Williamson County

[FlashSWT]

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=78&d=trsinfo&opt=all_tg

Hey all,
I basically just wanted to say “HI” and see if anyone else on here is actively scanning the Williamson County TRS. I started listening to the scanner because of work a couple months ago and have really started to enjoy it. This website has been a big help with getting me up to speed and the Talk Group list is the best I've found anywhere, so a big "Thank You" to Lindsay and everyone else who keeps this site going.
I did have a few questions though. Most are specific to this system but I guess one is a little more generic so thanks in advance to anyone who can answer them. Most of these questions are just based on my pure curiosity and things I haven't been able to figure out myself so I apologize if they seem basic. I primarily listen to just Round Rock and County talk groups and have most of Georgetown and Cedar Park locked out.

1. Re-banding: From what I can tell WC's frequencies are in the range that doesn’t automatically have to be moved due to re-banding. Is this correct?

2. If you check this page (http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&action=fcc&cs=WPIR949) what are all the frequencies in the 809 - 815 range and how do they interact with the TRS? Is it similar to input/output on a conventional frequency system?

3. Why does Cedar Park broadcast their traffic (and talk groups) on WC’s TRS when they have their own separate TRS in place? Is it simply for better range and times when they need inter-agency cooperation?

4. Does anybody know which Fire Department is always dispatching engines/trucks on TG 5072 (almost always +7 Multi-select)? The database has this listed as WC EMS Scene 8. (On further listening before getting around to posting this message it sounds like Cedar Park.) I would assume this is done so the EMS units in the area hear the dispatch at the same time, correct?

5. I've noticed that RRFD primarily uses EMS Scene 2 when dispatched to medical assists. Do the different FDs in the county have "primary/preferred" EMS Scene TGs that they use? For example, could I lock out EMS Scene 1 because that TG is reserved for use by Georgetown FD (or based on my above question, Scene 8 because only Cedar Park FD uses it)?

I guess that is all for now. I’m sure I’ll come up with more questions later if it turns out anyone else is actively listening to this system. Thanks again.

 

[W5TWX]

I sent you a private message (PM) and answered your questions.

 

[rbarker]

I do monitor Williamson County from time to time. We have a local group set up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CenTexComm/. Frequencies in the 809-815 are inputs ot the repeater. If you add 45.0 to any input in 800 Mhz you will get the repeater output. No one knows much about the rebanding. It is rumored that Williamson County is trying to get some grant money to move everything to the Austin/Travis Co Digital System. Cedar Park did have their own system but the public safety decided to jump onto the Williamson Co system. I'm not sure what all the old Cedar Park system is being used for but my guess is just for city services like animal control, etc.

 

[W5TWX]

Sent you a PM Rbarker

 

[FlashSWT]

Thanks guys. I've got questions 2-4 answered but if anyone else has insight on #1 or #5 it would be appreciated.

I heard back from a former dispatcher (over a year ago) who told me that at the time Cedar Park would switch to the county-wide system anytime theirs went down, which I am told was "quite often."

So is CP public safety no longer being heard on the Cedar Park TRS at all? If it is confirmed that CP public safety is exclusively being heard on the Williamson County TRS somebody should probably make a note to that effect in the RR Database (on the CP page).

The last I heard was that Williamson County would like to upgrade their current system to digital (as opposed to joining the Travis County system). However it requires the commitment of all the system users (county, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park) and one or two were holding out because of cost concerns. We'll probably hear more about this in a month or two.

 

[rbarker]

Cedar Park polce and fire are on the county system.

The entire nation is being rebanded. It will effect all systems with frequencies between 851 and 854 MHz and 866 to 869 MHz, so Williamson County may not be affected.

Cedar Park public safety (police, fire and EMS) are all on the county system and not using the city's system. There IS a note on the city page that says they are all using the county's system. I believe all other city services are still on the city's system. I assume public safety has the ability to switch back to the city system should they need to. The county system has gone down before and this could also be used as an entire county backup I guess.

I'm not sure about the preferred use of scene channels. I will ask around and see what I find out. I did notice the big Super 8 Motel fire was on RR Fire Tac 2 and didn't understand why it would not have been on RR Fire Tac 1.

 

[FlashSWT]

I guess I just misinterpreted the note on the Cedar Park page. I took it to mean that the talk groups were being heard on both the CP system and simultaneously on the County system. (Not that they were no longer being heard on the CP system at all.)

