Trying to listen to Brunswick ME FD from Massachusetts

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nsenior

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Hi All - My son is joining Brunswick FD as part of the SMCC Live-in program in September. I am trying to find out whether I can hear their radio calls from Massachusetts either online or through an antenna. I have always had a scanner but only for local FD and PD. Thanks.
 

cja1987

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Where in Mass are you?

That will tell you if there is even a glimmer of hope in pulling it in over the air under the best of circumstances.

If you are in the NE corner of the state and not far enough inland to have hills between you and Brunswick, it may come in once in a blue moon. You would still need an outdoor antenna setup, as high as you could get it. You are talking about 90 miles as the crow flies IF you are right on the NE Mass coast.

Hopefully some that know a bit more technical stuff than I do will chime in but I'm pretty confident in saying that you should NOT rely on pulling it over the air because you will be disappointed.
 

ME343

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Gorham, ME
If you can't hear them you can always listen to the Southern Maine Fire Departments feed on here.
 

W1MTW

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Your best bet is the online scanner. Unless you're somewhere near Gloucester, there's way too much terrain for the signal to make it. Brunswick Fire's repeater is on top of Cole's Tower at Bowdoin College, elevation of 150'. It's about 2.5 air miles inland.
But, if it on the outside of town with the police repeater, I think you'd have a better chance. I know the person that owns the hill that the police have their repeater on (he's a fellow ham), and he has no trouble talking to Mass. on VHF, and UHF, heck even on 1.2 GHz! :)
Mark/W1MTW
 

Adenosine

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Bangor, ME
Hi All - My son is joining Brunswick FD as part of the SMCC Live-in program in September.

I find it hard to hear Brunswick on the Southern Maine Feed. I do wish someone in the area would put one up.

nsenior - That’s a great place to be. I started there as a Call man on Brunswick many years ago. It’s a good group of guys, your boy will learn a lot.
 

W1MTW

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Windham, Me.
I find it hard to hear Brunswick on the Southern Maine Feed. I do wish someone in the area would put one up.

nsenior - That’s a great place to be. I started there as a Call man on Brunswick many years ago. It’s a good group of guys, your boy will learn a lot.

Especially with all of the structure fires they've had this year: 2 apartment houses, the Firestone Block, the Unitarian Church. I'm origianlly from Brunswick, so I know/knew alot of the guys, and gals up there.
Mark W1MTW
 
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