Yellowstone National Park articles in the wiki

[ka3jjz]

I am in the midst of identifying, and isolating (to a certain degree) all the articles in the wiki that have frequency information, and I've spotted something that could stand a bit of cleanup.

We have 2 articles for Yellowstone in the wiki, but it's unclear which of them have correct frequency information. The links are below

Yellowstone National Park - The RadioReference Wiki

Yellowstone National Park (ID/MT/WY) - the RR Wiki

Notice that there's something at the bottom that I migrated from another article - evidently yet a third listing of frequencies.

This is not good - I'd like to combine the articles into one (probably by making a 2 page article out of it, so it's not so crowded), but don't know how much of that information is any good. Do we have anyone that's very familiar with Yellowstone that can take a look and clean this mess up? Don't be afraid to chop and copy - because that's what I'm going to have to do if we can't get this done.

Remember, anyone can edit most of the articles in the wiki - including these 2.

TIA...Mike

 

[SCPD]

I wrote the first article you provided the link for, or at least revised what was there. My sources were a website called "Secret Yellowstone" and an official source that will remain nameless. I don't see any differences between the listing of repeaters and their frequencies with the chart in the second article you linked to. They are in a different format and the names vary, but I provided both names in the first article so they can be cross checked. For example the chart shows a repeater named "Larmar," which is located on Mt. Washburn, the park's hub electronic site.

I understand the unit identifier data is fairly accurate, however, I obtained that information from the "Secret Yellowstone" website and I can't completely vouch for its accuracy. The best source would be local scanner listeners who can validate or provide additional observations for editing it.

I did quite a bit of work to gather the information for the first article. I would like to stay involved in any revisions that are to be made.

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Yellowstone’s radio system
http://www.yellowstonewiki.com/wiki/Radio_System

The other Yellowstone thread.
http://forums.radioreference.com/wyoming-radio-discussion-forum/104165-yellowstone-frequencies.html

 

[SCPD]

I just did some editing of the page I wrote. I found a repeater missing from my first version. I also cleaned up a few things for clarity and to make the format more readable.

 

[ka3jjz]

OK then what about the 2nd Yellowstone article? Is that accurate or not?

I think what I'd like to do is to combine the frequency information on the 2nd article with the first - having the same type of information (some of it probably is a copy of something else) on 2 different and unlinked pages is just going to cause more confusion

Then a link can be built from the page with all the text to the page with all the frequencies.

Mike

 

[ecps92]

The 2nd was one of my earlier Wiki's and I didn't know the earlier one existed.
Built it on an Official Channel plan at the time..

I see a condensed listing was added to the bottom...

OK then what about the 2nd Yellowstone article? Is that accurate or not?

I think what I'd like to do is to combine the frequency information on the 2nd article with the first - having the same type of information (some of it probably is a copy of something else) on 2 different and unlinked pages is just going to cause more confusion

Then a link can be built from the page with all the text to the page with all the frequencies.

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

Yeah that was from yet another article that had this information. I'm trying to condense it so that we have one page for all the frequencies for that area - having them spread out like this is not good because no one knows to look anywhere else (apart from the database, of course) for this information.

 

[ka3jjz]

Speaking of the database, I found this in the Wyoming federal area

Federal Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

I didn't see anything similar listed in Idaho or Montana (even though the park does branch into those 2 states), although the Fire Interagency freqs are in the Idaho 'US Government' area ...I can understand this, I think, to a certain extent since as I understand it, most of the park is in Wyoming

So that brings up the same question about which ones are right? If the database is correct, you can use the extensions to bring the entry for Yellowstone into the wiki, then build the 'unverified' listings around it. If you're unfamiliar with this, here's the link...

RR Wiki Extensions - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[ecps92]

I've always been torn about linking the RRDB to the Wiki's.
Maybe it's just my experience in also using the Wiki to know how recent the info is

I've been using the Wiki more for the Channel Plan (Code plugs etc)
as the RRDB will only list ONE Freq Pair with the typical RX tone, not
the individual Repeaters (and I do see the reason/difference from the DB side)

Yeah that was from yet another article that had this information. I'm trying to condense it so that we have one page for all the frequencies for that area - having them spread out like this is not good because no one knows to look anywhere else (apart from the database, of course) for this information.

 

[ka3jjz]

As some have already seen, I added a link to the database at the very bottom of the 2nd article. I could have used the extensions, but with the data we have there vs. the data in the database, it would have been confusing at best.

I would like to copy (or perhaps Exsmokey would be so kind) as to move the frequency information from the first article to the second, and simply make a link to the second article for the frequencies. That way nothing is lost, and everything insofar as the frequencies go is where it should be - on one article, not 2 or more...your thoughts?

Mike

 

[SCPD]

My repeater information came from an official source and is current to April, 2013. It did not list the specific location of some of the repeaters, but "Secret Yellowstone" did. I cross referenced the tones to come up with specific locations, but listed them as possible locations rather than confirmed ones. The NAC's came from "Secret Yellowstone" also and they look suspect to me. I recommend they not be listed.

I think my repeater information is the best available as it is part of an official listing.

 

[SCPD]

Speaking of the database, I found this in the Wyoming federal area

Federal Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

I didn't see anything similar listed in Idaho or Montana (even though the park does branch into those 2 states), although the Fire Interagency freqs are in the Idaho 'US Government' area ...I can understand this, I think, to a certain extent since as I understand it, most of the park is in Wyoming

So that brings up the same question about which ones are right? If the database is correct, you can use the extensions to bring the entry for Yellowstone into the wiki, then build the 'unverified' listings around it. If you're unfamiliar with this, here's the link...

