BLAH-G

Now transferred to this website.
BIG UPDATE !  SEE BELOW !!!

29 May 05

Well, for whatever reason... the other Blah-g location is down.  So if you managed to find this site then you are a master of your own computer !

I have updated the photo area of the web site should you care to look.  Also I have been logging car / portable numbers all night and doing a lot of cleaning in the shack.  It is now over 24 hours since I've seen sleep, but that is ok as I am filled with the power of our Lord and have the power of Samson !

Have a great Sunday.
Peace.


30 May 05

The other site (blah-g) is still down and I don't know why but I have a theory.  Too many words have suddenly appeared on the world wide web soooo some had to go, hence is my theory.  Strange but you never know !

I would like to say that I hope everyone has a very safe and happy Memorial Day spending it with family and friends.  I put this at the beginning of this blah-g as I know some of you get bored and leave before it's over.  Here in this neck of the woulds we are expecting great wx until about 1PM, then thunder-boomers for the rest of the day.  Perhaps I'll get the girl out.  If it's nice enough I'll get the grill out too.  If you see a VETERAN, please thank them for their service for it is because of them we live in this free country today !

Scotty J. has told me a horrible rumor !  He said someone he knows that knows someone else, well their friend said that the new talkgroups heard over the disaster drill (360-364) are going to be assigned to the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport.  I can't see how this would be possible as they wouldn't have a need for those.  APRA is a private business and shouldn't be using the Westmoreland County 800 Mhz Public Service frequencies for anything other than an emergency.  If there would be an emergency the airport would go to a fire TAC, Countywide TAC or Hazmat channel.  Not TG360 where no one else would be able to hear them.  Believe me, when someone starts using those TG's, you will know !

All weekend long GMan and I have been swapping data files for the WIN96PRO program in an attempt to, well just in an attempt.  I would say that we have about 80% of commonly used radio numbers ID'ed and labeled now.  Even though that is 80% of what is commonly used it is probably not even close to 50% of what is out there.  So many portables and fire companies out there that haven't had their buttons pushed yet.  Can't log what you can't see or hear, right ?  If you have a radio that is just setting around not being used, feel free to just ship it to me.  I'll find a use for it and I promise to keep it charged !

The old blah-g was the only thingy that wasn't on my own website so hence nothing else was affected by it going down.  I do wish I would have made a hard copy of that blah-g but I didn't.  Having it here will at least allow me more flexibility as I won't have to worry about getting kicked off for using a bad word !  Besides, I know the damn webmaster !

The "Photos" area of my website has been updated recently to include some of those big steel structures in-between Latrobe and Greensburg !  To see them just go to the 800 Mhz Guide ( 800.k3sam.com ) and select Local Photos.  If you don't wish to see them just go to www.gmans.net.  I guarantee you will NOT see them there unless you do, maybe.

With all of the holidays coming up if you hear "FP" units on the Latrobe Fire Department frequencies don't be alarmed, it is not Fizzy Pickles !  FP stands for Fire Police.  WATCH OUT POLICE, you might get Fired !

Oh, one thing I'll miss about not having this blah-g on the other site.  Since this is on my website and each entry just continues the last, I don't get to write "DECODED" after each post.  Darn !

Nuf fer now, I'm sure I'll have more to blah-g about before the day is done.
 


31 MAY 05

Another Coming-Out-Day tomorrow, 01 June 05!  I don't know which stations will be coming on line with the WC 800 Mhz system but June 1 is the day.

I had mentioned that Jeannette was on line now but that was a few days ago.  Due to the switching of locations of this blog I didn’t tell you that IRWIN and TRAFFORD PD are also using this system now.

I must stay that when this system first came on line or when I first got an 800 Mhz digital sckanner, I was confused as to my emotional state (didn’t know if I liked it or not).  But now after many hours of listening I can honestly say that the 800 Mhz Digital out performs the conventional type scanners by a camels hump !  Much clearer and more stations available that were otherwise unheard.

KUR-CHUNK

One nice thing about this new system is the lack of the Kur-Chunks !  On any conventional system you will hear this annoying kur-chuck when someone releases their push-to-talk button.  On this new system you don’t hear that.  Nice clean break !  Kur-Chunk's are mainly associated with repeater systems in the amateur radio community however you can hear them on conventional systems (non repeater) type also.

The audio on the new system is Digital Clean FM and sounds like the person talking is setting on your lap.  If the person talking sounds mumbled it’s just because they either are chewing gum or eating a McFrack’s Golden Arches Burger and Frack Fries.

GUYS AND GALS

One interesting observation that I’ve made spending so many hours listening to the new 800 Mhz system grow is that these people (especially the cops) are your regular type folks.  Hell, I wouldn’t even mind it if one of them bought me lunch or dinner !  When they rag chew (chit chat) on their TAC channels it’s just like listening to two or three friends sitting at the bar.  You want to say "Hey guys, lemme into this conversation " !

So why is it that when I (or you) are walking down the street we can’t just say “hi” ?  I think the uniform scares everyone.  It could also be that we don’t know them.  How is it that this same person we are sitting with having lunch with one minute (in plain clothes) turns into something else when he puts on a uniform ? 

If Lou Bigfeet were to be walking down Notmain Street and you didn’t know him, would you say “hi” ?  I wouldn’t.  Could that be it, we just don't know the guy/girl ?

When you do see an officer in uniform what do you think in your head ??  Seriously.  Just thinking while writing this, here is some of the things I can remember thinking.

     1)     If I say hi he/she will think I have something to hide.
     2)
     If I don’t say something he/she will think I have something to hide.
     3)
     Anything I say can and will be used against me.
     4)
     Will they be able to detect the alcohol on my breath (when I was drinking).
     5)
     Is my license current.
     6)
     What should I say ?
     7)    Am I walking funny, how's my hair look ?
     8)
     I can’t tell if he/she is looking at me with those shades on !
     8)
     They have a bigger gun than I do. (lol)

Interesting, huh ?  So, what do you think ?

GMAN YELLED AT ME !

I guess I made a mistak (rarely) and called the program GMAN and I were playing with "WIN96PRO" and it should have been called "PRO96COM".  Well EXCUUUUUSEEE ME !!  (lol)  Actually between the G man and myself we have come up with quite a nice list.  Should you have and use the PRO96COM (not win96pro) program you can download this list in .ZIP format right now (don’t delay-hurry hurry hurry!-times running out) from GMan’s web site.  You will be able to d/l it from my website later today or tomorrow.  I’m just too damn busy, haven’t eaten in 6 days, I’m confused and hallucinating, and talking to myself.  MOMMY !

LOCK OUT

I found a nice feature last night with the Radio Shack PRO-2096.  It’s called Scanner Hold It Talk, or just S.H.I.T. for short.   I found that if you turn the volume control on the PRO-2096 the whole way to the left until it clicks it goes silent and the display goes dark.  AMAZING.  I did not see this S.H.I.T. in the manual.  This S.H.I.T. is important and someone had to get this S.H.I.T. out !  So pass S.H.I.T. around !

I’ll tell you about some other new features found in a later blog.

I'M LEGAL

I just purchased my copy of WIN96 (yes Depuge GMan, got the name right!).  Sent the moola via Paypal and got my registration immediately.  Now I don't have to worry about the piracy police anymore !  $30 for the software and almost $30 for the cable, not to shabby to be able to program your own radios.

By programming, not only can you enter the digital frequencies but you can enter text tags.  Just think if you wanted to have some fun, you could put a text tag in for 154.250 Mhz is "Chief Hutch", Or the start up message could say "Happy Birthday" from the guys at the dinner.  Whatever !!


Ta ta for now


JUNE 1

ALERT

TODAY IS THE FIRST OF JUNE.  Today is another SWITCH OVER for some several thousand stations… would you believe a few hundred ?... how about an old man with a new portable ?  Anyhow the exact number of stations going on line with the Westmoreland County 800 Mhz today is only known by the stations switching over, Staley Communications, Westmoreland Co. 911 and Walt, the bartender at Fred’s on the corner of Dennis and Bob Streets in Arnold.  Whew !

