Wednesday, June 15, 2005
kinda sorta a FLASH update
OVER HEARD
It was heard today by the Booger Blah-ger that Westmoreland County 911's Radio System is getting a major system update.
Now what could that be ?
In my 90 years of experience and a degree in BS, my guess is software. You know software controls the 911 center.. didn't you ? 911 has reported twice in as many days that they are having problems. These problems include Dispatching Consoles "hanging" or "locking up". Police agencies are reporting that their radios are locking on transmit.
Well, either way I will report what I know when I know it. Stay tuned.
FIRE IN THE HILLS
There was a modular home (big figgin’ trailer) fire this afternoodle, the call came in around 14:29:24 today (2:30 PM roughly) with more fire equipment dispatched than you can shake a stick at !
Ligonier (43), Waterford (44), Chestnut Ridge (110), Wilpen (45), Latrobe Salvage (113), and Hazmat 807 all responding. It appears as if there was a dryer fire that caused an extensive amount of smoke damage but no fire was found.
All units not on scene were finally cancelled and the incident was under control at about 2:42 PM. These are all times from my PRO96COM log.
I’ll tell you, this program is awesome.
TRACKING
Let’s play dispatcher. Ok, let’s not but here is a screen shot from last night’s computer and we can run down a little of what was done (kinda like listening with our eyes !).
As we start New Ken Car 9-14 calls 911 and they answer. Manor Car 1-21 also calls 911 while New Ken 9-14 is talking. 911 answers Manor on a different dispatch console (two different conversations going).
While those transmissions are finishing, Irwin Car 1-12 is calling dispatch. An ambulance is now being dispatched and Latrobe Police Car 4-2 is calling 911. Toward the bottom of the photo you will also see Lower Burrell Detective D-4 calling the 911 Center.
As you can see 911 can handle quite a bit at one time. The dispatch consoles are broken down into zones, for example one console handles Police District 4 which would include Latrobe, Derry, St. Clair Twp., New Florence, Bolivar, and Seward. Car 4-40 is in there somewhere too. Another Console would handle District 1 Police. Then there is a Console for FIRE, one for AMBULANCE, etc… 200 thousand Consoles ! Seriously, last time I saw they had 6 Dispatch Consoles. I would imagine they still have 6 and perhaps 8-10 now, all new !
What I had mentioned earlier about listening with your eyes might not be that crazy of a thought. This IS digital audio, right ? Just think of all the HEARING IMPARED people out there that cannot listen to a scanner !
Digital audio is decoded on a very small computer chip and then converted to analog audio that we can hear. The chip is called a D to A (or just D/A) converter chip. Who says that information can’t be decoded into words on a computer screen ? NOT ME, I think it is entirely possible !
Right now there are products out there that take the spoken voice and transform it to “typing” on a computer, so you young electronic engineers there’s a project for you !!
Hell, why stop there. If it can be shown on a screen it can be printed on a printer ! It can be faxed, emailed, inserted, stored.. you name it. Call the newly created chip a D/P converter, Digital to Print !
In fact, I bet that if purchased one of those headsets that turn audio into computer “type”, and held the microphone up to the scanner speaker, I would have a primitive version of exactly that, a D/P Scanner ! Think about it !
HELLO, TESTING
Speaking of audio, I’ve had several emails asking how I record this stuff. Well, it’s all secret ! So secret that SCOTT J. had the State Police Helicopter hovering 25 feet above his house this afternoon for almost 15 minutes !!
OK, it's not secret. I created a small web page with that information on it if you are interested. Just CLICK HERE to visit the audio communications control center for my recording system.
If you would like actual wiring information with impedance bridges and connection boxes you'll have to email with your exact questions.
STUFF
That's about it for this semi-flash afternoodle blah-g. Just want to remind you that NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE you can listen to the Westmoreland County 800 Mhz system by going to GMAN'S website. He has streaming LIVE audio !
The link is www.gmans.net and he'll be more than happy to pour you a cup of Joe.
WESTMORELAND'S CO. 800 MHZ GUIDE
FREQUENCY LIST OF WESTMORELAND CO.
the K3SAM WEBSITE
DOWNLOAD FILES FOR WIN96 and PRO96COM
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Decoded for now,
K3SAM
It was heard today by the Booger Blah-ger that Westmoreland County 911's Radio System is getting a major system update.
Now what could that be ?
In my 90 years of experience and a degree in BS, my guess is software. You know software controls the 911 center.. didn't you ? 911 has reported twice in as many days that they are having problems. These problems include Dispatching Consoles "hanging" or "locking up". Police agencies are reporting that their radios are locking on transmit.
