Traveling to Vancouver--Seeking Recommendations

[jimlawrence]

I'll be in Vancouver in a couple of weeks and I'm looking for recommendations from monitors in the area as to what to listen to.

Vancouver police can't be monitored. Is that correct? What about police in surrounding communities?

What about RCMP?

I'm also interested in:

- marine monitoring;
- military monitoring including Canforces and US military;
- public transit, traffic reports, media, etc.;
- US law enforcement including Washington state, US gov't, border patrol, etc.

And which receiver would you recommend? I'm only going to bring one; should I bring my Pro-96 or my Uniden 396? Is there enough P-25 to warrant bringing a P-25 capable receiver or would my Pro-97 be sufficient?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Incidentally, has anyone ever used a scanner on an Air Canada flight? I'm hoping the ATC comms are piped in via the on-board audio system ( on an Airbus 320) but Air Canada's website doesn't seem to have any info. indicating it is.

 

[HDMechanic]

Where are you travelling from and where to in the lower mainland. I may be able to give you lots of info as i travel their quite offten.

 

[SCPD]

Incidentally, has anyone ever used a scanner on an Air Canada flight? I'm hoping the ATC comms are piped in via the on-board audio system ( on an Airbus 320) but Air Canada's website doesn't seem to have any info. indicating it is.

I used a scanner once on an Air Canada flight and got caught. The stewardess was good about it, asked I turn off my "scanner"

No AC does not pipe ATC on-board. I found montioring ATC traffic rather difficult in flight, on the other hand great monitoring any else, by the window of course.

 

[robertmac]

I would take the 396. Last summer went to Victoria and lots of activity. Unfortunately, was on a visit and did not have much chance to listen closely. However, did use the Search and Store feature and there was a lot of frequencies stored. EMS, FIRE, POLICE, even RCMP on conventional and P25. Lots of Amateur Radio, some marine activity, lots of air [can't comment on Air Force]. Incidently, never had much problem with West Jet and scanners. Although 2 years ago, had to turn it off [more like remove earbuds] as we were expecting severe turbulence. And boy, did we have some fun. Better than a roller coaster ride, but at 5000 mtrs., much too much for me. Agree air traffic monitoring inside the plane was not very good.

 

[RDCat]

i lov the ferry ride over from vancouver

 

[jimlawrence]

Where are you travelling from and where to in the lower mainland. I may be able to give you lots of info as i travel their quite offten.

I'll be in downtown Vancouver on business for virtually all of my trip. I may see if I can get down to Victoria via the ferry and bus, weather permitting.

I've already scoured the database on this site and on scanbc so I'm familiar with those resources. However, I'd greatly appreciate some info. from those who live and work in Vancouver. Thanks!

 

[RDCat]

anyone know if there is a feed for lower mainland police and fire depts
Chilliwack Agassiz pd fire depts?

 

[HDMechanic]

Go to www.scanbc.com they have lots of info there.

 

[stuck22]

There is not much P25 stuff in the Lower Mainland. Most of it is ENC. BUT I would suggest the 396 as I know a few people with 396 files if you want them for easy programming. The closest conventional police department is Abbotsford. They use a pretty good system and usually boom into my scanner at home.

Any other questions?

 

[RDCat]

whats the depts on the lower mainland scanner being broadcasted?

 

[stuck22]

whats the depts on the lower mainland scanner being broadcasted?

Wow.. You made a thread about it and we answered you.. No need to hijack someone else's thread.

 

[RDCat]

no body has answeredthe the main question bud what lower mainland depts is it abotsford chilliwack agassiz rcmp what fire depts?

i dont see any ref to these as being the answer to my orig question
now

 

[dwc]

Well its called the Fraser Valley Scanner.. Its pretty self explanatory as to what its scanning...

 

[RDCat]

well not for me that does not live there

 

[jimlawrence]

My thanks to all who posted relevant replies to my original request for info. This site and scanbc were terrific!

Now, what I heard:

Vancouver PD and area RCMP being digital ProVoice was a major disappointment. Strangely, I didn't see the Vancouver PD talkgroup pop up on my scanner. Do they use MDTs for dispatch as well? Fire and EMS were analog, however, so that was pretty useful when it came to finding out what was going on.

The most interesting catch to me was Vancouver center on 134.8. During the time I was listening, I could hear both sides of the conversation (ground and aircraft) and even heard aircraft being handed off to Anchorage center. I also heard aircraft being handed off to Vancouver on 134.6. What kind of radio system does Vancouver center have that allows me to hear both sides of the conversation from all over the Pacific coast as far north as Anchorage's airspace? Listening to Vancouver International's traffic was cool, too. Too bad Air Canada doesn't offer in-flight monitoring of ATC on either their Airbus' or 767's.

And so was listening to the Skytrain comms. Quite interesting especially when I found myself on a train that was delayed going into a station and we received an announcement on-board informing us of the situation and ending with a little repeater "squawk" as the transmission ended.

Thanks again! I'll be back someday!