Noon is the switch-over time !!! unless I decide otherwise.

If you are like me (God forbid) you will turn your conventional scanner on at 11 AM and listen for the announcements on the different services.  911 will be announcing any fire changes on 33.70 Mhz (old fire dispatch) and any police changes on their respected frequencies.

TALE OF TWO BLOGS

I don’t know what happened to the blog on www.hamblog.com however when it was down for a few days I started another blog on my own web site.  This particular listing will be posted on both sites.

For the next few days I will list it both places while deciding where to keep it posted on a permanent basis.  The other address where you will find the blog is www.k3sam.com/800/BLAHG.html.  Try that link if you wish to make sure it works for you, if not let me know.  news@k3sam.com

CAR NUMBER CHANGES WITH-IN THE PRO96COM PROGRAM

If you are using the Pro96Com program and you see some small changes like Vandergrift Police Car 5-12 being called on the scanner and 5-10 showing up on your display there is an easy explanation for that.

While an officer can change his own designation, or keep it if he wishes (say 5-10 as shown above) the radios cannot.  Each radio has it’s designation burned into memory !  So the officer in car 5-10 may have started his shift in that car, but swapped cars half way through the day and jumped into car 5-12.  While he may wish to be called 5-10 for the whole shift, the radio in car 5-12 will NOT change to 5-10.

This goes for just about anyone heard.  Say the Latrobe VFD Chief grabs the radio out of the assistant’s vehicle, he may say he is the Chief on the radio but the radio will read out as the Assistant.  Got it ?

OPERATIONS

With so many companies now split (VHF LOW operations / VHF HIGH operations / 800 Mhz operations) that when you hear fire departments being dispatched you never know where they will end up for their operations.

I heard one dispatcher giving operations instructions to one of the Hempfield / Greensburg Companies and they said something to the effect of  “operations are on TAC 33.52, Zone 4 operations TAC, operations are Hempfield’s TAC…” then he slowed down to the point where he could say that operations were on Hempfield Fire.

Soon most of that will be gone.  I will miss it (sob).  I, the booger here, see the following happen.

Fires in Greensburg, all activity will remain on Greensburg Fire.

Fires in Latrobe, all activity will remain on Latrobe Fire.

Fires in Hempfield Township, all activity will remain on Hempfield Fire.
= = = =
All others will switch over to the 800 Mhz (TAC) system except when assisting any of the above.
All of the above will stay on their systems except when assisting others outside their area.

Those are my predictions, oh blah-g that !

ENDING

I will most likely update you will all the new companies as heard later in the day.  SCOTTY J. will have his good ear posted to his 12 skinners, GMan will be listening to his 45 skinners, UFOffical will be listening with his also.  Any then there is me…  If I can get the cows milked in time on the lower 40 I’ll be here ! (yeh, like I have a farm ! - no wonder it's crowded in the house !)

Ta ta

DECODED,
K3SAM

What, no digital scanner yet ?  Listen on GMan's website via live streaming audio.  Log on, first come first connected.  www.gmans.net  Bring your own hot dogs and pickle juice.

800 MHZ GUILD YOU CAN COUNT ON !!

LAST MINUTE UPDATE !!
(at 04:56 AM - local time)

I overheard on the 800 Mhz system that Fire Station 51, Vandergrift #1 LOST a portable radio overnight at a fire I believe near Bonnaire.  If you come across this or hear of someone finding a fire fighter radio clearly marked "STATION 51", please call 911 immediately and report this.  These radios are NOT cheap and they are pretty much useless to anyone other than Station 51 due to the digital chip inside the radio.  If you live near that fire location you might want to check areas around where the firemen might have been.  Do not however go near that structure as it could be very dangerous !!

I will not be able to update you as to whether or not the radio is found unless someone from Station 51 emails me.  If you know anything you can also email me here at news@k3sam.com.

I also checked the other location where the blog is located (hamblog.com) and the site is down again.  I will begin as of today to post here exclusively.  An announcement will be placed on that board when it returns.


JUNE 1 - AFTERNOON UPDATE

FLASH UPDATE

First off, the missing PORTABLE radio from STATION 51 has been FOUND.  Thanks for everyone looking and feedback received !

Speaking of Station 51 (Vandergrift #1), they have merged with Station 151 (Kiski Valley Special Services) to form one company.

NOON UPDATE

AS REPORTED HERE, the following stations indeed switched over to the new 800 Mhz system today at noon.  If you are in any of the following areas and have a conventional scanner you will NO LONGER hear your fire company !
 

CO# COMPANY NAME / LOCATION
20 Murrysville
22 Export
30 Delmont
49 Oklahoma
50 Vandergrift #2
51 Vandergrift #1
53 Hyde Park
55 Avonmore
59 Slickville
64 White Valley
67 Bell Township
78 Sardis
90 Forbes Road
99 Allegheny Township
101 Markle
102 Washington Township
131 Saltsburg

I wanted to get this out as soon as possible and believe you me that between logging some 50 + new radio i.d. tags, answering emails and cleaning my puppy's motorcycle I have finally got at least the above list posted.  I'm sure I'll have more to add tonight.

If you have anything to add to my list (a few medic's came on line today too) please email !!  news@k3sam.com

REALLY REALLY DECODED !
K3SAM

 


OH MY - MORE

This IS a busy day with several updates posted ( 6PM this one ) and and and probably more than one more to follow.  Here is a snip-it from the other blog in an attempt to keep this thingy posted on both websites.

BTW if you would like to submit something no matter how big or small so others can stay informed just drop me a note at news@k3sam.com !

FROM THE OTHER BLOG - REPRINT (with my permission - lol)

OH I DON'T KNOW... 10-8, 10-4, IS THERE A CODE FOR...

Going CRAZY ?!

Attempting to keep up with everything that is going is making me bonkers ! Is there a doctor in the house ?

Damn, thank GOD that I don't drink anymore or I'd be at the nearest family pub !

Anyhow, a few more updates.

THIS WEB SITE

I heard from the webmaster of this website and Charles told me that the site is hic-kup-ing ! So it's up, but having some problems. Ok, well I will be posting everything you see here on my site at www.k3sam.com/800/BLAHG.html.

MURRYSVILLE AMBULANCE STATION 610

Seems Murrysville Station 610 is NOT going with the new 800 System. There will be a meeting with the 911 committee tonight and I'll let you know the outcome.

Also North Huntingdon Police who are on 154.770 Mhz are not budgamating and they want to keep their own dispatchers. Wooha, don't know.

8 months ago I would have agreed however this system is a winner in this boogers mind (with some quirks). I realize the dispatchers would be without jobs should this switch-over happen but isn't there something else they can do at the station or within the borough / city ?

I remember when Latrobe dispatched themselves, Derry and Ligonier and they went with 911. Latrobe had a good set up but all in all I think they like the 911 dispatching a little better. Latrobe Borough (at the time, now a city) offered their dispatchers retirement packages which they all accepted.

Time marches on and things change. I'd like to hear from any dispatches from either Murrysville or North Huntingdon to see whatz happenin'. Email at
news@k3sam.com

MORE TO COME
oh boy oh boy
(anyone have a pill for goofynessitis ?)

DeCODED,
K3SAM


JUNE 2

SHORT STUFF

I have honestly devoted 95% of Wednesday to getting new information for everyone on the new stations added to the Westmorland County 800 Mhz Public Service System and now I am exhausted.  GMan was going to come over and hit me in the head with a mallet while Scotty J. put my toes in a vice because I began speaking in fluent Yiddish, however a few sniffs of smelling the puppy's farts did the trick.  I will say that most everything that needed to be covered was taken care of in earlier postings so that makes my job easier now, I can rest.

What I am planning on writing about in the next few days is the two programs, WIN96 and PRO96COM.

Often I refer to car numbers and/or electronic serial numbers burned inside of the radios, or perhaps the files that I have posted here for downloading.  Or how about needing that cable, what cable ? 