Well, either way I will report what I know when I know it. Stay tuned.
FIRE IN THE HILLS
There was a modular home (big figgin’ trailer) fire this afternoodle, the call came in around 14:29:24 today (2:30 PM roughly) with more fire equipment dispatched than you can shake a stick at !
Ligonier (43), Waterford (44), Chestnut Ridge (110), Wilpen (45), Latrobe Salvage (113), and Hazmat 807 all responding. It appears as if there was a dryer fire that caused an extensive amount of smoke damage but no fire was found.
All units not on scene were finally cancelled and the incident was under control at about 2:42 PM. These are all times from my PRO96COM log.
I’ll tell you, this program is awesome.
TRACKING
Let’s play dispatcher. Ok, let’s not but here is a screen shot from last night’s computer and we can run down a little of what was done (kinda like listening with our eyes !).
As we start New Ken Car 9-14 calls 911 and they answer. Manor Car 1-21 also calls 911 while New Ken 9-14 is talking. 911 answers Manor on a different dispatch console (two different conversations going).
While those transmissions are finishing, Irwin Car 1-12 is calling dispatch. An ambulance is now being dispatched and Latrobe Police Car 4-2 is calling 911. Toward the bottom of the photo you will also see Lower Burrell Detective D-4 calling the 911 Center.
As you can see 911 can handle quite a bit at one time. The dispatch consoles are broken down into zones, for example one console handles Police District 4 which would include Latrobe, Derry, St. Clair Twp., New Florence, Bolivar, and Seward. Car 4-40 is in there somewhere too. Another Console would handle District 1 Police. Then there is a Console for FIRE, one for AMBULANCE, etc… 200 thousand Consoles ! Seriously, last time I saw they had 6 Dispatch Consoles. I would imagine they still have 6 and perhaps 8-10 now, all new !
What I had mentioned earlier about listening with your eyes might not be that crazy of a thought. This IS digital audio, right ? Just think of all the HEARING IMPARED people out there that cannot listen to a scanner !
Digital audio is decoded on a very small computer chip and then converted to analog audio that we can hear. The chip is called a D to A (or just D/A) converter chip. Who says that information can’t be decoded into words on a computer screen ? NOT ME, I think it is entirely possible !
Right now there are products out there that take the spoken voice and transform it to “typing” on a computer, so you young electronic engineers there’s a project for you !!
Hell, why stop there. If it can be shown on a screen it can be printed on a printer ! It can be faxed, emailed, inserted, stored.. you name it. Call the newly created chip a D/P converter, Digital to Print !
In fact, I bet that if purchased one of those headsets that turn audio into computer “type”, and held the microphone up to the scanner speaker, I would have a primitive version of exactly that, a D/P Scanner ! Think about it !
HELLO, TESTING
Speaking of audio, I’ve had several emails asking how I record this stuff. Well, it’s all secret ! So secret that SCOTT J. had the State Police Helicopter hovering 25 feet above his house this afternoon for almost 15 minutes !!
OK, it's not secret. I created a small web page with that information on it if you are interested. Just CLICK HERE to visit the audio communications control center for my recording system.
If you would like actual wiring information with impedance bridges and connection boxes you'll have to email with your exact questions.
STUFF
That's about it for this semi-flash afternoodle blah-g. Just want to remind you that NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE you can listen to the Westmoreland County 800 Mhz system by going to GMAN'S website. He has streaming LIVE audio !
The link is www.gmans.net and he'll be more than happy to pour you a cup of Joe.
WESTMORELAND'S CO. 800 MHZ GUIDE
FREQUENCY LIST OF WESTMORELAND CO.
the K3SAM WEBSITE
DOWNLOAD FILES FOR WIN96 and PRO96COM
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Decoded for now,
K3SAM
SEMI QUIET TUESDAY NIGHT
Only the norm tonight, even with the storm that went through our area. The sky sure did look like someone painted it black but most everything except some wind passed us by. If it wasn’t for the fact that the wind had a pleasant smell to it I would have bet that it came from the two bars that are side by side just a stones throw down the street.
With that in mind and no more breaking news perhaps I’ll have a chance to speak about some things on my brainoid. Like they say about that old gray matter, if you don’t use it you’ll lose it !
BOOGY AWARDS
Tonight I have a three Good Boogy Awards to give out. One award for each service and I didn’t have it planned that way (although I could have lied).
I don’t have the exact incidents or dates however the thoughts of each of the radio transmissions are still very much on my mind.
