Tinker AFB Appearently Retains VHF Analog Capability for Fire Mutual Aid

[woodyrr]

With Tinker’s recent switch from VHF analog to UHF P25, I was wondering what might happen during a major multi-agency fire at Tinker like the devastating building 3001 fire back in the early 1980s – or what was going to happen this winter during grass fire season. Tinker has always been a willing ally in fire mutual aid.

Last night Tinker was called to assist Del City on a house fire and I was pleased to learn that the responding unit, Tinker Engine 1, has retained it VHF radio and was able to communicate with Del City.

As an aside, I heard a couple of Tulsa Fire Department dispatches on the OKC site of the State system last evening around nine.

 

[KK5FM]

As an aside, I heard a couple of Tulsa Fire Department dispatches on the OKC site of the State system last evening around nine.

You know, I'm beginning to think one of the coolest jobs to have would be a state radio tech, and/or a master console operator.
"Hey, I think I want to listen to the Lawton dogcatchers... on the Crescent DPS site." Push a few buttons, and it's done!

 

[MMIC]

Actually, for the consoles on a Motorola system, it's not that easy. The only talk groups that are brought down to the consoles are those which are pre-programmed. Users can't add or delete talk groups at will without using the Gold Elite Administrator program, which is typically kept off-line for use by administrators only.

Additionally, consoles don't go over the air - except in very rare cases (and you can tell because their audio quality is degraded and you can typically hear the talk permit tone of the radio that's connected to the console to allow the "wireless" capability). With the typical wireline console configuration, the console is actually connected to the AEB and ZC via T-1, telco, or microwave (just like a site), and does not use RF, thus will not cause talk groups to appear or disappear at a site.

What was seen on that site was a radio selected to that talk group roaming into the coverage of that site.

 

[Gilligan]

What was seen on that site was a radio selected to that talk group roaming into the coverage of that site.

In other words, someone w/ Tulsa FD channels in their radio affiliated w/ the OKC site while on a TFD channel, right?

 

[car2back]

That's what I'd think Gilligan, kinda like when someone affilated on the Tulsa site was scanning Clevland Co SO and Nichols Hills FD :wink:

 

[MMIC]

In other words, someone w/ Tulsa FD channels in their radio affiliated w/ the OKC site while on a TFD channel, right?

Sorry for the delay - yes, you are correct.