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I live only 2 hours away so I'm driving up on Saturday morning. Sweet that you are bring some cool stuff, I would like to see an LI in person. I wonder if we can do all of the tests in one day? Also anyone know what time we will be meeting at the meet location?
I'm starting a list on exactly who is showing up:
alpinestars_2002795
proudNMAmemeber
toront-radar-chopper
languy99
Aoshi
I believe we are meeting at around 9/10 am depending. Just remember, the GPS coordinants for the meeting location are posted along w/ the actual testing location. I think I will be coming up Thursday night if all goes well. It will be so cool to meet everyone. I have a guy who is coming up from Battle Creek on Friday and possibly a guy from Flint coming up. It would be nice if Jimbonzz came up? It will take me a while to pack the car w/ all of this stuff. ;)
Any word NMA on the Stalker DSR-2x from Cali?
TRC implicated he will be there the night before as well, he was last year too, and should be this year too, so he'll be at the hotel somewhere too i'm guessing. He shot me a pm to see if me and NMA would lead him over to the meeting location, I told him we could do that if need be. So that leads me to beleive he might be there the night before to. I think though that TRC would be able to make it this year without help, since he has gps and I gave him the coordants so. I know my garmin 680 works fine up here. With either the 2009 maps or 2008 maps it still works. If you still need help TRC just let me, or NMA member know.
As for getting it all done, oh ya. Testing will get done, no worries on that. The last test that Me and NMA ran got done alot quicker than originally expected even.
Don't forget for all interested, after the event, we will be linking up for a drive to West Branch Mi to have dinner and discuss our findings for all those interested, then we typically part ways from pondorosa. It is going to be cold here, so make sure to bring appropriate attire. The trailer w/heat will be provided w/chairs inside to warm up if needed. Although bringing something orange to wear is "Recommended" as it is "Opening day" of deer season in michigan nov 15th. Also make sure as I said to bring some warm attire, as it is going to get cold, don't forget the gloves and thicker socks guy's ;). The trailer will be there to get warm, but just come prepared for the cold etc.
I will have my ham on 146.940mhz with a PL tone aka CTCSS tone of 103.5hz with a negative offset of 600khz.
I will also like nma have my CB on channel 32 and be monitoring that as well. CB's cannot hit the test site all the way from the meeting location. So take this into account. Although you will be able to key us up on your way into the Meeting location at some point.
!!!SOME RECOMMENDATIONS AND HOTSPOTS TO BE AWARE OF!!!
It is recommended that you tread lightly in The town of Rose City. As the local new police chief is not a very nice individual. He only has a 1mile jurisdiction anyhow. Although it is not recommended that you flaunt your gadgets in town. He is not a gadget enthusist if you get my drift.
Also it is recommended that if your staying in West Branch mi that you watch for laser, or IO 35.5ghz ka. Also IO K bands. These are heavily used in this municipality especially on buisness loop 75 due to the adjacent freeway I-75.
Watch out around the 139 North bound on I-75 North, Lidar has been spotted in this stretch of roadway PLIII.
It is also recommened to be on your game on I-75 around Saginaw, between the 675 split to just north of the Beaverton Rd exit, lidar has and is used here, as well as IO 35.5 Ka.
The Bay city rest stop and Linwood exit's are also noted as Lidar traps.
Also the 195 is a notorius IO Ka trap that you never know may or may not be in use.
The 198 Is a dangerous spot as they frequent this location with IO 35.5 and K bands. Never have seen lidar here but they do own it so you never know.
About the 201 is yet another IO Ka 35.5 trap. In the median once again you never know when and what they'll run here.
After this if your are continuing to West Branch, and staying in a hotel or motel.
Then typically your good all the way to the 204-205. Here Lidar has been seen by myself and others, as Well as IO Ka 35.5 and they won't bother turning the gun on here untill you are within 250ft. Be forwarned as they will be out due to DEER SEASON opening!
