Wisconsin State Patrol

[waynemuck]

I have the Wisconsin State Patrol, Wausau Post, and all related frequencies programed into my BC246T, however, the scanner doesn't seen to be able to pick up anything. I also have a BC15T(base/mobile) that I track the State Patrol with @ home on Bear Tracker and don't have any problems scanning the State Patrol. Is there something I'm missing here? I have other PD's programmed(Vilas County) on the BC246T and they all work fine. Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[gregroo75]

I have Wisconsin State patrol, Wausau Post programmed in my scanner too. Every now and then I hear something on their frequency. I mainly hear the dispatcher talking. I don't hear the troopers talkign to dispatch.

 

[KB9NLL]

I have the Wisconsin State Patrol, Wausau Post, and all related frequencies programed into my BC246T, however, the scanner doesn't seem to be able to pick up anything. I also have a BC15T(base/mobile) that I track the State Patrol with @ home on Bear Tracker and don't have any problems scanning the State Patrol. Is there something I'm missing here? I have other PD's programmed(Vilas County) on the BC246T and they all work fine. Anybody have any suggestions?

155.44500 is the one that matters the most.

BC246T portable
BC15T(base/mobile)
BCT15 Base/Mobile

Portable's may not recieve as far as base/mobile's.

Assuming you know that already...

Try 155.44500 on both your scanners next to each other in manual or search mode and adjust the squelch on the handheld to none.

Or use the base antenna on the handheld.

Check how it's programmed if you recieve it in search mode example your scanner has: Strong signal attenuation...

Hope you figure it out.

 

[OpSec]

The WSP and DNR radio systems are not designed or meant to be used with portables, so trying to use a handheld scanner will result in even worse performance. If you are trying to listen to any of the region dispatch channels, and you want to hear both sides of the conversation, you need a good antenna on a vehicle or at home. Handheld scanners with rubber duck antennas are not going to cut it.

As for "related frequencies", all you need 99% of the time is the Post's dispatch channel...in your case 155.445 as reflected in the database. If there is sensitive traffic, it will be via MDC or phone. Statewide may be worth a listen, but for the most part it is quiet.

 

[waynemuck]

Thanks to both of you for your input. I have not yet installed my external antenna on the base unit, I have one, just haven't had the time to get it up. I understand that the reception range of the handheld portable doesn't equal that of a base unit with an outside antenna. I have the attenuation programed to auto on both units. I also mistakening believed that the WSP had a repeater on the government tower located on Musky Mt., only 5 miles to my south southeast. I have since learned that is not the case. The main reason for having the scanners at all is to supplement the pagers and fire radios of our local volunteer fire dept. Our fire radios do not have the capability to scan or monitor Vilas County Sheriff or any other law enforcement frequencies. On a recent boating accident incident, our fire dept acting on mutual aid was set up on one boat landing, and the dept we were assisting was set up on another on the other end of the lake along with Vilas Sheriff. The other dept was able to communicate directly with Vilas on scene. With our inability to monitor Vilas Sheriff, we were pretty much left in the dark, only being able to get information second hand as it were by relay from our boat on the water or by the other dept if they so happen to share it. The decision to program the WSP into the portable was to have it available if need be. Perhaps in the event it was necessary to monitor the WSP, say at the scene of a 10/50, a better method would be to use the close call feature. My only experience to date with scanners has been using an old Uniden Bearcat BC148XLT that I picked up at a pawn shop. I'm still on the learning curve with the new systems and technology provided with the new scanners.

Once again, Thank you for your input.

 

[waynemuck]

That's interesting. On my base unit, sometimes I hear dispatch and almost always hear the cars talking. At other times I hear both. The most puzzling aspect is that many times the cars I hear are down in the Wausau area. I always pick up the cars operating in Vilas County. Atmospherics?

 

[OpSec]

That's interesting. On my base unit, sometimes I hear dispatch and almost always hear the cars talking. At other times I hear both. The most puzzling aspect is that many times the cars I hear are down in the Wausau area. I always pick up the cars operating in Vilas County. Atmospherics?

Nope. Geography.

Each Post's repeater is setup so that the majority of their area is covered by the repeater, so the the field can hear each other. This is often accomplished by one, two or more of the sites acting as repeaters that simulcast which requires timing and synching of the transmitters. Some Post's repeaters sound better than others. The comm centers only talk from one tower at a time, based on where the car is that they are communicating with, so you will not always hear dispatch in the larger Posts/regions, and the Wausau Post is one of the largest areas. This is especially true if you live at one end of the region, as the other end could be 80-100+ miles away.

 

[waynemuck]

That makes a lot os sense, and explains why I don't always hear the dispatch. I'm way north in the Wausau post area. Additionally, I turned the attenuation setting on the handheld "OFF", and now am recievcing the cars on the handheld and this morning, I'm even getting bits and pieces of the dispatch from the Wausau post. I've been able to recieve enough info to understand what's going on with a truck/vehicle 10/50 in Waupaca County, just west of I39. I'm still on the learning curve and will keep experimenting.

 

[Cobbersmom]

That makes a lot os sense, and explains why I don't always hear the dispatch. I'm way north in the Wausau post area. Additionally, I turned the attenuation setting on the handheld "OFF", and now am recievcing the cars on the handheld and this morning, I'm even getting bits and pieces of the dispatch from the Wausau post. I've been able to recieve enough info to understand what's going on with a truck/vehicle 10/50 in Waupaca County, just west of I39. I'm still on the learning curve and will keep experimenting.

Hi Wayne, I'm Sue from Arbor Vitae. I pick up state patrol as far as Waupaca, Stevens Point and other similar areas. Usually I hear the dispatcher and cars. Remember a couple weeks ago when that guy in Price County shot his girlfriend and killed her mom? The dispatcher put out a call to all the cars (I'm assuming the northern area) and each had to reply that they received the BOLO. Weird
BTW, I see you're north of Boulder Jct., I'm on Arrowhead Lake across from Monicals Pizza.