The first award goes to the gentleman who is usually the voice of MEDIC 227. In fact I believe he is working as I type this. I’ve heard this gentleman go from politely and orderly getting the supplies together for the ambulances to calmly requesting a chopper on stand-by all the while burning down the road at 75 MPH. Then on scene he would calmly request the chopper in and order more backup units while again working on a patient.
He was super calm and collected in each of the three examples I just gave, doing each with the preciseness of a surgeon. Whoever you are keep up the good work.
The second award goes to whatever officer was in Allegheny Township Police Car 5-62 the other night when while on scene of one vehicle accident there was another, with the second vehicle flipping over, catching fire with at least one person trapped inside. I was not at the scene, my only eyes being the PRO-2096 scanner but from everything I heard this Officer was the Hero of the night pulling the trapped occupants out of the car while it was still burning ! Thank God as I believe the ambulance and fire services both had an extended ETA.
Kudos to you sir, you know who you are !!
The last award goes to Fire Chief 33 out of Marguerite. Again it is my loss not knowing his name. Listening to several fires that he has been on he immediately grabs the mic and the nearest tools and in one hand he is giving orders while in the next helping those under his command in any way he can during any incident. He puts me in mind of that Military Man on the History Channel that stars in Mail Call ! However Chief 33 seems to be a much nicer person. You can tell he is liked as everyone under his command were following his every command with extreme promptness, and the added extra key was that every other fire company coming into the fire scene showed him just as much respect as his own squad.
One hell of a guy !
All three of the above have impressed this very little person behind the keyboard. EACH deserves a pat on the back next time you see them. If you know who I’m speaking of, you know… put a name to the person, drop me an email at news@k3sam.com and let me know if you will.
No real names are ever used unless they are a public figure anyway, undercover police officers names are never used.
BOOGY AWAY GUYS, GOOD JOB AND THANKS !
SYSTEM BACKED UP 400
This is another thing that is on my mind and it sure as hell isn’t going to be hard for you to follow me on this semi-technical item.
At LEAST four times Tuesday I heard 911 say that the scope (item used to look up license plates and drivers licenses… otherwise know as a computer and screen) is backup-ed 200, 300, or even by 400 ! What that means is there is currently 400 license requests being made by other police agencies and yours will be placed on the end.
Kind of like when you place a phone call to big business and you hear the message “you are currently caller number 8, your wait will be approximately 12 minutes”. Well, if there were 400 requests, you are now 401 !
Now, this booger has had some experience using those “scopes” and I know how long it can take. Let me use the Greensburg State Police Barracks as an example.
Up until a few years ago the State Police used a semi-standard slow computer that was connected to the BIG computer in Harrisburg and a simple 14,400 kbps (antique now) modem to do all of their license lookups. This was pretty much the same all over, if a police agency had a “scope”, that was the connection. I haven’t seen the newer systems but if they aren’t broadband by now someone is sleeping at the switch. Also the computers should be of the faster breed, at least a 2 Ghz processor.
Now, here is my COMPLAINT ! If I can get on line with the WWW (world wide web) and go to my home page at the same time several hundred thousand (millions) of others are doing the same thing… why can’t four hundred (400) police license plates be run at the same time with IMMEDIATE RESPONSE BACK EXPECTED ?
There are only a very few exceptions to this simple request. One would be updating or backing up of the data files, but nowadays that only takes a short period of time as most work is done off-line. The only other exception that I can think of, if they even still have this feature, is when a police department use to “request a manual search”. What this entailed was sending Harrisburg the license information BUT request that someone there physically take that number and do a PAPER lookup. Then that person would validate the findings and send a message back to the requesting police department or ageny.
Even with those exceptions, in today’s world if I request information on PA LICENSE AAA-1234, from the time I press ENTER until the time that information appears on my data terminal (screen) should NOT take any longer than 5 seconds !
My concept is REAL and it isn’t unreasonable to ask why it isn’t that fast now. I’m sure each police officer would agree with me that waiting for their requests is just a pain in their asspercreme !
What are we doing with our TAX money in Pennsylvania anyhow, building Phil a new Groundhog Palace ? (hmmm, I believe we are…)
I HAVEN’T LOST IT
Contrary to the last doctor’s report, I haven’t lost it yet. My Gray Matter is intact and I enjoyed writing this issue more than most. I hope it was as good for you reading this as it was for me writing it. Thinking is good ! Expressing yourself is also good. Everyone should try it.
DECODED,
K3SAM
With that in mind and no more breaking news perhaps I’ll have a chance to speak about some things on my brainoid. Like they say about that old gray matter, if you don’t use it you’ll lose it !
BOOGY AWARDS
Tonight I have a three Good Boogy Awards to give out. One award for each service and I didn’t have it planned that way (although I could have lied).
