Washington County (WI) P25P2 VHF being replaced by 700Mhz system by 2026

[EPHWIS]

Looking a various public records it appears that Washington County is moving to a 700Mhz system. They currently use VHF with an overlay with 700Mhz. Here's information from the Washington County, Wisconsin 2024-2025 Adopted Budget:

"In 2018 the County implemented a 700 MHz overlay system (suitable for penetrating hardened buildings) in the communities of Hartford, Germantown, Slinger, and West Bend. Given the positive feedback associated with the overlay and the age of the original trucked VHF system, in 2019 the County Board approved a resolution authorizing a countywide buildout of the 700 MHz and the retirement of the VHF system. The Sheriff’s Office began the four-phase project in 2020, with preparations and work continuing on phases three and four. The cost of replacing the radio system and equipment is expected to be approximately $15M-$16M – the majority of which was funded with a debt issuance, and the remainder with sales tax collections from prior years that were allocated through the budget process to public safety projects. The principal and interest on the debt is funded in the current budget with sales tax collections".

Once the new towers are being utilized, the county will no longer lease space on water towers in Germantown and Hartford according to notes for future budget years.

Two new towers were constructed (Kewaskum & Hartford) and they will using a new Ozaukee County Tower (Pinnacle Tower on Hwy Y in Saukville).

I researched the towers in the FCC database and show the following for the county. I don't know if there are any other leased towers that might be used.

Tower Sites:
1031708
Constructed: 08/01/1986
43-19-57.0 N 088-15-36.0 W
NE CORNER LOVERS LN RD AND US 41
SLINGER , WI
Existing Tower

1031710
Constructed: 01/01/1986
43-26-28.0 N 088-11-42.0 W
1313 JEFFERSON ST
WEST BEND , WI
Existing Tower

1318522
Constructed: 08/30/2023
43-31-20.0 N 088-13-38.1 W
204 First Street
Kewaskum , WI
New tower

1320547
Cancelled
43-15-04.6 N 088-22-11.2 W
6695 State Highway 167
Hartford , WI
Cancelled because of community opposition; replaced by 1321732

1321732
Constructed: 06/02/2023
43-16-15.8 N 088-22-34.5 W
2291 State Highway 83
Hartford , WI
New Tower

1324096
Constructed: 08/30/2023
43-27-38.6 N 088-00-11.9 W
N5071 County Road Y
Saukville , WI
New-Ozaukee County Tower. There is information in the Ozaukee County Radio Committee minutes about Washington County using the tower.

The current license for the 700Mhz system (WQXU277) shows the following towers and frequencies:
Current Towers
West Bend
Slinger
Germantown (leased)
Hartford (leased)

Frequncies-FB2
770.25625
770.83125
771.25625
771.78125
772.13125
Frequncies-FX1/MO
800.25625
800.83125
801.25625
801.78125
802.13125

Note sure if they will add additional frequencies as the current VHF system has 10 channels.

 

[ScanWI]

Frequncies-FB2
770.25625
770.83125
771.25625
771.78125
772.13125
Frequncies-FX1/MO
800.25625
800.83125
801.25625
801.78125
802.13125

Note sure if they will add additional frequencies as the current VHF system has 10 channels.

The 700 is running in Phase II mode now, so they have 8 voice paths vs 9 on the VHF. Adding one more repeater, which they could easily do, we then give them more capacity then they have now. This is interesting to watch this transition, similar to WISCOM moving to 7/800MHz.

 

[lenk911]

With the Harris Phase II system can't the control channel TDMA a voice channel which makes 9 total voice channels?

 

[ScanWI]

It can but it would only support Harris radios right now. I think Tait radios may also support a TDMA CC, but I don't think anyone else is there yet.

 

[19-685]

Just a thought here... any chance the VHF system would be transferred over to the state as a WISCOM VHF site - even with the planned WISCOM transition to 700Mhz?

Currently there is no WISCOM site in Washington County.