Beware of a county cop running on one side and speeding up right after seeing the inital officer! They love to run one county Leo then right after that not 3 miles later a State Leo w/IO Radar or Lidar on the same side!
Beware of the 207 and 208. These are known Lidar/Radar speedtraps, just as the 204-205 and 198 these are frequented areas and get abudently used very frequently especially on weekends that are going to be busy such as this upcoming weekend.
Right before the 212 there are two speedtraps. Both are rarely used, although you never know. Moving mode is used in this region of I-75 typically Ka band. Sometimes K.
The first trap is a two track trail that goes through the median over a hill to the other side, you won't see it untill its too late. It's right about even with the entrance to the WB Rest Area enterence off ramp. Beware. Just over the hill when you are at the entrance to the exit ramp to the West Branch/WB rest stop exit there is a down hill then a decent curve, right in the apex of this curve over the hill is yet another Authorized only crossover i've watched two county officers shooting Ka from here at once, you never know when they'll be there either.
Once your off of 75 and in WB Be aware that WB cops are jerks to say the least. RC cops aren't any better they are even worse now days. WBPD has been known to light people up for 2-5mph over legally posted. So be on your "GAME." It is not recommended that you take any chances on Buisness loop 75 or downtown West Branch, just be carefull because there are three Leo stations in this little town State, County, and City. State is the first one you'll pass Post 36 on your left. Then middle of the town is City PD on your right. Then at the other end you have County PD on the left behind the County building and offices. So, be aware that they are constantly on E. Houghton Ave. And also I-75. Happy driving. Happy speeding, hope to see you all there without a ticket in hand.
:).
Also one last thing, Beware of M-33 they love to hide down here on two track trails and use IO Ka, or K bands. Also the love to sneak up on you in moving mode from the rear, or to the front, Ghost cars are in use.
Lastly if coming in on M-33 from I-75 beware of the roadside park, the county/state PD are notorious for sitting here waiting and using IO Ka or K bands, Lidar would not be as practical here, although could be a wet dream as the road is SO flat straight and long.
AlPiNe~;)
By the way. Meeting time is at 10am at the meeting location coordants where given earlier in this thread for all interested.
AlPiNe~;)
I have encountered X-band in West Branch mi. Although I personally know that Rose City still has it sitting on a dusty shelf as I have a friend that works for the DPW (Department of Public works.)
Although I haven't been shot by the X-band from them in some time. They do have it laying around. Although, they have pretty much stoped using it. Ka, and then K are your largest concerns. With Lidar being a big concern on any freeway in Michigan, it's one of those you never know when, or where, what on ramp, median or overpass they'll choose to shoot lidar from, and they do it when you "Least" Expect it too.
As for VHF. Yes. VHF is still very much so used here infact I just got done cloning all my VHF High band freq's into my Yaseu FT8900r Ham rig. I'll give you a list of active freq's you will want to monitor.
155.430 Ogemaw Cnty EMTS Fire Cntrl Disp
155.865 Old band for WBPD still used across the state
155.985 Ogemaw Cnty Public Transit.
154.430 Ogemaw Cnty
154.2950 DNR fireground Active freq
155.370 sherrif
155.4750 pd sheriff pd state pd used on I-75 cntrl 911 dispatch Ogemaw County.
155.7000 pd
155.4450 pd
155.4000 pd
155.1750 Ogemaw County EMTs 9XX identifiers truck#
155.325 pd
155.280 pd
155.340 Ogemaw County Wide EMT and Fire
158.9650
155.180 New EMT freq I found the other night
155.3550
458.125 emt vehicle repeaters
155.8350
154.8750 pd
154.9500
158.8650
158.7300 pd used alot m-61 standish arenac area m-61 crosses I-75 north very active freq
155.7600 bay city saginaw area very active pd
153.7400 rcpd active ogemaw cnty cntrl disp
159.1500 arenac cnty pd? active at times
155.0050 pd
155.9250 very active lately pd close and new
155.7900 bay city saginaw area very active pd
158.8500 very active pd st and county used on 75 north
155.5200 pd cntrl disp bay city area very active
159.0900 pd?