I hope to explain each program in layman’s terms (I can only do so in layman’s terms as that is all I know !) so you will have an idea of what they do and how they do it.  Along with that I will explain what the cable does, how you can follow everything in real time on your computer and all that other neat crap.

Have any comments or information that might be helpful to others that you would like to share, just drop me an email.  Email at news@k3sam.com.

800 MHZ GUIDE

LISTEN LIVE TO THE 800 MHZ SYSTEM THRU GMANS WEB SITE - ONE DOSE A DAY BEATS A ROLL IN THE HEY, STOP THAT !

Next posting will probably be sometime later on 2 June 05.  For it is said that when Big Moon Rise and Flowers Sleep - Look On The Web For That Booger Creep.

Nite ‘al,

DECODED
Zzzzzzzzzzz…


JUNE 2 - CONTINUED / SOFTWARE ? CABLE ??

In this issue of "the Blah-g" I will attempt to touch on WIN96 and a few other things that are sitting on the table.

VEHICLE SCANNERS

I received an email from Frank who is an EMT, Firefighter and ham radio operator (N3OBL) from N. Huntingdon who brought up something from one of my past blah-gs. Scanners in the vehicles !

I attempt to keep up on everything I'm writing about and if I don't know something I either shut up or ask someone for the answer (hey google !).

I had been told by a state trooper that they are illegal, so that is what I put in the earlier blah-g. Frank said they were legal so I had to do some more checking again. I sent part of Franks email to "Topgun", a police officer who reads these ramblings and helps out now and then (thanks!!).

His response was that there is an old law on the books that isn't enforced, at least in his district (local). It's there just in case someone does indeed break the law with the aid of a vehicle scanner. The exemptions include law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMT's, and ham operators. They can all have them mounted in their vehicles. DON'T GO TO N.Y. with a vehicle scanner, they will fine you and take the scanner !

So that is the current answer from someone in the know. At least I'm clear on that now and thanks Frank for asking again... never hurts.

WIN96

I would like you to know what this program is, so when I mention it in the blog again you’ll have some idea of where I speak.

Very simply put, WIN96 is a shareware program written by Don Starr (www.starrsoft.com) and it’s function is to let the end user (you) program their own scanner. This program supports the PRO96 and the PRO2096 Radio Shack (GRE) scanners.

The program uses data stored in what is called a .p96 files. These are data files that people have developed for different cities and states. In fact you could make your own .p96 file if you had the WIN96 program ! All you would have to do is start with a blank data screen on the WIN96 program and type in all the information you want in your scanner, then save the file as MYFILE.p96. Then you could give your .p96 file to a friend, email it to someone or post it on the internet for others to download. That is what a .p96 file is and how it is created.

Everything (data) that is stored within your PRO scanner can be read by the WIN96 program, modified and then loaded back into the scanner. If Mutual Aid Ambulance would change their frequency overnight just reprogram the scanner. This also applies to any private line tones or channel attributes.

THE CABLE is used to connect between a computer and your scanner. It is a specially made serial data cable that is needed because the voltages are different between the two units (computer/scanner). Do not attempt to use an audio cable, it will not work and you will damage your scanner. The cable is a Radio Shack Part # 20-289 however there are much better cables out there. The “Purple Cable” so it is called (black) is the recommended cable to use. You can order it by going to www.BlackBagSoftware.com or other sites on the web. That is where I purchased my cable and they have excellent service offering two day priority shipping.

Make sure when you order your cable that it is a TWO WAY cable. That means simply that you can WRITE to your scanner as well as READ from it. Some cables are only ONE WAY which means they will only WRITE to the scanner, not READ from it. Stay away from those one way cables.

In review:

WIN96 is a software program that lets you program your own scanner.

.96 are files saved by the WIN96 program and stores data needed by your scanner.

The CABLE is needed to read from and write to the scanner from the computer.

Still have problems understanding WIN96 and how it works drop me an email.

Note:

This is not an instruction manual for the software. You will learn how to use it once you download it from Mr. Starr. The program costs $30.00 US dollars after your first 30 days of free evaluation. Don is very quick on answering any of your questions by email however the program is written so well even a 5 legged monkey can understand it (I did !).
= = = =
This idea is not new (reading/writing/program dumping). In the alarm industry we have been reading data in alarm panels and writing new data back for years. The auto industry uses hand held computers to check how your car is operating and to program in data into it. The cable company can read the data in your digital converter and modem and download new information to it. I think this idea was first introduced when Ogg read the data of Orgs stone tablet and then changed a marble and rewrote it.

NEXT UP

I hope you understood what the hello I was talking about above and you understand WIN96 now, next is PRO96COM. I will it write so understand you can better.

NUMBERS

New radios are coming on line and I'm writing down their numbers and logging them on the old 'puter just as fast as I kan. I have made a new data zip file for you to download if you are using the PRO96COM program.
Hell poop, go ahead and download it anyway and look at the files, they are pretty !

ta ta
DECODED,
K3SAM

800 MHZ WC GUIDE - DOWNLOAD FILES FROM HERE TOOO

FREQUENCY LIST FOR WESTMORELAND CO.

GMAN'S STREAMING AUDIO / 10-4 GOON BUNNY

 


JUNE 3

PRO96COM AND MORE, THAT'S FOR SURE

SWAT

As I write this at about 8 AM on Friday morning there is a BIG tactical operation going on talkgroup (TG) 43 which is County Wide Law Enforcement Channel 6. All these agencies can now get together (except the state police, da) and talk. This is how it is suppose to be, like Rodney King said. Sounds like COPS on TV but this is local and you can hear it if you have an 800 MigleHurts Digital Radidio !

A FEW MORE PICTURES

I was out with the phamily Tuesday and I took my trusty 52.9 Mega Pixel Canon Camera to shoot stuff like… MORE FIRE STATIONS ! Check ‘em out on the Westmoreland County 800 Mhz Guide Website http://800.k3sam.com. Just click on LOCAL PHOTOS.

FUNNY FUNNY GUYS

Ok this is too good. I am not going to say what police district this was in because someone would definitely be red faced all day long but I have to tell you about the BIG TIME RAZZING that happened this morning. Now I feel bad for the deer, but a deer was struck by a car and was still alive when a police officer had to put it down. All the other cops kept asking this guy if he had enough bullets (as if he were Barney Fife) and one cop told this poor other cop guy to pump the gun several times to get enough “WATER” out. Funny as all get out, not for the deer though.

I’m going to sell CD’s of the audio !!

This wouldn’t have been something the TV show COPS would be interested in however perhaps LET’S MAKE A MEAL ! Remember, with MONTY !

WHO IS BILL ?

Besides getting BILL’s mail everyday I keep hearing on the radio “Thanks Bill”, or “OK Bill”. So who is this Bill. Could it be like the mystery person at Idlewild Park ? Or maybe it’s Mr. Bill ? Maybe his first name is Buffalo and he plays Feetball ? They weren’t talking about Ducks. Gee, this ones got me puzzled as Nick’s 666 mystery but I’ll finger it out. Perhaps I should ask a dispatcher ?

PRO96COM PROGRAM

This program (unlike the WIN96 radio programming software program) is extremely interesting, exciting, fun to use and it is free !!

I must say at the beginning that if you do not own or have access to two 800 Mhz Digital Scanners… to be exact you need at least one PRO-2096 or PRO-96 scanner to send the data into the computer (you can’t listen to this scanner while it is sending data) and another 800 Mhz digital scanner to listen to. Either way you need one scanner to send the broadcasted data into the computer and another one to listen to.

OK, with that out of the way you will need the “Purple” cable that was discussed in yesterday’s BLAH-G and your computer, and you’re set.

Once you bring up the program you want to turn on your Radio Shack scanner and go to the CONTROL CHANNEL (CC) on the 800 Mhz system. The easiest way to get there quickly is to lock out all of your scanner banks except the one that holds your Westmoreland County system and then press MANUAL.

If you are on the CC then you will actually hear the data being sent over the air. It will sound like a harsh rushing / pulsing sound with rabies ! That is where you want to keep it. You can turn down the volume so you don’t go nutz and start writing BLAH-G’s !!!

