Tulsa Public Schools New Radio System

[peterjmag]

I am confused about the new TPS radio system. The FCC database says that it is trunked. It was thought to be an LTR system of some type. However, there are only three frequencies being used on this system and all three are using a PL tone which is odd for an LTR system. I have also seen comments on this system not being active. That is incorrect, it is very active. The TPS buses have been on here since the begining of the school year. The question is what kind of system it is? In fact I have never seen any type of trunked system use a PL tone. So does this mean that it is not a trunked system or even LTR? Does anyone have any information on this? Here are a list of the frequencies and their PL tones.

(159.6675) with a PL tone of (97.4)

(160.0125) with a PL tone of (118.8)

(160.2075) with a PL tone of (127.3)



thanks...

P.J. Maguire

 

[peterjmag]

sorry about the face the PL tone on that one is (118.8)

 

[ericcarlson]

It could simply be conventional. Or, it could be a SmarTrunk trunked radio system.

-Eric

 

[fast2okc]

In my limited experience with LTR systems, I have noticed that if I scan frequencies as an LTR system, my BC-780 will not receive conventional signals on those frequencies, even if they are active. Probably whoever thought the system was not active was scanning in LTR mode.

I don't know much about SmarTrunk II Systems, but from reading their web site it appears unlikely they would put out a conventional PL tone. It appears to me that Tulsa Schools are using the frequencies as conventional channels. Perhaps they are hoping to upgrade to trunking in the future or just messed up their FCC application.

Or I could be wrong.

Pete, have you noticed if the same people are on the same channels or do they seem to switch around like a trunked system?

--FAST 2

 

[GlacierClipper]

I have noticed the switching around like a trunked systems several times when listening to this system. The system is not a regular LTR systems. On a BC780XLT the LTR is sometimes ID'ed.

 

[ericcarlson]

I believe the SmarTrunk repeaters do use PL (for example, see this system) so it sounds like the system in question is probably SmarTrunk (please submit it to database).

-Eric

 

[pills]

It is actually several radios hooked to a multiplexer.