TxWarn P25 Travel Monitoring

[Ensnared]

I've not traveled down to Brazos County in quite some time. In fact, when I last visited that area of Texas, College Station was still using analog trunking.

When I tuned into the new TG's for Brazos, Washington, & Harris counties, I was very impressed with the signal quality & coverage. Thankfully, not all is encrypted as I first expected. Although I never heard a peep from Houston PD, I easily pulled Harris County from my location in Rosenberg, Texas. It came in loud and clear. Brazos county was a big improvement as well.

From what I'm seeing, at least Houston used common sense when the encrypted. Unlike Tarrant county, there are quite a few "D" talk groups within Harris County. I wish Ft. Worth would come to their senses.

I look forward to monitoring more activity.

 

[mfn002]

....Although I never heard a peep from Houston PD...

As far as I know, HPD isn't actually using the system...yet.

Although a lot of Harris County is on the P25 system, the bulk of HCSO and Constables are still on the Type II system, and most of the TGs for them on the P25 system are actually patched back to the analog system. Also, some of the other counties in the Houston area (Galveston, Waller, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Chambers, etc.) are still mostly on the Type II system. So, if you're looking for stuff in, say, Waller County, you'll have to monitor the Type II system. There are plans in place for everyone to (eventually) move to the P25 system, but I suspect that's somewhat of a long way away, considering that the current fastest-growing area on the system is Houston PD/FD.

 

[Ensnared]

TxWarn Coverage

As far as I know, HPD isn't actually using the system...yet.

Although a lot of Harris County is on the P25 system, the bulk of HCSO and Constables are still on the Type II system, and most of the TGs for them on the P25 system are actually patched back to the analog system. Also, some of the other counties in the Houston area (Galveston, Waller, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Chambers, etc.) are still mostly on the Type II system. So, if you're looking for stuff in, say, Waller County, you'll have to monitor the Type II system. There are plans in place for everyone to (eventually) move to the P25 system, but I suspect that's somewhat of a long way away, considering that the current fastest-growing area on the system is Houston PD/FD.

I believe I've said this in a post or two, but I used to make frequent trips to Huntsville for a post-mortem review board.

Typically, when I entered IH45 at Buffalo, Texas, I frequently heard P25 radios in the area of Montgomery county.

Yes, when I visited the Richmond/Rosenberg area last week, I had TxWarn MOT programmed for Waller, Fort Bend,etc.

On occasion, I've heard traffic from TxWarn P25 DPS traffic on IH45 here in Waco. Today, while sitting in the doctor's office, I heard traffic from Tyler. You never know what might pop up.

 

[loumaag]

As far as I know, HPD isn't actually using the system...yet.

Yes, this is true although there has been a lot more activity on RFSS 3 sites in the past few days then before. And I am not talking about the Public Service 800 site.

Although a lot of Harris County is on the P25 system, the bulk of HCSO and Constables are still on the Type II system, and most of the TGs for them on the P25 system are actually patched back to the analog system.

Actually, I think it is exactly the opposite. I think more units are on the P25 system and they continue the patches for the few folks still with older equipment and agencies that have not made the switch yet. I don't think any HCSO units are still using the analog side (except via the patches).

Also, some of the other counties in the Houston area (Galveston, Waller, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Chambers, etc.) are still mostly on the Type II system. So, if you're looking for stuff in, say, Waller County, you'll have to monitor the Type II system. There are plans in place for everyone to (eventually) move to the P25 system, but I suspect that's somewhat of a long way away, considering that the current fastest-growing area on the system is Houston PD/FD.

Whereas you are absolutely correct that some places like Waller Co. are still on the analog system exclusively, I suspect the move will be a lot faster than you think. Chambers and Brazoria are on the P25 system. I am less clear about Galveston and Ft. Bend in general, but I know that Katy, PD is still only analog. There are very few holdouts still using the analog system only.