VSP problems (?)

[LEH]

I've been having some problems with VSP, both conventional and STARS.

First, the conventional problem. Over the past couple of weeks, around 5 - 6 PM I have had VSP (both the Peninsula and Southside) just lock up like there is a carrier. Typically it is the time period when I am headed out to grab something to eat then go bowl. So I am in my Explorer. The normal scanner running for VSP is my 2096, but I have had this occur with my 500 and 396 (with different antennae) as well. At one time, I had all three scanners stopped on the VSP Peninsula channel.

Any other time, the scanner seems to work with no problem. The problem seems to occur on 17 between Victory and Fort Eustis.

Second, I started over to the Neptune Fest todaya and as I got deeper into VB, I noticed that STARS was no longer working. I made a pit stop at Fort Story and tried to find control channel with no luck. This was with my 96 and 500.

On the return trip, I did start getting STARS again as I got close enough for the Hampton tower. Did anyone possibly notice the Chesapeake tower being down today?

 

[mikext]

VSP Problems

I have had a problem over the last week or so with Ch-9 locking up as if it was a open mic. This is on my BCT-15.

 

[LEH]

I have had a problem over the last week or so with Ch-9 locking up as if it was a open mic. This is on my BCT-15.

That is the same channel and problem that I am seeing. Thanks for verifying that haven't totally lost my mind.

 

[MOTORHEAD3902]

From where I am, and it's been happening all week, channel 10 is locking up too. I think it's the Emporia tower that I hear on my monitor, for whatever thats worth. Not noticing any problems on ch 9. STARS is without issue here, too- it seems to be confined to the legacy system.

 

[Grog]

it seems to be confined to the legacy system.

Might be someone from /\/\ keying a radio to speed up the STARS rollout

 

[LEH]

From where I am, and it's been happening all week, channel 10 is locking up too. I think it's the Emporia tower that I hear on my monitor, for whatever thats worth. Not noticing any problems on ch 9. STARS is without issue here, too- it seems to be confined to the legacy system.

Then this seems to be rather far reaching as I live about ten miles from the Hampton tower. And as I said in my original post, it is both the Peninsula (Ch 9) and the Southside (ch 10) with the Penisula seeming to be the major culprit.

Whatever it is, it sure makes scanning difficult.

My STARS problem was that I just wasn't getting a CC down on the waterfront in VB yesterday.

 

[SCPD]

LEH.. On my 246T I pick up 159.135 clearer than ever before in Va Beach near Lynnhaven Mall. The I-85 & I-95 units come in like they are right here. 159.165 is a different story. I can be at my Fire Station right next to the HRBT and still not hear it like I could before. I have alot of Trooper friends and a few M units and they are having touble hearing also. One is the new PIO for this area. She has been on TV saying we need 600 more Troopers. Hope this info helps some.

 

[Eugene]

VA State PD

I am also noticing the dead carrier issue, mainly on channel 9. I am on the road a lot at various times of the day and the issue seems to occur randomly at any time all through the day, even heard it at 0100AM. Seems to last about 5-10 mins then stop. I have heard, and I don't know how true this is, that in this area the STARS system is programmed to put out dead carriers on various repeaters to make it difficult to monitor by digital capable scanners. Sounds far fetched but who knows the way this state operates. If this were the case, maybe that could explain the issue. Also, I still cannot track Stars in this area, even though I can scan Richmond flawlessly with no difference in programming so I have pretty much given up. Have a great weekend all.
Eugene

 

[tuttleje]

STARS reception is perfect (well..as good as the system can be with the internal flaws) through the Williamsburg, Petersburg and Hampton sites. I have heard the carrier on 159.165 MHz...but at the exact same time...I do not hear it on the corresponding STARS TG (49).

 

[MOTORHEAD3902]

. I have heard, and I don't know how true this is, that in this area the STARS system is programmed to put out dead carriers on various repeaters to make it difficult to monitor by digital capable scanners. Sounds far fetched but who knows the way this state operates..
Eugene

No, this is not true. The problem is confined to legacy equipment, STARS equipment (the two systems are not tied together at the local tower level) is not affected.
For curiosity's sake, WHERE have you heard this mentioned?

 

[Don_Burke]

I have been getting carriers on channel 9 during morning drive.

 

[leonzo]

I was in VA Beach last Wednesday through Saturday staying at the campground on General Booth Drive. I received STARS intermittently and sometimes not at all. I could not receive STARS on the boardwalk at all. I only had the Chesapeake site in the scanner both 396 and PSR500 and same issue with both scanners.

 

[LEH]

I was in VA Beach last Wednesday through Saturday staying at the campground on General Booth Drive. I received STARS intermittently and sometimes not at all. I could not receive STARS on the boardwalk at all. I only had the Chesapeake site in the scanner both 396 and PSR500 and same issue with both scanners.

Thank you for verifying this one. I couldn't get STARS in that area on Saturday either. Didn't get it again until I got near the Norfolk/VB city line on 264.

 

[Eugene]

To Motorhead; I have a friend who works for the State Office of EMS in this area. He has to go to Richmond for department head meetings once a month. He happened to make a comment to the head of the radio shop for VSP about the STARS system and scanners. He said the person grinned and then went on to explain what they were doing, which is what I have related. So supossedly this info is from the head guy. It still sounds far fetched to me but who knows. Have a great day
Eugene

 

[MOTORHEAD3902]

And I think the radio tech was pulling your friend's leg. When the system was being designed, I asked the lead engineer what the Department's stance on monitoring would be. He related to me in no uncertain terms that the system engineers have enough trouble getting the system to work properly to be worried if they could be monitored on a scanner. The radio techs are down frequently to work on the STARS radio in my work car, and knowing me, they would have mentioned this.

Not to sound like a know-it-all, but there is nothing to worry about with my Department putting out dead carriers to hinder scanning. If there really was a concern with scanning, our Communications Division would implement encryption. It really wouldn't take all that much work to do just that, as all of our radios are OTAR capable and remote-steerable. Some have asked why we dont just go ahead and encrypt already, to which our Comm Division folks reply (quite rightly) that monitoring ISNT a problem. We DO make use of some encryption, but that has been really limited in scope and on simplex channels anyway.

Keep Listening, it'll clear itself up....eventually.....I guess.....:evil:

 

[LEH]

Motorhead,

I am wondering if anyone on the VSP support side is aware of this. I've seen and heard reports of scanners in many police vehicles.

Would a well place hint have some one check to see if there is a problem that needs to be fixed?

 

[SCPD]

This morning I could hear units and dispatch on 159.135... For the last 3 hours I am only hearing dispatch. Guess it is a FALSE HIT.. ha ha

 

[Eugene]

Morohead:
Thanks for the reply. I too feel as though this is a bunch of BS. He also said they had people with scanners riding around to see how well the system could be monitored.....please!!. I agree that if there were such a concern, simply encrypting the radios would fix the problem. I don't know if the radio guy my friend talked to is pulling his leg or if he is above his level of competence (The Peter Principle) and really believes what he is shovelling. Either way, since you have a State radio in your car, I certainly believe your explanations over his. That being said......I still can't figure out why I have such a problem monitoring STARS in this area. I guess I'm just lucky. Anyway, I appreciate your input greatly. Take care and keep up the good work.
Eugene

 

[CVASSB]

Channel lockups

Channel lockups,and missed digital trunk communications seem to be happening allot these days near the Charlottesville area. Not good!

 

[LEH]

Channel lockups,and missed digital trunk communications seem to be happening allot these days near the Charlottesville area. Not good!

Over the broad area that is experiencing these problems I am really beginning to wonder if Eugene's friend may not be right. I hope not.