Wilmer - New System????

[BenScan]

Instead of joining a regional system, like NTIRN or GMRS, it looks like Wilmer is getting their own new radio system. I tried searching for city council items and general Googling, but so far haven't found anything discussing it.

FCC Callsign WSMM801 (WILMER, CITY OF)

https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=5288007

It looks like many of the same frequencies that Arlington is using are being licensed. Hmmm.

 

[Tradioman]

Interesting. NTIRN has a site just a mile or so to the South on Millers Ferry.

 

[hiegtx]

It looks like many of the same frequencies that Arlington is using are being licensed.

Shades of Arlington's old Moto Type II system& the old Waxahachie site on the ETMF system, before it rolled into TxWARN & Waxahachie went a different direction. I could hear both systems from home, and noticed I was occasionally hearing calls from one city on the other's system. Then, after looking at the systems, I saw one of the frequencies was used on both systems.

I'll program the new frequencies & see if I get any activity later on. Since the license was issued a little over ten days ago, it may take a little time before they get new radios & start using them.

Even though I'm probably 10 to 15 miles from Wilmer, their Vhf channels are barely readable, with a lot of static. Maybe they're using a rusty coat hanger duct taped on the side of their dispatch office, Why they suddenly need a new, separate, system, instead of joining NTIRN, which everyone surrounding them uses, is beyond me.

 

[kmartin]

Balch springs has their own system , and has not joined NTIRN or GMRS

 

[BrokenCircuit]

I wonder if anyone else is joining them? I thought everyone was happy with NTIRN, can't see even Hutchins jumping ship. Maybe Wilmer likes playing with their own barbie dolls ...

 

[hiegtx]

I wonder if anyone else is joining them? I thought everyone was happy with NTIRN, can't see even Hutchins jumping ship. Maybe Wilmer likes playing with their own barbie dolls ...

I think you're probably right. Why would they need a 5 frequency trunked system for a town that currently has a population (estimated) of about 7,500? I know they've grown substantially from their 2020 Census population of just under 5,000, with all the warehouses in that area (including those in Hutchins, to their north), but a stand alone, build from scratch system rather than joining an established system does not make sense.

All the areas adjacent to them, that could and do respond on a mutual aid basis, are on NTIRN. That includes Hutchins, Lancaster, the mostly unpopulated area of Dallas County to their east (like 'Sand Branch') covered by Dallas S.O. & Dallas County Fire, as well as Ferris in northern Ellis County.

Looks like the site will be using the water tower at that location. At least they are not also putting up another stand alone tower.

 

[Russell]

I'm confused. Aren't the frequencies listed on Wilmer's license WSMM801 the exact same frequencies used by Arlington on NTIRN (though expired). Is ~40 miles far enough to not interfere?

 

[hiegtx]

I'm confused. Aren't the frequencies listed on Wilmer's license WSMM801 the exact same frequencies used by Arlington on NTIRN (though expired). Is ~40 miles far enough to not interfere?

It wasn’t far enough “back in the day” as I noted above, where I was receiving (occasionally) Waxahachie traffic on Arlington’s system, or ‘vice-versa’, Arlington calls on the Waxahachie system back when Arlington was using their old Moto type II system, and Waxahachie was on the old ETMC site in Ellis County. They shared two voice channels.

 

[hiegtx]

Both used 852.5625 and 853.2625.

 

[hiegtx]

I don't see a current, active, license for Arlington's frequencies in the RR FCC listings. Not that this is the first time someone kept using expired frequencies.

 

[nd5y]

If Arlington is operating illegally with an expired license (and they don't have other valid licenses for the same frequencies) then the frequency coordinators can assign the frequencies to somebody else. The new licensee can then complain to the FCC about interference and they could force Arlington to shut down their illegal operation. That could be expensive and fun to watch.

 

[hiegtx]

If Arlington is operating illegally with an expired license (and they don't have other valid licenses for the same frequencies) then the frequency coordinators can assign the frequencies to somebody else.

None of the listed frequencies for the Arlington site in NTIRN, including those now licensed to Wilmer, are on an active FCC license in Tarrant County.

The new licensee can then complain to the FCC about interference and they could force Arlington to shut down their illegal operation. That could be expensive and fun to watch.

Indeed that may be fun to watch. Better make sure I have enough popcorn.

One would have thought that Wilmer's radio supplier (listed as BREAKTHROUGH COMMUNICATIONS on the license) would have researched things thoroughly.