What type of scanner works best with the Lexington fire trunking system?

[hundley206]

Ok so I have had it, iv got a BC796D scanner and some day’s I here the trunking system ok and others its just plan bad and is never really good. I get the data channel no problem but its like my scanner is having trouble translating it. So iv had it now Im on a mission if I have to get a new scanner so be it I will lesion to lex fire so help me! Lol Note: I do live in Richmond but my scanner did the same stuff when I took it it a friends house in Lexington.
So….
HELP!!!!!!
Thanks
206

 

[unitcharlie]

Hi Guy.... the first thing to do is make sure you have the Lexington TRS programmed so you have three distinct sites (Virtual Site 1, Virtual Site 3 & Virtual Site 4) in such a way that each of them is scanned a separate system.... The freqs listed per the Virtual Sites are in correct LCN. I am not sure how that happens on the 796 but on the 396 each site becomes a system replete with all the talk groups I want to monitor programmed for each system. The PSR 500 works essentially the same way (each site becoming a separate system); with the PRO 92 thru 96 each site must be assigned its own bank, again with all the talk group ids programmed for each bank.... Be sure to use channel 01 as the first channel in each bank.... remember you can mix conventional with EDACS but don't put them into the first eight or six (for Virtual Site 4) freq slots....

As to which scanner will track the Lexington TRS? I hear it very well from your location with my PRO 95/96/97 and 396.... you should be able to monitor all three sites, but I have heard Virtual Site 4 into Rockcastle County.... I recommend the Rat Shack 800 meg antenna if you are only interested in monitoring the trunked systems in the area (it does fairly well on VHF).

I don't know where Madison County is going with their trunked system--they haven't reconfigured yet--so I'm a little reluctant to make recommendations about a specific scanner, but I will say if you are buying a new one make sure it can be upgraded to cover the reconfigured Motorola systems and, if you can handle the extra ash I'd go digital as well (then you can also monitor Blue Grass Army Depot and Ky State Police).

When you get your new ears let us know what it is or if you keep the 796 let us know that as well.... there are a number of folks here who can help.....

 

[hundley206]

Ok thanks you’re a huge help! Right now all the Lexington TRS is programmed in bank 5 ill try putting it in bank 1 ch 1. do I just need to program all the Virtual Site’s or do I need to program those with the other listed sites like clays ferry Winchester RD Winchester ect … and yes my BC796D is grate with KSP and the army depot! Sorry if Im a little slow Im just a 20yo Amateur scanner guy lol

 

[unitcharlie]

Never too early to figure things out.... the rr.com wiki has some good information on the various trunking systems.... EDACS and Motorola. Lexington is an EDACS TRS, Madison County is a Motorola TRS....

Program these into your scanner so each site is a separate system...

LEX TRS 1
01 857.26250
02 858.26250
03 859.26250
04 854.71250
05 856.26250
06 855.21250
07 856.93750
08 857.93750

LEX TRS 3
01 856.43750
02 857.43750
03 858.43750
04 858.98750
05 859.43750
06 859.93750
07 855.26250
08 856.86250

LEX TRS 4
01 858.21250
02 858.76250
03 859.21250
04 859.76250
05 854.21250
06 854.48750

start on channel 01 as indicated.... good luck!!!!

 

[Jono40141]

Richmond's system is terrible. I live here for college and live in Lexington when school is not in session. I enjoy the hobby a lot more when I am in Lexington. It's not really a hobby in richmond (no its not that bad). The KSP is strong. I can pick them up over 200 miles away. It is the craziest thing ever. Its very good I feel like I can be underground and KSP will still work. Richmond will eventually upgrade. Hopefully they wont go to fancy due to the Army Depot being here which could = encryption. If you need any help I'm in the Lex area a lot and have AIM for a instant response if you would like.

 

[squad546]

Getting the 800 antenna made a huge difference for me! I just noticed something, all this time I had one of the freqs entered wrong, wonder if thats why I keep getting all that annoying control channel noise?!

 

[unitcharlie]

That'll do it..... ouch~!

 

[hundley206]

Well My scanner is doing much better with the frequency’s programmed in the right order. Its kind of odd if I haven’t trunked the Lexington system for awhile then when I go to trunk it it will still give me the data channel sometimes but the longer I trunk the less I hear the data noise. It’s kind of like it has to get warmed up to the system , if that’s even possible? Yea I guess I am going to have to break down and buy a 800 antenna that sounds like what could be casing my problem right now. But I am definitely hearing things better than when I first stared this thread!

And to Jono40141 I would love to talk to you I can help you out as well I don’t seem to have any trouble with the Richmond trucking system so maybe I could help you out. Iv got a friend that works for the Madison county EOC and he says that if the money is there then some time in the next 3 years Madison will be going to some kind of digital 800meg trucking. But who knows I haven’t heard any thing about encryption just yet.

 

[KR4BD]

I have been monitoring the Lexington Fire Department on the local EDACS system since "Day One" on the system back in 1999 (or maybe it was 2000). Anyway, I have used a variety of scanners. Overall, the system initally did not get out very well. If you lived outside of New Circle Road like I do, it was very difficult to monitor on most scanners.... There just was not enough signal for them to track properly. Several improvements have taken place over the years which have really helped in the monitoring of this system. One thing that really helped me was getting the Radio Shack 800 MHz rubber duck antennas for the handhelds. The system itself, has been upgraded with multiple sites to fill in all the "holes" in coverage. This has really helped. Also, it should be mentioned that some scanners definitely work better than others. Here is my experience living OUTSIDE New Circle Road (almost in Jessamine County) regarding listening to the Lexington EDACS system and the scanners I OWN.... OR HAVE OWNED:

Radio Shack Pro-92....A real clunker with POOR sensitivity at 800 MHz. I still have this antique because it is good for the other bands.

Radio Shack Pro-94....I have had TWO of these (early and late version) and find them to be THE MOST SENSITIVE FOR 800 MHz trunk tracking. Downside: this model offers little in the way of "features" like Alpha tagging etc., but as a true radio, they work well at 800 MHz and I find them easy to program.

Radio Shack Pro-97....Almost as good at the Pro-94 as far as sensitivity goes, but more difficult to program manually. This scanner has lots of nice features, too.

Radio Shack Pro-2052 (desktop model)....Virtually useless at 800 MHz where I live unless I connect to an outside antenna up about 40 feet on my ham tower.

Again, these comments apply to the Lexington EDACS system only with the scanner models I am familiar with. I program ALL my scanners manually.

Bottom Line: The Pro-94 and 97 models work well for me, even at my location. The only place where I have any luck with the Pro-92 is at my office which is located within eyesight of the UK campus, home of one of the sites for this system.

Programming errors are probably the most common problem I see with people claiming they can't get their scanners to work on the system. LCN order is critical. Check to see if all frequencies are "open" and not locked out.