Anything you can find out about the EMS Scene TGs would be great. From what I've heard, Georgetown is on Scene 1 and Scene 3, Round Rock uses Scene 2, and Cedar Park uses Scene 8. It seems the agencies "prefer" those TGs but I'm curious to if they are "assigned" those to use exclusively.

I was at the RR Express game when the Super 8 fire broke out, so I wasn't listening, but I would assume they were on Tac 2 simply because Tac 1 was in use (most likely for a medical assist) when the fire was dispatched.

 

[W5TWX]

There is a brushfire going on right now in Williamson Co. and all the FD's are operating on 5520 which is WC Fire Primary. Mutual aid from Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill, Florence, Jollyville, Weir, Georgetown, and RRVFD.

This 5520 was also used a few days ago for the large 3 structure fire in Leander. Pretty much the same FD's were involved.

About your 5072 question EMS scene 8, I saw where EMS was using it for the brushfire and then switched to 4656 Helo 3. I didn't hear any FD's using it.

Now they have requested Starflight to come out and do some water drops. IC ask for them to use Helo 1 which is 4592.

Anyhow, 5520 seems to be a very busy freq for fires in the small towns and in the county. I'll post some updates as I come across them. I'm very busy checking out all freqs in the west side of the county. We should start having an increase in fires since we haven't had any rain. I know they are going to issue a burn ban for W-Co. this next week before the July 4th weekend.

Hello again Robert.

 

[radar]

Fire Channels County
5520 is WCFd Prim (williamson county fire primary ) This the primary talk group that is issued for FDs inside the coutny:we normally patch this channel in if we have multiple Depts responding to an incident out in the county (most city depts only have this county fire channel in there radios):
Take the Leander 3 alamer off of topaz on friday .Leander,Liberty Hill were able to work off of LFD primary vhf channel when IC rqstd Cedar park ,Georgetown and Sam Bass who are one the Williamson COunty System a patch was put on WCFD Primary and Leander primary so each dept could be in conatct with the IC
WC Fire 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9 are only used as tac channels if need be (for now) WC Fire 3 is reserved for the hutto fire dept.
FD 1(gtfd) and FD 2 (rrfd) are used for Georgetown and Round rock to be patched in with a County dept.

Scene Channels
These channels are for RRFD GTFD and CPFD to be patched in with there fire tac channel when EMS is assinged with them
they are patched when a fire unit is responding to a medical call in RR GT or CP
Scene 1 : Georegtown
Scene 2: Round Rock
Scene 3: Georgetown
Scene 4: Round Rock
Scene 5: Georgetown (Not in use)
Scene 6: Round rock (not in use)
Scene 7: Cedar Park ( Not in use)
Scene 8: Cedar Park
Scene 9: Cedar park
Scene 10: Tac, Trainning or Special event

Helo channels
Helo channels are now assigned by districts
Helo 1 Round rock units ( Medics 11,12,13,14)
Helo 2 West Side units (Medics 21,22,23,24)
Helo 3 Georgetown Units (Medics 31,32,33)
Helo 4 Eastside Uints (Medics 41,42,43)
These channels are used when 2 or more Medic units are assigned to a call this channel is used for medical command on scene of an incident and if a helo uint is e/r

as for the system it self there has been talk about going to a digital system but that is still down the road there has also been talk about an upgrade to the system because after 2008 i believe ( dont hold me to that ) motorola will no longer be serviceing that system the same problem that caldwell county is dealing with now
Also the system is maxed out on consoles we are unable to add another console since there is no more room on the system.

If anybody has any question about wilcos system i will try my best to answer them

Thanks Michael (aka RADAR) Williamson county fire/EMS Dispatcher

 

[radar]

did notice the big Super 8 Motel fire was on RR Fire Tac 2 and didn't understand why it would not have been on RR Fire Tac 1.

RRFD Tac 1 was being used for a medical inside the city at the time of the Heavy Box at Super 8

Also incase you were wondering

Hutto fire dpt is dispacthed on FDcomm (vhf) and Wc fire 3 (800)
Sam Bass Fire Dept is toned out on 154.355 (vhf) and SB Disp (800)
these channels are multi slected when tones are being dropped because they do not have an 800 pager

Note: 154.355 this cahnnel is used by RRVFD p/l 151.4 and Florence Vfd p/l 114.8 ? as there primary sam bass only uses this channel for there pagers

 

[W5TWX]

Thanks Radar.

