Montpelier PD gone Digital??

[Blackink]

I haven't heard the Montpelier PD for about a week now on frequency: 460.0500 Tone 118.8Hz.

Wondering if anyone has heard if they've switched to digital?

Something must be going on........

 

[ecps92]

They had been Dual-Mode since back in 2013, however no NAC reported
Washington County VT Police Departments - Scan New England Wiki

I haven't heard the Montpelier PD for about a week now on frequency: 460.0500 Tone 118.8Hz.

Wondering if anyone has heard if they've switched to digital?

Something must be going on........

 

[Blackink]

They had been Dual-Mode since back in 2013, however no NAC reported
Washington County VT Police Departments - Scan New England Wiki

By Dual-Mode, are you meaning both analog & digital?

 

[ecps92]

Yes, having the Selectable capability to alternate the mode.
I've seen agencies Dispatch in Analog and the Cruisers are P25 and vice-versa as well

By Dual-Mode, are you meaning both analog & digital?

 

[Blackink]

Yes, having the Selectable capability to alternate the mode.
I've seen agencies Dispatch in Analog and the Cruisers are P25 and vice-versa as well

Dang.....Looks like I'll be looking for a new digital scanner soon!

Thanks

 

[Blackink]

I have more questions:

1) Can an analog and a digital transmission be on the same frequency?

2) How would I find out more info on the digital system MPD is using?

Thanks............

 

[Thunderknight]

To answer your question #1, yes they can, but not at the same time. But some units can be digital and some analog. If programmed for that, the radios will receive both (called mixed mode).

Try programming your scanner for the same frequency but no tone (carrier squelch). If you hear 1-5 second transmissions of "noise", that is probably them in digital mode.
If digital they could be encrypted too. Only way to know (besides a post from someone who already knows) would be a digital scanner or something like DSD (software). If they are encrypted, you won't be able to listen.

 

[Blackink]

To answer your question #1, yes they can, but not at the same time. But some units can be digital and some analog. If programmed for that, the radios will receive both (called mixed mode).

Try programming your scanner for the same frequency but no tone (carrier squelch). If you hear 1-5 second transmissions of "noise", that is probably them in digital mode.
If digital they could be encrypted too. Only way to know (besides a post from someone who already knows) would be a digital scanner or something like DSD (software). If they are encrypted, you won't be able to listen.

ecps92 mentioned Dual-Mode (mixed mode) so you both are probably correct there.

I'd be surprised if they were encrypted (and I hope NOT!).

I'll try the no tone (carrier squelch) and listen....

Thanks for the help.....

 

[Blackink]

Well, I no sooner set my CTCSS/DCS to OFF on Frequency 460.0500 and started getting what sounds like static/buzzing for about 3-5 seconds.

The amount of times that I'm hearing this sound would be comparable to if they were talking on their radios. Sometimes it's every couple of minutes, sometimes I don't hear anything for a few minutes and then when I do hear it, it can last for what seems like the length they would be talking on the radio: 2 seconds to 30 seconds, average time seems to be about 3-5 seconds.

Does that sound like it's a digital frequency to you?
If so, how would I find out if it's Phase I, Phase II, or Encrypted?

 

[ecps92]

Phase II is for a trunked system only.

The only way to note ENC is to listen

Depending on make/model, some scanners skip over ENC P25

Well, I no sooner set my CTCSS/DCS to OFF on Frequency 460.0500 and started getting what sounds like static/buzzing for about 3-5 seconds.

The amount of times that I'm hearing this sound would be comparable to if they were talking on their radios. Sometimes it's every couple of minutes, sometimes I don't hear anything for a few minutes and then when I do hear it, it can last for what seems like the length they would be talking on the radio: 2 seconds to 30 seconds, average time seems to be about 3-5 seconds.

Does that sound like it's a digital frequency to you?
If so, how would I find out if it's Phase I, Phase II, or Encrypted?

 

[Thunderknight]

The easiest way is to buy a digital scanner
If you want to experiment, read up on DSD / DSDPlus as a cheaper (but less portable) method.

 

[Blackink]

So when I buy a digital scanner and program in the Montpelier PD on frequency 460.0500, which seems to be the frequency they are transmitting on, would I put the tone on "SEARCH" to find out what tone they are using?

I wouldn't think they would be transmitting on that frequency using the same tone they were using before while on Analog: 118.8Hz, correct?

 

[ecps92]

A Digital Scanner would be programmed for Tone Search and Auto for the mode, it will generally then display the PL/DPL if on Analog and the NAC if on P25

Leaving it in Automode will also allow you to hear them when/if they use Analog PL

So when I buy a digital scanner and program in the Montpelier PD on frequency 460.0500, which seems to be the frequency they are transmitting on, would I put the tone on "SEARCH" to find out what tone they are using?

I wouldn't think they would be transmitting on that frequency using the same tone they were using before while on Analog: 118.8Hz, correct?

 

[Thunderknight]

So when I buy a digital scanner and program in the Montpelier PD on frequency 460.0500, which seems to be the frequency they are transmitting on, would I put the tone on "SEARCH" to find out what tone they are using?

I wouldn't think they would be transmitting on that frequency using the same tone they were using before while on Analog: 118.8Hz, correct?

Well it's a NAC search, not a tone search. NAC is used for P25 and is just some data bits in the P25 data stream. Same operational concept as a tone, but it's technically very different.

But you are correct, they would not have a 118.8 tone on digital (they would be no "tone" for digital, but there would be a NAC).

 

[Blackink]

A Digital Scanner would be programmed for Tone Search and Auto for the mode, it will generally then display the PL/DPL if on Analog and the NAC if on P25

Leaving it in Automode will also allow you to hear them when/if they use Analog PL

Thanks.....

 

[Blackink]

Well it's a NAC search, not a tone search. NAC is used for P25 and is just some data bits in the P25 data stream. Same operational concept as a tone, but it's technically very different.

But you are correct, they would not have a 118.8 tone on digital (they would be no "tone" for digital, but there would be a NAC).

Thanks for the clarification, much appreciated!!

 

[jimlawrence]

MONTPELIER — The Montpelier Police Department is now using Project 25 digital voice technology for its radio communications.

Talk of the Town  : Times Argus Online

 

[Thunderknight]

MONTPELIER — The Montpelier Police Department is now using Project 25 digital voice technology for its radio communications.

Talk of the Town *:*Times Argus Online

Ugh, they are not hearing "interference".

 

[Blackink]

MONTPELIER — The Montpelier Police Department is now using Project 25 digital voice technology for its radio communications.

Talk of the Town *:*Times Argus Online

Thank You. I've been so busy, I haven't had much time for the local newspaper.

Thanks for seeing it

 

[jimlawrence]

You're welcome, Steve.

Let us know if you get a NAC for them, please.

I'm also wondering if Barre City PD has gone P-25, too? Do you listen to them, Steve?