Holyoke FD NOW DMR

Message

#1 Post by **cdgordon** » 11 Jul 2017 15:34

Holyoke FD is testing DMR today on their main channel
159.6450 DCC 4
Fire Dispatch - TG 1001

chris

akafnulnu · #2 Post by **akafnulnu** » 11 Jul 2017 20:56

Curious as to how responding mutual aid companies will communicate with HFD since no one has DMR except Holyoke FD....

Citywide 173 · #3 Post by **Citywide 173** » 12 Jul 2017 07:14

akafnulnu wrote:Curious as to how responding mutual aid companies will communicate with HFD since no one has DMR except Holyoke FD....

A secondary analog channel for mutual aid that can be patched at the console. The bigger question is how reliable it will be on the fireground. I believe the IAFF and IAFC are still recommending against digital on the fireground,

#4 Post by **cdgordon** » 12 Jul 2017 09:47

Due to my location, I cannot hear the simplex channels if/when they switch at a fire but no reason they couldn't program the fireground simplex as analog conventional in the DMR radios.

chris

#5 Post by **cdgordon** » 12 Jul 2017 09:49

Also, the new system is in service, radio test runs around 0730-0745 if you are looking to monitor.

chris

akafnulnu · #6 Post by **akafnulnu** » 12 Jul 2017 12:15

Thanks for all the info, I'll reserve any comments about HFD until a later time.

xplorer417 · #7 Post by **xplorer417** » 03 Aug 2017 21:56

to all please also look out for 155.655 that ch will also be going dmr soon to one side fire time slot 2 dpw switching up from there low band ch so in total there will be four time slots two on dispatch. two on old ops 2 ch.

akafnulnu · #8 Post by **akafnulnu** » 03 Aug 2017 22:21

Thanks, please keep us posted on the talkgroups, freqs, etc. How are they now dispatching the ambulances? Thanks in advance for any info.....

xplorer417 · #9 Post by **xplorer417** » 03 Aug 2017 22:48

steve i don't have the capable to listen to dmr at the moment working on it.i heard this from a buddy of mine.

cmpsa · #10 Post by **cmpsa** » 06 Aug 2017 13:25

I have been listening the past 5 days straight (including now) & all DMR digital, no more analog.

Ch1 159.645 Rptr Color Code "CC 04" (clear)

Their FCC license shows Ch1 transmits from summit of Mt Tom & Soldier's Home. Ch1 booms into Worc Cnty full scale.

Someone here said Holyoke is using Kenwood NX-5200 VHF portables, and I'm guessing Kenwood NX-5700 VHF mobiles. I looked at the specs on Kenwood's website, awesome radios that one radio covers P25, DMR (i.e. MotoTRBO), NexEdge & analog. So they can simply change down or up a channel and be on the opposite digital format to instantly talk to the opposite department. Unsure why one chose P25 & the other chose DMR/MotoTRBO, why not choose the same?

NOTE: The Kenwood NX-5200/5700 series does DES encryption right out of the box, which I'm sure is a huge plus, no extra upgrade cost to have moderate level encryption.

akafnulnu · #11 Post by **akafnulnu** » 06 Aug 2017 13:57

Any idea how Action Ambulance is being dispatched? Before the change to DMR it was on their regular HFD freq. I believe.

KB1FJR · #12 Post by **KB1FJR** » 06 Aug 2017 17:26

What is the point of using DMR on a primary fire frequency? I don't want to create a debate but Holyoke has had some trouble with funding adequate fire protection so they probably need all the mutual aid they can get. Could this be one big programming mistake on the radio techs part? As mentioned by CMPSA these kenwood radios can do analog, p25 and DMR.

#13 Post by **cdgordon** » 06 Aug 2017 20:24

I don't know what Holyoke's setup is and what they have it set up for but DMR allows vehicle tracking, text messaging, private calls, and other benefits. One of the big positives is that it also allows for two simultaneous conversations on one frequency (two slots). I have only seen the 1001 talkgroup on the 159.6450 frequency but I have seen 1002 and 1003 on the 151.1900 frequency. Perhaps similar to Chicopee, run a separate TG/frequency for their EMS operations, that may be one intent of having the multiple slot capabilities (Patch to Action EMS). Since 151.1900 is much weaker at my house, I don't know what traffic is one each talkgroup but 1002 seems to have FD Dispatch traffic on it (activity at the same time as 159.6450). It does not seem to be an input but a separate but simulcast frequency.
The ambulance service has it's own frequency on UHF, 453.7000. I think Action Ambulance also has 900 DMR elsewhere in the state.

chris

xplorer417 · #14 Post by **xplorer417** » 06 Aug 2017 21:02

cdgordon the 151.19 is palmer fire u mean 155.655?. the 155.655 time slot one is for fire time slot two is dpw they went up from there low and ch.

#15 Post by **cdgordon** » 06 Aug 2017 23:39

Holyoke is using 151.1900 along with the other channels

chris

jbella · #16 Post by **jbella** » 07 Aug 2017 11:33

One possibility for DMR could be with all their "issues" they got sold bill of goods that DMR is unmonitorable. I know salesmen would never lie......especially to public safety departments.

#17 Post by **W1KNE** » 07 Aug 2017 13:50

xplorer417 wrote:cdgordon the 151.19 is palmer fire u mean 155.655?. the 155.655 time slot one is for fire time slot two is dpw they went up from there low and ch.

151.1900 is licensed to Holyoke Fire as well. WQZN824.

#18 Post by **474** » 10 Aug 2017 07:48

Does anyone know which radio vendor is setting up HFD's system?