I don’t have the exact incidents or dates however the thoughts of each of the radio transmissions are still very much on my mind.
The first award goes to the gentleman who is usually the voice of MEDIC 227. In fact I believe he is working as I type this. I’ve heard this gentleman go from politely and orderly getting the supplies together for the ambulances to calmly requesting a chopper on stand-by all the while burning down the road at 75 MPH. Then on scene he would calmly request the chopper in and order more backup units while again working on a patient.
He was super calm and collected in each of the three examples I just gave, doing each with the preciseness of a surgeon. Whoever you are keep up the good work.
The second award goes to whatever officer was in Allegheny Township Police Car 5-62 the other night when while on scene of one vehicle accident there was another, with the second vehicle flipping over, catching fire with at least one person trapped inside. I was not at the scene, my only eyes being the PRO-2096 scanner but from everything I heard this Officer was the Hero of the night pulling the trapped occupants out of the car while it was still burning ! Thank God as I believe the ambulance and fire services both had an extended ETA.
Kudos to you sir, you know who you are !!
The last award goes to Fire Chief 33 out of Marguerite. Again it is my loss not knowing his name. Listening to several fires that he has been on he immediately grabs the mic and the nearest tools and in one hand he is giving orders while in the next helping those under his command in any way he can during any incident. He puts me in mind of that Military Man on the History Channel that stars in Mail Call ! However Chief 33 seems to be a much nicer person. You can tell he is liked as everyone under his command were following his every command with extreme promptness, and the added extra key was that every other fire company coming into the fire scene showed him just as much respect as his own squad.
One hell of a guy !
All three of the above have impressed this very little person behind the keyboard. EACH deserves a pat on the back next time you see them. If you know who I’m speaking of, you know… put a name to the person, drop me an email at news@k3sam.com and let me know if you will.
No real names are ever used unless they are a public figure anyway, undercover police officers names are never used.
BOOGY AWAY GUYS, GOOD JOB AND THANKS !
SYSTEM BACKED UP 400
This is another thing that is on my mind and it sure as hell isn’t going to be hard for you to follow me on this semi-technical item.
At LEAST four times Tuesday I heard 911 say that the scope (item used to look up license plates and drivers licenses… otherwise know as a computer and screen) is backup-ed 200, 300, or even by 400 ! What that means is there is currently 400 license requests being made by other police agencies and yours will be placed on the end.
Kind of like when you place a phone call to big business and you hear the message “you are currently caller number 8, your wait will be approximately 12 minutes”. Well, if there were 400 requests, you are now 401 !
Now, this booger has had some experience using those “scopes” and I know how long it can take. Let me use the Greensburg State Police Barracks as an example.
Up until a few years ago the State Police used a semi-standard slow computer that was connected to the BIG computer in Harrisburg and a simple 14,400 kbps (antique now) modem to do all of their license lookups. This was pretty much the same all over, if a police agency had a “scope”, that was the connection. I haven’t seen the newer systems but if they aren’t broadband by now someone is sleeping at the switch. Also the computers should be of the faster breed, at least a 2 Ghz processor.
Now, here is my COMPLAINT ! If I can get on line with the WWW (world wide web) and go to my home page at the same time several hundred thousand (millions) of others are doing the same thing… why can’t four hundred (400) police license plates be run at the same time with IMMEDIATE RESPONSE BACK EXPECTED ?
There are only a very few exceptions to this simple request. One would be updating or backing up of the data files, but nowadays that only takes a short period of time as most work is done off-line. The only other exception that I can think of, if they even still have this feature, is when a police department use to “request a manual search”. What this entailed was sending Harrisburg the license information BUT request that someone there physically take that number and do a PAPER lookup. Then that person would validate the findings and send a message back to the requesting police department or ageny.
Even with those exceptions, in today’s world if I request information on PA LICENSE AAA-1234, from the time I press ENTER until the time that information appears on my data terminal (screen) should NOT take any longer than 5 seconds !
My concept is REAL and it isn’t unreasonable to ask why it isn’t that fast now. I’m sure each police officer would agree with me that waiting for their requests is just a pain in their asspercreme !
What are we doing with our TAX money in Pennsylvania anyhow, building Phil a new Groundhog Palace ? (hmmm, I believe we are…)
I HAVEN’T LOST IT
Contrary to the last doctor’s report, I haven’t lost it yet. My Gray Matter is intact and I enjoyed writing this issue more than most. I hope it was as good for you reading this as it was for me writing it. Thinking is good ! Expressing yourself is also good. Everyone should try it.
DECODED,
K3SAM
