FDNY Frequencies
- Thread starter baileyjeff
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nfd2004 said:
I just scanned through all four frequencies and they are all transmitting on the 154.xxx frequencies, with Citywide working as of last night.
Thank you. Maybe I hit the panic button too quick. I did pick up activity on 154.... Shortly after I posted that. I was listening about 50 miles outside NYC and usually I have no problem with my portable scanner.
I guess I'm just a little gun shy. I've lost too many of my favorite depts recently going to digital or any other high tech radio communications.
I guess I'm just a little gun shy. I've lost too many of my favorite depts recently going to digital or any other high tech radio communications.
I am in the city and receive all the FDNY VHF (old) frequencies well, but when scanning the new borough UHF frequencies being simulcast, the scanner frequently stops on one or another because of "noise" which can't be squelched out.
Is this a common issue with this band?
Reminds me of years ago a certain Brooklyn Dispatcher had a unique way of doing time checks. He would announce:
"The time is nnnn, your Scanner Has Stopped at KEB-525, Brooklyn Fire Radio, Dispatcher nnn".
Is this a common issue with this band?
Reminds me of years ago a certain Brooklyn Dispatcher had a unique way of doing time checks. He would announce:
"The time is nnnn, your Scanner Has Stopped at KEB-525, Brooklyn Fire Radio, Dispatcher nnn".
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Not to dig up an old topic, but it appears as though the switchover may have happened...i'm very rough with the tech issues and scanners, and it may be due to the fact my BC72XLT was dropped twice the other night, but the 154's aren't comin in anymore, and the newly programmed channels, the 482's, by my buddy are coming in...albeit very faintly and staticy at times, but like i said, programming a scanner is not my strong suit by any stretch...maybe someone can offer some insights?
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NYBravest82 said:
At 23:50 I picked up Manhattan on 154.2500 MHz. At 23:54 then 23:55 I heard Staten Island then the Bronx on 154.1900 MHz. At 00:05 Queens transmitted on 154.400 MHz. At 00:09 Brooklyn transmitted on 154.3700. Seems like they're still transmitting on both sets of frequencies.
FDNY793727 said:
Thanks for the info guys. Of course I am still very happy to hear that 154.XXX is alive and well. When news first came out about the new ultra high band for the FDNY, my current portable scanner couldn't pick it up. So $500.00 later, I picked one up and thankfully I can hear the FDNY loud and clear as I enjoy a few Big Macs at my favorite Micky Ds or the Big One at Dunks a few blocks away.
However, as most guys know, the transmit power of the newer UHF is not as far as the older 154 numbers. I loose it as soon as I reach I-95 at the NY/Ct border (25 miles ?). Prior to that, same scanner, same outside antenna, I would pick them up in Bridgeport, about 60 miles away.
Now I am not a fan of that new digital radio stuff. I thank the Good Lord that FDNY did not go to that. Many people might disagree and there are many excellent departments that use it today.
Another reason I bought this $500.00 radio is because it picks up digital. My first experience with using digital with that scanner was Providence, R.I. Another excellent fire department that I've learned from and are a big fan of. But leaving 154.37 MHz (same as Brooklyn) for a digital radio system has left a very bitter taste with me. As a buff, I used to pick them up 50 miles away. No more. And then the programming and everything else has basically pushed me to the point, I now just "write it off".
Others will totally disagree and they probably know much better than I do with what they're talking about. All I know is, "how GREAT it once was".
The simulcast will continue for an undetermined amount of time. All operations are conducted on the UHF system. A handful of support and staff vehicles still have VHF radios. Over the last few weeks the radio mechanics have drastically cut down the wattage on the VHF system thus reducing the coverage area. 100 watts or less now as opposed to 200-300 watts going off the old VHF system. The DARS system is continuing to expand and the first batch of Motorola APEX portables are being tested on an extremely limited basis.
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dan said:
Could you explain what you mean by the DARS system is going to expand and what the Motorola APEX radios are for? Are battalion chiefs going to eventually be able to re-broadcast on-scene FG transmissions to the UHF system like the Divisions currently do?
Sorry if this diverts from the current topic but I'm in need of recommendations from the knowledgeable on this site. After some 30 plus years my Radio Shack scanner needs to be replaced. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive handheld programmable scanner that is reliable. My main interest is FDNY. Thanks in advance for your responses.
The Uniden Bearcat 125 is relatively inexpensive, has good sensitivity, is easily programmed w/free Uniden software, and doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles.
Here's a link:
http://www.uniden.com/scanners/bearcat-handheld-scanner/invt/bc125atg
The "Grecor" mentioned is "Grecom." The company has been sold to Whistler, the radar detector outfit. The Whistler models are slightly changed from Grecom and significantly more expensive than some Uniden models. I have a couple of pre-Whistler Grecoms and find they are good receivers, but pricey. Also have a BC-125 (above) and find it hard to beat when fitted with a better (longer) antenna.