RR Wiki Extensions - The RadioReference Wiki

I didn't check the frequency listings in the Wyoming federal link. I did note that someone put NIFC command frequencies in the listings and labeled them as being Yellowstone's. The air to ground frequencies under the commands are outdated as well.

 

[SCPD]

As some have already seen, I added a link to the database at the very bottom of the 2nd article. I could have used the extensions, but with the data we have there vs. the data in the database, it would have been confusing at best.

I would like to copy (or perhaps Exsmokey would be so kind) as to move the frequency information from the first article to the second, and simply make a link to the second article for the frequencies. That way nothing is lost, and everything insofar as the frequencies go is where it should be - on one article, not 2 or more...your thoughts?

Mike

I can do that, but I don't know how soon. It might be a couple of days before I can get started. It is relatively easy as I just need to edit the frequencies. I will have add a repeater or two.

I think the two articles should be merged into one. With the correct frequency plan displayed on the first page and the unit designator information in the same place a listener can program a scanner and decipher the traffic.

I think the database should remain as it is as long as it reflects the information I obtained recently. Database policy does not allow listing multiple repeater listings for one frequency. With one article available a listener can leave their scanner in tone search to identify what repeater they are listening to. The listener can use the unit designator information to help decipher the traffic heard. Two pages for one subject doesn't make sense as someone may find one and not the other. Why should someone have to print two different articles and refer to them back and forth? Makes more sense to have one article only.

I can edit the frequency information as the formatting has already been done. Transferring the other material from the second page to the first is more problematic as I am not fully proficient with the program language and symbols of the Wiki. It would be great if someone else with more knowledge transfers and combines the information from both pages.

 

[ka3jjz]

It's quite easy, actually. Just doing a cut/paste is a simple matter.

I can do that today, then you can add and change whatever you wish in that second article. If you let me know about what needs to be changed in that table (or should that table be dropped entirely?) I can handle that too

My email is ka3jjz (at) comcast (dot) net

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

OK before I do any chopping, I've added some wiki style formatting to the Yellowstone article and rearranged a few things. It's a far cleaner read now

There's also a temporary link to the 2nd page for the freq listings that are there, and that's the only link to that page. I've also cross linked this page to the Federal areas in Idaho and Montana in the wiki

Before I go further, see what you think...Mike

 

[SCPD]

OK before I do any chopping, I've added some wiki style formatting to the Yellowstone article and rearranged a few things. It's a far cleaner read now

There's also a temporary link to the 2nd page for the freq listings that are there, and that's the only link to that page. I've also cross linked this page to the Federal areas in Idaho and Montana in the wiki

Before I go further, see what you think...Mike

Nice job. I appreciate you updating the frequency tables. I would still like to see the two pages combined. The frequency tables should be merged into my page and placed where I have my frequency information now. The list of the repeaters as shown on my page, should be shown after the tables, minus the frequency information I have there now. The north net information in the charts is incorrect. North net includes just the one repeater on 166.325. The Lamar Net is on 166.375. Each net has only one frequency, this is how it is shown in official listings according to my source. The table for the Lamar Net is short the Cooke repeater.

The north net repeater location is a mystery. At first I thought it was on Henderson Peak, north of Cooke City, outside the park on the Gallatin NF, but that is most likely incorrect. I recontacted my source and he does not know where this repeater is located. The official information lacks the location as well. I will try to dig up the location somehow.

Thanks for the work you have done here, especially the willingness to do the edits. Writing new pages and editing old ones reminds me of the computer class I took in college in 1970. The language was FORTRANS and we had to punch our own cards. Then we had to wait overnight for our work to be run and find out the next day that we typed a comma where a semicolon was supposed to go. I wish the wiki was more simple as I would find time to write a few more pages that could be quite informative.

 

[Squad10]

166.325 MHz - Mount Washburn?

Mount Washburn Fire Lookout - Yellowstone Wiki

 

[SCPD]

166.325 MHz - Mount Washburn?

Mount Washburn Fire Lookout - Yellowstone Wiki

The official information does not show a site for the north repeater. "Secret Yellowstone" shows it at Mt. Washburn, but I don't list its location as being confirmed. I added text to the page that shows it is possible it is located on Mt. Washburn. I've done this for other repeaters with the same circumstance.

I did not add that this mountain is likely to be the hub of their communications system. It would be logical as it has vehicle access for maintenance, is probably line of site with the park's HQ in Mammoth and probably can "see" all the other repeaters. If not their might be some repeaters with microwave or 400 MHz links to the nearest site that can relay back to Washburn.

 

[ka3jjz]

Thanks for the kind words.

In one of your earlier messages I think you mentioned that there was a repeater or two that needed to be added. If you would send me that information at my email (given earlier) I'll include it with the rest of the information

I'll tackle combining the 2 frequency listings in the next day or two...Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

OK I've edited the tables and inserted the freq information from the first article into the second. Before I wipe out the freq listings on the first article, if someone would proof it to make sure I didn't miss anything, that would be helpful

I can then go ahead and wipe the freq listings on the first Yellowstone article, and we can put a fork in this, and mark it done :.>>

Mike