VCALL / VTAC Question & Freq. Step

[PMJ2kx]

Just wanted to mention that upgrades / rebanding is currently taking place (at least the administrative side) on the CCOM system. At least, that's from the technician's mouths.

Anyway, they (WCCCA techs) mentioned they had been doing some testing on VCALL (155.7525) and VTAC-1 (151.1375), in which CRESA (Clark County's dispatch) could hear and "got a little nervous with all the traffic and [started] monitoring VTAC-1."

First of all, do VCALL and the VTAC channels get used at all? Secondly, since my 246T rounds the frequency up, would changing the frequency step on those allow me to program them in without rounding, and also...what would the step be? 7.5khz?

 

[oregontreehugger]

As for the 246T I can answer that... yes, you should be able to change the step size to 7.5 kHz and enter the exact frequency (155.7525). Based on the step size, I'd say it's probably a narrowband frequecy setup, too. ("SNFM" on the 246T)

I haven't heard any traffic yet on the VCALL/VTAC channels but programmed them in anyway.

 

[Baker845]

The BC246T does let you change the steps. Ofter you program the freq(s) in the scanner go to steps and change it to 7.5 khz. I would put the VCALL and VTac freqs in the scanner. Here in Lane County the VCALL and VTACS freqs will be used in a 7 county interop network, and the system may be built forther north,if they havn't started all ready.

 

[usfsengine]

What does the V-Call & V-Tac Stand for? What is there purpose? Are they some Interop thing? I have never listened to them? Would there be any activity on them if there was no big incident going on?

 

[KE7JFF]

I've heard Hillsboro PD use it a few times if they don't want to tie up a talkgroup. Recently while in Astoria I heard an WSP unit talking to an OSP unit on it actually.

And yes, its used for interop communcations.

 

[Baker845]

KE7JFF, Hillsboro PD as VHF radio in there cars?? Are there still use of Vhf freq other then CCOM in Washington county??


usfsengine, the V stands for Vhf. They are Used for as KE7JFF stated are for interop communtions. Usfsengine,they will be used in your county which is part of the 7 county interop network. They will same times be used if there no big incident, from info i seen they can be used for day to day use.

 

[PMJ2kx]

I did a little homework!

In addition to VCALL, they also have UCALL (UHF Calling), and ICALL (800MHz calling) within the state. It's all part of OWIN, the Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network.

More info here:
http://www.oregon.gov/SIEC/

This document is especially interesting:
http://www.oregon.gov/SIEC/docs/statewide_com_interop_pln_4-08.pdf

 

[Baker845]

Are they testing Uhf as well?? And are the VCall-Tac freqs using 156.7 rx PL?

 

[KE7JFF]

V-Call is squelch only; everything else should have tones.

 

[Grog]

V-Call is squelch only; everything else should have tones.

To add to that, it can also be programmed as having CTCSS on the TX just in case someone has it programmed with a tone on the RX. So you might see the tones popping up on a scanner if it can display them on the fly.

 

[KE7JFF]

To add to that, it can also be programmed as having CTCSS on the TX just in case someone has it programmed with a tone on the RX. So you might see the tones popping up on a scanner if it can display them on the fly.

Good idea.

And Baker, I don't know if its fleet wide with HPD but these two guys had VHF radios.

 

[n7maq-1]

Every radio that I have programmed (hundreds) with VTAC channels have the PL tone, and ALL channels are ENCODED only with a 156.7 CTCSS. The paper work that I saw specified CSQ on RX, and 156.7 on TX.

Jim

 

[Baker845]

That what i thought, but wasnt sure.

Thank you N7maq-1

 

[siren134]

Vtac, Utac, and Itac channels are the new national inter ops channels.

 

[k7frk]

KE7JFF, Hillsboro PD as VHF radio in there cars?? Are there still use of Vhf freq other then CCOM in Washington county??


Hillsboro PD does not have VHF in their cars and haven't since they switched to the 800mHz years ago. Hillsboro Fire & Rescue still has VHF in most of their vehicles for statewide mutual aid in case they go out of the metro area.

 

[Baker845]

ok, makes sense, sounds like other then Clackamas county, fire units still have VHF.

thank you

 

[KE7JFF]

That might be what I heard. All I heard was references to Hillsboro landmarks and police jargon, but it could of been HFD talking for all I know.

 

[code3cowboy]

V call and the V tacs are 12.5khz channels. Tx tone 156.7 no rx tone.

 

[PMJ2kx]

While we're on the subject of interoperability...

So here's something interesting...

While programming in Woodburn Fire's LTR system, I notice that two of their system frequencies are the same as UTAC 1 a and 3 a (453.4625 and 453.8625, respectively), and in fact have heard regular traffic from NORCOM.

So what happens if / when agencies try and use these UTAC Interop channels nearby? Does Woodburn take their system offline? Or do they (police / fire / EMS who want to use those channels) deal with the interference?

Keep in mind, I live in Sherwood, behind a hill, and can still pick up Woodburn loud and clear. Seems kinda stupid to have something being broadcast locally on a nationally designated channel, and at such a high power that it can be heard from miles away...

 

[n7maq-1]

The FCC granted WRFPD the license for those channels before there were the UTAC channels. The site is on Goat Mt. I would think that you could hear them in Sherwood.

So here's something interesting...

While programming in Woodburn Fire's LTR system, I notice that two of their system frequencies are the same as UTAC 1 a and 3 a (453.4625 and 453.8625, respectively), and in fact have heard regular traffic from NORCOM.

So what happens if / when agencies try and use these UTAC Interop channels nearby? Does Woodburn take their system offline? Or do they (police / fire / EMS who want to use those channels) deal with the interference?

Keep in mind, I live in Sherwood, behind a hill, and can still pick up Woodburn loud and clear. Seems kinda stupid to have something being broadcast locally on a nationally designated channel, and at such a high power that it can be heard from miles away...