friendlybob
Member
I have some of the Talkgroup numbers and I'm trying to get more so I don't bother the Admins with posting them to the database in bits and pieces. They're hard to catch.
US Steel DMR Tier III Trunked System
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Is there anyone reading this that listens to (or has attempted to listen to) the US Steel DMR Tier III trunked system United States Steel Corporation (Tier 3) Trunking System, Various, Multi-State - Scanner Frequencies sites at Gary, Portage and East Chicago? The logical channel numbers (LCNs) listed in the database for each of these sites were actually logical slot numbers (LSNs). I recently submitted the correct LCNs and the database has been updated. Uniden scanners use LCNs, not LSNs. If you've tried to listen to these sites in the past and had no success, give it another try now.
In the limited amount of time I've spent listening to these sites, it appears that the only traffic on them is security and fire/EMS. Do comms related to steel manufacturing use other repeaters or another system? This system's site in Granite City, Illinois appears to be much busier and carries traffic related to manufacturing as well.
Finally, when I've listened to these sites, the control channel has always used the same frequency and hasn't rotated to other repeaters. Even though there are other frequencies covered by these licenses, voice traffic always appears to be on the same one or two frequencies. If these sites ever get any busier, I imagine that other frequencies might pop up. As far as the East Chicago site goes, I've only heard 461.6125 used (for both control channel data and voice).
In the limited amount of time I've spent listening to these sites, it appears that the only traffic on them is security and fire/EMS. Do comms related to steel manufacturing use other repeaters or another system? This system's site in Granite City, Illinois appears to be much busier and carries traffic related to manufacturing as well.
Finally, when I've listened to these sites, the control channel has always used the same frequency and hasn't rotated to other repeaters. Even though there are other frequencies covered by these licenses, voice traffic always appears to be on the same one or two frequencies. If these sites ever get any busier, I imagine that other frequencies might pop up. As far as the East Chicago site goes, I've only heard 461.6125 used (for both control channel data and voice).
friendlybob
Member
So what did you program in your scanner? I can't get anything to come in on these frequencies and I work out here!! Thank you in advance for ANY help. I have Uniden SDS 100's and SDS 200's Also, any advice on how you programmed it will help. Newbie here. I got most of Lake, Porter, LaPorte Counties and Chicago frequencies, but I'll be darned if I cannot hear anything on US Steel's frequencies. They landed a UCAN Chopper out here last week and I couldn't hear anything.
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Did you purchase the DMR upgrade on each of your SDS's? They don't track DMR right out of the box
First and foremost, as Whiskey3JMC said above, you must purchase the DMR upgrade for each of your SDS-model scanners that you wish to listen to the US Steel DMR trunked system sites on.
If you've done that, click on the link for this system located in my original post. To get the LCN (logical channel number) information for each frequency, click on the blue link for each site (Gary, Portage and East Chicago) and they'll be displayed next to each frequency. There is one frequency each at Gary and Portage that is licensed but I haven't yet determined if they're an active part of the system. I've only been able to confirm one active frequency at East Chicago - if I remember correctly, I believe that more frequencies are licensed there but I don't know if they're in active use.
When it comes to exact instructions for programming all of this into your SDS scanners, please accept my apologizes as I don't have the time presently to go through each step in that process. You might find the information you need here.
If you've done that, click on the link for this system located in my original post. To get the LCN (logical channel number) information for each frequency, click on the blue link for each site (Gary, Portage and East Chicago) and they'll be displayed next to each frequency. There is one frequency each at Gary and Portage that is licensed but I haven't yet determined if they're an active part of the system. I've only been able to confirm one active frequency at East Chicago - if I remember correctly, I believe that more frequencies are licensed there but I don't know if they're in active use.
When it comes to exact instructions for programming all of this into your SDS scanners, please accept my apologizes as I don't have the time presently to go through each step in that process. You might find the information you need here.
Regarding the DMR upgrade process, this Youtube video explains it well 
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
You will find what tips folks have come across so far in this wiki article - no need to search for them...
wiki.radioreference.com
There's undoubtedly more to find out - if / when you do please feel free to add it
Mike
DMR and MOTOTRBO Tips for the BCDx36HP and SDS Scanners - The RadioReference Wiki
There's undoubtedly more to find out - if / when you do please feel free to add it
Mike
friendlybob
Member
Yes, as soon as I got ALL 5 of my scanners, I saw they were on the DMR program so I purchased them right away. I did pick up a couple broadcasts but I saw weird TGID's. I did submit them, they did list them once I posted them here in the Reference. But furthermore, I want to thank each and every one of you for your responses!! You guys are always the BEST and very professional. Blessings to all of you and HAPPY LISTENING!! If I happen to pick up anything new I will certainly post it. They don't have many incidents, but when they do...WOW, they're usually interesting!
What has been confirmed for this system can be found here. Below are other frequencies that are licensed at Gary, Portage and East Chicago. The number following each frequency would be the logical channel number (LCN) for that frequency. The two frequencies in bold are already confirmed in use, but their LCNs aren't in the Radio Reference database yet (I submitted them today). The remainder of the frequencies/LCNs have not yet been confirmed in use.
462.0375 is licensed at both East Chicago and Portage. 463.2375 and 463.7875 are licensed at both Gary and East Chicago, and 464.4375 is licensed at both Gary and Portage. If any of these frequencies are in use with this system, it stands to reason that they'd likely be active at only one site or the other.
Some of these frequencies might be in use with this system, others might not. You might consider programming them into your scanner anyway with a color code of 0 (zero) in the event that they are active or become active in the future. Due to the number of active frequencies already confirmed in use there, my guess is that only a few (if any) listed below for the Gary site might be active with this system.