Here's a link:
http://www.uniden.com/scanners/bearcat-handheld-scanner/invt/bc125atg
The "Grecor" mentioned is "Grecom." The company has been sold to Whistler, the radar detector outfit. The Whistler models are slightly changed from Grecom and significantly more expensive than some Uniden models. I have a couple of pre-Whistler Grecoms and find they are good receivers, but pricey. Also have a BC-125 (above) and find it hard to beat when fitted with a better (longer) antenna.
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I just purchased at the recommendation of a friend the Uniden BCD436HP digital trunked scanner. I am sure it is great and will do all that I would ever need but NEWSFLASH: I am too stupid to operate it! Things aren't simple anymore!!!!!
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This is just some information for everyone who listens to FDNY Fireground communications using the 400 MHz Trunked system on a scanner. The Talkgroup 5392, originally called "Staff Chiefs" on the Radio Reference website, has recently been transmitting the Command Channel for multiple alarms and major incidents.
A friend who is a retired member of the FDNY asked me if I could help him out to understand the newer FDNY frequencies and what might be a good scanner to be used for those channels today. The new UHF frequencies like Manhattan - 482.10625, Bronx - 482.00625, etc.
His question was what scanner is best to be used in order to pick up these frequencies. He said his scanner can not go out to all the five numbers after the decimal places. I too had that concern but I really didn't know the answer.
So what I did was try to ask a few people who knew much more about it. In addition for me I had concerns about some digital frequencies as well. Then comes in terms like "Phase 1", "Phase 2", computer programing, etc. That has put me out of the self programming and understanding these systems by todays high tech standards.
1) I was told by an individual who services the radio system for the entire emergency services of one of our larger cities and the many surrounding cities and towns that even the newer scanners will NOT SHOW all five digits displayed after the decimal point. However despite that, those frequencies WILL work once installed. All the numbers just won't show. I had thought that if all did not show, it is possible to receive "spill over" from another closer frequency.
2) I have asked a few people what scanner do they recommend these days for both mobile and base use. These people know much more about it than I do. I was told the scanner name of "Whistler" might be one of the best choices. In my case I need one that will cover all of the bands, Low, High, Ultrahigh, Digital in my car, aka "The Willy D Buffmobile". At home basically the low and high band would serve my purpose. I'm just a little too far away to pick up the two digital channels I would be interested in. That same "Whistler" seemed to fit my needs. One of the guys also suggested that Uniden makes a good, overall scanner as well.
I've seen the "Whistler" set up in a car. Not much bigger than a cell phone today. In fact it appeared to be a cell phone holder that was supporting that scanner.
A recent check around and it appears "The Whistler" to be selling for about $500.00. (I sure need to be a very good boy if I hope Santa Clause brings me one of those things).
I didn't get too much into a portable scanner because I have a portable GRE (I believe they are no longer in business though) but it seems to work okay. I just have no idea how to program it. For those of us who remember the days of buying crystals for our scanners, instead of buying crystals now, I pay somebody to program the scanner for me and show me how to operate it.
If anybody has any thoughts or ideas on this, I'm sure there are guys out there that would be interested in hearing about it.
His question was what scanner is best to be used in order to pick up these frequencies. He said his scanner can not go out to all the five numbers after the decimal places. I too had that concern but I really didn't know the answer.
So what I did was try to ask a few people who knew much more about it. In addition for me I had concerns about some digital frequencies as well. Then comes in terms like "Phase 1", "Phase 2", computer programing, etc. That has put me out of the self programming and understanding these systems by todays high tech standards.
1) I was told by an individual who services the radio system for the entire emergency services of one of our larger cities and the many surrounding cities and towns that even the newer scanners will NOT SHOW all five digits displayed after the decimal point. However despite that, those frequencies WILL work once installed. All the numbers just won't show. I had thought that if all did not show, it is possible to receive "spill over" from another closer frequency.
2) I have asked a few people what scanner do they recommend these days for both mobile and base use. These people know much more about it than I do. I was told the scanner name of "Whistler" might be one of the best choices. In my case I need one that will cover all of the bands, Low, High, Ultrahigh, Digital in my car, aka "The Willy D Buffmobile". At home basically the low and high band would serve my purpose. I'm just a little too far away to pick up the two digital channels I would be interested in. That same "Whistler" seemed to fit my needs. One of the guys also suggested that Uniden makes a good, overall scanner as well.
I've seen the "Whistler" set up in a car. Not much bigger than a cell phone today. In fact it appeared to be a cell phone holder that was supporting that scanner.
A recent check around and it appears "The Whistler" to be selling for about $500.00. (I sure need to be a very good boy if I hope Santa Clause brings me one of those things).
I didn't get too much into a portable scanner because I have a portable GRE (I believe they are no longer in business though) but it seems to work okay. I just have no idea how to program it. For those of us who remember the days of buying crystals for our scanners, instead of buying crystals now, I pay somebody to program the scanner for me and show me how to operate it.
If anybody has any thoughts or ideas on this, I'm sure there are guys out there that would be interested in hearing about it.