 

[EPHWIS]

I am not sure if this a fact, but if you look at the link below for WISCOM costing study there is a listing on page 54 showing "Agency Summary Shared Subscriber and Network Cost" and Washington County is listed as having [1031] Mobiles, [640] Portables and [16] Control Stations on WISCOM at a yearly cost of $588,028. I was wondering if Washington County will turn their new network over the state? I don't want to start rumors, but you will have to look at the report and draw your own conclusions. The study is part of the WISCOM upgrade package-I am not sure of the date of the report, if it is still relevant or what the data means. Maybe it is only showing the data "if" a county decides to switch over or Washington County did not report the correct data for the survey. I just wonder why Washington County comes up the second largest user behind Dane County. Unfortunately Washington County is discussing these things in their Executive Team discussions and so the open records for meetings are very vague and don't provide any specfic information. The Executive Team will come up a proposals (beyond radio systems) and the County Board just "rubber stamp" approves those proposals without a lot of debate.

https://oec.wi.gov/wp-content/uploads/docs/wiscom/WISCOM_Report_Final.pdf

 

[EPHWIS]

This was posted in Jerry Smith N9YTH's grants for this week. Not sure if it is related to radio upgrade. I'll let the experts comment . . .

WASHINGTON, COUNTY OF
500 ROLFS AVE
WEST BEND WI 53095
ULS FCC View

Callsign: WPLX932
Radio Service: GE-Public Safety/Special Emergency and Public Safety, National Plan, 806-817/851-862 MHz, Conv

WASH CO SHERIFFS DEPT IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND WILL USE RADIO STATION TO COORDINATE ESSENTIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS.

Action: MODIFIED

Area of Operation
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2 FIXED 432628.0N 881142.3W WEST BEND WASHINGTON WI
3 MOBILE 25.0 KMRA around site
4 FIXED 432541.3N 881021.0W WEST BEND WASHINGTON WI

Pwr ERP # of # of (A)nalog
Ref Class Freq Out Out Units Pagers (D)igital (X)Unknwn
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2 FB2 859.26250 100 324 1 0 8K10F1D (D),8K10F1E (D)
3 MO 814.26250 035 035 150 0 8K10F1D (D),8K10F1E (D)
4 FB2 859.26250 100 140 1 0 8K10F1D (D),8K10F1E (D)

 

[Tim118]

Looking a various public records it appears that Washington County is moving to a 700Mhz system. They currently use VHF with an overlay with 700Mhz. Here's information from the Washington County, Wisconsin 2024-2025 Adopted Budget:

"In 2018 the County implemented a 700 MHz overlay system (suitable for penetrating hardened buildings) in the communities of Hartford, Germantown, Slinger, and West Bend. Given the positive feedback associated with the overlay and the age of the original trucked VHF system, in 2019 the County Board approved a resolution authorizing a countywide buildout of the 700 MHz and the retirement of the VHF system. The Sheriff’s Office began the four-phase project in 2020, with preparations and work continuing on phases three and four. The cost of replacing the radio system and equipment is expected to be approximately $15M-$16M – the majority of which was funded with a debt issuance, and the remainder with sales tax collections from prior years that were allocated through the budget process to public safety projects. The principal and interest on the debt is funded in the current budget with sales tax collections".

Once the new towers are being utilized, the county will no longer lease space on water towers in Germantown and Hartford according to notes for future budget years.

Two new towers were constructed (Kewaskum & Hartford) and they will using a new Ozaukee County Tower (Pinnacle Tower on Hwy Y in Saukville).

I researched the towers in the FCC database and show the following for the county. I don't know if there are any other leased towers that might be used.

Tower Sites:
1031708
Constructed: 08/01/1986
43-19-57.0 N 088-15-36.0 W
NE CORNER LOVERS LN RD AND US 41
SLINGER , WI
Existing Tower

1031710
Constructed: 01/01/1986
43-26-28.0 N 088-11-42.0 W
1313 JEFFERSON ST
WEST BEND , WI
Existing Tower

1318522
Constructed: 08/30/2023
43-31-20.0 N 088-13-38.1 W
204 First Street
Kewaskum , WI
New tower

1320547
Cancelled
43-15-04.6 N 088-22-11.2 W
6695 State Highway 167
Hartford , WI
Cancelled because of community opposition; replaced by 1321732

1321732
Constructed: 06/02/2023
43-16-15.8 N 088-22-34.5 W
2291 State Highway 83
Hartford , WI
New Tower

1324096
Constructed: 08/30/2023
43-27-38.6 N 088-00-11.9 W
N5071 County Road Y
Saukville , WI
New-Ozaukee County Tower. There is information in the Ozaukee County Radio Committee minutes about Washington County using the tower.