Radioreference.com has all the freqs listed with a short title for each one. The info you have provided is very helpful. You've given us the type of info that cannot be found unless you have some "INSIDE KNOWLEDGE" of what's going on. I knew that all the different FD agencies had other freqs in their radios, but knowing which ones that they used and when is something i've been trying to figure out. I just moved to CP from Round Rock after living there and monitoring their radios for 28 years. (PD and FD) This slower pace in radio traffic has taken some getting used to. However i'm finding that CP stays pretty busy.

Being a ham radio operator, I get involved in radio communications whenever the weather gets rough in the area. I am a former Assistant Emergency Co-ordinator for Williamson County Amateur Radio Emergency Services. I was involved with radio communications for the Jarrell tornado. Something i'll never forget.

I want to give you a big "THANK YOU" for bringing us up to date.

 

[radar]

No Prob anytime

 

[FlashSWT]

WOW, Great info radar!! That is exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for, it is much appreciated.

Since we have someone knowledgeable here I have a few more questions if you don't mind (no offense taken if you do).

1. Do you know if Williamson County is going to be affected by the 800 MHz re-banding?

6. Are EMS Scenes 5, 6, and 7 "not in use" because they are reserved for future needs or some other reason? EMS Scene 6, 7, and 10 aren't listed in the database at the moment, do they actually have talkgroup #s already assigned to them?

Out of pure curiosity, what would happen (as far as EMS Scene TGs are concerned) if RRFD went out on three medicals at once?

7. Talk group 2832 is listed as "RR Police Scene 2" however I hear RR FD toned out on this TG frequently. Any insight?

Thanks again!

 

[radar]

WOW, Great info radar!! That is exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for, it is much appreciated.

Since we have someone knowledgeable here I have a few more questions if you don't mind (no offense taken if you do).

1. Do you know if Williamson County is going to be affected by the 800 MHz re-banding?

AS OF RIGHT NOW NO

6. Are EMS Scenes 5, 6, and 7 "not in use" because they are reserved for future needs or some other reason? EMS Scene 6, 7, and 10 aren't listed in the database at the moment, do they actually have talkgroup #s already assigned to them?

THEY ARE RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE THE FIELD UNITS CAN TALK COMM CAN NOT HEAR THEM SINCE WE DO NOT HAVE THAT TG IN THE COMPUTER/ THEY DO HAVE IDS I JUST HAVENT UPDATED THE LIST (I've been busy working on Leanderfire.org and centexfire.com sites)

Out of pure curiosity, what would happen (as far as EMS Scene TGs are concerned) if RRFD went out on three medicals at once?

HAS HAPPEN SEVRAL TIMES FIRE TAC CHANNEL WILL BE PATCHED INTO FD 2 SAME THING GOES FOR GEORGETOWN BUT THEY WILL BE ON FD 1

7. Talk group 2832 is listed as "RR Police Scene 2" however I hear RR FD toned out on this TG frequently. Any insight?

ORIGINAL CHANNEL NAME WAS RRPD SCENE 2 WHEN IT WAS 1ST IN PLACE (ITS SCENE 2)/THE REASON YOU HEAR TONES ON THIS IS BECAUSE RR DISP MULTI SELECTS AND PATCHES RRFD DISP/ FIRE TAC ? AND SCENE 2 OR 4 THEN AFTER CALL IS DISPACTHED THE PATCH IS TAKEN OFF OF RRFD DISP BUT IS STILL UP ON FIRE TAC AND SCENE

Thanks again!

Hope that helps i will try to update the list and Tg names hopfully by mid july also the answer to the questions are in the qoute part all in CAPS

Also if you happen to see any typos in spelling plz diregard them its been 1 CRAZY busy weekend at comm :shock:

 

[W5TWX]

Radar, what username do you go by on centexfire.com? I check that forum daily.

Thanks for the additional info.

 

[radar]

FDComm

 

[FlashSWT]

Thanks again radar. I guess we'll hold off on more TG #/name questions until you get a chance to update the database in the next few weeks. I know we'll all greatly appreciate the addition of the missing talk groups and updated descriptions on TGs already listed whenever you get the opportunity.

On that note, if you need any help updating the database just let us know. (Assuming it is something simple like comparing the correct list you have with the database and then submitting the changes which need to be made...)

 

[Beaky]

Radar/FDComm know his stuff. If I need to know something I call him! 8)

 

[W5TWX]

SAME GOES FOR ME !

Hey Flash, what kind of scanner are you using?

 

[FlashSWT]

Haha, here is where it gets sad: RS Pro-90! :shock: But hey, it works for this system fairly well.