123.4500 air (This is the Airplane equivelent of cb channel 19 or 16 on the marine band for airplanes.) It's always wise to have this programed in, as some places in Mi do use air vascar/vascar, even though very very rare. Pacing is more common they do pace around here alot. Beware!
154.5700 murs band? I did program in some murs stuff in my scanner so some of these might be murs if i place murs ? next to them. MURS are buisness radio's that don't require a license.
154.6000 murs freq
151.6250 murs?
464.5000 murs/gov?
464.5500 murs/gov/buisness radios?
159.1350 very active freq out of arenac county pd
154.7250
155.8200
155.1900 If I recall correctly this is just a harmful interference freq. Although it might be pd can't recall. You might wana program it in anyhow, and then just lock it out if it locks up.
154.7400pd
155.6550 Very important freq to have on, on north I-75. Used on 75 on the freeway by the state police for sure, I had an experience with it where i got IO k banded at 250ft in the dark, luckily i wasn't speeding about 5 miles later i heard this very leo on this freq with a customer where I had last saw him on north 75 so this one is very important. And also very active.
453.7250 Most of the 400Mhz region freqs are downstate in Bay city and Saginaw regions, we only have two 400mhz freq's that I know of here. One is our amature repeater in West branch 70cm that is at 448mhz and the 458.125mhz that the in vehicle repeaters for the EMT's although the EMT's really never really use this freq. Very rare. Typically you'll hear them on 155.430 or 155.1750 instead.
155.0550 pd active
159.4900
153.7000 rcpd active at times
155.9950 pd?
154.9950 very active pd close in proximity to rc too
158.7900 active pd
158.7450pd
154.3850
153.8750
155.2950
159.5950
155.6850
155.1450
154.0100 input freq for rc fire dept to cntywd fire emt reptr
155.0700
151.8200 murs?
151.8800 murs?
151.9400 murs?
154.7550
155.5350
156.1950
155.5650
156.090
154.8400
158.5800
155.0250
453.6250
154.9800
155.6250
460.5500
453.2500
156.2100 pd lein
These are all the analog freq's I have in my bct-8 analog scanner.
As for the digital. You need to program muli-sites. They use the Damon repeater here, the Roscommon Repeater, the Bridgeport repeater, the South Branch repeater, The Sterling Repeater is used alot on I-75 North bound. It is in your best interest if you can to not only program the Damon Repeater as RadioReference says, it is best to program in Multisites of all the surrounding areas, as they will use one repeater here one minute and another the next, and you won't be able to hear them on the damon repeater if they are on the Sterling Repeater. Thus your missing radio traffic if you get my drift. They think they are sly by using muti repeaters I guess thats why I am glad my 996t can be programed for Multi Site applications. I have had issues with the 396t and getting these multi Site's in right. Maybe it's just I tried to use the software wrong. But it didn't seem to want to take I would program in the MIO repeater too, as I just heard them out on I-75 at the 201 with a customer north bound on the digital on the Mio repeater Like I said you never know which they'll opt to use? I've even heard them here alot lately on the ST. IGnace repeater which is crazy because thats like 150 miles from me!
So I would just do all you can with the digital from Radio Reference, make sure to leave your digital's if your using them, in ID SEARCH modes, as they are using alot of ID tags that are not on Radio Reference's page. Some of them they do use for enforcing traffic too i've noticed. There are alot of id tags not on RR. So keeping your digital in ID SEARCH is your best bet that way even if they key up with a new ID tag, it will still alert you that there is somebody there, you just won't know who they are, but you'll have the repeater they are on to maybe give you a hint.
AlPiNe~:cool:
hey alpine what is a good hand held scanner that is under $100?