NOW, PRESS “PROG > FUNC > PROG > PROG” on the scanner. This will set the scanner up to send data to the computer.

Plug the cable into the PC/IF JACK located on the front of the 2096 scanner and click at the bottom of the PRO96COM program to READ DATA FROM SCANNER.

That's it ! Now to watch everything as it is happening click on CHANNEL GRANT TRACE at the bottom of the program.

Now don’t email and tell me that I forgot to say plug the scanner and computer in ! I have to give you the benefit of having just a tad of knowledge (that’s all I have, any more and I'd be dangerous!).

LOOK for data file updates on my download page to keep you current with radio identifications and text tags. Those files are normally in .zip format that Windows will extract for you.

FOR HIRE

I am four hire two rite all tipes of manuals and techinamical data stuff. Just email me as I are their. This booger is expensively cheap. My web address is webmaster@k3sam.com. Thanks for hue too.

= = = = =

WESTMORELAND COUNTY’S 800 MHZ GUIDE INCLUDING PHOTOS, MAPS, COORDINENTS, 10 CODES, AMBULACE INFO AND LOADS OF STUFF 4 YOU

FREQUENCIES

LIVE AUDIO OF WC 800 MHZ SYSTEM - VISIT GMAN'S WEBSITE !

= = = = =

 


JUNE 4

SATURDAY VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING

In this edition of " the Boogers Blah-g " I have decided to include a few pictures of what the PRO96COM program looks like and what it does.

The above is a shot showing District 9 and the radio ID's being used in real time.

This shows the time (real time) of the event happening.

This shot is showing the ever changing frequencies being polled and used. This is normal and expected in a trunking system.

Here is the radio numbers (electronic serial numbers or ESN) and who they go to. In this photo you can see the last unit that transmitted is District 5 Police Dispatch. Before that was Vandergrift PD Car 5-11.

Here you can see that Delmont Car 5-91 just called 911 and 911 answered.

This is what the PRO-2096 display looks like when it is in-use by the PRO96COM program. Remember, the scanner in-use cannot be used to listen (audio is shut down)

The files that contain the radio descriptions and ESN's are posted on my download section of the K3SAM website. Updated TODAY !

HEY ANNIE - HAVE YOU SEEN ALI ?

These are two terms that I am hearing more of on the radio. In case you hear 911 say "I checked ANI and ALI", they are referring to their enhanced telephone system and checking on the AUTOMATIC LINE IDENTIFICATION and the AUTOMATIC LOCATION IDENTIFICATION. Hence, ANI and ALI.

If you call 911 either on your home or cell phone and hang up, first they will HOLD your call. You cannot HANG UP, even if you tried. Second the ANI and ALI system will show them who the phone is registered to (except cell) and the physical location (except cell). On a cell phone they can find out who the phone is registered to but it takes longer and they can find out EXACTLY where that phone was when the call was made and where it is now if it is turned on (by use of Enhanced GPS).

If you leave your cell phone on all the time 911 can locate it even if you are not talking. Thus, the Big Brother Phone System of this US of A has taken over !

RADIOS

One of the fire fighters has reported that their company wanted to purchase some new portables and were told by Staleys (they did not say Staleys but where else er ya gonna get 'em, Burger Queen ?) the cost is $2,250 ! Wow ! That's a far cry from the $220 to $500 range that I use to sell portables for. The $500 models had a place for handcuffs, flashlight, superman decoder ring and kazoo.

JOB

I've done my job for this 24 hour period, now I need you to do yours. Email me with fire/police/EMS tidbits and stories. I'll pick and pull some stuff for the blah-g, the more I know the better I can inform ! Where else would you have learned about Frick and Frack !! Really !! news@k3sam.com

800 Mhz GUIDE
DOWNLOAD THE LATEST ZIP FILE FOR PRO96COM
LATEST TALKGROUP INFORMATION

GMAN'S LIVE AUDIO / LISTEN TO WESTMORELAND CO. ON THE 'PUTER !

ta ta
 


JUNE 5

FIRES AND MAGIC

Thank God that I’m still here and have hands (typing too fast)! Good Sunday to ya. Last week GMan and myself were entering portable / mobile / and base unit numbers faster then Staley’s issued them ! We are both using the PRO96COM program which allows us to see the radio identification numbers on each radio as they transmit. If they have not been logged before then they basically come up blank. That is where this booger and his helper enter who they belong to. Once logged, the files are placed on the World Wide Webski for those of you that would like to download them.

Yesterday alone I believe another 40 to 60 numbers were identified and saved. Just think if we got paid by the number ! I’d be on a rubber tire sailing toward Hawaii and GMan would hire someone to cut his lower 40 for him.

You can always download the latest files from K3SAM, just go the 800 Mhz Guide page at http://800.k3sam.com.

CODES

Ok folks we are leaving the world of known 10 codes and traveling to an unknown world of cyber ciphers ! Yes, CYBER-CIPHERS !! What is 10-200 ? Or 10-63 ?

Somewhere within the FCC rules and regulations it states that use of these cyber codes is illegal UNLESS the codes are made available to the general public. Don’t make me look up the FCC law guys as I get hinky and spazed when I gotta do that. My English and Spelling goes all to hell and a hockey puck when I get this upset ! Ya gotta let us know what cha mean !

You don’t want to see me hinky do you ?

KISKI STATE POLICE

Kiski has been very active on our (Westmoreland County) new radio system borrowing radios from New Ken and hogging up the airwaves. I really don’t care but thought I’d mention it here. Looks like they have been very productive taking 10-15’s (prisoners) left and right with their normal concentration being in illegal drugs.

These new portable radios sound just as clear as a base station radio with a Bob Heil microphone and since they are going through the trunking repeater they sound just as strong. With that said the state troopers can take a portable and place it in their 1963 Rambler and make it into an instant UNDERCOVER CAR !, radio equipped !!

So watch for those AMC Ramblers and 1970 Dodge Challegers… never know what might be behind the wheel, a COP or a NERD (not to confuse the two).

MISTAK

My local police department went to one of their talk-around frequencies the other day and I couldn’t hear them. Whooa you say ! Well I had to blame it on the guy that programmed the radio last ! ME. I forgot to program in the talk-around frequencies into the WIN96 program file that I made up.

So a modified file was made and downloaded into my Radio Shack scanners and all is well. That file was also put on my web site for those of you wishing to download it.

DOGS AND MAGIC SHOWS – NEW PORTABLE NUMBERS

Just a quick note that I am hearing some kind of a show being set up at the parks on 800 Mhz County Maintenance TG 354. Not sure if it is at Twin Lakes, Northmoreland or the Boogers Magic park, but it is going to happen somewhere. I only report, you gotta find.

Speaking of Park Maintenance (TG 354) seems they ran out of Radio Numbers (like 4-2 and 5-90) and they have come up with a new way to identify themselves. NAMES ! You now have Matt, Jimmy, Chuckie, Mark, and Dan. No numbers, just first names. Now isn’t that creative.

They can’t do that on REGULAR POLICE frequencies because there are too many JOHNS, JIMS and JOES !

RACCOONS IN DELMONT !

Guess the police had some fun in Delmont Friday night chasing Raccoons all over the place. Cars in other areas were bidding on the meat but I think it was sold to one of the local restaurants. I am under a gag order so I can’t tell you which restaurant the meat went to but I will say that I’m staying home to eat this Sunday ! ( Am I really serious ? You’ll have to ask Car 5-91 about that ! )

APPLAUD 911

Saturday night in Delmont there were three different fires all at the same time. 911 used their new RADIO system to dispatch and manage each on different TalkGroups (TG). Fire units were jumping back and forth between the different TG’s as managed by 911 and absolutely NO ONE missed a beat.

Now THAT is the way this system should be run. At first when the system began all hell broke loose, seemed no one had proper radio training but another month has gone by and all is well. Might it have been something this booger said ? I doubt it. But if it was then thanks for reading this and doing something about it. I take no credit, only paypal.