The current license for the 700Mhz system (WQXU277) shows the following towers and frequencies:
Current Towers
West Bend
Slinger
Germantown (leased)
Hartford (leased)

Frequncies-FB2
770.25625
770.83125
771.25625
771.78125
772.13125
Frequncies-FX1/MO
800.25625
800.83125
801.25625
801.78125
802.13125

Note sure if they will add additional frequencies as the current VHF system has 10 channels.

If I am scanning this system with an SDS100... Do I need to have both the VHF and 700mhz frequencies in the scanner? Or just the 700mhz ?

 

[EPHWIS]

If you are in West Bend, Germantown or Hartford the 700mhz would give you better coverage, for the areas outside of that that VHF will be better. If you download the system from Sentinel the scanner will monitor both sets. I deleted the 700mhz because I am in Sheboygan Co and the 700mhz aren't received here.

 

[zathusz]

all of the fire departments in the county have now been upgraded to the new XL-200s as of last week friday. that is unless the squad/ apparatus already has an XG-100 or was not part of the original spec for when the order was placed (any new cars in 2025 will not get radios unless the department buys them from this point on).

Departments include the follwing:

• Kewaskum FD
• Boltonville FD
• Fillmore FD
• West Bend FD
• Hartford FD
• Richfield FD
• Slinger FD
• St Laurence FD
• Germantown FD
• Germantown FD.
• Allenton FD
  Current radio IDs in the wiki are no longer going to match, will update soon with more information

 

[EPHWIS]

all of the fire departments in the county have now been upgraded to the new XL-200s as of last week friday. that is unless the squad/ apparatus already has an XG-100 or was not part of the original spec for when the order was placed (any new cars in 2025 will not get radios unless the department buys them from this point on).

Departments include the follwing:

• Kewaskum FD
• Boltonville FD
• Fillmore FD
• West Bend FD
• Hartford FD
• Richfield FD
• Slinger FD
• St Laurence FD
• Germantown FD
• Germantown FD.
• Allenton FD
  Current radio IDs in the wiki are no longer going to match, will update soon with more information

I have been seeing new radio ID's on unitrunker. Also noticing data transmission (along with voice) on West Bend FD radios. Are they transmitting location or status (10 codes) or is the data radio specific (like unit numbers?).

 

[zathusz]

I have been seeing new radio ID's on unitrunker. Also noticing data transmission (along with voice) on West Bend FD radios. Are they transmitting location or status (10 codes) or is the data radio specific (like unit numbers?).

As far as I know it's only Unit numbers, il add new numbers to the data base for fire soon along with radio IDs and vehicle type

 

[jmsanders83]

Effective Monday, Germantown Dispatch will finish its transition completely to Washington County Sheriff's Department. This was announced on their Facebook page. It started with third shift, and recently second shift.

For the past few weeks, it seems like the usage of WASO1/WSD Main and WASO2/WSD Muni has changed. The new talkgroup assignments for Dispatch purposes appear to be:
WASO1/"WSD Main": Sheriffs, State Patrol when communicating with County, Slinger PD, Jackson PD, Trenton PD, Newburg PD, Kewaskum PD
WASO2/"WSD Muni": Hartford PD, Germantown PD

GPD units are still heard using GPD Main 57600 (Old Dispatch) for special assignments/unit to unit.

Germantown FD is still paging on their own Paging channel (simulcast on 154.310), and units appear to be responding on County Fire and operating on Germantown Command or V-TacRed.

 

[zathusz]

Effective Monday, Germantown Dispatch will finish its transition completely to Washington County Sheriff's Department. This was announced on their Facebook page. It started with third shift, and recently second shift.

For the past few weeks, it seems like the usage of WASO1/WSD Main and WASO2/WSD Muni has changed. The new talkgroup assignments for Dispatch purposes appear to be:
WASO1/"WSD Main": Sheriffs, State Patrol when communicating with County, Slinger PD, Jackson PD, Trenton PD, Newburg PD, Kewaskum PD
WASO2/"WSD Muni": Hartford PD, Germantown PD

GPD units are still heard using GPD Main 57600 (Old Dispatch) for special assignments/unit to unit.

