THP - Shelby County

[Gatorman]

OK, I see TWO systems for THP in Shelby County. One is labeled THP HQ and the other one is Arlington. My question is who uses one and who uses the other. I also don't see any TG listed for these systems unless I am missing them. The only thing I have in my scanner now is District Four, Dispatch and Car To Car. I'm assuming the VHF low/highband channels aren't used any more. However, I wonder if I'm missing traffic having only one of the two systems in Shelby County in my radio.

Thanks for your patience

 

[buddrousa]

The answer to your question is which site the radio receives the best is the site the radio locks onto.

 

[RMason]

OK, I see TWO systems for THP in Shelby County. One is labeled THP HQ and the other one is Arlington. My question is who uses one and who uses the other. I also don't see any TG listed for these systems unless I am missing them. The only thing I have in my scanner now is District Four, Dispatch and Car To Car. I'm assuming the VHF low/highband channels aren't used any more. However, I wonder if I'm missing traffic having only one of the two systems in Shelby County in my radio.

I believe you are referring to the TACN system:

Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN) Trunking System, Various, Multi-State

Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Memphis THP HQ and Arlington are two sites in Shelby County on the TACN system. The THP talkgroups for District 4 are (from the above link):

47014	b7a6	T	THP-D4-Disp1	Dispatch 1	Law Dispatch
47015	b7a7	TE	THP-D4-Disp2	Dispatch 2	Law Dispatch
47016	b7a8	TE	THP-D4-C2C	Car-to-Car	Law Talk
47017	b7a9	TE	THP-D4-Event1	Event 1	Law Tac

You will observe that the db shows that Dispatch 2 and Car=to-Car channels are encrypted. You will want to make sure the you have TG 47014 (Dispatch 1) programmed. I have successfully logged hits on the Memphis THP HQ site on the Dispatch 1 talkgroup.

 

[PARTHCITY]

THP is on the state system. (TACN) Memphis also has their own trunked system that is used by the city and the county. THP may be able to interop but THP operations and charter will be primarily on TACN. I think every district has one unencrypted TG and that TG is usually not that interesting. Atleast here in District 7 it isn’t.
THP operates all around their district so any site in that area should work but whatever’s closest to you would be the best.

 

[buddrousa]

The point that is missed is TACN has 2 Sites in Shelby County. It does not matter as both sites transmit the same traffic at the sametime.

 

[Gatorman]

Thanks for clarifying that. That is what I was trying to figure out. And R Mason, thanks for providing the link to the talk groups. I was just concerned there were different operations on the two sites. Buddrousa cleared that up. I've also been wondering what the THP cars were using for comms in this concentrated effort in Memphis. Their helos are up all the time. I have never heard any traffic on dispatch or car to car that sounds like something they may be doing. However, I only have Dispatch 1 and car-to-car. And I see now the remaining three are encrypted.

Another question. I am in the City of Memphis, inside 240. Is anyone able to pick up the nearest ASP site across the river. The coverage map seems like we should be able to hear but it isn't programmed into my radio.

And finally, I'll ask again, does anyone know if they ever use the VHF LO and VHF high frequencies that used to be in all their cars?

Thanks much for the help.

 

[W4EMS]

THP removed all low band gear a couple years back. I am pretty sure (but not 100%) the VHF equipment went too with a few exceptions to allow interop with county units. Of course the ultimate goal is to convert all PS to TACN so interop is not an issue but that will take time and money.

 

[PARTHCITY]

THP removed all low band gear a couple years back. I am pretty sure (but not 100%) the VHF equipment went too with a few exceptions to allow interop with county units. Of course the ultimate goal is to convert all PS to TACN so interop is not an issue but that will take time and m

Low band is long dead. I am not sure if there is any VHF activity, but I'm sure they have either APX 8500s or use their NEXT portables and have some NIFOG or statewide interop frequencies on conventional. In terms of interoperability with a county, they usually don't do that. From what I've seen, if County A needs a trooper to come out, the county dispatch will contact THP dispatch, and they will send the trooper.

 

[ki4hyf]

I've also been wondering what the THP cars were using for comms in this concentrated effort in Memphis.

I think they are using Memphis' Dispatch 2 (TG 47015). I'm seeing a lot of traffic on TG 47015, but it's encrypted, so I can't be sure. Also there's a lot of encrypted traffic on TG 47038 (Statewide Events), but they are rarely on the Haywood tower, so it's most likely something else.

However, I only have Dispatch 1 and car-to-car.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure TG 47016 (Memphis Car-to-Car) is encrypted as well.

 

[ki4hyf]

I am not sure if there is any VHF activity

I don't think there is any analog VHF, but there are at least 3 VHF TACN towers in west TN.

From what I've seen, if County A needs a trooper to come out, the county dispatch will contact THP dispatch, and they will send the trooper.

I think they also use PSAP as well.

 

[FFPM571]

The THP is using mid power APX85000's They are running all band antennas, and they do have some VHF in the radios but it is only for interop and back up. The NEXT handheld radio they have do have all band and Smart connect LTE

 

[ki4hyf]

they do have some VHF in the radios but it is only for interop and back up.

Ok, I was just going by what the RRDB has listed. They have 3 VHF sites listed in west TN, Lexington, Savannah and Henderson. So, just to be clear, there are no TACN P25 VHF sites?

 

[buddrousa]

No there are 3 VHF TACN P25 Sites The Database is correct.