed frequencies from that particular statewide licensed entity to be used for upcoming STARS site installations. That began a period of lots of their licenses still technically belonging to their agencies but in reality being used in new STARS sites. That started a period of "robbing Peter to Pay Paul", Time passed and it worked reasonably well until one day after another relook "OMG" VITA concluded there still were not enough available new frequencies for the STARS installations mainly in western VA for Divs 4, 6 and for Fairfax Div 7. Fortunately, by then time was on VITA's side and provided a helpful solution. The FCC recently had opened a lower frequency khz segment of the former 157-161 mhz. range for new licensing to other LMR selected services. Anybody remember the "Norfolk Marine Operator" and the ship to shore vhf phone patches? I do. That Marine phone patch service had died because of the increased proliferation and popularity of cellphones resulting basically with those frequencies being "dead".
But prior to this time this new frequency range had been available to VITA for licensing and obtaining more of the frequencies needed for use with the remaining new STARS installations. But VITA did not immediately request any new 161mhz. frequencies and thus "frequency reuse" ruled STARS installations for Div 7 installations as an example. However for Divs 2, 3, 6 and some Div 4 remaining installations selected licensed 161 mhz. frequencies were used and mixed with reused frequencies. Subsequently I read the posted "maybe" reasons(excuses?) why RF frequency reuse was used solely for all Div 7 sites. Later in Divs 2, 3, 4, and 6 161mhz. frequencies were used in a significant number of STARS site installations.
I offer a classic example of a frequency reuse problem for my monitoring situation. "152.7125" is the PCC for Fork Mtn. Waverly also uses "152.7125" as its' PCC. In order to receive Fork Mtn. voice comms I had to program all voice frequencies as conventional and scan. There was no requirement to reuse "152.7125" at both sites but it was used. I well understand that monitor's frequency's desires are not basis for any consideration radio techs use when frequencies are installed where ever for whatever reason(s).. But during that same time period Div 7 installations were occurring the "new" 161mhz. frequencies were available for licensing. Unless I've missed something, you won't find a single 161 mhz. frequency used at any Div 7 STARS site.
But those individuals who can monitor multiple STARS sites which use the same multiple voice frequencies know very well what can result. The only practical solution was what I used to hear the Fork Mtn. site voice comms.
As I initially stated there are other members of this forum whom much more technically qualified either to confirm or rebut the poster's affiliation's analysis and better explain explain the subject in detail.
John
W4UVV
