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Mark asked, so here it is. The WSP is in the process of turning each "Local Area" dispatch channel into full repeat mode. This is requiring the WSP radio techs to add or change some frequencies and the useage. The Following frequencies seem to be used primarily as Output channels: 154.665, 154.68, 154.74, 154.755, 154.77, 154.905, 154.92, 154.935 and 155.655. The following frequencies seem to be used as BOTH output and input channels in different areas: 154.695, 154.785, 154.845, 155.505, 155.52, 155.58, and 155.85. The following frequencies are used as input to various "Local Area" repeaters: 151.115, 155.25, 158.985, 159.03, 159.045, 159.075, 159.09, 159.105, 159.165, and 159.21. Statewide use of 155.37, 155.475, 155.97, 156.135 (M) and 158.79 remains un-changed as well as MARS in King County on 155.19 (R) 154.65 in and in Clark County - Vancouver area 155.07 (R) is used. 155.01 has been applied for as a repeater output in Snohomish County.

Part Two: The Bottom Line is that all "Area Dispatch" channels - Except the Kelso, Hoquiam and Olympia areas will be in full Duplex Repeater Mode - which is GREAT for anyone with a scanner. The only offices not yet set to become "repeated" are Kelso, Hoquiam and Olympia -- but this may change. And 4 "Area Dispatch" channels will be switched. Tacoma will switch to 154.905 (R) with 155.52 as input, the Chehalis Area will move to 154.755 (R) with 155.85 as input, the Kennewick - Walla Walla area will move to 154.665 (R) with 155.52 as input and the Central Spokane area will move to 154.905 (R) with 155.58 becoming the input. ------ Car to Car operations: Most of the changes have inclded the use of the District Car to Car channel. Because the mobiles will now be repeated -- the use of a "district-wide" car to car is not a priority. Each mobile will be able to switch to the repeater output for short range communications. And like the CHP in California, each mobile will have most if not ALL of the channels programmed into the radio. It would be a simple matter for a unit to go to another "Area" channel in Simplex "Direct Mode" with any "PL" tone.

I also heard that WSP was going digital. With your information on frequency changes what would you want to monitor for the old 155.580 bellevue -seattle area.

Looks like just rumors at this point in time, cause all of the FCC licenses are in ANALOG. The only Digital use is for MDT/KDT - in car data terminals. Even if the WSP goes digital, radios like the Pro-96 would still pick them up. The WSP has a very low level of need for any encryption - so I would say "NUTS" to the rumors and keep that scanner on channel.

Vancouver is still using 154.680/155.580 pair as of yesterday

Try looking at http://isb.wa.gov/siec/index.htm . You may get some clues as to where the states radio systems may be going.

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I generate Board Warnings

WSP dosent need encryption anyways... the way the dispatchers and officers communicate with codes you can hardly understand them anyways!! :) Anybody else find listeing to WSP slightly annoying? Thanks for the info.

-G

I heard that WSP "operates" on the radio like they do to save time and also that not all troopers can hear eachother so things are dipatched and replied to very quik and bland so to speak. Does take some getting used to listen to them.

Any update on progress of WSP migration to repeaters?

I have been monitoring WSP Tacoma (155.520) I thought I heard them on a repeater for a while, but not now.

RF induced Hallucinations?

TNX & 73's

Have you been listening to 154.905 and 154.74 ???

MTM, just to confirm:

So, what you're saying is that a unit that is in Tacoma will be heard anywhere in the system (repeated throughout?)

So if we want to hear the primary, repeated output for WSP in the Seattle-area, which freq(s) will we want to listen to?


Thanks
-Nick

VHF High Band (150 - 174 Mhz) is line of sight. The WSP system is NON-trunked. The "repeaters" are located on various mountain top sites. If you are in King County you should be able to hear all of the WSP units and Dispatch on 155.58 (R) North County and 154.68 (R) South County. The Tacoma Office should be on 154.905 (R) Westside and 154.74 (R) on the Eastside. Each "Area" dispatch center will be repeated through a "repeater" to allow for greater coverage and to allow units to hear each other. If you live in Kent or Auburn -- and you listen to any of the 4 channels (155.58, 154.68, 154.905 and 154.74) you should be able to hear not only the WSP Dispatchers -- but all WSP mobile units as well. It will all depend on if you are within line of sight or "hearing range" of any of the repeaters.

MTM,

Thanks for the update. Yes, I live less than 1 mile from WSP HQ in Bellevue, so my reception has always been strong. I suppose they have antennas up on the surrouding hilltops.

...but it'll be nice to hear other mobile units for a change. :)


-Nick

I haven't heard the west Tacoma or South King area channels repeated yet, I know its on the FCC database, but its been on there a long time( as have other locatons) --have they changed in the last couple of weeks ? The migration to repeaters seems to be at the whim of either the budget people or local techs as to when this happens.

I could not have said it better. Right ON. Change takes Money, Time and Man Power. It will not happen all at once. Washington is a large State. Hilltop transmitter sites can be difficult to get to in the winter. Just keep scanning and LOOKING for radio tests of different radio channels. That's what makes this all fun. Trying to locate NEW frequencies. Oh - and tell your brother radio geeks what you hear. Happy New Year.