InterceptRadio.com Forums

Does anyone know if I can use an analog trunk scanner to monitor a Motorola system between 406.000- 410.000? I'm hearing voice and data on these freq's. If I can hear voice that means analog, correct?
I've been living/ working in areas which are still VHF until recently, so hav'nt needed a trunk scanner until now.

:D Yes and NO. it depends on the scanner that you are using. AND - you will need to program the channel offset spacing -- per the system that you want to monitor. Take a look at your scanners manual. It will tell you. Most likely - its a yes - but you'll need to figure out the offset.

I'm using a Yaesu dual-band for my scanner. I don't even have a trunk tracking scanner right now.
I guess I was wondering how feasible it might be to purchase a new scanner. I work at Ft. Lewis and would'nt mind listening. I'm hearing my work and other talk groups as well as McCord AFB.
There are alot of nice scanners out there now, hmm.

:D :D the Outlaw - OK - I knew the OLD VHF High band systems at Fort Lewis and McChord well. But WE (the Intercept Board) have had only a limited amout of info about the two new systems at Fort Lewis / McChord. Could you give us a list of active channels ?? What are the control channels?? Do you hear any traffic on the old VHF High Band channels ??? It sure would help us -- HELP YOU. If others - with trunking did monitor the systems - then we all would know. Some reports have said that the Fort Lewis system was DIGITAL. If you can hear any part of the system - then ITS NOT digital and its just a matter of programing the system into a trunking scanner. Thanks Mike

Limited amount of info ?

uh ok....

:D

The control channels seem to change daily.
i.e., I've confirmed voice traffic on some control channels on Thursday, now Friday those voice channels are buzzing away with data.
The type of traffic is MP, Fire dispatches, the correctional facility, other non-disiplined traffic.
Also, McCord AFB may be sharing this system as well, I've heard traffic in reference to McCord.


If someone in the area with a trunk scanner could plug these freq's in and see if it tracks.... let me know.

:D Maybe someone in the area will try trunking the system. I show the following conventional - non-trunked channels for McChord AFB: 413.00 security, 413.075, 413.125 Security, 413.30 Fire / crash crews, 413.825 security. Fort Lewis had the following nno-trunked: 413.425, 413.525, 412.90, 412.825, 413.225 and 413.025 all used by CID. 165.0875 was Ft Lewis Fire and Hospital MP. 173.5875 was McChord Fire / crash crews.

I tend to believe that there are TWO different systems - both UHF trunked in the same Federal UHF band (406 - 420 Mhz). You have both apples and oranges. When I was at Fort Lewis - I remember DAILY converations about "Tell McChord Fire this and that". "Tell the Air Police about ----". They were both on High Band - but not on each others channels. And I worked in the Telcom Office - for a short time, and could never get anyone to tell me why the US Army could not talk to the US Air Force on the same radio channels. Two bucks on two different systems. MTM

They are 2 different systems. McChord is all digital, Fort Lewis is all analog. Both are uhf trunked. I see people on this board asking about the Lewis system all the time. It has been published in Police Call for the last 3 years. It is not on radioresource because they have a letter on file not to post the information.

Thanks for the info. Thats why Rich thinks that we have had MORE than enough data about the systems. Some of the data about Fort Lewis does NOT jell with that in the Police Call, but thats ok. Its close. I tryed to sell Fort Lewis a RF Harris Digital system back around 1980. But they liked the 4 channel VHF sysytem that I helped design before I left the service - so much - that they didn't want to leave High Band. Times have changed.

I've heard McCord come up on the trunk system.
I would like to confirm if an off the shelf trunk scanner would follow Ft. Lewis traffic.

I have used a pro-93 to track Lewis for nearly 3 years now. It tracks perfect with no problems. Remember, the 93,95,96 use control channel tracking ALL the time. So all you need to do is enter a control channel (and standard base, step, offset) and it will give you all the working frequencies and talkgroups. It took me about 2 hours to figure out 99% of the Lewis system. I was there just last week and nothing has changed expect the mp's now id as protector instead of enforcer. :)

As an interesting side note all the Naval bases in the Pudget Sound area will be going to one wide area trunked system. Look for changes such as the old systems going quiet. The new system will be digital, this is part of the PACMERS system just like installed statewide in Hawaii for all military.

Its coming in fine on the 250d without the digital card???? Boring as hell, but its workin.

FT. Lewis is a different story. I work there on a weekly basis and sit at the BK scanning. Write down all channels I find, plug them in correctly and still can't get it right. Must be a hidden channel not used to throw me off???

So....so....frustrating!!

Larry, Are you monitoring both systems ? I know the Pro-95 and 96 require a channel spacing entry to be able to scan the UHF band correctly. Might be true with the Bearcats as well.