Germantown FD is still paging on their own Paging channel (simulcast on 154.310), and units appear to be responding on County Fire and operating on Germantown Command or V-TacRed.

As of 7/7/25 at 7am Germantown police no longer has a dispatch and is on WASO2

 

[Tim118]

Effective Monday, Germantown Dispatch will finish its transition completely to Washington County Sheriff's Department. This was announced on their Facebook page. It started with third shift, and recently second shift.

For the past few weeks, it seems like the usage of WASO1/WSD Main and WASO2/WSD Muni has changed. The new talkgroup assignments for Dispatch purposes appear to be:
WASO1/"WSD Main": Sheriffs, State Patrol when communicating with County, Slinger PD, Jackson PD, Trenton PD, Newburg PD, Kewaskum PD
WASO2/"WSD Muni": Hartford PD, Germantown PD

GPD units are still heard using GPD Main 57600 (Old Dispatch) for special assignments/unit to unit.

Germantown FD is still paging on their own Paging channel (simulcast on 154.310), and units appear to be responding on County Fire and operating on Germantown Command or V-TacRed.

I have a SDS100 programmed from the uniden database... Does anyone know if there are going to be new IDs ? It's hard to tell who you are listening too anymore as it all comes up on my scanner as Sheriff

 

[jmsanders83]

As for their actual unit ID numbers, it helps to listen for:

WASO1 WSDMain:
State Patrol "State 200s"
Sheriffs 400s
Newburg 500-510
Trenton 511+
Kewaskum 800s
Jackson 901-949
Slinger 950+

WASO2 WSDMuni:
Hartford 600s
Germantown 700s

 

[zathusz]

I have a SDS100 programmed from the uniden database... Does anyone know if there are going to be new IDs ? It's hard to tell who you are listening too anymore as it all comes up on my scanner as Sheriff

Im working on a list for unit number, department and truck number, almost done on the fire side, il drop it here and update the wiki when done


A few departments have since gotten rid of squads, have switched radios between cars ect.

 

[Tim]

Does anyone know something about the TOWN of Hartford PD? They have a relatively active Facebook page. I have never heard or seen reference to them responding to anything. I would presume they are dispatched by the county since everyone but West Bend is now. Anyone have ideas of unit numbers?

When they put out official press releases for incidents in the town, they mention about Washington County SO responding. From their website, It appears like they have only four officers so I am sure that WASO would cover the town at time. I have never seen anything about them responding to anything.

 

[zathusz]

Alright boys and girls here you go
Now there is some things missing, Richfield got something new and moved radios around, Germantown has some XG-100s they will keep as they work on the new system only the old single band VHF stuff got replaced