That’s it for this Sunday afternoodles. New files posted on the download page and I’m off (to see the wizard? Or just off…)

800 MHZ GUIDE FOR WESTMORELAND COUNTY

LISTEN LIVE TO THE POLICE / FIRE / EMS - GMAN'S SWINGING SITE ON THE WEB !
 


JUNE 6

JUST ANOTHER RAINY DIGITAL DAY

TOSAY

Sorry, I ran on. To Say that there is nothing new to report would be about right however that isn’t totally correct.

The are no new talkgroups (TG) to report, no new 4,300 channel wristwatch style 800 Mhz radios, no mini towers that fit inside a bird’s behind… not even a new dispatcher to speak of. What is new is the fact that we just had our very first spring weather disaster that depended totally on 800 Mhz Radios!

With the rain pounding, wind blowing and the lightning smacking on brick chimneys, fire sirens sounded throughout the valley. The first fire units were dispatched for trees and wires down. Then a big one came, a structure fire in Ligonier Township ! Companies from Ligonier, Darlington, Waterford, Wilpen, Youngstown, Latrobe, Chestnut Ridge, Fairfield Township, and Hazmat Team 800 rushed to a fully involved structure fire. Police and ambulances also on the stand-by. That fire alone took up at least two TAC channels !

( If I left out your fire company drop me a line, I hate when I do that... news@k3sam.com )
Then on top of that Bell Township Fire Department was called out on trees and wires down, that took up another TAC channel. You should have heard the chatter !

Another TAC channel soon to be used ! An automobile wreck with entrapment ! That called out all the Ligonier Township stand-by units (Latrobe - Chestnut Ridge, Fairfield Township), running that area very thin on fire protection although everything was under control.

Your conventional scanner was useless today except to hear a state police car or two. All the action was on the 800 Mhz DIGITAL trunking scanners. TG’s full of chatter, not only on the FIRE TAC channels but also on the Medical, Police, Hazmat and County Public Safety TAC’s.

And of course when the weather gets like this there are always a few domestics that the police are called on. Such was the case today ! These were mostly in the Delmont and New Ken area. I’m not reporting on the domestics, just the amount of radio space it took up. Did I mention the graduations that were going on ??? Traffic jams… ???

Again this Booger gives the 911 dispatchers 4 BLAH-G’s for their fine work.

So if you have a conventional scanner I say “Start saving your pennies as APCO 25 Digital is here to stay”. Soon will come the State Police 700 Mhz Digital communications system which nobody seems to know anything about yet but guaranteed conventional scanners will not hear anything. It is also expected that the Digital scanners will not be able to copy that digital format either.

But I’m not going to worry about something that isn’t here yet. When that day comes I’ll worry just like the rest of you. Probably not as much as UFOnly (one of the boogers informants) and maybe a bit more than Scotty J. (nothing bothers him except when his number doesn't come up) but a few more hairs will surely turn gray (or green... never know).

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
800 MHZ WESTMORELAND CO. GUIDE

LISTEN LIVE 24/7 ON GMANS GREAT EXPERIMENT - Westmoreland County's 800 Mhz Rebroadcast !!

FREQUENCY GUIDE FOR WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

DOWNLOAD THE LATEST WIN96 AND PRO96COM FILES - HERE !!

HAVE ANY NEWS FOR THE BLAH-G ? news@k3sam.com
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

tata ..


JUNE 8

BACK UP THERE !

Yesterday (Tuesday) was backup day, sick day, paperwork day, pay bills day, wiring day, and be kind to four letter words day, ALL IN ONE.  Busy all day and it was hard slicing portions of the day and juggling them around.   But that day is over and I got all most everything done that had to be done, done.

The hardest was downloading and checking all the internet files for backup purposes.  I’m sure this is cake to just about any webbooger, but this booger takes his time and checks everything five times over twice.  I was also using a new FTP (file transfer program) so it took some time to get use to.

SCOTTY J.

I was going over everything that took place over the last week on the 800 Mhz System with Scotty J. (this boogers super spy and non-resident babe hunter - watch out Latrobe Ladies !) and we came to a startling conclusion about one of the photos I took.  While I was out shooting pictures I DID take a picture of Westmoreland County 911’s tower !

The photo that is labeled Communications Tower – Donahue Road – Cell Site.  Right below that tower sits the 911 Center and that is their antenna group.  We both just said “ KEWL “ !  Next time I do work on that web page I will update the photo to say “911 Tower” or something else super creative.  Perhaps I’ll do a blow up of that photo and mark the known antennas.  Perhaps I won’t, never know about me… sometimes I surprise the hell out of myself !

GMAN 

I’m sure GMan is going to ship a bic when he sees his name in bold letters in this boogers blah-g, but that’s ok… sometimes you just have to flick your bic !  Besides keeping his live streaming audio of the Westmoreland County Police / Fire / EMS frequencies going 24/7 on his website he also finds time to work, collect radio ESN numbers, and cut his grass !Now that’s amazing ! 

If it wasn’t for GMan I would never have gotten involved with this PRO96COM program (don’t know whether to kick him or thank him !).  I keep the program running almost all the time in my never ending attempt to capture all the radio ESN numbers for both you and me.  I post the newest files of radio numbers on my website so when you download them your PRO96COM program will be up-to-date.

You can find those files on my 800 Mhz Guide website at http://800.k3sam.com and click on the files button or just go to http://downloads.k3sam.com.  Either one works.

RADIO CONSOLES

At this writing I am getting together some photos of different 911 centers to post here.  It would sure be nice to have a few pictures of “our’ 911 center but I don’t have any nor do I have a golden invitation to visit their site.

I visited the old 911 center years ago when it was located in the basement of the Westmoreland County Courthouse however didn’t take any pictures.  That equipment would be out-of-date now-a-days anyway.  If possible I’ll have all of that put together in a few days and get everything posted.

This is what some of the equipment may look like at the 911 center...

 

I know two of the current 911 dispatchers and I think at least one of them (BM) reads this blah-g.  I wonder if he would be so nice to send me a few .JPG’s of the new center ??  If you have any, please forward them to news@k3sam.com.  I’ll keep your name out of the blah-g unless you wish credit.

If your reading this from any other county in Pee Aaa or any other state and you are a dispatcher, I would love to see pictures of your dispatching center.  Please let me know what city, state and county the photos are from.

I do have a few photos posted of several fire, police, and EMS locations on my website however there are just some places I am not going to get to visit to snap photos.  So if you live near any of these places try to get some digital photos of these places and shipping them to me via email.  I’m talking about places like Westmoreland City, Rillton, Herminie, Export, Scottdale, High Park, Wallyburger, Bell Township, Harrison, Hecla, Markle, etc…  What I’m looking for is a wide shot of the facility with the company name, a close up and possibly one or all of their vehicles, and the antennas they have mounted on their building.  No people pictures please unless I get a signed release form accompanied by a blood sample, a lock of hair, several toe nail clippings and $75.  I really don’t care too much about the nail clippings to be honest.

Come on, get out there and take some photos for all of use to see !!

JUST HEARD

I was listening to KDKA’s 5 AM news and they said that a few years ago Pennsylvania had over 300,000 volunteer fire fighters.  This year we are down to less than 100,000 !  That is a hell of a big drop.  Whatz up ??  Again the booger speaks… let me know why you left your company OR why you joined.  I’d like to know and possible get together a little section right here about it.

RECORDING

Sometimes when the talkgroups get HOT I record the audio digitally.  I use a program called Rip/Edit/Burn, or just REB.  Someday when I get enough good stuff I'll release a CD with the best of K3SAM.COM.  It will have clips of Vinny resetting his emergency button and Delmont chasing Raccoons !



ME GO

Bye.


NOTE
AS OF THIS DATE, 8 JUNE 2005
THIS BLOG WILL ONLY BE POSTED HERE
PLEASE BOOKMARK IT FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE

I WILL NO LONGER BE POSTING ON HAMBLOG.COM
THANK YOU !


JUNE 9

THE 800 NEWZ AND NOTHING BUTT

 

Good __________ (fill in the blank).  I have news today.  Not big news, but at least it’s something to hold you over until bigger news arrives. 