If you are able to confirm any of the (non-bold) freqs below as active with this system, please submit the site, frequency, and LCN information to the Radio Reference database.
Gary: 461.6375(130), 461.6625(132), 461.7375(138), 461.7875(142), 461.9875(158), 462.0125(160), 463.2375(258), 463.4875(274), 463.4875(278), 463.7875(302), 463.9125(312), 464.4375(354), 464.575(365), 464.825(385), 464.8875(390) and 464.975(397).
Portage: 462.0375(162), 463.4375(274), 463.9625(316) and 464.4375(354).
East Chicago: 461.7625(140), 462.0375(162), 463.2375(258) and 463.7875(302).
Finally, there's the possibility that I've missed some licenses for these locations. If you feel that you're missing parts of conversations, try searching the 461-465 MHz range for DMR transmissions with a color code of 0 (zero).
Happy monitoring!
462.0375 is licensed at both East Chicago and Portage. 463.2375 and 463.7875 are licensed at both Gary and East Chicago, and 464.4375 is licensed at both Gary and Portage. If any of these frequencies are in use with this system, it stands to reason that they'd likely be active at only one site or the other.
Some of these frequencies might be in use with this system, others might not. You might consider programming them into your scanner anyway with a color code of 0 (zero) in the event that they are active or become active in the future. Due to the number of active frequencies already confirmed in use there, my guess is that only a few (if any) listed below for the Gary site might be active with this system.
If you are able to confirm any of the (non-bold) freqs below as active with this system, please submit the site, frequency, and LCN information to the Radio Reference database.
Gary: 461.6375(130), 461.6625(132), 461.7375(138), 461.7875(142), 461.9875(158), 462.0125(160), 463.2375(258), 463.4875(274), 463.4875(278), 463.7875(302), 463.9125(312), 464.4375(354), 464.575(365), 464.825(385), 464.8875(390) and 464.975(397).
Portage: 462.0375(162), 463.4375(274), 463.9625(316) and 464.4375(354).
East Chicago: 461.7625(140), 462.0375(162), 463.2375(258) and 463.7875(302).
Finally, there's the possibility that I've missed some licenses for these locations. If you feel that you're missing parts of conversations, try searching the 461-465 MHz range for DMR transmissions with a color code of 0 (zero).
Happy monitoring!
friendlybob
Member
Thank you much for all of your help!! I finally got to where I'm hearing everything with the exception of their "Emergency Band". When they have a fire or ambulance call, they immediately switch to this and I haven't found it yet. I'll keep monitoring and using Close call and other tools to try to track it down. If/when I do, I will certainly share it. They have an ambulance call as we speak! The only TGID's they use I've found is the ones listed already. The 16777056 is for the dispatch tones for and ambulance and fire call. After the tones, they give location and nature of call, then switch to the emergency band. Thanks again for everyone's help!! Happy Listening!!
Blessings, Bob.
Blessings, Bob.
The Radio Reference database shows TG 16777056 has been reported as a "systemwide" talkgroup, which might include the site at Granite City, IL. Are you certain that the tone-outs you're hearing on that TG are for the Indiana sites? Also, are you hearing traffic on talkgroups like 1001, 2001 or 3001? Those are the fire and security TGs that have been discovered for the Indiana sites, could one of those (or other talkgroups in that range) be the "Emergency Band" you're referring to?
monitor142
Member
Food for thought, the "Emergency Band" could be a conventional channel on site if local public safety resources that would respond have UHF capabilities (Conventional, not DMR). That may be the time for close call or a search of the 450 and 460MHz bands.
I was thinking something along those same lines earlier, that it could be a conventional VHF (biz band?) freq that the local FDs, etc. would have programmed in their radios.
They are licensed for repeaters on 151.5875, 153.065, and 153.275. They are licensed for bases and mobiles on 151.505, 151.985, 152.870, 152.915, 152.945, 153.080, 153.125, 153.275, 153.335, 153.350, 153.365, 153.380, 158.280, 159.525, 159.570, 159.675, 159.765, 160.020, and 160.155.
Hopefully one of these might be the "Emergency Band".
west-pac
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16777056 is not a valid TG number. TGs only go up to 65xxx, for any P25 system.
west-pac
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This system is a DMR Tier 3 system
Are you pointing out facts again? 😄
Regular talkgroups and Radio IDs for DMR have a range from 1 to 16776415. 16776416 to 16777215 consists of reserved and special talkgroups/radio ids. Annex A of the DMR Part 1 Air Interface Protocol (ETSI TS 102 361-1) lists the numbering.
friendlybob
Member
Here's what I found. The 1001 is Security at Gary and Midwest, the 3001 is the fire department talkaround for the fire inspectors doing systems work. 2001 I believe used to be for East Chicago security, but they closed. The 16777056 is for the dispatch tones and initial dispatch of the type of emergency and location. The VHF band they used to use before going to their DMR upgrade was 153.320. I'm going to listen to it and find out if this could be the emergency band. After the tones drop and the dispatch goes out, this is what they call the "Emergency Band" I will find out after listening. You guys are the BEST!! You crack me up!! I was the one who reported the original talkgroups after listening for some time. I did the submission a while ago. Until we find out the secret band, I'll keep listening. Thank you ALL again!! Blessings, Bob.
friendlybob
Member
Update! I just found the VHF frequencies listed under the County Systems in RR Database. I just programmed them into all 5 scanners. We'll see what the usage is or if they're even still used. Have a terrific week until we chat again!! Blessings, Bob.
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