Department	Vehicle		Radio ID
Kewaskum FD	1885-Truck		6751885
Kewaskum FD	1884-Brush		6751884
Kewaskum FD	1862-Engine		6751865
Kewaskum FD	1864-Engine		6751864
Kewaskum FD	1860-Ladder		6751860
Kewaskum FD	1890-Tender		6751890
Kewaskum FD	1850-Ambualance		6751850
Kewaskum FD	1892-Tender		6751892
Kewaskum FD	1881-Chiefs Car		6751881
Kewaskum FD	1800-Base Station		6751800
Kewaskum FD	1886-ATV		6751886
Boltonville FD	2356- Suburban		6752356
Boltonville FD	2399-Chief Car		6752399
Boltonville FD	2387-Brush		6752387
Boltonville FD	2398- Assistant chief		6752398
Boltonville FD	2300- Base Station		6752300
Boltonville FD	2368-Tender		6752368
Boltonville FD	2365-Engine		6752365
Boltonville FD	2384-Rescue		6752384
Boltonville FD	2360-engine		6752360
Boltonville FD	2393-Tender		6752393
Fillmore FD	2282-Brush		6752280
Fillmore FD	2290-Tender		6752290
Fillmore FD	2250-Ambulancr		6752250
Fillmore FD	2260-Engine		6752260
Fillmore FD	2200-Base		6752200
West Bend FD	Hazmat trailer 5107		6755107
Hartford FD	1681-Grass Truck		6751681
Hartford FD	1684- Admin SUV		6751684
Hartford FD	1680- Fire Marshal		6751680
Hartford FD	1682-Admin		6751682
Hartford FD	1660- Engine		6751660
Hartford FD	1695-Tender		6751695
Hartford FD	1690-Pumper		6751690
Hartford FD	1663-engaine		6751663
Hartford FD	1665-Engine		6751665
Hartford FD	1661-Engine		6751661
Hartford FD	1670-Ladder		6751670
Hartford FD	1652-Ambulance		6751652
Hartford FD	1685- Rescue		6751685
Hartford FD	1685-Rescue		6751686
Hartford FD	1600-Base		6751600
Hartford FD	1651- Ambulance		6751651
Richfield FD	1953- Ambulance		6751953
Richfield FD	1951-Ambulance		6751951
Richfield FD	1900- Base station		6751900
Richfield FD	1962- Pumper		6751962
Richfield FD	1991-Tender		6751990
Richfield FD	1661-Engine		6751960
Richfield FD	1993- Tender		6751992
Richfield FD	1981 (to be renamed 1941)		6751950
Richfield FD	1961 Engaine(Pumper)		6751961
Richfield FD	1992 (tender)		6751991
Richfield FD	1941 RIT rescue		6751954
Slinger FD	2194 Tender		6752194
Slinger FD	2188 Grass truck		6752188
Slinger FD	2182- Grass truck		6752194
Slinger FD	2186- ATV		6752186
Slinger FD	2192- Tender		6742192
Slinger FD	2160- Engine		6752160
Slinger FD	2164-engaine		6752164
Slinger FD	2180-Rescue		6752180
Slinger FD	2181- Old command		6752181
St Laurence FD	2500- Base		6752500
Germantown FD	1752 - Ambulance		6751752
Germantown FD.	1785- Brush		6751784
Germantown FD	1754-Ambulance		6751754
Germantown FD	1764 - engine		6751764
Germantown FD	1786- Staff		6751741
Germantown FD	1771 - Ladder		6751786
Germantown FD	1705 - Battalion chiefs		6751790
Germantown FD	1799- Chief		6751785
Germantown FD	Base station		6751700
Allenton FD	Ladder- 1370		6751370
Allenton FD	Engine 1361		6751361
Jackson FD	1251- Ambulance		6751251
Jackson FD	1283- Grass		6751283
Jackson FD	1282- Grass		6751282
Jackson FD	1290- Tanker		6751290
Jackson FD	1285 - Grass (big).		6751285
Jackson FD	1250 - Ambulance		6751250
Jackson FD	1250- Ambulance		6751259
Jackson FD	1291		MISSING
Jackson FD	1270- Ladder		MISSING
Jackson FD	1281- Chief		6751281
Jackson FD	1260- Rescue		6751260
Jackson FD	1281- Chief 2		6751281
Jackson FD	1261- engine		6751261
West Bend FD	MED 18- Ambulance		675
West Bend FD	MED 11- Ambulance		6755111
West Bend FD	MED 12- Ambulance		6755112
West Bend FD	Paramedic Interceptor		MISSING
West Bend FD	MED 21- Ambulance		6755121
West Bend FD	Intercept 1		6755810
West Bend FD	Med 31- Ambulance		6755141
West Bend FD	Engine 12		6755121
West Bend FD	Engine 1		6755163
West Bend FD	Tower 1		6755161
West Bend FD	Tender		6755164
West Bend FD	Engine 3		MISSING
West Bend FD	Battalion 1		6755140
West Bend FD	Tech rescue		6755140
West Bend FD	Brush Truck		6755180
West Bend FD	Plow Truck		6755141
West Bend FD	Mini Van		6755172
West Bend FD	DC car		6755171
West Bend FD	Chief		6755170
West Bend FD	Intercept 2		6755199
West Bend FD	Base 1		6755101
West Bend FD	Base 2		6755102
West Bend FD	Base 3		6755103
Newburg FD	Ambulance 1450		6751450
Newburg FD	Grass1499		6751499
Newburg FD	Command 1440		6751440
Newburg FD	Grass 1480		6751480
Newburg FD	Truck ?		6751441