NH DOT highway report codes?

[Skyd]

Hey all - So I was listening to a couple of the NH DOT frequencies up my way and I've got this a few times before when the roads are bad and the crew is out. They will report back the conditions of the highway. I can figure out some of it but I wondered if anyone knows what some of these things mean. Typically what I hear is something like "Pinkham Notch road, W7, R7, 30 degrees with a trace.

So 30 degrees is easy enough, and I've heard it enough to know that last part is how much snow is on the road, or how much they plowed, not 100% there. The first two are interesting to me though, I'm wondering what those mean.

Anyone have a clue? Or even better a resource I can read up on or print out?

Thanks!

[schwab]

The 'W' is the weather code, and the 'R' is the road condition code. I have seen a list somewhere before, maybe in the wiki at Radio Reference. W7 is clear, R6 is road is clear, sometimes they will give a comment ("R6 and wet"). I don't remember any of the others off the top of my head.
In the winter, NHDOT has overnight patrols that will report road and weather conditions, a "10-86", either to the district office or TMC at Soucook if the district is closed throughout the night. The patrols use x4x callsigns; the first digit is the district, the last the individual patrol; for example 645 is the usual night patrol in District 6. In the past TMC would come on the air statewide and ask for "All rest areas, district offices and night riders, stand by for your 10-86" and then poll folks individually on different frequencies but I don't think they've done that in a while.

[WX1N]

Image00001.jpg (513.03 KiB) Viewed 2049 times

[ecps92]

Was just gonna dig out one of me ole "Official Scanner Guides" and post the same

[LTE4NFD]

Soucook base still checks in with the tollbooths around 5am on TA 453.0500R 103.5 where I am. I'm on the Spaulding and 95 daily. I believe they multicast on TC also.

[Skyd]

Oooh, awesome thanks guys. I'll save that image and make myself a little cheat sheet

[Skyd]

So I plugged it all into Google Sheets and organized it then downloaded myself a .PDF copy to print out and stick in my scanner folder.

I'll attach it here in case anyone else wants or needs a printable version.

NH DOT Radio Codes.pdf

(42.59 KiB) Downloaded 98 times

[cboykonh]

I’ve been wondering what those codes were for a long time. Wondering about possibly adding this info to nhdot section?

[n1zyy]

This thread is terrific! WX1N, is that from the Official NH Frequency Guide? I have referenced my copy of the 9th edition several times recently! Funny that it's (c) 1998 and I'm still looking stuff up in it.

I’ve been wondering what those codes were for a long time. Wondering about possibly adding this info to nhdot section?

This table, schwab's information about the x4x callsigns (I've heard these and was confused about why they don't line up with patrol sheds!), and the information on what Soucook/TMC is are all great bits of knowledge I've just learned recently that might be good candidates for the wiki if the editors think it's a good fit.

[WX1N]

This thread is terrific! WX1N, is that from the Official NH Frequency Guide? I have referenced my copy of the 9th edition several times recently! Funny that it's (c) 1998 and I'm still looking stuff up in it.

It is indeed - well the 1987 edition, Official NH Scanner Guide.

[ecps92]

For many agencies, Codes etc have not changed since the 70's
and many of us, - even former Editors/Co-Authors still rely on it, Police Call, Scanner Master for the sometimes Historical and other times Hysterical info

It is indeed - well the 1987 edition, Official NH Scanner Guide.

[Aa00405]

I have heard Soucoc do tests at 1100 and 1900 on TC polling Exit 10, Bedford and Hooksett Tolls.

Monitoring any D5 DOT channels between 1500-1600 is usually heavy traffic with the shed foremen signing off with "Durham" the district 5 HQ. I assume the same is true statewide.

[W1KNE]

(Giant Image of codes)

Where is this image from? Please attribute the source of the image. Thanks.

[WX1N]

Where is this image from? Please attribute the source of the image. Thanks.

It is indeed - well the 1987 edition, Official NH Scanner Guide.

[W1KNE]

Bill's legacy will never die! Thanks!

[WX1N]

Bill's legacy will never die! Thanks!

Nope it sure won't. I still refer to that book from time to time - for historical data, or sometimes as in this case, for current relevant data that isn't readily available elsewhere :-)

[ecps92]

Claim to fame is those guides, which got me into the Library of Congress

Bill's legacy will never die! Thanks!

[W1KNE]

Claim to fame is those guides, which got me into the Library of Congress

I still got a copy like new (gee I wonder where that came from., and an older copy), about four different old copies of the Scanner Master guide (2 pockets, 2 bigs). (Including the pocket guide with my name in it. ) and even a very old copy of "Police Call". It's amazing for research how valuable those old books are for so many reasons. Bill and I have gone back and fourth now for years about it.