Thats totally up to you man, everybody has their own preference, i would recommend uniden scanners for analog to you. They are typically clearer than radioshack scanners on analog freqs.
Some things to look for in specs.
Make sure your getting your money's worth.
Make sure it covers Citizens band this can come in handy beleive it or not.
Also make sure it covers 800mhz banding, as some don't. Some stop in the 500mhz range.
Also an added plus is if it covers the 700mhz range. Although it doesn't have to right now, and for a cheapy it probably won't. So.
They do sell uniden handhelds at walmart for like 89 bucks. Although they don't cover the 800mhz band so I personally wouldn't go for that. I'd make sure it covers 800 even though It's not up here, alot of places do use 800mhz freq's for alot of things, and it's nice to have. The 700mhz band is a future rebanding thing. They will be doing that in the near future slowly from the 800mhz band.
Although that will take some time so, it's not a huge concern immediately but they will be converting in the future, so it's nice to be ahead but you don't have to be. To some extent with scanners you do get what you pay for, and sometimes you don't. You have to know the features that are usefull.
Such as Closecall
Preprogramed service searches.
800mhz and cb banding is it covered? Alot of the analog radioshacks neglect this coverage although they do cover the 800mhz band.
So thats totally up to you. I mean you can find them in alot of stores. It just depends on what you want and what your really willing to put down if all you wana throw down is 100 your best off actually to get them on fleabay, as you can typically get em for 50 to 100 on there. Although that i'm sure isn't what your looking for.
The pro94 radioshack is a nice scanner, it just doesn't have cb coverage, or 700mhz. Although like I said. It's just a analog rig anyhow, and just a passerby you know.
You could snag one maybe at circuit city, or bestbuy for a cheap price like that, uniden has alot of nice looking handhelds out there nowdays for cheap, I mean they have alot of rigs around that price, although as I said your not going to have all the things you'd like. But it's better than nothing.
At the Least I would make sure it covered 800mhz.
closecall and all that is nice but the 800mhz is one of those things you'd wana make sure it has so it might be usefull in the future for other things that way your not just throwing 100 away ya know?
I'm not hot on the topic of budget analogs. I know there are alot of them out there. They are easy to find in most places, our chain stores even now days.
I don't recommend going to radioshack looking for a deal. Go to a bigger chain outlet store. Like Target, Walmart, or something of that nature. Your very libable to find a rig that would work well and cover most of the things mentioned for the specs you need to know to look for. The one at walmart from the looks of it doesn't cover 800mhz. Channels are another thing to check, how many channels will it let you program? Also, will it track trunked systems. These are all features that make it worth more.
I'm actually looking to get rid of my Pro-94 possibly i haven't decided just yet. Not because it's a bad scanner just because with my bct-8 and my ham and my bcd-996t and 396t i really don't use it.
AlPiNe~;)
Just checked the WX weather band local channel here, and they are calling for a 60% chance of precipitation on Sat nov 15th. They are calling for a snow/rain mix. We still plan to finish testing. If we have to, we will shoot from inside the trailer to keep us, and our equpiment dry.
We probably won't get enough snow to amount to anything. Lately all it has done here is the occasional flurry but there is still green grass visable all over, we have not truely received any major accumilations just for reference.
Also the County has plenty of salt and so do the other areas to get here, since none of it has yet had to be used this year so ice and slick roads should be taken care of in a timely manner, and will definetly be clear later on in the test when some people may want to take back off because of the long distance. So everything will work out we are still testing. Make sure to bring a poncho or a water wicking jacket, and warm clothing, once again you know the forcast now, so please prepare your attire accordingly.
AlPiNe~:rolleyes:
As long as it doesn't snow on the trip up. It supposed to be warm Friday. I don't care so much if it snows on Saturday. The snow removal in central Indiana is a little bit lacking to say the least LOL!
I'm leaving Friday morning and should be there late Friday afternoon.
GTO_04