VIPER P25 System Discussion 2016-2017

[mhodgson]

Mount Pisgah

It would appear that reliable but "un-official" information has proven to be incorrect. VIPER has NOT activated a site at Mount Pisgah. Whereas we do have a valid FCC license for the site, we have been unsuccessful in moving forward with equipment installation at this site. Many of you may recall the history of the site which is controlled by WLOS, in that the site is accessed by a "cog" car that travels up the mountain. The site is shared with UNC-TV for the statewide microwave network along with some other entities. Just after Thanksgiving last year, the cog car had become inoperative and the transmitter engineer was forced to climb the mountain to make repairs. He became exhausted and was found mid way up the mountain and had to be rescued. The cog car was ultimately determined to be out of compliance with its inspection, if memory serves me right, and accessing the site still remains a challenge. VIPER would like to be able to locate equipment here, however we will never jeopardize the safety of those tasked with maintaining the network at the expense of making the site operational.

M

 

[GamecockSJ]

There's a video of the cable track car on YouTube. That thing looked scary when it was deemed functional.

 

[yardbird]

Marshall

Check your PM's

David

 

[NOBEES]

Penderlea Site

The Control Channel for the Penderlea Site (SID 0349) has changed from 853.4500 to 858.4375. Also the following two frequencies have been added to the FCC license WPUU518:
853.9250
857.4375
This information has been submitted to RR.

 

[SCPD]

There's a video of the cable track car on YouTube. That thing looked scary when it was deemed functional.

Wasn't really a bad ride, rode it several times back in the day.

 

[SCPD]

Are changes taking place in the McDowell County area? County communications called for all Motorola VIPER radios to brought in today, I am assuming for reprogramming.

 

[KE4ZNR]

Are changes taking place in the McDowell County area? County communications called for all Motorola VIPER radios to brought in today, I am assuming for reprogramming.

Hmmmm....interesting brother. Just saw Mike H at a meeting here in Triangle but I forgot to ask him about this. McDowell 2nd touch perhaps? Doh! Maybe someone can chime in.
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[INDY72]

It would appear that reliable but "un-official" information has proven to be incorrect. VIPER has NOT activated a site at Mount Pisgah. Whereas we do have a valid FCC license for the site, we have been unsuccessful in moving forward with equipment installation at this site. Many of you may recall the history of the site which is controlled by WLOS, in that the site is accessed by a "cog" car that travels up the mountain. The site is shared with UNC-TV for the statewide microwave network along with some other entities. Just after Thanksgiving last year, the cog car had become inoperative and the transmitter engineer was forced to climb the mountain to make repairs. He became exhausted and was found mid way up the mountain and had to be rescued. The cog car was ultimately determined to be out of compliance with its inspection, if memory serves me right, and accessing the site still remains a challenge. VIPER would like to be able to locate equipment here, however we will never jeopardize the safety of those tasked with maintaining the network at the expense of making the site operational.

M

How much would NCSHP charge to use the helos? In all seriousness though, with the way land is set up in the Mt Pisgah area, it could get tricky. Some of it is Federal National Forest, some State, and if I recall, there is even some private land involved. Building an road up there would be logistical nightmare just dealing with the right of way fun. Would NC Forestry have some fire access roads that could be "improved" at least temporarily? Or maybe USFS access roads?

 

[SCPD]

How much would NCSHP charge to use the helos? In all seriousness though, with the way land is set up in the Mt Pisgah area, it could get tricky. Some of it is Federal National Forest, some State, and if I recall, there is even some private land involved. Building an road up there would be logistical nightmare just dealing with the right of way fun. Would NC Forestry have some fire access roads that could be "improved" at least temporarily? Or maybe USFS access roads?

The side the cable car goes up is straight up, way too steep for any kind of wheeled vehicle. The other side is NPS and they are really reluctant to allow any "improvements" Anyway when the top is reached from the Parkway side it is straight down a ways to the transmitter building. To illustrate how steep it is there's a trap door in the floor to allow loading and unloading of the cable car. If you stand two feet back from the hole in the floor you can not see the ground beneath you, only the valley below.

 

[NOBEES]

NWS?

Just heard a hospital talking with the National Weather Service on the Penderlea site asking to be notified of any severe weather on TG 60584 which is not listed in the VIPER database. This is in the range of US/Federal TGs.