Tonight at EXACTLY 22:18:17 hours Medic 707 transmitted !!  That’s a new medic unit added to the 800 System.  I’m so excited I could pass a bus !

They tested on TG 258 which is also new.  TG 258 is MEDIC COMMAND for Latrobe Area Hospital's ER.

Medic 707 was chatting with another unit that did not identify (for shame, for shame).  Medic 707 is Ligonier Ambulance Service.  This Booger just happened to be at a location yesterday where one of those ambulances were parked and I had a chance to talk to the Ligonier EMT.  He told me that all the radios in the Ligonier Ambulance Tribe have been installed and are ready to go into service.  He was NOT wearing one that I could see though.

BTW, the program that I’ve been talking about in my last few listings (PRO96COM)  told me that Ligonier was testing (in a way).  It also helped that Ligonier 707 DID identify.  You guys gotta get this program !  I’m going to make it available for downloading on my site really really soon !

YO IMPUT

Hmmm… besides the topics that I touch on, if you would like another side topic touched upon just let me know.  Anything from Alarm Systems to Zulu Time.  Gotta keep my mind perky.  I sure as hell ain’t the smartest person in the world, in fact I’m not the smartest person in Westmoreland County !  I would go as far as to say that I’m not the smartest person in Latrobe !  In fact, I doubt it if I’m the smartest person on my block.  In this house, well… there are 4 people here and I’ll go as far as to say that I might be one of the smartest people here !  So there !!

Seriously (right) I do have a background in electronics and would gladly help when I can.  I can even tell you why Mega Hurts !  Or why you should Resist Her.  Or what to take when you get Wired.  How do you kick out a Resident Frequency ?  Why what Skip does might be Gray Lined.  All this Propagation can be discussed.  It’s up to fuse guys and gals.  Just ask the not so mighty Booger.  (include your name, address, blood type, favorite color, highest level of grade school completed, marital status and phone number... ok, just your name will do)

Send to:  news@k3sam.com
You can also use that address for other "secret stuff" you wish to let me in on.

NEW AWARDS

I have come up with subject and people awardsLook out now !  If something is covered here, such as the FANTASTIC way the 911 dispatcher covered today’s water rescue then I will give him 5 BOOGIES.   If he did an poor job (which he didn’t) I will only award one or two good boogers, or maybe one BAD BOOGY.  This goes for PRODUCTS too.  If I test a new scanner, or a whimozoom for your plamizoid and it works good, I’ll give it 3 to 5 BOOGIES. 

Good Awards Range From 1 To 5 Good Boogies.
EXAMPLE: A puppy was saved today with the help of Fire Assn't 8 from Company #19938 ().
 

Bad Awards Also Range From 1 To 5 Bad Boogies.
EXAMPLE: Company 3094-A5 took 15 minutes to acknowledge their alarm today ( ) !
I have the Boogy Machine Loaded and ready.

END, LIKE I HAVEN’T BEEN BUSY !

As stated I’m ready to quit.  Making the boogies (hmmm) took a lot of time believe it or not.  Until next time consider yourself DECODED !

ta ta...
 


JUNE 9 - AFTERNOODLE

WEB PAGE REVAMP

I’m always into something I guess.  Well today I decided to add the links and programs for the GRE (Radio Shack) Scanner.  Software, Data Files and cable links can now be found on this Boogers site ( http://downloads.k3sam.com ).

Review of changes:

-        Better design of the web page itself.

-        Added a direct link for download of the WIN96 program.

-        Added a direct link for download of the PRO96COM program.

-        Updated the PRO96COM data files into a new .zip file.

-        Posted all for downloading.

-        Opened a Coke and watched a rerun of Cheers (one with Norm in it)

Go take a look / see and let me know what you think. 

CONFUSION   

I am still seeing confusion when there is a fire call in the Hempfield Township Area.  Some areas in Hempfield Township have their fire operations on Hempfield Fire, others use Greensburg Fire, some are still using 33.52 Mhz Operations and then there are those that have switched to 800 Mhz FIRE TAC operation channels.  Some fire companies AND dispatchers alike are getting confused.  I reported on this earlier and I have not noticed an improvement what-so-ever !

Gee, I guess I am going to have to throw in my 2 sense (out of money, no cents)…

   MY PLAN

-        First, all stations will now operate on 800 Mhz for Fire Operations !

-        Unfortunately there is no second… that’s it.

This 800 Mhz Trunked Repeater System has all but proven itself and there isn’t a single reason not to switch over to it.  I realize everyone has a VHF portable, you own your own repeater system, have your own frequencies, had them for years,  you can’t listen to the new system on your old scanner, you don’t like the color of the new radio, you have your own personal frequency programmed into your personal radio now amd use them for hunting and fishing… did I leave anything out.  Probably, but listening to half of the responding fire companies on Hempfield Fire, some others on Greensburg Fire and a few yelling on Talkgroup 200 or TAC 4 or 8 isn’t being very productive.  People are missing orders from whoever is Command and that might turn around and bite you in the assistant !

RELIABLE 

Which brings me to how reliable IS this new 800 Mhz system ?  Honestly I don’t know.  I know the “ tender “ parts of this system would consist of the telephone connections (T1) between the broadcast towers, the transmitters / receivers and transceivers, the actual 911 center, the electric power / backup power systems needed at all locations, any radio data connections, the dispatchers, control consoles and the environment.

So far the trunked repeater has worked better than I would have thought, but if you look at each tender part you will see that they are all very critical.  Only time will tell what will happen when lightning strikes or a back hoe digs up the T1 line.  (I just thought of something... I've never seen this system, BOY I hope my equipment guesses are right !!)

If one of 911’s transceivers goes down how many backups to they have to switch to.  That would probably be the least of the booger's worries as with this kind of a system I’m sure they have multiple redundant systems in place.  T1 telephone line connections between the main tower sites (if that is what they are using) is super critical and I would almost doubt if there is a back up T1 system in place due to the cost.  Last I heard T1 connections are around $3,000 a month and up !  It IS possible that they are using a separate radio system to transmit the digital data between sites but I doubt it.  If something would interrupt the T1 connection, like a back hoe digging or a fire at the phone company (or even defective equipment at the CO) then part or all of the system would go down.  Remember that I also mentioned that the environment can have a lot to do with this system.  Wet leaves and trees can hamper 800 Mhz signals !

I’ll be watching and hoping and praying that this system holds up.  One word of advice, keep your old radios JUST IN CASE.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Enjoy your dinner !

Ta ta for now…

 

THESE ARE YOUR WESTMORELAND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS !

ü     ADAMSBURG BOROUGH:  RONALD THOMPSON DIR 01

ü     ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP: LEE SCHUMAKER DIR 42

ü     ARNOLD: JOHN TEDORSKI DIR 02

ü     ARONA: PAUL EBERSOLE DIR 03

ü     AVONMORE: DONALD MORGAN DIR 04

ü     BELL, TOWNSHIP OF ALLEN CLARK DIR 43

ü     BOLIVAR: EDWARD SPEIDEL DIR 05 

ü     COOK TOWNSHIP: RICHARD UMBAUGH DIR 44

ü     DELMONT: JAMES AGONA DIR 25

ü     DERRY: JOHN MCCREARY DIR 06

ü     DERRY TOWNSHIP: JOSEPH SLIVA DIR 45

ü     DONEGAL: ROBERT NICODEMUS DIR 07  

ü     DONEGAL TOWNSHIP: ROBERT NICODEMUS DIR 46

ü     EAST HUNTINGDON, TOWNSHIP OF HOWARD J. KEEFER DIR 47

ü     EAST VANDERGRIFT: CHRISTOPHER ZELONKA DIR 08

ü     EXPORT: STEPHEN OPSITNICK DIR 09

ü     FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP: JEROME ASHMAN DIR 48

ü     GREENSBURG CITY: LESLIE HARVEY DIR 10

ü     HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP: DAVID RODDY DIR 50

