InterceptRadio.com Forums

Had a few very nice calls asking about local radio history.

Late 1920's -- and 1930's. -------

The first "police calls" were one way call out dispatches - from the Central dispatcher on standard AM radio channels - from 1530 khz to 2500 khz. Units would acknowledge the calls by using a wireline "Callbox". Later -- mobile radios were added - to the patrol units - using the "High band" channels on VHF ( from 30 to 50 mhz ). That was the High Band at that time.

The First systems used a "central" common channel for all
Police Calls. 2414 Khz was assigned for ALL Police Calls within Washington State. Later - other channels were assigned. 2490 Khz was shared by the State DOT and State Patrol.
Seattle PD - was KGPA on 2414 Khz.

Tacoma PD was KGZN on 2414 Khz.
Tacoma had two transmitter sites -- that I know of. The central Fire Dispatch at 415 / 421 South Tacoma Ave. ( Tower still in place ) and 6214 28th Ave. NE -- near the County Line.
This site was later sold to a construction company - that uses the site for its two way system (WNFG-687). A 13 foot tall concrete building with a 125 foot guyed tower mounted on top of the building. The old Taoma PD "AM" tower once stood in place on top of this bunker. (easy access to this site). Would anyone like to post some pictures ??

Thanks Mike. Very interesting!

_________________
" SILENCE IS CONSENT "

Made to Government Specs:
1) Measured with a micrometer.
2) Marked with a chalk.
3) Cut with an axe.

Jim N7UAP - Bellingham, WA / InterceptRadio.com

Google Map

This site? We have friends right around the corner so I have seen the tower many times but never been right up to it.

_________________
"A well regulated breakfast, being necessary to the healthy start of the day, the right of the people to keep and eat food shall not be infringed."

I still have a key to the building. LOL
Just one Low Band transmitter inside -- on 49.52. 300 watts.
No other radios -- that I am aware of.

Do you remember any specifics about the radio? Im looking for a 300watt final for my Mastr 2 repeater.

_________________
"A well regulated breakfast, being necessary to the healthy start of the day, the right of the people to keep and eat food shall not be infringed."

No. The radio is still in use by the the Dickson Construction Company.

Thanks!

_________________
"A well regulated breakfast, being necessary to the healthy start of the day, the right of the people to keep and eat food shall not be infringed."

After the First "AM" Police Band channels -- Mobile talk-back
channels were added to the Police radio system. Mobile units were assigned channels in the 30 to 40 Mhz band. FM Broadcast was first being assigned to the 42 to 46 Mhz band. The first Police mobiles were most often in the 30 - 37 Mhz area.
Later -- the "VHF Low Band" was re-assigned to two-way radio use -- close to the present day use.

King County Sheriff was on 37.26.
39.82 was a very common channel Statewide. Use of this channel up into the 1980's was common. Many County and City Police around the Puget Sound / Western Washington used 39.82 as their primary Police dispatch channel. Other common Police channels were: 39.10, 39.18, 39.50, 39.58, 39.66, 39.74, 39.90, 39.94 and 39.98. Spokane PD used 39.74, 39.90 and 39.94 until the late 1980's. The WSP used 42.54 B+M and 42.40 M -- much like the old 155.475 / 154.77 M pair - statewide. The WSP would Dispatch out on 42.54 and the mobile units would respond back to the dispatcher on 42.40. Car to car use was on the 42.54. Many Fire Depts used the 33 Mhz band as well as the 46 Mhz band channels. 33.90 Seattle FD, 33.82 Kent + Kent Valley area. 33.70 Kitsap County. 46.10 and 46.14 were often used Fire channels.

If anyone has any specific station data -- please add.

Bellingham Police still has a license on 39.060

Have never hear anything on it.

_________________
" SILENCE IS CONSENT "

Made to Government Specs:
1) Measured with a micrometer.
2) Marked with a chalk.
3) Cut with an axe.

Jim N7UAP - Bellingham, WA / InterceptRadio.com

Mike, I think you have the makings of a new book here, . . . and maybe you could title it: "The Evolution of Public Safety Radio in the Pacific Northwest".

Or, at the very least you've got a great start for a new blog page. McKenna's 2015 Police & Fire Radio Callbook. Cool stuff indeed. "919"

Thanks for the kind words Craig. My good friend Jim - 39.06 is a low power - mobile only channel. It started out as a 2 or 3 watt channel -- and was restricted to low powered portable radios. The rules have been "updated" a bit - so radios using 39.06 and the few other low power channels (153.83 etc) can operate as a low powered base as well -- with power up to 10 watts.

Most stations on 39.06 were for low power -- stakeout or tactical operations. Now days -- the channel is often used
for remote control operations. Bellingham has had use of the 39.06 frequency for a long time. Might be a wireless mic or for under cover use. They might have even forgot about the license -- LOL.

A reminder that the FCC rules allow any police agency to use any un-licensed "PW" (Public Safety) frequency -- from 39 to 956 Mhz -- 2 watts maximum power - for undercover use.

Thanks Mike.

I have heard that the 39.060 was at one time used by Police Explorer Scouts portables but don't know if this is a fact.

Like I said I have never heard anything on it. Always have had it programmed in my scanners.

_________________
" SILENCE IS CONSENT "

Made to Government Specs:
1) Measured with a micrometer.
2) Marked with a chalk.
3) Cut with an axe.

Jim N7UAP - Bellingham, WA / InterceptRadio.com

Jim -- The 39.06 is licensed for open voice but only ONE unit. I would say -- a wireless mic. The License has been around for years and modified so - prior operations could have been different. Give me a call soon. I have a few questions about all of the UHF channels in Bellingham. MTM

So -- while every Police Dept. in Washington State was assigned 2414 Khz as a Dispatch channel, The first two way or talk-back channels were: 37.26 for King County and 39.82 for Pierce County and Thurston Counties.

I have no idea what Seattle PD or Tacoma PD first used.
Maybe someone can fill in that missing data.

37.26 was a statewide LE channel in TN up until UHF came along.

_________________
"I was installing un-programmed radios"