Hartford Fire 800 Dispatch Simulcast?

[W1KNE]

Today (and Yesterday) while in the Hartford area, I heard what sounded like the Hartford Fire Dispatches (only, no responses, etc) being simulcast over 851.3500 PL 114.8.

I know we have a few members here in the area, is this what I thought it was or something more temporary?

[cdgordon]

Currently one of the HARTAC repeaters. Beginning of a change for HFD but all still in progress.

chris

[W1KNE]

Currently one of the HARTAC repeaters. Beginning of a change for HFD but all still in progress.

chris

So it is simulcasting the FD Dispatch right now? Do you know if it is permanent?

[cdgordon]

Not yet

chris

[xplorer417]

HI all looks like there not using 154.3100 for the simulcast anymore can’t get it from my location here in mass only getting the new 851.3500 the new simulcast freq the old hartac ch pretty good reception from agawam area.

[cdgordon]

Hearing it fine here in near BDL in CT. Unless it was down for a short while today.
Check lockouts.

chris

[W1KNE]

Hearing it fine here in near BDL in CT. Unless it was down for a short while today.
Check lockouts.

chris

Same PL? Also with the extreme heat, there have been a number of transmitter and power issues today too.

[cdgordon]

same everything, no change. I was not around during the day so I can't say if it was out of service but it was working fine when I posted.

chris

[cdgordon]

The Hartford FD communications changes are in progress as they prepare to leave the trunked system. The system will be an 800MHz analog conventional repeater for dispatch and 700MHz analog conventional simplex incident channels repeated back to 800MHz analog conventional repeaters via mobile repeaters. Currently, Dispatch and Incident users are still on the TRS but all is patched to the new channels. 154.3100 is still operational.

Two of the repeater channels come from the existing EDACS lineup with LCN 15 & 16 being removed (gone early last month). 3 of the channels are from the HARTTAC system. Should not be any need to program the 700 MHz channels, but they are here as a FYI.

851.3500 114.8 Fire Dispatch (repeater)
851.6750 114.8 Incident 1 repeater / 774.93125 156.7 Incident 1 simplex
853.1375 114.8 Incident 2 repeater / 774.99375 156.7 Incident 2 simplex
853.7000 114.8 Incident 3 repeater / 769.05625 156.7 Incident 3 simplex
854.5625 114.8 Incident 4 repeater / 769.06875 156.7 Incident 4 simplex
855.0125 114.8 Incident 5 repeater / 769.03125 156.7 Incident 5 simplex
857.2625 167.9 Fire Tactical (simplex)

Some of these 700MHz channels might sound familiar, they are National channels and are used by other communities.
769.05625 7-NAT-01D - HFD Incident 3 (also New Britain Fireground 1)
769.06875 7-NAT-02D - HFD Incident 4 (also New Britain Fireground 2 and West Hartford Talk Around)
774.99375 7-NAT-03D - HFD Incident 2 (also New Britain Fireground 3)
769.03125 7-FTAC-05D - HFD Incident 5
774.93125 7-FTAC-09D - HFD Incident 1

chris

[garys]

Thanks for the information, Chris.

Are the police staying on what's left of the EDACS system or are they doing something else?

[cdgordon]

For now, they are on the EDACS. I would expect them to go to the Statewide 700/800 P25 system at some point. They are now led by a retired CSP guy so he knows the players.

chris

[garys]

Thanks, Chris.

I haven't been to CT in a while, is the new statewide system worth programming into a scanner for trips through the state?

[cdgordon]

Not much on the P25 system that is not on the analog right now. 2019 is supposed to be the changeover. May not be a lot to listen to after the change though as most users will have encryption at least available.

chris

[disp617]

The real question is will Hartford survive without their I-Call capability? Was always some colorful transmissions!

[W1KNE]

Not much on the P25 system that is not on the analog right now. 2019 is supposed to be the changeover. May not be a lot to listen to after the change though as most users will have encryption at least available.

chris

And CT tends to be a pro-encryption state. Especially in Fairfield County.