Talk Groups in Hamilton / Halton Regions

[farmboy]

I have all the frequencies entered in my radios as per RR Database. They seem to be working, but not sure what I need to do concerning the talkgroups if anything? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[mciupa]

.. not sure what I need to do concerning the talkgroups if anything?

What do you want to do with them?

Do you want to alpha-tag them (on the radios that allow it) ?

Which one of those radios are you speaking of?

 

[farmboy]

I was wondering if I was missing any communications on my 250D / 796D with only the frequencies entered and no talkgroup numbers, or is this done automatically?

 

[oldzy]

If I remember, you need at least 1 or 2 talkgroup names entered manually for any activity to show up in ID Scan Mode. In ID Search Mode, all talkgroups will show up as NEW if no talkgroup name assigned to it.

 

[jellotor]

On my 250D I set Activity ID to on for most trunked systems so that I can keep an eye on any other talkgroup activity that is occuring on the system. As far as Hamilton goes, depending on what you want to listen to, the talkgroups listed in the database are exactly what you need to listen to police and fire.

 

[duffer]

Farmboy, I am searching through my paperwork tonight to see what I can help you out with in regards to knowing where the transmissions are coming from, ie Hamilton Mountain, Burlington Fire, Police etc. I have a question for you though, I live in Burlington as well, near the Ikea store, and am having quite a bit of static when listening to Hamilton Emergency Services on my BC-250D. If you are in, or near my area at some time with your portable, could you let me know if you experience the same problem. Or if there is anyone else that has had this problem near Waterdown Rd. and Plains, could you please respond...thanks.

 

[farmboy]

Duffer, thanks for the reply, I have been down your area many times including today (tues) with no problems as far as static. Everything was clear!

 

[duffer]

Thanks Farmboy, for your response, maybe it might be that I am very close to hydro wires or something....still trying to figure it out. Gettin kinda po'ed cause when I lived in Mississauga, the emergency services came in really good....by the way..there is a website that I caught into one late night, that gave all of the meaning to the talkgroup Id's that you see...and it is in plain english!! I printed it, and it helped me a lot...but you have to take the time to enter alpha tags, it takes a long while to do...but it is worth it, if you are watching your display constantaly

 

[tmengineer]

If you say your by the Ikea in Burlington, there could be two things.
One there is a major Hydro transformer station by the 430Hwy and the
Skyway Bridge, and major high powered transmission lines running in the
coridor. The second, your not far from the main Burlington Fire station, by
MapleView Mall, I believe thats where their main transmitter site is, you
could be getting overloaded on the front end of the scanner. Try dropping or turning on the attenuation on those frquencies. See what difference it makes.
Just a thought. TM

 

[mikewazowski]

I believe Hamilton has two transmitter sites.

The City talkgroups are broadcast from one somewhere in the City while the Regional talkgroups are broadcast from the Greens Lane site.

I used to be able to hear the Dundas/Mountain police channel and the regional fire department channels without any problems on a portable in Mississauga.

The Central and East police talkgroups plus the City fire talkgroups were always noisy and hard to get.

There is a large concentration of transmitters just above that area on the edge of the escarpment. I'm not sure if that would be close enough to cause you grief but it's worth trying the attenuator.

 

[duffer]

Thanks to all of you for your replies, yes I am near the hydro station, but I am going to try the attenuator to see if it works. If it does, you will see it in the next couple of days, as I have kind of a busy schedule for the next few. Keeping my fingers crossed, Craig

 

[jellotor]

Mike,

Looking in TAFL at the frequencies for the trunked system show that the stations are licensed to operate from 177 Bay Street (which I assume is an apartment building just down the street from me) and 1275/1375 Upper Ottawa, which I believe is a works department yard.

I've often wondered about how Hamilton achieves its coverage especially with the topography involved. At work, I can often keep monitoring the system into Grimsby and a long way north on Hwy 6, often as far as Morriston/Hwy 401.

Anyway, for what it's worth...

 

[mikewazowski]

I'm pretty sure you'll find a large tower out on Hwy5 and Greens Lane. I believe it's where the fire departments 154.2500 transmitter used to be.

It was my understanding that this site was one of the transmit sites for the system but I could be wrong.

 

[duffer]

hey guys, thanks for the info on the attenuator, it seems to work with the static. Said it would b a couple of days for a reply, but I couldn't wait to try it,(typical of us guys ha?) next step, when the weather gets better, a good outdoor antenna. Any suggestions?..Craig ps..I live in a townhouse, so I can't put up a huge mast...pls keep this in mind if you can suggest anything

 

[farmboy]

Morning duffer! A good antenna which I installed outside is a discone, I purchased at Radio World it makes a great difference. Reception is terrific now! A guy up the street from me ended up putting his discone in the attic also with great results. We are half way up to Hwy 5 so we are also higher than you. The trick is hiding it from your wife! Good Luck :shock:

 

[duffer]

which model of the discone did you buy? The Hustler, or the other...??

 

[farmboy]

duffer! I have a Diamond D-130J with 4 scanners hooked up all the time with good reception. I had it in my garage attic for a couple of months when I first hooked it up and was happy with reception, But last summer I put it on the back of my garage roof about 10ft. up and really could not tell any difference in reception. Mind you I did not check with a meter. The end result is that the discone was a good purchase. Hope this helps!

 

[EJB]

Farmboy: I am a one-time (and still frequent visitor) to the Hamilton/Burlington area, having lived in Waterdown and Hamilton downtown from late 2002 to mid 2004. I was wondering if you had any mem files for Hamilton's service and if so could I trouble you for them?
As a rule I had some troubles on occasion getting Hamilton's service when I lived downtown there, lots o' intermod and the like. Same with my wife's family spread in Aldershot. I had no probs with getting it when we lived in Waterdown.

Eric

 

[farmboy]

EJB. Not a problem, I'll e'mail you Hamilton with the talkgroups by Thurs. If you can be patient. Glad to help!

 

[duffer]

Thanks Farmboy...I think that might b my ticket, I looked at the Diamond on the web, and it is not too big for my application. When I get a chance to get the antenna, and install it (should b spring) Ill let you know how it does.