ü     HUNKER: ROBERT MILLER DIR 11

ü     HYDE PARK: ROGER MCKELVEY DIR 12

ü     IRWIN: KEITH GRAY DIR 13

ü     JEANNETTE: JON ROBINSON, SR DIR 14

ü     LATROBE: CHARLES B. VOGLE DIR 15

ü     LAUREL MOUNTAIN: JOHN GOUGHNOUR DIR 65

ü     LIGONIER: DUANE CRAIG DIR 16

ü     LIGONIER TOWNSHIP: JOHN BEAUFORT DIR 51

ü     LOWER BURRELL: MARK CIESIELSKI DIR 17

ü     LOYALHANNA TOWNSHIP: MARCUS W. BORTZ DIR 52

ü     MADISON: JAMES A BOWER DIR 18

ü     MANOR: MICHAEL RADAKOVICH DIR 19

ü     MONESSEN: DR. THOMAS PERSICO DIR 20

ü     MOUNT PLEASANT: GERALD D LUCIA DIR 21

ü     MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP: JOHN FORISKA DIR 53

ü     MURRYSVILLE: WILLIAM P YANT DIR 49

ü     NEW ALEXANDRIA BOROUGH: RICHARD BALIK DIR 22

ü     NEW FLORENCE BOROUGH: ARTHUR WEST DIR 23

ü     NEW KENSINGTON: KYLE FREIBERG DIR 24

ü     NEW STANTON: PAUL TODD DIR 64

ü     NORTH BELLE VERNON: MICHAEL PARZYNSKI DIR 26

ü     NORTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP: HERMAN SIEBER DIR 54

ü     NORTH IRWIN: BERNARD REYNOLDS DIR 27

ü     OKLAHOMA: ROBERT SHEARER DIR 28

ü     PENN TOWNSHIP: WILLIAM CONLEY DIR 55

ü     PENN BOROUGH: JEFFREY DARRAGH DIR 29

ü     ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP: RONALD OLSCHON DIR 56

ü     SAINT CLAIR TOWNSHIP: BRIAN TENNEY DIR 60

ü     SALEM TOWNSHIP: DAVID ROSATTI DIR 57

ü     SCOTTDALE: JEFFREY A COPPETTI DIR 30

ü     SEWARD: BRIAN TENNEY DIR 31

ü     SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP: WALT LIPINSKI DIR 58

ü     SMITHTON: THOMAS HAYNES DIR 32

ü     SOUTH GREENSBURG: DARREL GREENAWALT DIR 33

ü     SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP: LARRY MENCER DIR 59

ü     SOUTHWEST GREENSBURG: DAVID WRIGHT DIR 34

ü     SUTERSVILLE: DANIEL LANDINI, JR. DIR 35

ü     TRAFFORD: MARK KRIDLO DIR 36

ü     UNITY, TOWNSHIP: PETE TENEROWICZ DIR 61

ü     UPPER BURRELL TOWNSHIP: CHESTER LOCKWOOD DIR 62

ü     VANDERGRIFT: RONALD ROWE DIR 37

ü     WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP: SCOTT A. SAGLE DIR 63

ü     WEST LEECHBURG: THOMAS KELLY II DIR 38

ü     WEST NEWTON: PAUL WILLIAMS DIR 39

ü     YOUNGSTOWN: JAMES YAZVEC DIR 40

ü     YOUNGWOOD: ROBERT COLETTA DIR 41


JUNE 10

MY DISPATCH CENTER

 

I woke up this morning (thank God) and sat down in my captains chair, adjusted my microphone and looked at the screen of my computer that has PRO96COM program running.  I was all set and ready to start dispatching.

The window blinds were up slightly and I saw this BIG HAIRY BEAST outside the window so I thought “my first dispatch is going to be HERE, an Alien attack !”.  I pressed the microphone button and began dispatching… called all of the Latrobe Cars with backup called in from Derry, Ligonier, Ligonier Township, Seward and even Washington Township !  Medic units put on standby.  Trooper 5, PSP Helicopter requested, the dog team from Greensburg alerted and Mary Beale, Animal Rescue was called in.

I un-keyed the microphone and began paperwork when I heard this voice say “Hello Old Man, who are you calling ?”.  Here I was on my Amateur Radio and it was tuned to the 40 meter band, didn’t know the man and I remembered I wasn’t a dispatcher.  Further, the hairy beast was a reflection of myself on the squeaky clean window !

Thank goodness it was all a daydream as I wouldn’t have wanted to upset Arnold Palmer, David Letterman and President George Bush, who I have a dinner date with tonight…

EMERGENCY ALERT AWARD 

Yesterday, two services pushed their EMERGENCY BUTTONS on their radios in error and neither time was it Vinny !  They were Medic 613 and Medic 202, both at different times of the day.  What is amazing to me is that both times INSTRUCTIONS had to be given on how to RESET the damn thing.  They must not be reading this BLAH-G or read the instructions with the radio or have attended radio classes !

I am seriously thinking of teaching my own radio classes.  If so I will rent the 19th floor of the Sudlaski Building on Farth Street in Dallas, Florida.  Perhaps by the fourth or fifth meeting they will have the elevators fixed.

ANOTHER WEEKEND MINI-TRIP PLANNED

Hope to have some more photos posted to my website of area fire / police / EMS departments this weekend.  If all goes well I know of at least 8 stations I would like to visit however I’d be happy with 3 of those.  Problem is I’m not sure where some of these places are and the last time I tried to pull over a police officer I got Tazered !  Very electrifying experience !

I’ll update this BLAH-G when the photos are press off the hot.

MAAS’S AUDIO

If you have noticed a difference on 155.715 Mhz, Mutual Aid Ambulance Service’s dispatch it’s because all the dispatchers are now wearing headsets with boom microphones.  This takes almost all the BASS out of their voices !  The boom microphones pass frequencies of 300 Hz to about 2200 Hz, with their best response between 800 Hz and 1800 Hz. 

You might not even notice a difference when a woman is dispatching as typically women do not have that much bass in their voices.  There is a reason for this however if you didn’t learn that in high school then your out of luck.  I’m here to decide, not to report !

 

            MAAS UPDATE

            No Base Station Installed Yet

            No Mobile Units in Service Yet

            No Portables in Use Yet

 

            Source:  USA Today and Scotty J.

SPRINT PCS

Is it me or does SPRINT PCS have the worst service and worst service operators in the entire NATION !?  I’ve dealt with bad companies before, more than I can count actually and SPRINT rates in the bottom one percent (PooR !).  I thought Verizon was bad.  That was probably because I didn’t have anything to compare Verizon with… now I do.  Sorry Verizon.

I am trying out a new service from Sprint called MobiTV.  I can watch TV shows on my cell phone.  Holy Pixels Gman !  What’s next, text messaging ?

DERRY OR BUST

You will read (I’m sure) of a BIG DRUG BUST in Derry last night !  Quoting from 911 “At least 10 police agencies” were on scene with Derry Fire Department shutting down Route 217 for awhile.  Ligonier Township had their dog on scene to chase down one of the druggy type people that got away !   They got away BUT dropped their 40 tons of crap (dope) on the ground and one of the Latrobe Cops found it.

Officers were screaming and people were being held at gun point !!  Now if that isn’t good scanner listening then call me Wally Cox !

Again, I’m not here to report the actual story (although I could) I’m here to tell ya that everything was on 800 Mhz and the system worked as expected !  Only complaint is when people scream into their microphones… just doesn’t work, but that is with any radio system.

NUF FER NOW

Ta ta…


JUNE 11

PARADE

The COUNTYWIDE TAC channels are getting some use as a Meth Lab was discovered in Avonmore and a Parade in ongoing in Derry while this blahgger types.  COUNTYWIDE TAC 13 is the parade and COUNTYWIDE TAC 12 is some sort of BAD GUY ROUND-UP !  Looks like District 5 police are putting a hand full of bad guys in the GRAY BAR HOTEL !

What these Countywide TAC Channels do is provide is a means for police to talk to the sheriffs, and the fire, and the medics, and and and... so during a parade OR emergency just about everyone can talk to each other !

