State Troopers at State Fair

[shumadine]

Was out at State Fair this week and saw lots of Troopers, more so than in previous years. But I haven't been hearing them on the Henrico Police/Fire Tac channels. Is anyone else hearing them either? Or are they on the 460mhz repeater system that I might not be able to hear several miles away at home ? I'm hearing plenty of Henrico police action on those channels though....the normal lost kids stuff, etc.

Not hearing them on the STARS system either. Maybe I'm just not listening enough?

 

[MOTORHEAD3902]

I THINK the VSP contingent at the Fair is on the 800mhz STARS temporary trunk system, forgot the name. The concept is that the units can use their ordinary STARS portables and access the temp system without the requirement of issuing portables specifically for that event. It's a crank-tower, generator, and repeater all set up on a small trailer and completely isolated from the VHF STARS system. IIRC, it "plugs in" to the side of the mobile command post, where the dispatchers are.
As far as frequencies for the system, i couldn't begin to advise...

Anyone?

 

[shumadine]

I now see the 800 mhz control channel under "mobile site" in the RR STARS database that I don't have programmed in. I bet that's why I never heard anything. Thanks Motorhead !

 

[tuttleje]

When they were using the STARS trailer at Jamestown, they were using Red-1 (TG 0007) as Command and Control with VSPHQ. The could also could be using their "Direct" channels (a low power simplex) for short range communications. In the past, I have heard troopers being direct to go to a "Direct" channel on their handhelds. However, I was not close enough to capture the frequency. If you have a radio with "Close Call", it sure would be nice to identify the direct channels....if they are using them.

 

[dtscho]

I was at the State Fair all day today, and can give some info as to what the VSP was using. They were on 460.2625 [151.4], which is a repeater. I completely forgot about checking to see if the STARS temp site was active. I'll have to see about that on Saturday, unless someone else knows before then.

Dave

 

[jehm1212]

I live very close to the Hanover/Henrico line, and can actually see the raceway lights when a race is going on. I checked the STARS mobile site frequency and didn't get anyhting. It was also not active during the September NASCAR races. Is it also possible that they could be operating just off of a few mobile repeaters on VSP vehicles, in addition to the UHF frequency?

 

[MOTORHEAD3902]

I live very close to the Hanover/Henrico line, and can actually see the raceway lights when a race is going on. I checked the STARS mobile site frequency and didn't get anyhting. It was also not active during the September NASCAR races. Is it also possible that they could be operating just off of a few mobile repeaters on VSP vehicles, in addition to the UHF frequency?

Leaving the operation up to mobile repeaters from the cars would violate policy, IIRC. In my initial assessment, I neglected to take into consideration the units coming in from other parts of the state that dont have STARS installed. They wouldn't have the portables to use on the STARS mobile trunk system. If the 2625 frq is active, then they are still utilizing the legacy temp repeater at the command post. Not nearly as glamorous as the STARS trailer!

 

[dtscho]

Here's what I've got so far for the Fair:

460.2625 [151.4] Virginia State Police (R)
461.4625 [ d023] Parking
462.2875 [ d223] Audio techs at amphitheater
462.4375 [ d364] State Fair Operations - Ticket Sellers
464.3250 [ d546] RMC Events
464.6250 [127.3] State Fair Operations - Primary? (R)
464.7250 [192.8] State Fair Operations - Engineering/Maintenance? (R)
464.7750 [ d423] Richmond Raceway Complex Operations
464.9250 [ d546] RMC Events?
464.9500 [ d546] RMC Events?

State Fair Radio Channel Plan:
Channel 1: First Aid; Henrico Fire Dept; Henrico Police; State Police; Parking
Channel 2: Security; Daneker, Pam; Robertson, Robbie
Channel 3: State Fair Staff; Operations; Communica...Scot; Harris Electric; Switchboard
Channel 4: Towing; Johnson, Bert; Lafayette Tent; Degeller
Channel 5: Ticket Sellers
Channel 6: Trams
Channel 7: Parade
Channel 8: Private

Henrico Trunked System Talkgroups:
Police-Fire Tac 1: Police
Police-Fire Tac 4: Medical

Dave

 

[Ten42]

Not sure since the state fair is in a STARS working area, but when the VSP are at large events they use a temporary repeater on another channel used in another division. Example, for the Martinsville race, they bring along the portable repeater and the troopers use VSP Channel 8 (159.165 / PL 167.9) which is the normal channel for far southwest Virginia in the 4th Division, Wytheville. AT Floyd Fest, they use Channel 10 (159.135 / 127.3) which is used in the Chesapeake area or 5th Division. They may have the temporary repeater set up there and using one of the other analog channels. I have been told, but have not confirmed, the portable repeater for the motorcycles use the 460.2625 frequency, that may explain the repeater you are/were hearing. If they do have the temp repeater set-up, its low power and of course limited range. I live about 8 air miles from the Martinsville track and can barely hear VSP during the race, with an outside, amplified antenna. Keep in mind, the handhelds formerly used 458.350 and could activate the mobile repeater or be used for direct communications also. Just a thought since some troopers will be coming from other areas of the state and may not have STARS equipment yet.

 

[ACU1000]

460.2625 [151.4] Virginia State Police is licensed to the state and used in command posts.

 

[Ten42]

Nice Pic, any from the inside? Gald you confirmed the 460.2625, I have never heard anything on it around Danville, had heard it was the extender for the motorcycles, but couldnt figure why that would be different than normal. What type of repeater is the portable unit? Motorola, Kenwood?

 

[n4jri]

I scanned all the STARS freqs from the temporary license when passing RIR this morning. Nothing appeared active, and vehicular repeater frequencies were only repeating the base.

73/Allen (N4JRI)

 

[gcgrotz]

Nice Picture! Just like Hollywood you have the shiny vehicle and the shiny wet pavement! (I always wondered why it looks like it has just rained.)