 

[drayd48]

Could someone help me locate where this frequency belongs. I am in Iredell County and live in quite a low area that does not have a lot of radio signal with Viper. I have a RS PRO-651 scanning viper and have the Iredell, Mecklenburg, Davie, Rowan, and Yadkin Towers In (Travel Around A Lot). There has been this frequency that has been receiving viper signals but nowhere in the database or and of the search licenses. The weird part is that it comes in clear as a bell with no signal issues at my house. The frequency is 858.5125. If anyone could helf me find out where it belongs, that would be great. Thanks.

**Update**
I have figured out I am getting it from the Fox Mountain Site CC

 

[BCasto]

Wake Co and Durham Co Viper Differences

From my home near the Cary Morrisville border, I am unable to receive signals from any of the Wake County VIPER sites. But I am able to receive a good signal from the Durham County Brian Center site. From that Brian Center site, will I be able to receive all the Wake County Viper TGs?

 

[KE4ZNR]

From my home near the Cary Morrisville border, I am unable to receive signals from any of the Wake County VIPER sites. But I am able to receive a good signal from the Durham County Brian Center site. From that Brian Center site, will I be able to receive all the Wake County Viper TGs?

Hey Brian! Few things we need to know to help you out:
1) What type of scanner are you using?
2) What talkgroups are you looking to monitor?
Do remember that Wake County Public Safety is on the Wake Simulcast System which is a separate radio system from VIPER. The only "Wake County VIPER TGs" that should be received on VIPER at this time would be the Wake Sheriff Dispatch patch to VIPER (which can be better received on the Wake System) and the SHP C3 Patch.
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[BCasto]

Marshall, good to hear from you.
1) Uniden BCD996XT and BCD996T
2) I would like to monitor Wake County SHP and Medical TGs.
Yes, I am monitoring Wake Simulcast separately. Thanks for reminding me. It was you who straightened my out on this some time ago. Because I can only receive the Durham based site, I was just wondering if it had the Wake Co TGs "turned on".

--Brian

 

[KE4ZNR]

Marshall, good to hear from you.
1) Uniden BCD996XT and BCD996T
2) I would like to monitor Wake County SHP and Medical TGs.
Yes, I am monitoring Wake Simulcast separately. Thanks for reminding me. It was you who straightened my out on this some time ago. Because I can only receive the Durham based site, I was just wondering if it had the Wake Co TGs "turned on".

--Brian

Hey Brian. Remember that the majority of the VIPER system operates in Smartzone Mode. Which means that for you to hear radio traffic on a specific talkgroup there usually has to be a subscriber radio affiliated to that site. So you might (or might not) hear radio traffic depending on who is affiliated to the (in this case) Brian Center site. Working in Durham I can tell you that you will USUALLY hear Duke related talkgroups on the Brian Center site along with Duke Hospital/Duke Regional (old Durham Regional) VMN talkgroups. There is a good chance you would hear (if not C3) then C7 (Durham/Granville) SHP Talkgroups. Kind of a hit or miss deal. Since you have a BCD996XT I would suggest downloading Pro96Com and using the Data output on the 996XT to see which talkgroups are being used on the Brian Center site. That can help you go a long way towards figuring out which site is best to monitor.
I will try to respond further later this evening but as of now I am headed off to the Tarheel Scanner/Shortwave Club Meeting!
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[BCasto]

Marshall, I downloaded the Pro96Com.. Wow what a great tool. I am collecting data now but it looks like you were pretty close on what I will be hearing on that site. Thank you. What's a bit weird is that I have 4 discone antennas in my attic in different spots. Some get stronger reception that others, just yards apart. The signals strength changes through the day. At 35.819022 -78.812925 I should be receiving at least one of the Viper Wake County sites strong enough to monitor. But, alas no such luck. As always thanks for your leadership here and all you do to help.

 

[GMB951]

Has anyone found any Emergency Management talk groups for either Cumberland/Harnet or Hoke Co
Trying to find out for the upcoming storm season

 

[RaleighGuy]

Was in Chapel Hill yesterday and monitored two talk groups not in the database. 52635 & 52636. These fall in the UNC talkgroup range but aren't listed in the database. Couldn't hear enough to identify. Anyone have any idea who's using them?

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[KE4ZNR]

Was in Chapel Hill yesterday and monitored two talk groups not in the database. 52635 & 52636. These fall in the UNC talkgroup range but aren't listed in the database. Couldn't hear enough to identify. Anyone have any idea who's using them?

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Added to the database under the Orange Co talkgroups.
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[RaleighGuy]

Thanks

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