MEDIC COMMAND TERMS (thanks to GMAN)

GMan, also a control agent and contributor to this BLAG-H has come up with a list of common medical lingo used on the scanner.  With his kind and gracious permission I am reprinting it here.
 

A&O x(times)          alert and oriented to person, place, and time
A&O x(times) 4          alert and oriented to person, place, time, and event
A-FIB                   atrial fibrillation
AAA                     abdominal aortic aneurysm
ABC                     airway, breathing, and circulation
ABD                     abdomen or abdominal
ACLS                    advanced cardiac life support
ALS                     advanced life support
AMA                     against medical advice
AMT                     amount
APPROX                  approximately
ASA                     aspirin
ATF                     arrive to find
ATLE                    apparent life threatening event
BG                      blood glucose
BGL                     blood glucose level
BILAT                   bilateral or bilaterally
BLS                     basic life support
BM                      bowel movement
BP                      blood pressure
B/P                     blood pressure
BS                      breath sounds
BVM                     bag valve mask
C-SPINE                 cervical spine
C/O                     complaint of, complains of, or complaining of
CA                      cancer
CABG                    coronary artery bypass graft
CAD                     coronary artery disease
CATH                    catheter
CC                      chief complaint
CHF                     congestive heart failure
CNS                     central nervous system
CO2                     carbon dioxide
COPD                    chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP                      chest pain
CPR                     cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CSF                     cerebrospinal fluid
CT                      cat scan
CVA                     cerebral vascular accident
D5W                     5% dextrose in water
DKA                     diabetic ketoacidosis
DKA                     diabetic ketoacidosis
DNR                     do not resuscitate
DOA                     dead on arrival
DT                      delirium tremens
Dx                      diagnosis
ECG                     electrocardiogram
EMS                     Emergency Medical Services
EMT                     Emergency Medical Technician
ET                      endotracheal
ETOH                    ethanol alcohol
ETT                     endotracheal tube
F                       female
FB                      foreign body
Fx                      fracture
g                       grams
GI                      gastrointestinal
GSW                     gunshot wound
GYN                     gynecology or gynecological
H/A                     headache
HEENT                   head, eyes, ears, nose, throat
HR                      heart rate per minute
HTN                     hypertension
Hx                      history
ICP                     intracranial pressure
ICU                     intensive care unit
IM                      intramuscular
IO                      intraosseous
IV                      intravenous
JVD                     jugular venous distension
kg                      kilogram
KVO                     keep vein open
LBBB                    left bundle branch block
L-SPINE                 lumbar spine
L/S Spine               lumbarsacral spine
L&D                     labor and delivery
LAT                     lateral
lb                      pound
LLQ                     left lower quadrant
LMP                     last menstrual period
LOC                     level of consciousness
LR                      lactated ringers
LUQ                     left upper quadrant
LZ                      Landing zone
                      male
MAST                    military anti-shock (inflatable) trousers
mcg                     micrograms
MEDS                    medicine
mg                      milligram
MI                      myocardial infarction
min                     minute or minimum
MS                      mental status or muscular sclerosis
MSC                     mental status change
MSO4                    morphine sulfate
MVA                     motor vehicle accident
MVC                     motor vehicle collision
N/V                     nausea and vomiting
N/V/D                   nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
NAD                     no apparent distress
NC                      nasal cannula
NEB                     nebulizer
NKDA                    no known drug allergies
NRB                     nonrebreather
NS                      normal saline
NSR                     normal sinus rhythm
O2                      oxygen
OB/GYN                  obstetrics & gynecology
PALP                    palpation
PAC                     premature atrial contraction
PE                      pulmonary embolus or physical examination
PEARRL                  pupils equal round reactive to light
PMHx                    past medical history
PO                      by mouth
PRN                     as needed
PT                      patient
PVC                     premature ventricular contraction
RBBB                    right bundle branch block
RLQ                     right lower quadrant
RUQ                     right upper quadrant
Rx                      medicine
S/P                     status post
SIDS                    sudden infant death syndrome
SOB                     shortness of breath
SQ                      subcutaneous
ST                      sinus tachycardia
SVT                     supraventricular tachycardia
Sx                      symptoms
Sz                      seizures
T-SPINE                 thoracic spine
                      temperature
TIA                     transient ischemic attack
TKO                     to keep open
Tx                      treatment
UOA                     upon our arrival
URI                     upper respiratory infection
UTI                     urinary tract infection
VF                      ventricular fibrillation
VS                      vital signs (vitals)
VT                      ventricular tachycardia
WNL                     within normal limits
YO                      years old

 

Thanks GMan!

THIS BLAH-G

Most blah-gs use "blog" software, that keeps everything nice and orderly.  I, on the other hand (left) just type in HTML coding onto my website, close my eyes and hope for the best.  This makes for a "run on" Blah-g.  Do I like this, hell I don't know but it is beginning to look
sloppyDamn-It anyway.  I am about to make some kind of a change that I'm sure you will like.  I'm sure I'll like it too once I create it.  I will begin as soon as I do, then I can finish when I'm done.  Keep watching HERE for updates.

MY BOOGIE AWARDS

So far I've only had one comment on my boogie awards for good and / or stupid things heard on the scanner.  If there is confusion on the scanner then someone is going to end up with a BAD BOOGY (see below).  If the incident is handled the way it should be, then someone (or everyone) will get a GOOD BOOGY (see below) !

     

BAD  BOOGY  VS  THE  INFAMOUS  GOOD  BOOGY  !

Let me know whether you like the blah-g boogies or not.  I would also like to hear the date when you are going on line with the 800 Mhz system if you aren't already.  That is the kind of "meat" I need for this site.  Good meat = a nice balanced dinner !  I'll give you the reporting email address again... it's news@k3sam.com !  For general comments you can send your other crap to webmaster@k3sam.com or just make up any address (that's the ticket !).

GOING TO CUT AND PASTE

Making this blah-g short for the AFTERNOODLE© and will attempt to add more as things happen here in Westmoreland County so I'm going to CUT out of here for now.  In the mean time I'm off for more photos, write some more code and enjoy life a bit.  Feel free to copy and PASTE or print anything you see here.  It would be nice if I got the credit that I deserve (none really) and GMan gets his as well as Scotty J., that's not much to ask.  Ta ta for now.
 



 


The scene took place on a BA (British Airways) flight between Johannesburg and London. A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man.


Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air
Hostess. "Madam, what is the matter," the hostess
asked. "You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."

"Be calm please," the hostess replied. "Almost all
the places on this flight are taken. I will go to
see if another place is available."


The Hostess went away and then came back a few
minutes later. "Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in the economy class. I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is also no seat in the business class. All the same, we still have one place in the first class."

Before the woman could say anything, the hostess
continued: "It is not usual for our company to
permit someone from the economy class to sit in the first class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting." She turned to the black guy, and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand
luggage, a seat awaits you in first class."

At that moment, the other passengers who were
shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.

anonymous

BIG UPDATE - YOU ARE NOW BELOW
As stated, this Blah-g has been located on the Hamblog.com location, then moved to this location due to posting problems.  Although this is an EXTREMELY NICE SITE and I KNOW THE WEBMASTER PERSONALLY I am now RELOCATING THE BLAH-G ON THE BLOGSPOT WEBSITE.  PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THIS IN YOUR NOTES SO THAT LATER YOU WILL BE ABLE TO NOTE THAT FACT.
I will be bringing the boogies with me !
http://k3sam.blogspot.com

That's the new site, please visit now.. visit hard.. and visit often !
(this post on 13 June 2005)

 

STREAMING LIVE AUDIO OF OUR 800 MHZ SYSTEM BY GMAN
** By clicking on the above link you will leave this website and go to the GMAN'S SITE where you can listen to this new 800 Mhz radio system... including broadcasts from Latrobe Police, Murrysville Fire #20, Medic 600, Sheriff's department, Staley's Radio Maintenance, Derry Fire, Arnold Police, Chestnut Ridge Fire, WOW !  It's not your own scanner but until you get one ! it's a nice way to listen.  Enjoy - Thanks GMan !! **

DECODED - K3SAM
Copyrighted© 2005

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